Derek Bodkin - As a solo performer I perform voice, guitar, banjo, whistling, harmonica, etc...
You'll also see me playing drums with the Psychedelic Jazz-Rock project "Five Eyed Hand".
Influences
My friends, my day to day, my dog, and my questionable sanity. Also influenced by: The Beatles, John Hartford, Jimmy Buffett, Monty Python, Paul Simon, Glen Miller Band, Jerry Garcia, Keb Mo', String Cheese Incident, The Doobie Brothers, Bare Naked Ladies, Jim Croce, Benny Goodman Orch, Leo Kottke, Ray Stevens, The Limeliters, The Pogues, The Kingston Trio, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Willie Dixon, The Goons, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Fleetwood Mac, Django Reinhardt, Sesame Street, Schoolhouse Rock, John Williams, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Utah Phillips, J.R.R. Tolkien, Monty Python, Chocolate, Ice Cream, Pepperoni Pizza... and my dad.
Derek Bodkin is truly a musical character. With a background and education in orchestral conducting and composition, as well as playing drums in world percussion groups, Big Bands, Jazz Combos, and orchestras - he is certainly a unique entity to appear in the Bay Area Music Scene. Spending many years as a percussionist in union orchestra pits playing musical theater and honing his sight-reading skills, he was also influenced with a flare for performing by the 1000's of actors with whom he'd spent so much time. His stage presence is surely evidence of this.
Derek decided to give Hollywood a shot and try his hand at writing music for movies and television. During his time there, he enjoyed working as a Voice-Over actor, so both his voice and/or music cues could be heard on documentaries, films, and network television shows. Additionally, Derek is hailed as one of the best melodic whistlers registered in the "Screen Actors Guild" and is stoked to be bringing the art of whistling back to the live stage experience to enthusiastic listeners everywhere.
Though Derek has been a voice over actor and playing banjo, drums, guitar, and whistling up a storm since he was a child… he would usually stay behind the scenes performing on movie soundtracks and independent films, playing various instruments or portraying various voice personalities. Derek is glad to be back to his truth on stage, behind the mic, in front of the crowd - a visible force to share his heartsongs and ideals with the musical scene and counterculture of which he is so very fond. Derek continues to play drums in an eclectic mix of musical projects, including the popular Jazz Fusion band called "Five Eyed Hand", and continues working on various musical endeavors with banjo and guitar. Be sure to visit www.derekbodkin.com for more information and additional mp3’s!
Dude... is this version of can you feel it from the live sessions you just did or the studio... It late and I cant turn up the volume... unable to churn at this momment... want to... must... but can't at risk of waking family and certain death... do tell
hey...thanks for the deal on the shirt at bobo fest...lol....love that place..did you guys win. new groove band of month!? i vote a million times:} you had a huge lead!
This is Dave...I jammed with you at High Sierra a few years back and I used to be in shoestring strap. This is my new band. Hope our paths cross at some point.
man you know i still to this day tell that story of the chance encounter of meeting two very, very cool people that wetre kind enough to give me a ride from san jose to santa cruz. that act of kindness still puts a smile on my face, thanks so much again. hope all is well with you! :)
