Continental Drifter was written in the cold, snowy winter of 2010. Its pretty easy to lock ourselves in the studio during the winter months and write. This song contains an eclectic mix of sounds that we felt could be considered native to specific parts of the world, hence the name “Continental Drifter”. Enjoy!
A Blast From the Past
Soulfatronic is a hip hop/jazz/rock group I used to play with. The blend of sounds we created made for some pretty interesting songs. The most unique aspect of the band is that we all had very different tastes in music. At times this created some pretty serious conflicts but at the end of the day, we valued the diversity that allowed our band to explore music as a whole, opposed to a specific style. These days I play with some of the members of soulfatronic in a fusion group called BAM! We are all looking forward to reuniting with the whole band in the studio next month to lay down some old songs. Here’s a taste of our past….
Anthony Baker – Roxx Hard
Last night, I had the pleasure of competing with some of the areas best drummers in a Best in Drums Competition that is being hosted at Sam Ash locations around the country. While I believe I gave it a good shot, there was no denying that this man stole the show…
Anthony Baker is the drummer for Crystal Roxx, a Tri-State act that has been entertaining crowds for the past decade. Best of luck to Anthony in his career and as he continues his path to the final round of the competition in Las Vegas.
10 Most Significant DEAD Rock Drummers (1-5)
Following a competitive 10-6 countdown, we have narrowed down a list of the top 5 dead rock drummers. Plain and simple, music would have gone in a different direction without the contribution of these innovators…
5. Randy Castillo: A heavy-hitter with warp speed double-bass attack; A showman with limitless charisma and boundless energy… Randy Castillo was nothing shy of amazing; as a performer, an artist, and a teacher. He was taken by cancer in 2002, after a successful run with some of the biggest rockers in the world including Lita Ford in the early 80s, Ozzy Osbourne in the 80s and 90s, and Motely Crue during the late 90s (the years Tommy and Vince couldn’t bare to look at each other). Castillo discovered the drums after succumbing to Beatlemania in 1964. From there, he performed in his own bands until making the move to LA in 1981. He became a household name and a go to guy on the LA scene. Motley Crue didn’t even audition him when he joined the band. Unfortunately, his stint with the band was short-lived, as his health worsened. After gaining some control over cancer, rumors circulated that Castillo would join Ozzy on his 2001 tour. Several months later the cancer returned. He died at age 52, which is older than most guys on this list.
4) Cozy Powell: Powell stood out as one of the great rock drummers with sophisticated technique. He made it look so easy and with such controlled motion. The inspiration of John Bonham is glaringly obvious through his feel, power, emotion, and raw energy. He’s almost like a Bonham with classical training and impeccable double bass precision. Powell has worked with legendary acts like Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Roger Daltrey, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, and Brian May through a three-decade period, though never quite becoming a household name. He died in a car crash in 1998, leaving behind a life full of accomplishments and a style we have all but forgotten.
3. Earl Palmer: Son of a Vaudevillian mother, Earl Palmer was exposed to rhythm at a very early age. Many would agree that Palmer single handedly invented rock drumming by adding a heavy backbeat to a fusion of Second Line and Be-Bop. Jazz was his first love, but his implementation of subtle nuances took his playing in a direction the world would unanimously call Rock and Roll. He became an in-demand session drummer for reputable names such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Sam Cooke, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, the Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Sonny & Cher, the Supremes and the Monkees. Palmer wasn’t quite the party animal as some of the other drummers on this list, but probably inspired their playing in some way. He died in 2008 from health-related causes, but lives on in our minds as a rock legend.
2. Keith Moon: Moon’s unconventional style was quickly appreciated in mainstream music. His busy phrasing and poor technique were almost discouraged by drummers before him. These extraordinary imperfections were key ingredients in The Who’s recipe for greatness. A band with such wild stage antics thrived on Moon’s madness to excel. His reckless abandon was central to his character, as a drummer and as an intense partier, creating a complex synonymous with Rock and Roll. As a performer, his showmanship was uncanny – drum stick twirls, body movements, drum set destroying…. all part of the Moon legacy we admire. The most impressive thing about him is his ability to make the drums sound great. Take away the fancy antics, the alcohol, and excessive lifestyle and you have a drummer who always impressed. Plain and simple. Moon was a stunning soloist, an innovative beat maker, and a very dynamic musician. He will always be at the top of lists like these and for obvious reasons.
1. John Bonham: Relentless power, undeniable innovation, and an exemplary model for modern day rock drummers…. Ladies and Gentlemen, John Bonham. Drummerworld.com calls him “the most influential rock drummer of all times.” Bonham was the type of drummer that stole the show (in a band of superstars and on an instrument that was more commonly in the background)… Not an easy feat. He was also a tireless soloist, performing renditions of the infamous “Moby Dick” that reached up to 30 minutes. Many drummers have reported discouragement after listening to Bonham solos, as his ideas are very difficult to imitate. In addition to his soloing, one of his most recognizable trademarks was his cheetah-fast right foot, allowing for bass drum patterns that were often full of power and very speedy. Bonham is accredited with Keith Moon-like lunacy. His excessive drinking and maniacal behavior sculpted his demeanor on and off the drum set, giving him a reputation as one of Rock and Roll’s most notorious mad men. We lost him in 1980 after a morning, afternoon, and night of heavy drinking. He was 32 years old. Although his career was short-lived and ended 3 decades ago, he is a Rock God and always will be.
