Bio
I was born on December 17 1974, in Long Beach, California. Little did I know how music would impact my life starting with the sounds and rhythms of my Hawaiian ancestry. The mesmerizing drums, the captivating string instruments, and the singing voices of harmony nurtured me. It was no surprise to hear I would rock myself against cushioned furniture, and use my fingers, utensils, sticks, or whatever I could find to bang on anything and everything that made noise.
My first set of drums came at age 2. At 3 years, I was introduced to Tahitian drumming by the lead drummer, Jim Cramer, at Alohi’s Dance Studio, in Whittier, California, where my mother danced on a regular basis. Starting and ending every song was learned quickly for sensing the feel of music came naturally. As a result, I performed at several shows throughout Southern California.
I grew up listening to music from the 70’s and 80’s. The gift of “playing by ear” allowed me to listen to all genres of music with a fine-tuned skill, giving me the ability to pick up on different ideas and techniques along the way, and the capability to mimic what the drummers were doing. Mastering this skill is the method I have used my entire life as a drummer. It has opened many avenues and opportunities throughout my career. This includes drumming etiquette through grade school marching band, refining drumming techniques such as flams, paradiddles, time signatures, and reading music. However, feeling the music was much more powerful than reading it so I chose to refer back to playing by ear and have no regrets. Being a self-taught drummer (playing by ear), captures the energy, emotion, and passion of the music.
The first time I heard the 1984 Van Halen record, with Alex Van Halen playing the drums, it was exciting and super motivating. I knew then that this aggressive type of drumming was what I wanted to do and make a living at it! Now that I was introduced to the world of “rock n roll”, I was hooked!
I attended a private school where listening to secular music was prohibited, and being conservative was the key. In 1987, I was asked by the church music director if I would be interested in playing drums for the Praise Team every Sunday morning. The church was trying to change things up by introducing more upbeat tempo songs. At first, I thought anything to get away from singing those old hymns…lol! I did accept the offer. So, every Sunday I ‘’rocked out’’ those church songs! It was actually a lot of fun. Church members enjoyed the change, and the Praise Team grew in popularity over months. It was no Van Halen, but it was great to play live with a band to a crowd of people. Apparently, my playing was too radical for the senior pastor, who requested I leave the Praise Team.
When I started public school in 9th grade, my exposure to heavy metal…Iron Maiden, Priest, Slayer, Testament, Exodus, Sepultura, Metallica…grew. Wow! I was instantly gravitated toward the most insane and profound drumming I had ever heard. The music elevated my senses which created a non-stop craving for metal. It was not about the lyrics for me but rather the power, speed, and complex rhythms of the drums and guitar. Nothing beats a good grinding guitar riff that allows a drummer to just ‘’go off’’. My passion for playing metal music continues to this day.
I found myself playing in many garage bands throughout high school while chasing my dreams of being a professional drummer. At 18, I worked at a local Greek restaurant, as a busboy. This is where I was introduced to Tony, a professional musician. He would come and play guitar at the restaurant almost every weekend. We eventually got to know each other and began talking about music. One day Tony asked me if I played the guitar. Upon acknowledging I did, he asked if I played “blues”. I started playing a “blues” riff while Tony played the harmonica and guitar leads to the song. This was awesome! As we talked more, I told him I was really a drummer. Tony then asked if I was interested in auditioning for his original band, “Wynd Your Mind’’, in Hollywood, California. This was my first break to play with a professional band.
I drove to Los Angeles every week for rehearsal. My first gig was at The Roxy Theatre, on the Sunset Strip. From here, we went on to play at The Whiskey, Dragonfly, F.M. Station, and other clubs. The experiences with Tony were the learning foundation to hold myself to a higher standard by being focused, disciplined, and professional. This was the real deal! As all things go with music, bands break up and people move on, but I was grateful for the opportunity given by Tony, and I am forever grateful. Many lessons in life are priceless. If one wants to move forward with a career, it helps to be open minded and receptive to the things people are teaching you at any given time.
