Niki Shea
Frenchee
Niki Shea is a self-taught drummer who started playing at 4 years old. From punk rock to hair metal to heavy metal “ you name it, Niki plays it. Nikis first pro band when he was a teenager was the Worriors. They toured the east coast and actually opened up for Aerosmith for two shows in Connecticut. Niki left that band and auditioned for a band called Frenchee. They were signed to CBS / Cawtaba Records in 1986. Two records were put out, Lipstick Ammunition and Seduction City. Niki played with ex-STARZ members in the HellCats for one record, and played on the 1988 LONDON record. After playing on some tracks, Niki was offered the original drummer spot for Slaughter, but turned down the offer after joining Celtic Frost for the Cold Lake European tour. When Niki returned from Europe he had a short two-week stint in the studio with Alice Cooper.
Niki played on many records as a session musician, earning him six Platinum records. Niki signed an endorsement deal with Vic Firth, Pearl Drums and Zildjian Cymbals in 1988. He was also offered the Buckcherry job to be their original drummer. Niki had also played in a few other bands, including The Loved, STARR, The Mighty Pragmatics, and The New "Blue Cheer", then went back to where it all started with a Frenchee reunion on FnA records.
Niki
Shea
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Most memorable Next-Level Performance
I remember playing on tour every night and feeling the power and confidence of what I was doing and then just one night it unlocked to the next level and I felt invincible like on top of the world, like I could do anything musically with ease. -
What Drives Your Creativity?
Technically Carl Palmer does it for me. Showmanship has to be early Tommy Lee! -
Why do you choose Vic Firth?
I was having problems with using Promark sticks with my hands cramping up playing live shows. The sticks are too short. My thumb would lock up and I would have to stop hitting my snare drum to pull my thumb out. When I noticed that Vic Firth was a longer stick, I tried them and my hands never cramped up on me ever again. I never looked back. I love playing Vic Firth Drumsticks.
BEHIND THE KIT
