My 2019 Favorite Live Bands!

Howdy Friends!

 

I wanted to share with you some of my stand out favorite bands I played with in 2019. There are so many great bands I shared the stage with this year, but these ones really impressed me.  They are bands that kill it live and they also happen to all feature slaying drummers (suprise! Lol.) Go check them out, you won’t be disappointed.

 

The Pats Pats

The Pats Pats made an epic overseas trek from their hometown of Tokyo Japan to play Los Angeles in October.  It was their first time here and they did not disappoint.  Cute, fierce and catchy, they wowed a Halloween house show over-packed with excited new fans.  The main members are Akiko on guitar and Midori on bass, with both on vocals. They have a rotating cast of top notch drum mates, bringing hard hitting Kotarods with them on this trip.  They write solid rocking pop songs about love, girl time, and donuts.

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Fox Medicine 

Towards the end of 2019 I played 2 shows with Portland based noise rock band Fox Medicine. This dynamic duo describes themselves as “Bubblegum doom,” and that is pretty accurate. Full toned guitar lines that dance around between sludge and rock meld with dominant drums that can both keep the groove and impress with fast fills that fit the songs perfectly. All this under the charmingly aggressive vocals of guitarist Nee make for a one of a kind sound experience.

 

 

Fatty Cakes and The Puff Pastries

Fatty Cakes and The Puff Pastries take the term “girl band” to a whole new level, showcasing ferocious full on female force. They have a fun and playful vibe but are not afraid to call people out on their shit. Each member is a powerful presence, and combined they are an unstoppable force. Fronted by Fatty Cakes, who plays an electric ukulele, the group commands your attention through-out their whole set. The vocals can be catchy and harmonious, but there is always the presence of punk rock attitude.

 

 

Conan Nuetron and The Secret Friends

Charismatic front man Conan Nuetron put together a talented cast of musicians that brought some very heavy rock to Los Angeles.  He writes songs that are catchy yet complex, and  pure rock n roll.  His live show is filled with enthusiasm and intensity.

 

Duderella

You all need to experience the immense wall of sound that is Duderella. You would never guess that this band is a 2 piece.  They embellish on the stoner rock sound by spicing it up with their own unique flare and lots of sass. Wild drumming and thunderous bass explode from the stage when Duderella starts to play.

 

All Souls

All Souls combine memorizing guitar riffs, haunting vocals, and roaring drums to create a dark sound and omnipotent presence that lingers with you long after they exit the stage.  The 4 veterans of rock that make up All Souls have been progressing quickly, opening up for bands such as Tool, The Jesus Lizard, and Melvins.

I can’t wait to see what bands 2020 brings my way!

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Hello Friends!

I have been busy with music, which is great! Working hard on my passion and reaching my dream of being a full time musician.  I am super grateful for all the support I get from friends and family! Thanks to everyone who buys or shares my music, and to all my drum students!

The New Dangerously Sleazy EP was released 8/23/19.  Grab a copy on Bandcamp or find us on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, ect…

We had a great time doing some shows to support the release!  Our good friend Louie filled in for a show while Altair was busy seeing The Cure.  He did a killer job and it was fun to jam with him again. Thanks Louie!

My first recording with The Dale Crover Band was released last month too! It is part of a split 7 inch with Conan Neutron and The Secret Friends for his Protons and Electrons compilation.  I am still overly stoked and in slight disbelief that I get to play drums for one of the best drummers!!

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I have been getting some hardworking new drum students (and my veteran students are killing it as well.)  My time slots are filling up quick, but I still have a few open! Do you want lessons, or know someone who would like to learn?  Please send them my way!  I am trying to fill 9:30-10:30 PM on Tuesdays, 3-4 PM on Fridays, and 5-6 PM on Fridays. I give lessons in person in East LA, or on SKYPE!

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ModPods are almost done with the recording process for our next full length.  The songs are spectacular and I am stoked on how this recording is coming along.  We have been playing a handful of them live, and you can catch us on Saturday 9/14/19 at The Highland Park Bowl in Los Angeles.  We are also playing the Joan of Rock festival in Brisbee AZ on 10/19/19.

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In other life news, I am searching for a mini van, hoping that a fine working and affordable Toyota Sienna appears in my life soon. I also want a new snare drum!  I am getting ready to adopt a baby hamster and as always, giving Elvis the senior pup lots of love!

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New Album, New Interview, New Video!

Dangerously Sleazy has announced our EP release and Tour!!

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There is nothing I love more than playing the drums hard, fast, punk rock, in your face style! Dangerously Sleazy is where my drumming passion and power come out full force.  So, I am extra super stoked that our new EP is ready to be released August 23rd, AND we are doing some shows to support it.   If you haven’t taken the time to check out D. Sleazy, hit up our website and check us out now.

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Our album “Sleep Apnea” will be available for download on bandcamp all over the globe starting 8/23/19, for those of you who can’t make it out to a show.

I was recently a guest on The Jyneration Nation Radio show!  Jyn is a killer drummer herself, so it was cool to get to talk about our passion together.

Last week Sleazy played The Redwood, and our friend Deb Frazin took some high quality footage of our song “Green Powered Energy.”  She also snapped some cool photos.

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Stay tuned for more Sleazy news, we have some interviews in the works to support our new release.

…AND don’t forget to hit me up if you need drum lessons!!!

PEACE FRIENDS!

Help me find a new Snare and listen to this interview!

I have a question for my drummer friends!! I am looking to get a new snare drum.  The one I have now is the basic wood snare that came with my Yamaha Stage Custom kit.  I am thinking I would like something metal? I play a lot of punk music, so something that has a lot of power and cut through.  What are some of your favorites for playing this style?

My price range would be around 250.  Send me some suggestions!

Tama Metalworks Snare Drum is one I saw at NAMM and really liked.

I was also looking at this  DW Black Nickle Snare

 

Also!!! I was recently interviewed on The Trap Set with Joe Wong.  It is one of the top drumming podcasts!!

The Trap Set Interview

 

 

It was a huge honor and I am grateful to be part of the list of amazing drummers he has had as guests on the show!  Listen to the interview if you haven’t already, and check out some of the other interviews he has done with other great drummers!  His episodes are always interesting and insightful.

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We discussed a lot about my childhood, and my childhood trauma.  Up until a few years ago, I rarely acknowledged what I went through or how much it affected me.  I locked a lot of feelings and memories away.  I started therapy a little over a year ago and it has helped tremendously.  I feel less guilty, I have processed a lot of grief that was kind of just stagnant inside me, that I pushed away as I tried to be tough and pretend it didn’t bother me as much as it did.

Drumming really is what helped me overcome the pains of my childhood and awkward teenage years, my issues with my step mother, and my lack of self esteem.  It gave me goals to focus on and work towards.  It was an outlet for anger, pain, sadness and depression.  It has been a driving force behind my path of healing from mental issues.  I didn’t really expect to talk about this so much, but I am glad I was able to express some of what I went though and show how drumming has been such a positive in my life.

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