Paul Wandtke is a dichotomy of rock star persona and music discipline; a must see drummer during live shows and performances. After a near death experience, reality hit and he decided to follow his dream and passion with drumming. He is the powerhouse for Phoenix, Arizona's The Sammus Theory check out their current tour schedule at www.thesammustheory.com or myspace.com/thesammustheory
Paul was born and raised in Chicago , IL and began his drumming career at the age of eleven by performing around Chicago with numerous rock, punk and metal groups. Most notable while residing in Chicago is that early in 06' Paul collaborated/rehearsed with members of the band including frontman ♠ EDSEL DOPE ♠ and lead guitarist Virus in hopes of a new side project but the concept of the new group exhausted. Paul has performed/recorded in all types of musical settings including jazz, latin, blues, progressive rock, electronica, fusion, dance, punk, ska, musical theatre, but is best known as a rock/metal drummer.
Magazine Lessons:
Paul Wandtke is a contributor for Sick Drummer Magazine where he submits both online lessons and written materials for Sick Drummer, check out
www.sickdrummer.com for more info.
Cruise Ships:
In the past, between school and other events Paul would often be found on the waters playing for cruise ships. For instance, Paul was the showband drummer for Carnival Cruise line's "Carnival Conquest Orchestra". The Orchestra performed a total of six nights a week in the Toulouse Lautrec theatre. The shows included three Production Shows, two Big Band Sets and one excellent Motown set. The Toulouse Lautrec theatre holds over 1100 people, and the Conquest Orchestra performed two sets every night and that's a total of 2200 people that would watch the group and Paul perform.
Schools:
Prior to his studies at Berklee, Paul has studied percussion at the Joliet Junior College (an accredited school of NASM)and received his Associate in Arts from JJC. During percussion ensemble performances, Paul would often times be featured as a soloist artist on various percussion instruments including the xylophone, marimba, and timpani. Paul understands that both drum set and percussion can go hand in hand, that’s why he has studied both art forms.
During his tenure at Berklee Paul studied privately with Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dreggs, Winger). Check out Rod’s personal thoughts of Paul’s playing at www.paulwandtke.com. Other teachers that Paul studied with are Mike Mangini, Skip Hadden, Bob Tamagni, Larry Finn, David Weigert, and Tony Thunder Smith.
Paul’s ultimate goal is to continue enjoying life. :)
For Hire (if time allows):
To find out what Paul can do for your project, then check out www.paulwandtke.com/studio
Feel free to contact him via email or myspace to schedule an event or session.
Accomplishments
2008
• April: Paul is inducted onto sickdrummer.com
• February: Paul became an official Vic Firth drumstick artist www.vicfirth.com.
• January: Paul received an endorsement from Evans drum heads www.evansdrumheads.com
• Jan-March: Paul performed drums six nights a week aboard Carnival Cruises.
2007
• December: Paul received an Associate in Arts
degree from the Joliet Junior College which is
an accredited school of NASM.
• October: Drum Magazine wrote a review of
Paul's drumming in their New Blood section.
• September: Paul became officially accepted to
attend the Berklee College of Music.
• July: Paul became an official Trick Drum
Artist.
• Late June: Paul takes first place at the annual
Heat Strokes Drum contest.
• June: Paul performed drums on Chicagoland's
group "The BackSeat Pandas" in support of
their five-song EP entitled "Black and White."
• May: Release of the 2007 Paul Wandtke Drum
Performance DVD.
• Jan: Paul received the 2006 JJC Music Talent
Scholarship from Joliet Junior College based
on jury examination, academic performance,
and over all participation in the fine arts department
2006
* Early in 06' Paul collaborated/rehearsed with members of including frontman Edsel Dope and lead guitarist Virus in hopes of a new side project but the concept of the new group exhausted.
* October: studio work for "A Texas Funeral" in support of their self titled five-song EP.
*Auditioned/performed on drum set for the "Bye-Bye Birdie" musical at JJC.
*Auditioned/performed on the marimba for the JJC student Honors recital.
2005
*Competed in Guitar Center's Drum Off and made it to the district final.
*Auditioned and became enrolled as a percussion major at Joliet Junior College and ever since I have academically remained a GPA of 3.60.
2004
* East-coast tour with the Chicago land group "Numb" in support of their five-song EP entitled "High School Sweetheart".
2003
*August: "Modern Drummer" magazine included me in their "On the Move" department.
*Studio work for the Chicago land group "Else" in support of their five-song EP entitled "When Sun Sets Morning Fire".
2002
*Studio work for the Chicago land group Tremulous, in support of their album "Unbound Aggression". They have ever since landed a record deal with Statue Records and received rare reviews in magazine publications such as "PIT Magazine" a publication which is located in Colorado Springs,CO.
Endorsements: Vic Firth, Zildjian, Evans Drumheads, and Trick drums.
Who I'd like to meet: DRUMMERS, DRUMMERS, AND OH GIRLS THAT DIG DRUMMERS!
Hey! Our CD is available to buy now on our myspace. Pick up a copy now and save on shipping and handling! Take a listen to two of the songs uploaded on our myspace and let us know what you think. Thanks
A friend suggestion thing.... I saw Paul Wandtke and that you live in Phoenix, and I was like holy shit! Someone I know lives by me! That is sooooo awesome! I am in IN right now, but when I get back we should get together!
Look man, you need to pay for that hotel room you trashed. A party is one thing, but you were a little over the top. Hit me back... and send a freakin' check already!!!!
Thanks for the friend request. Please drop by, check out our music, and leave us a comment………we’d really like to know if it’s thumbs up or thumbs down for you, ok?
Chevelle was AMAZING! I hope that your interveiw went the same bro. I hope that we can make it out when you guys play Wichita again! Would love to sit down and get to know you better.
thats really good to hear man!! Things are going ok.. Im workin at the shop ALOT now, so i mean i guess thats good.. Im trying to find a band again... But nothing is really workin. But im just playing the waiting game, and not jumping for the first band that comes along... Hopefully i find something soon tho, cause i really need to play lol... My dad is still workin at the shop at decent amount, he isnt in as much really anymore, but he still works like crazy.. When ya come to chicago man, should let me know, maybe we can catch up on some stuff man
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