I was just another 11 year old kid in 1964 when the Beatles hit our shores, and like many other drummers I was immediately taken over by them and by all the other British bands that followed. The Rolling Stones (who I saw the next year in 1965), the Kinks, the Animals and later on Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. All the drummers of these bands served as my influences...Ringo, Charlie Watts, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell etc. There were also the great statesude drummers such as Johnny Badanjek (Mitch Ryder), Dino Danelli and Al Foster that I also consider primary influences. I moved to Boston in the early 70s, briefly attended Berklee College of Music and then soon after got deeply involved with the Boston alternative music scene. I was a member of Human Sexual Response from 1978-81 and honed my chops quickly learning on the fly. I made my first real recordings, learned how to function in a large ensemble and developed my ear by listening to the other players and responding accordingly. After the dissolution of HSR in 1982 The Zulus were the next group I spent time playing with. We had a good run, managed to secure a contract with Slash records (Los Lobos, X) out of L.A. and succeeded in doing a few laps across the U.S. in our 7 year existence. In 1991 I joined forces with Bob Mould and David Barbe to form Sugar, a power trio. We had great success especially in the U.K. where our initial recording Copper Blue was named album of the year by New Musical Express in 1992.
The thing that excites and motivates me as a player is commitment. Commitment to what you're doing behind the kit, the part you have chosen to execute and playing the song....not necessarily the drums that you're using to make that happen. I've always had an over the top style, one that will drive whatever band/group I'm playing with at the time. Heart and soul all the way.
