BenHitsDrums + Musician in Waterloo, WI

SEEKING

ABOUT

Hey! I'm a drummer looking for people to make interesting music with. My ideal situation would be to find or create a group, write/grow together and record/play shows.

Taught drum set/gigged in NYC for 5 years, Berklee College of Music in Boston, 'Outstanding Soloist' awards from International Association of Jazz Educators. Waaay too many recordings to upload here but will provide tracks/videos upon request.

Reliable transportation for light touring/gear hauling.

I don't smoke or drink. I don't care if you do though. I'm not some weirdo straight-edge.

Lots of recording exp. I <3 click tracks. Open to studio work but it's not my passion. I'd rather build something that I belong to.

Mail me at FreeFrozenPizza at Gee Mail

Screen name:

BenHitsDrums

Member since:

Apr 24 2021

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years playing music:

30

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

More than 3 times per week

Available to gig:

2-3 nights a week

Influences

I'm disappointed and a little in shock at the state of music today. I've been teaching drum set successfully as my sole means of income for 23 years.

It seems so many beginners are taught covers from 10, 20, 30+ years ago. They then mature and make music that sounds (intentionally or inadvertently) similar. Maybe that's why creativity seems to have flat-lined the past 20 years. No boundary pushing, no new thoughts, just covers and the same tired progressions. How did we get here? Did time stop at some point? Maybe in the pursuit of mass-appeal we've watered everything too far down. I don't know anymore.

I'm influenced by bands that have taken chances. Harder things - Carpathian Forest, Gojira, Obscura - I've a sappy guilty pleasure for anthemic rock - The Used, MCR - but love odd times, The Bad Plus, Volta, Lightning Bolt - The message has to resonate - Blonde Redhead, Baroness, Circa Survive. I don't want to get hung up on influences because I listen to and enjoy playing a lot of genres. Big band experience, jazz and latin combos, black metal, minimalist art-rock, or I'd enjoy being a solid, responsible backline guy for the right project.

If you aren't actively trying to sound like someone else..If you haven't 'worked on your tone' to sound just like 'that one recording..' If you're true to yourself and you know who you are - I'm your guy.

I can play anything you can imagine, I'm a quick study when it comes to learning material. I put the song/artist first, and will work with your vision. I'm most interested in collaborative songwriting, but some of the best bands I've been a part of have had a strong singer/songwriter. I'm always practicing, and know how important individual work is between group rehearsals.

Instrument experience:

Drums:

Expert

EQUIPMENT

My studio is in an old bar from 1880 I completely renovated and turned into a music practice/teaching space. It's located in the heart of downtown on the 1st floor.

-Several drum sets.

-A foolish amount of cymbals

-Plenty of mics

-Pair of Mackie SR1530 PA towers with a Behringer XAir 18

-Antelope Orion Synergy Core (and other interfaces)

-DMX stage lighting so we can program our own custom light show. Fixtures include Blizzard Snow blinds (2x), Blade Runners (2x), Hot Sticks (2x) and fog machine. Programmed via DMXIS

-DSLRs and mirrorless cameras for music video use. Editing via 64gb Macbook Pro running Final Cut Pro

-On site bass cab, guitar amps, Electric Basses and Guitars, Midi Keys etc. etc.

MUSIC