At 19, I started playing with a local cover band, mostly in bars and clubs. The pay was good, and we had a lot of fun until the band broke apart. I recorded multiple albums with several other bands over the years; however, none of them ever made it ‘’mainstream’’. It was difficult to find bands with a mutual interest and drive.
I started to lose hope in music. Depression set in, and I stopped playing drums for many years. I started a family, worked 7 days a week, and sold all my drum gear to help make ends meet. Music took a backseat in my life for the first time. I spent my days chasing the dollar instead of my aspirations playing music.
One day, I received a “surprise” visit from my close friend, Chris. He wanted to ‘’talk’’ about getting me back into music which included the ideas of coming up front to sing full time, playing the guitar to songs I had written, and building a band around me which meant giving up my position as a drummer. I was reluctant, but after a few beers, I started to consider it. Chris helped me remember who I really was and what I was capable of doing. After contemplating the thought, I decided to put the band idea on hold and return to just playing drums full time.
With the help from my mother and Chris, I was able to afford all new drum gear. I accepted the offer to play in a metal band called Simian Messiah, a three-piece metal band, that Chris was managing and supporting. We started to gain momentum by playing larger shows with other upcoming bands, and bigger artists like Paul Di’Anno, of Iron Maiden. After a year of Simian Messiah working together, the band fell apart.
In 2013, I was approached by Sammy D. of the 80’s metal band, “Ruthless”. I was asked if I was interested in auditioning for a project he was putting together. After the audition, I was offered the position of drummer for Ruthless! I went on to play with Ruthless for the next three years, picking up management, recording a new album with legendary producer Bill Metoyer, and signing a three-year deal with Pure Steel Records (Germany). After releasing the new album ‘’They Rise’’, we toured Europe and the U.S. to promote the new record. Great times, memories, and friendships were made!
Not long after, we recorded “13 Skulls”, a new single, produced by John Trench, at Trench Studios, in Corona, California, in association with legendary metal band, Hexx, and High Roller Records (Germany). Unfortunately, I came to the realization Ruthless and I did not share the same goals and musical direction which resulted in my departure from the band in 2016.
A few facts may separate me from other drummers; however, the most profound is escaping death from a horrific motorcycle accident on October 22, 2016.
After a driver of a car acknowledged my presence and my right-of-way, she made her left turn into my path…15 feet before I would have passed her vehicle. I was forced to lay down my Harley rather than hurl over the car. My body slammed into her car snapping my pelvis in half, breaking 3 ribs, crushing 2 vertebrae in the lower back, and bleeding internally. My surgery was hindered for several days because of the bleeding. To this day, the medical staff shake their heads in disbelief, that I am not dead for others with lesser injuries have passed away. For months, I was confined to a bed, on my back, in 3 hospitals. Any other position advanced the pain to a higher level because my insides shifted when my pelvis was broken.
After a plate with screws was installed to reconnect the front of my pelvis and a large bolt was screwed from my hip bone to hold the back of my pelvis together, I reflected upon my young life with thoughts of ending it for the pain was unbearable and there was no relief. However, I could not let my children grow up without a father, and that gave me the will to survive and to prevail over the pain. No doubt, God spared my life and guided me out of helplessness. It was a humbling ordeal. I found the inner strength and fortitude to learn how to walk all over again. During the healing, recuperating, and rehabilitation period, I vowed to use my gift for music to touch the hearts of others and to share my story. Since the accident, I have strategically chosen my battles and movements to prepare myself for playing music again. I have not used the wheelchair, walker, or a cane for the last 12 months, and I do not shuffle my steps any longer when walking.
My gift of music has manifested to who I am today…motivated, courageous, creative, and dedicated. A newspaper article was written about musicians which describes exactly what I am about: “Musicians are willing to give their entire life to a moment…that melody, that lyric, that cord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul”.
Currently, I am a “drummer for hire” while looking for an original artist / band that shares the same dedication level and goals as I do. I can fluctuate my drumming style to fit any genre of music. I keep busy playing with several bands, earning a living as a drummer. I have learned a valuable lesson; to never give up on your dreams, because opportunities can be just around the corner.