Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Who, Black Sabbath, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Free, Hawkwind, Gong, John Coltrane, Ian Dury, The Stranglers, Miles Davis, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Pink Floyd, Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Bert Jansch, Eric Clapton, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Burt Bacharach, The Band, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Fairport Convention, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Weather Report, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Mountain, Cactus, Humble Pie, Small Faces, Deep Purple, Mountain, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Pentangle, Thelonius Monk, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, West Bruce and Laing, Lou Reed, Jethro Tull, Genesis, King Crimson, Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, Manic Street Preachers, Sex Pistols, Yes, The Damned, The Clash, Xray Spex, David Bowie, The Tubes, Van Halen, Kiss, T.Rex, Slade, PIL, Velvet Underground, The Smiths, New Model Army, Buddy Rich, Nick Drake, and more
Track 2 above: Snippets of me playing various styles; from prog rock, to punk.
Track 3 above: Me jamming along to a click track; changing beats etc..
Track 4 above: Playing at a 20,000 seat arena in Japan. Pop/samba style.
Track 5 above: I wrote the music and melody, played, mixed, and produced everything by myself in my bedroom, with just two SM57 mics, on a cheap 8-track studio. No outboard gear at all. Even just two SM57's on the drums. My friend wrote the lyrics and sang.
Track 6 above: Me playing acoustic slide guitar, and lead overdub...
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STOP music player above, then play the video below. It's me doing Sparks by The Who...
Im originally from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, UK. Now in Los Angeles.
Been playing drums since I was seven years old.
I'm a click track expert. I have played arena shows to a click and backing tracks.
Tons of real experience.
I've done arena tours of U.S., Japan, Europe. Played Budokan and Makuhari arena in Japan. Opened at huge gigs in the US for Meatloaf and The Tubes.
Explosive, exciting, subtle, slamming, totally in the pocket, with a great sound. I'm very easy going and fun. No hassle at all.
Here is a detailed Bio if you would like to read more:
I was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, U.K.. Started playing when I was 7 years old. Completely self taught. I can't read music or charts or any of that squiggly stuff. Sorry.
Played in many local Merthyr Tydfil/Welsh groups, then moved to London at 17.
Played with well known London bands Khmer Rouge, The Last Gang, jammed a couple of times with the outstanding Mick Jones of The Clash, and lots of other stuff too.
Played many tours from bars to clubs to theaters to 18,000 seat arenas, from Europe to Japan to the U.S..
Recorded with several name producers. Appeared live on BBCTV, ITV (Britain), MTV, Fugi TV (Japan) and others. Appeared in quite a few music videos too.
Played with signed 80's alt./punk/rock group Das Psycho Rangers. Das Psycho Rangers achieved a few minor hits in the U.K., and opened for Meatloaf, The Tubes, and The Damned in the U.S.. Das Psycho Rangers appeared in the movie "Highway To Hell" as a motorcycle gang in hell with actors Ben Stiller, Kristy Swanson and Chad Lowe. Was on the The Chart Show on ITV and The Garden Party on BBC 1 in the UK.
Then I played with early 90's rock/prog. group Casino Drive. Casino Drive achieved a lot of success in Japan, selling many records and playing arenas, including the famous Budokan. I have the video :)
Next I played with mega successful Japanese producer/musician Tetsuya "TK" Komuro. TK is, apparently, the most successful Japanese musician/producer EVER !! TK's band was made up of musicians from the bands of The Eurythmics, Peter Gabriel, Barbara Streisand, Gloria Estefan, amongst others. It was a great experience to play with such top quality players. Played huge arenas with TK. I have the video of me playing at Makuhari arena, in front of 20,000 people. Makuhari arena is the metal festival show that Anvil play at at the end of their movie. We were the only band on the bill when we played there :)
Then in 2001 I drummed for the great blues guitarist Eric Sardinas on his summer tour of the States. We played at least six shows a week, in almost every town imaginable.
Since then I have been playing in and around Los Angeles with various pro bands and musicians. I have been recording with producer Bryan Carlstrom (Alice in Chains, Rob Zombie, The Offspring, Billy Idol, Social Distortion, Anthrax), and Rich Mouser (Weezer, Oleander). I have done loads of sessions in LA. Check out recordings for The Demon Brothers, Sleeper City, Bloodhook, Mariana Gee, and tours with local bands. They are all on myspace, I think.
WANTED $100 REWARD We need a band name! Were are offering $100 reward to the person that comes up with the name we end up using! Either leave it as a comment, put it in our blog, or email a message with your band name suggestion! Hard Rock with a Southern Edge ! Thanks from " The No Name Band"
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I thought I saw you the other day walkin' the sidewalks of this here town.....my mind playing tricks on me again.....hmmmmmm. Sending YOU love and light and beauty...XOXO
Cheers Darren. I went to Afon Taf myself but my brother's children go to Cyfarthfa as they live in Tywn. Status Quo and Hayseed Dixie are playing at Cyfarthfa Castle next Saturday so I'm making a pilgrimage to the old town to see them. Terrific drumming by the way and you're right, your guitar ain't bad for a drummer. Great slide technique! All the best. Griff