Paul Wandtke (on tour now w/ Kill Hannah)

About me:

Singer/Songwriter for "Dead Original" www.facebook.com/DeadOriginal

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. Paul was the powerhouse for Phoenix, Arizona's The Sammus Theory during their Bail Out tour between 2009 and 2010 and he even tracked drums for their 2010 E.P.

Catch Paul on the road now as he's playing drums for Kill Hannah as main support for the Smashing Pumpkins this month. For more info visit www.killhannah.com or www.smashingpumpkins.com

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.



"Paul Wandtke is a combination of chops, power, independence, imagination, and personality all rolled into one powerhouse of a drummer. Make sure to check him out; you will most certainly be glad you did!!!"

—Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs, Winger, Rudess Morgenstein Project)


Rod Morgenstein and Paul Wandtke at the Evans booth at NAMM 2010

Paul Wandtke | MySpace Video

"The first time I watched Paul play, it was easy to hear the feeling come through his dynamics. If versatility, control, meter and motivation are what it takes to be a professional drummer, look no further"

—Ian Macdonald - Sick Drummer Magazine



"If residents of Chicago have wondered why their windy city has been a little windier than usual lately, The Squid has the answer. Look no further than the 21-year-old-man wind machine known as Paul Wandtke "

—New Blood, Drum! Magazine '08



"Paul’s own playing demonstrates all the ingredients for heavy metal success: power, deft hand and foot speed, and stamina, and the ability to support the band and make their own statement at the same time."

—On the Move, Modern Drummer Aug. '04



"Drummer Paul Wandtke blends classic attitude and feel with raw progressive power and technical bombast. His chops seasaw from groove mastery to mind-bending drum fireworks. A true prescence behind the kit."

—Rick Florino (Author of Dolor, Editor of ARTISTdirect.com)



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.