Michael Bruce

Ok, I'll tell you a little about me first. My name is Michael Bruce. I have been playing and studying drums for 25 years. (Yes, I started young) For more than 10 of those years, my studies were under the guidance of the late Chuck Thompson. I obtained a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta, which has helped me shape my approach to teaching drums for the past 12 years. I am currently performing with City Canyons Records recording artists, The Velmas. I have performed in an endless amount of live and studio situations, including an appearance with national recording artist Shania Twain. I am also the 2006 New York State Capital Region’s “Drum Off” winner.I am currently for hire: songwriter, studio drummer, touring drummer, drum clinician, private drum instructor. I have held many successful drum clinics at schools and have been giving private lessons for years. I have a production and writing partner (Ed Lakata) whom you may hire to work on and record your material. I currently have songs for sale. Publishers and performers are welcome to check out my material. Some of these songs are on this page. I write pop, rock, country and instrumental material. If you are a great singer, please contact me as I am always looking for a great voice for the studio. Also, I am a member of The Velmas! You can read all about that below. To contact me, you may send me a MySpace message or e-mail me at www.velmamusic.comSince 1999, the Velmas - bassist Todd “Figaro” Minnick, guitarist Mike “Harvey” Grosshandler and drummer Michael “Bruce” Bruce - have been entertaining upstate New York. The band has become a favorite around Albany and Syracuse, NY, and is gaining popularity throughout the Northeastern U.S.The Velmas are three singers and songwriters creating powerful rock music. Their sound is influenced by old-school to modern rock, punk, reggae, and even country and classical. In concert, the Velmas back their music with a playful, high-energy live show, which is the reason why Albany-area "Velmites" have voted them the Capital Region’s "Best Alternative Band" (Metroland, 2006 & 2007).In 2002, the Velmas released their debut album, Another Day At School. Since its release, the album has received rave reviews and has opened doors of opportunity for the band. This was followed by Recess (2004), a “double EP” featuring new and unreleased studio tracks, as well as several live tracks. The Velmas released their second full-length album, Station, on City Canyons Records on October 31, 2006.The band has opened for such acts as Collective Soul, Winger, Moe, Vertical Horizon, Shaw-Blades and Soul Asylum. They have also enjoyed the success of having their version of "Restless Restless" played on the Howard Stern show and that song is one of the chosen tracks for Vinnie Favale's (Late Night with David Letterman) "Restless Restless" compilation album.