Brian profile picture

Brian

Drummer - 8 Lives Spent

About Me


Where to start…I'm married to a beautiful woman that makes my life complete. I have a 22-year old son that keeps me young (especially in regard to music) and I drum with a rock project called 8 Lives Spent and am having a great time. As far as anything else…well, I’m a pretty secluded type of person. It’s not that I don’t enjoy being around people, but I find that time alone allows me to reflect on what is important in life, and separates me away from the self-centered bullshit of the world.
In regard to drumming I’ve played on and off since I was 16 however I did take a long break several years ago due to the ups and downs of the music business (unless you’re planning on sitting around a campfire strumming and leading a sing-a-long it is a business). Needless to say it can be a hectic and demanding environment if you're a serious player and it was becoming difficult to find balance at that point in my life. Previous bands were Desperado, Riff Raff, Royal Flush, fill in for Dixie Wizard and a few others. I had resolved that I would never play in that environment again until my wife talked me into resuming my passion about 5 years ago. I did and, as always, went into it with intensity. I was also fully prepared to accept all of the issues that would arise and, lo and behold, they did. However I found out (or reminded myself) to continue on, not to lose focus, and everything would work out. I’m glad to say it has, as I am part of a group that are not only in one accord professionally but have a blast in the meantime. It's filled with all the right chemistry and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.
I also own Plan B Studios, a Pro Tools recording studio located in Winchester, Virginia. This has been a great experience for me and of course my new band project will be using Plan B for future recordings. I also recently began Piano lessons solely to study music theory however I’ve found that I actually enjoy the instrument (although it could never replace drums). I also take theory with accomplished guitarist Michael Fath who has been both a great teacher and friend.
Outside of music I enjoy quiet times with family. My wife is part Lakota Sioux so she does a lot of ancestral study in which I enjoy helping. I have always held a special place in my heart for Native Americans and we hope to visit the Pine Ridge area very soon, especially Wounded Knee (don't even get me started on that atrocity). I love books and have an insatiable desire to discover new things. Although I hate television I can be busted watching the History Channel or Discovery Channel. I love the outdoors, especially the mountains, where I can reflect on life unobstructed by the BS of the world. I guess I could sum it by saying that, it is the simple things that truly make me content.
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)

My Interests



Music of course, recording and tinkering with ProTools, diving into a good book (when time permits), doing anything outdoors, and sometimes just kicking back (also when time permits).

I'd like to meet:



I like meeting a variety of people from all walks of life. I find that everyone has their own very unique story to tell in regard to life experiences.What I cannot tolerate are people who are plastic. Hey, just be who you are. Either we’ll get along or we won’t however at least our experience will be real. The other thing that goes against my grain is “elitists”, the type of person that thinks they are the sole authority on a particular subject. This type of person is usually of the political or religious point of view, both of which I try to avoid talking about. It serves little purpose in the end. Last but certainly not least, I cannot deal with irresponsibilty. People drive me nuts that have absolutely no game plan in life but expect me to assume the problems that they've created for themselves.What I do enjoy…I enjoy being around people who are full of life. They rub off on me and trust me I need that sometimes. I like humble people who are satisfied with the simple things in life. Lastly, I enjoy being around humorous people (the more twisted the better). For whatever reason I enjoy someone that can take a bad situation and turn it into a humorous one.

Music:

.. I don't think there's enough space for detail. I respect many genres of music and the artists that create however I do have a soft spot for "in your face" good ol' fashion Rock-n-Roll (former GNR, Motorhead, and the likes). I also like artists that apply deep meaning to lyrics. I absolutely cannot stand "manufactured" music done by a machine. Drumming influences: Don Brewer, John Bonham, Tommy Aldridge, Neil Peart, Gary Mallaber, Jimmy Chalfant, Denese Dufort, Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich.

Someone recently asked me, if I were stranded on an island, which 10 CD's would I want to have. So, here goes (not necessarily in order):

1. Montrose - Montrose

2. James McMurtry - Too Long in the Wasteland

3. Jennifer Knapp - Kansas

4. George Jones - Cold Hard Truth

5. Walnut Grove Band - Good Would

6. Collective Soul - (Anything)

7. Johnny Cash - American Recordings (or anything for that matter)

8. GnR - Appetite for Destruction

9. Michael Fath - LeJazz

10.Alice Cooper - Trash

..

Movies:

Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, Inside Man, Phone Booth, African Queen, Enemy of the State, Dances with Wolves

Television:

If I had my way I'd ban it. It's nothing more than a tool to dummy down the world...and it's worked perfectly.

Books:

Philosophy, the Bible, Music Theory, History (REAL history; not the sugarcoated garbage fed to us in school).

Heroes:

Hero is a loose term. My idea of a hero is someone that doesn't compromise their principles regardless of the consequences.