About Me
CHRIS'S HISTORY
It was while still at school Chris began singing in the choir,learning Judo and bus-ing 2 hours eachway to have Saxaphone lessons,which he did for some 3 years.
It was the 70's and Rock bands were his main musical pleasures and after seeing Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin live in concert Chris decided this was his goal: To play drums and sing.
Chris had a few drum lessons,but gained most of his experience from listening,watching and playing along to his favourite bands.He wore out several of his vinyl albums doing just that,but gleaned from them the skills required and these experiences have made him the drummer he is today.
Chris,an endorser of Tama Drums,Paiste Cymbals and Promark Sticks for the last 32 years, plays left and right handed,sings lead and backing vocals and handles percussion instruments just as well.
A passionate performer who often finds himself singing as much as drumming these days and enjoys both equally.
Chris's first drumkit was an old Aria brand,finished in burgundy oyster.A 4 piece kit which he regrettably sold to purchase his second kit brand new.A Tama Imperial Star Saturn 7 piece concert kit,in mist blue metallic,which he played for many years before then selling it several years later for the same price he paid for it.
A black Tama Rockstar series kit followed which he retains today in a somewhat cutomised form alongside a smaller Drumshop brand,also in black,which he customised as well.
Chris's setups change alot these days as he persues the perfect setup and is constantly striving to develop his skills further,without "sacrificing the song"
Further information on Chris's drumsetup and cymbals can be found at-: www.drumconnexions.co.nz You will also find many other NZ and overseas drummers info as well.
CHRIS'S TIMELINE
* 1972-1975 - Chris's first few cover bands "EXOTIC" and "TOUCHWOOD".
* 1976-1979 - Chris joins originals band "ICEBURG",embarks on a heavy tour schedule,opens for Australian band "SKYHOOKS" at the 1978 Nambassa music festival.National tours follow and a performance of their own song "Closedown" on TV2's "Ready To Roll" music show are backed up by further touring recording and more touring with "MISEX","HELLO SAILOR" and "CITIZEN BAND".
* 1979-1981 - Chris joins "PYRAMID" which is managed by Pat Crowe from "The Paul Dainty Corporation".In a brief period this 4 pce band supported "MIDNIGHT OIL","THE RENEE GEYER BAND","THE KNACK" from USA and New Zealands own "DRAGON".A performance at Sweetwaters music festival capped off 1980 for Chris.
* 1981-1983 - Chris joins 3 pce New Wave/Punk/Pop band "BAKER",records 2 singles,performs alongside "SPACEWALTZ",Hammond Gambles "STREET-TALK","DRAGON" and "MOTHER GOOSE" at NZ's Radio Hauraki Buck-a-Head concerts and various Auckland venues.
* 1983-1987 - Chris forms originals/covers band "TITAN" with American bass player he met.They go on to perform nationally,came 2nd in the "1983 SHAZAM BATTLE OF THE BANDS",was opening band for "ROSE BAYONET"and opened again for Australia's "COLD CHISEL" at the Claudlands Showgrounds,Hamilton and support band for NZ band "THE NARCS" on several occasions.
* 1987-1989 - Chris is busy with 2 bands almost at the same time."MINDSHAFT" a New Wave original/covers band and "SUNDAY DRIVERS"(formally known as "SULTAN") another touring band featuring Dire Straits songs as it's mainstay.This was before tribute bands came of age.
* 1989-2000 - Chris joins 3 pce corporate covers band "HOBSONS CHOICE" which over an 11 year period expanded to a 4 pce,changed it's name to "SILENT PARTNERS" before expanding again to a 7 pce band incorporating 3 female backing singers,changing it's name again to "STARLIGHT EXPRESS" then reduced to a 6 pce band under the name "STAGES" and taking in all forms of bandwork and performing to many,many satisfied listeners nationwide.
* 2000-2003 Saw Chris performing in a duo called "JOKERSWILD".This was a complete change for Chris finding himself standing behind a vocal mic and playing electronic drums/percussion and sharing the lead and backup vocal duties 50/50 with his fellow guit/keys player from the last 11 years,incorporating live and midi backing tracks from the 70's to the 80's.
* 2003-2007 - Chris is back behind his Drumkit again performing with "THE LOOSE CANNONS" covers band,playing music from the 70's through modern day.Performances at the "Waitakere Xmas In The Park" in front of some 7000 people and backing the performers.Performances at "The Russell Coastal Classic" boat race 4 years running and many hotel and corporate functions,to many more satisfied listeners.
* 2007(Mid) - Chris forms Q4 covers/originals band,which launched March 2008,and currently taking bookings. Check out Q4..www.myspace.com/qfournz.com on myspace too.Lineup is Ben..Bass/lead voc.Sergei..Guitar/lead voc.Gary.. Keyboards/lead voc.Chris..Drums/lead voc.All highly experienced performers,Q4 will be a band to keep an eye out for.
*2008/2009 - Chris is currently playing in 2 bands as work is proving harder to find. Q4 is Chris's main band,however trying different styles and genres is good for the soul.2009 see's Chris playing in a blues,soul,reggae band. Also 2009 Chris sells up all his older Tama drum gear and brings in the new Tama Starclassic birch/bubinga hybrid kit in silver glitter,and all just to match his new "Weta Custom Drums" 9ply maple 8X14 snare drum,also in silver glitter.
CHRIS ENDORSES TAMA DRUMS,PAISTE CYMBALS AND PROMARK DRUMSTICKS and also uses WETA CUSTOM DRUMS
CHRIS IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR FREELANCE/SESSION WORK
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