10 Most Significant DEAD Rock Drummers (6-10)
“Top 10” lists are difficult to narrow down in the talent-infested drumming community. None the less, some just stand out. This ranking focuses on drummers who serve as golden standards of achievement. Although they are no longer with us, we continue to acknowledge their contribution and implement their practices. Whether its talent, ambition, innovation, or inspiration, they have changed music for the better. I would have been pulling my hair out to find a level playing field in a non genre-specific ranking, so this list focuses on rock drummers:
10. John Rutsey: It is tough to imagine that Rush actually existed without Neil Peart’s special sauce, but the reality is the band was founded by a different drummer. John Rutsey occupied the position between 1968 and 1974. Rutsey quit the band just before their first tour due to health problems. He was a rock drummer who filled the part nicely, without glamorous embellishments. His playing was never critiqued as spectacular, but his signifigance as a musician is massive – based largely on the idea that he founded Rush. Rutsey has unfortunately become “the guy who was in the band before Neil Peart” but gets credit for setting the stage for one of the greatest rock bands ever. He died in 2008 from Diabetes complications. If his greatest musical contribution was forming a legendary band he didn’t continue playing with, he was more successful than many who have failed trying.
9. Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley: British born Nicholas Dingley was the drummer for Hanoi Rocks, a glam-rock band out of Finland known for an explosive live performance. In the 1980s, Hanoi Rocks were considered the most successful Finnish band to achieve an International reputation. Today, they maintain most of their popularity in the United States, Japan, and England but never quite got to mega-rock star status. Dingley was said to have played a large role on the creation of Hanoi Rocks’ sound, at times also contributing vocals. He was known for playing drum sets with “Razzle” printed on the bass drum, causing confusion for those who expected to see the bands name displayed this way. His reasoning, unaware that his life would be cut tragically short, was that he didn’t think he would stay with Hanoi Rocks for long… Thought by many to have died way to early, Dingley is considered an extraordinarily talented drummer who missed out on what could have become a very successful career. He was killed in a drunk driving accident with Motley Crue singer Vince Neil in December of 1984, having never experienced the opportunity to perform in Arenas as he had hoped to.
8. Eric Carr: Not the name you think of when someone mentions Kiss….. Carr covered himself in makeup and called himself Kiss’ drummer in the early 80s, following the band’s fallout with Peter Criss. As an accomplished singer, bassist, and guitarist, he was able to play a vital role in the band’s songwriting process. His anonymity was a crucial part of his involvement, seeing how the Kiss’ public persona was such a mystique. Even his parents were supposed to keep it on the DL. As Kiss embraced an image without makeup, Carr was able to become known and liked on a more personal level by fans who previously had no idea who he was. Carr admired drummers such as John Bonham, Keith Moon, Lenny White, Ringo Star, and Ginger Baker. He is said to have contributed to a heavier sound than the jazz-inspired Peter Criss, forcing the band’s sound to flow nicely with the hard-hitting rock sound of the 80s. In November 24, 1991, Carr suffered a brain hemorrhage caused by cancer cells transported in his bloodstream to the head. He died the same day as Freddie Mercury.
7. Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan: The Rev showed up on the scene several years ago and forced us to listen. His speed and accuracy worked hand in hand, resulting in a complex but very articulated style. He almost sounded like a drum machine, cranking out impressive rhythms with amazing precision. Having been expelled from 2nd grade, arrested countless times, a porn star’s fiance, and an excessive drug user, The Rev fit the rock and roll model nicely. His tattoo smothered, extreme heavy metal appearance mixed with his recalcitrant attitude created a madness that could only be interpreted as pure genius through his drumming. His drug overdose at age 28 was an extreme misfortune and one that will not be forgotten amongst drummers and music fans who idolized him through his short-lived career.
6. Jeff Porcaro: High school dropouts have their opportunities too. Porcaro is one of the lucky few who left high school to pursue a career that flourished. His credentials include TOTO, Sonny and Cher, Dire Straits, Michael Jackson, Seals and Crofts, Boz Scaggs, Elton John, Steely Dan, and more. Known mainly as a rock drummer, Percaro was also a seasoned display of versatility. This ability to adapt along with his impeccable sense of rhythm are defining traits of his legacy. Another one of the more stunning traits was his modesty. Never having aspirations to be “the world’s greatest drummer” and putting low pressure on himself were probably huge mental advantages to his career. He is valued as a Rock drummer, but holds weight in genres such as jazz and funk too. His contribution as a teacher was also significant and can be observed on videos scattered across the internet. He died in 1992 after an allergic reaction to pesticides. The autopsy led to the discovery of a serious heart condition perviously undiagnosed.
stay tuned for the top 5
Jon Ardito 