Dave Heim profile picture

Dave Heim

I am here for Friends and Networking

About Me


I'm a drummer from the Chicago area. I play all styles of music. I have performed with concert bands, symphonic bands, theater pit bands, various horn bands, rock, R&B, jazz, and big bands in the area, doing private parties, country club gigs, corporate events, and public performances.
I perform with...
Singer, songwriter James Curley , playing acoustic, folk, rock, and Americana originals.
Chicago-area rock band, 4 Letter Words , playing the best of yesterday's classic rock style and catchy originals.
Back in the day...
I worked for Ludwig Drum Company for several years prior to their move to North Carolina in the early 80s. I enjoyed doing a little prototype road-testing while I was there in other official capacities!
After Ludwig moved I became a local endorser for Slingerland Drums in the mid-80s doing drum clinics at area music stores until Slingerland was bought by Gibson and moved from the Chicago area.
I also taught drums for several years in the 70s and 80s.
I played for many years with the After Hours Band, an 8-piece horn band made up of top players from around the city. I wore out six tuxedos during my time with After Hours!
I also perform with...
Now and then I sub in on drums with the band ScribbleMonster (they play little kid rock & roll - good stuff - think Sesame Street on steroids). In 2006 we did a mini-tour to Washington DC and Baltimore, MD for a public concert and a broadcast at XM Radio studios. I'm proud to be associated with them. They make wonderful, creative music for kids. You should give them a listen.
I perform from time to time with a musical comedy group, The Bottle Band. We've had a few minutes of fame here and there with local radio, a feature spot on Chicago PBS station WTTW's "Wild Chicago", featured on "An American Moment" with James Earl Jones, a performance on "The Jenny Jones Show", and two appearances on "The Late Show with David Letterman".
Bottle Band clips can be seen here .
In 2007 I became a product endorser for SwirlyGig! Check it out here .
Myspace Contact Tables

My Interests

Music (all styles), photography, travel, trivia

I've been a docent (educational volunteer) at The Brookfield Zoo for the past 15 years.

I'd like to meet:

I'd like to meet other Chicago area musicians and bands, interesting, fun people, and each and every one of the friends listed below!

I'd also like to meet all my friends and colleagues from The Drummer Cafe! .

Music:

Drumming influences: Steve Gadd, Louie Bellson, Ed Shaughnessy, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Todd Sucherman, Don Brewer, Karen Carpenter, Hal Blaine, Charlie Watts, John Bonham, Bobby Christian, Donald Koss, Dennis Chambers, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl, Bermuda Schwartz, Danny Seraphine, Steve Smith, Gary Husband, Elvin Jones, Billy Ward, Ringo, Stanton Moore, Anton Fig. . .

Music I enjoy: Frank Zappa, Green Day, Buddy Rich Big Band, The Killers, Duke Ellington, Melissa Etheridge, Liz Phair, Bonerama, Tom Scott, Wilco, Steps Ahead, Johnny Cash, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Weird Al, Billy Joel, Grand Funk, Styx, Basia, Chicago, Buddy Guy, Miles Davis, Steve Goodman, Warren Zevon, Van Morrison, Holly Cole, Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane, Blood Sweat & Tears, Charlie Parker, Blue Man Group, The Beatles, Tony Bennett, Alanis Morissette, Chick Corea, Sheryl Crow, Steely Dan, Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Freddy Jones Band, Dave Grusin, Bach, Beethoven, Jaco Pastorius, Natalie Cole, Vaclav Nelhybel, ScribbleMonster. . .

Heroes:

My folks. They spent a lot of money on drum lessons when I was a kid. And they were sure patient as I practiced for hours and hours in the basement.

And my family. They too are patient as I practice and go off on gigs.