Rich Smith - Drums/Percussion/Vocals profile picture

Rich Smith - Drums/Percussion/Vocals

Reggae/Ska/Swing/Jazz/RnB/Latin/Funk/Country

About Me

Rich Smith
714-350-6511
[email protected]

Over the past 20 years, I've studied the drumming styles of Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz, Soul, R&B, Latin, Reggae, Calypso, Hip-Hop and Fusion. In elementary and jr. high school, I started taking drum and vocal lessons which progressed to studying music theory and piano in high school and college. I'm a quick learner, I play by ear and read music. Being in both original and cover acts over the last 12-13 years, my club and showcase experience is extensive. The last couple of years I've been performing all over the state of California and would like the chance to play around the country.

2001 – Present: Drums and Vocals with The Chris Anderson Group
Mainly an act for private functions (weddings, parties, fund raisers, etc.), dinner clubs, festivals and showcases.
-- Primarily Blues, Rock, Motown and Soul covers, also released a self-titled CD of all original music in 2003. See www.myspace.com/chrisandersongroup for more details and soundbytes of original material.
Click below to play The Chris Anderson Group Video

2004 – 2007: Drums and Vocals with Soundcake
Mainly a club act and some private functions. See www.soundcakerocks.com for more details.
--All Pop-Rock covers from the 80s to the present. Very heavily dance orientated. All four band members sharing lead vocal duties.
2003-2004: Drums and Vocals with Corday
Toured Central California performing at elementary and jr. high schools to promote the dangers of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs to children through music.
-- Acoustic/Electric Rock originals that were written for children and young adults with an anti-drug message. See www.corday.net for more details.
2000-2003: Drums and Vocals with BKP
Primarily a club act and used for several private and corporate functions. See www.badkittyproject.com for more details.
--All Pop Rock and Dance covers from the 70's - 00's. All members sharing lead and back up vocals. 1994-1999: Drums, Percussion and Vocals with the Big Daddy Band
Switched off between percussion and drums playing mostly dinner clubs and private functions.
-- Mainly Soul, Funk and Blues covers, dance orientated, all members sharing vocals.

1986 – 1998: Drums, Percussion, Vocal and Piano training from elementary school through college


I can also been seen performing with:

Brad Wilson - www.bradwilsonlive.com

The Blast - www.myspace.com/blastband

Citizen Rock - www.myspace.com/citizenrock

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/27/2007
Band Members:

FREELANCE MUSICIAN

Click the following link for my UPDATED schedule:
http://socalrocks.com/viewartist.asp?Artist=Rich+Smith+%2D+D rums%2FVox+For+Hire


Influences: Growing up, it all started with watching my Dad sit behind his 1965 Blue Sparkle Ludwig Kit playing WIPEOUT and tons of Surf Music (Ventures, Safaris, Beach Boys and Jan & Dean). I was quickly drawn to Rock 'n' Roll and influenced by the likes of: Ringo Starr (Beatles), Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones), Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix), John Bonham (Led Zep), Keith Moon (The Who), Floyd Sneed (Three Dog Night), Ginger Baker (Cream/Blind Faith), Bill Ward (Sabbath), Peter Criss (KISS), Joey Kraemer (Aerosmith), Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Phil Rudd (AC/DC), Mick Tucker (Sweet), Micky Finn (T. Rex), Tommy Aldridge (BOA/Ozzy/Whitesnake), Neil Peart (Rush), Mick Waller (Jeff Beck/Faces), Bill Bruford (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP), Aynsley Dunbar, Steve Smith (Journey), Alex Van Halen (Van Halen), Mick Fleetwood and Roger Taylor (Queen). When I got into High School, the older drummers introduced me to the Jazz and Fusion world with Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Ed Shaunassy, Jack DeJohnette, Harvey Mason, Dennis Chambers, Alex Acuna, Don Alias, Dave Weckl and Lenny White. During my adult life, my major influences have included: Simon Phillips, Greg Bissonette, Liberty DeVito (Billy Joel), Kenny Aronoff, Jim Keltner, Jeff Porcaro, Hal Blaine, Carmine Appice, Vinnie Appice, Matt Sorum, Rod Morganstein, Gerry Brown, Virgil Donati, Chad Wackerman, Steve Ferrone, Remi Kabaka (Bob Marley), Narada Michael Walden, Terry Bozzio, Jan Hammer, Richard Bailey, Chick Webb, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Steve Jordan, Benny Benjamin / Eddie "Bongo" Brown / Uriel Jones / "Pistol" Allen / Jack Ashford (Funk Brothers/Motown Records), Al Jackson (Booker T/Stax Records), Frank Beard (ZZ Top), Jerry Shirley (Humble Pie/Fastway), Stewart Copeland (Police), Tommy & Marky Ramone, Andy Newmark (Sly Stone), "Slim" Jim Phantom (Stray Cats), Jim Capaldi (Traffic), Ron Tutt (Elvis/Roy Orbison), Elvin Jones, Jimmy Cobb, Jerry Allison (Buddy Holly), Clifton James (Muddy Waters), Sam Lay (Paul Butterfield/Elvin Bishop), Chris "Whipper" Layton (SRV/Double Trouble), John Blackwell (Prince), Chad Smith (RHCP), Steve Gorman (Black Crowes), Simon Kirke (Free/Bad Co.) and 1000s more that I just can't think of right now... :)
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: None