Chewy

After a very failed attempt to become the next Rock God Guitarist, I found myself playing the part of Robert Plant/Rodger Daltrey in my first band in 1976 (for a school talent contest in a suburb of Chicago, IL). It was at that time the desire to “hit things” became apparent & I decided to see if I could do what “that drummer” was doing. After kicking the band out of the attic a half hour early & sitting behind the kit, it was at that moment I realized…”WOW, I can do this”!! And since that fateful day, there’s been no turning back. After only 1 year of playing drums I joined my 1st band Windfall, playing mostly Hard Rock cover songs (which happens to be my first musical love), in any basement, garage or backyard party that would tolerate us. After several bands, in 1985 I joined my 1st traveling band The Change, playing in Illinois, Indiana & Michigan. While we started out playing cover songs, this was the 1st band that started to write & concentrate on original music. 3 years later & several record company rejection notices & member changes too, this band called it a day. Then in 1988 I decided to try some bands that played other styles of music…Pop, Punk, Blues, R&B, Soul, Funk, even a tiny bit of Jazz with bands like Chantress, The Lucky Stiffs, The Impediments & Armadilla. This is also when I started to get a taste of session & sub work & even did a couple of local cable television shows with 2 of the bands.
1996 saw a change in altitude for me with a move to Denver, Co. Within a few want ads & jam sessions I found myself in the Heavy Blues/Rock power trio Dynamo-Humm. Purely by chance after an all night jam session I was introduced to the Jam Band scene & my next band…The Cosmic Soul Surfers (who had just finished recording their 1st CD). By combining Rock, Folk, Funk, Blues, Reggae, Jazz AND Bluegrass (sometimes in the same song), this band was playing all over the Rocky Mountain area bars, clubs & theaters getting favorable reviews & having their CD added to a handful of small radio stations through out Colorado. Unfortunate circumstances brought the Surfers to an early end but, it also brought me to my next project...The SoFa-Kings, an improvising cover band. This bands motto was…”Anything & everything applies. No note is wrong”. Since the Kings was a part-time band I was able to join my next full time band…Michelle & The Book of Runes (who had just finished recording their 2nd CD). The band was fronted by a powerful singer in Michelle & just like The Surfers, M.B.R. (the short version name), was playing all over the Rocky Mountain area’s clubs & theaters, doing benefits, getting radio airplay (which included a 1 hour “live in the studio” broadcast) & even doing a WB network morning show in Denver. Also during my time in Colorado, I was able to do a little more session & sub work (including a comedian’s CD).
With fate being a part of life, 2001 brought me another change in scenery & to New Jersey. Since relocating to the Tri-sate area I have worked with a couple of projects…Copper Soul (Rock/Blues/funk) + Kimon & The Prophets (Political Pop Rock/Blues). In 2007 after being the sub-drummer for a year, I become a fulltime member of Souled Out (Classic Rock, Funk, Soul). I have also been able to do some recording with Orlando “Gigabyte” Quinones… (Vocalist/Guitarist with Souled Out & Blue Light District) & Jeff Dembiak of J.D. & Critical Mind.
Through out my musical journey (and life too) a ton of influences have come & gone for me & there are not too many styles of music that I won’t listen to for inspiration. To ask me who’s a favorite player is like asking a parent to name their favorite child (they’re all my favorite). When it comes to my equipment, the thought is the same as my influences…”If it sounds good & can withstand the abuse, then it must be good equipment”!! (Currently I'm using 6pc Mapex kit, Yamaha, DW & Gibraltar hardware, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Remo heads). My past experiences have taught me to configure the size of my kit to the size of the venue. Whether it’s a 4piece “Ringo” kit for the local shindig/hoe-down or the “Mini-Erector Set” that’s needed for the Stadium Rock Show, I can accommodate.