One Drummer

End of the Beginning

sluppick — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:47:50 +0000

We played 118 shows, from March 28th to December 31st, 2011…an amazing year of touring with a great new band. Then, on New Year’s day we headed into the remarkable Sunset Sound recording studios for a fantastic week-long adventure, making our first album together. We tracked 27 songs in six days and that’s really all I’m allowed to say at this point, however I’m confident it’s going to be a great record. I’m saving any photos and videos from the session until we get a little further along with mixing and such but wanted to deliver this one very special image, taken by the master himself, my friend and cohort, Neal Casal. Dig it…

in the zone.

Touring will begin once again for this Brotherhood in early June, so stay tuned.

Train Beat

sluppick — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:36:42 +0000

The way I like to approach a good ‘ol train beat is by using a series of singles, doubles and paradiddles, all played with accents…four on the floor…two and four on the hats.

For inspiration: Johnny Cash

Let it roll.

Gearin’ Up!

sluppick — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:29:42 +0000

One more gig this year, then it’s into the studio we go to put down our first recording. Everyone in the CRB camp is getting ready for it especially me, as I’m putting all of my toys, new and old, into the basket.

an arsenal of snares...Bleifuss, Craviotto, Leedy, Ludwig & Rogers

a plethora of Istanbul Agop cymbals...the finest

three gorgeous mid-60's era Rogers drumsets, including my latest find, right here

and a grip of fine tools from my good friends at Vater.

This here beat maker is ready to get busy.

Dead Days

sluppick — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:44:31 +0000

Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Wavy Gravy, Betty Cantor…these folks hold a special place in the history of American rock-n-roll and are, by all accounts, now big fans of our music. How did this happen so fast? Those who were present this past week at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, witnessed history and if you saw the smile on my face, then you knew how completely elated the feeling was. I mean, sharing the stage with Chris Robinson for more than nine months and over 115 shows across the U.S. is an amazing honor, in and of itself, but when you add Phil Lesh & Bob Weir to that equation you have a whole other ballgame, entirely.

Early into our last east coast run, while discussing possible guest sit-in’s for our four-night stint at Great American Music Hall, CR mentioned to us that Phil might be sitting-in on the last set of the third show. Exciting news and for those reading who aren’t aware, Phil was the bassist for the Grateful Dead and Bob Weir played guitar alongside Jerry Garcia. Both are still very active and doing quite well.

Anyway, knowing how things go in this business, I tried not to get my hopes up too high in regards to possibly playing with Phil cause I didn’t wanna be bummed if he wasn’t able to make it. Well, he did and he played his ass off too, which came as a great surprise cause the dude is 71 years old.

Walking onto the stage for the encore, I put my arms around Phil to thank him for sitting-in with us and playing so great. He grabbed me and hugged me, warmly and said, "No, thank you!", then we both turned to the audience and someone in the crowd (Jaime Lieberman!) captured the moment. I'm so glad they did.

The show was fantastic that night and one I’ll remember for a long time to come. But to top it all off, on the last night, we were given the chance (once again) to jam with the great Bob Weir. Wow.

Neal Casal, Bob Weir, myself & CR (courtesy of John Collins)

Really good time. Thanks, Bob!

75 year old Hugh Romney, aka Wavy Gravy, stopped by to give us a warm and truly funny introduction, setting the mood for the long night of music. During the show, he stood to the side of the stage and blew soap bubbles, in true "Wavy" fashion...clown suited and red nose'd! One of the sweetest cats you're ever likely to meet. (courtesy of John Collins)

For all four shows, Betty Cantor-Jackson, Grateful Dead archivist and longtime member of their production team, sat to the side of the stage, recording every note that was played. Her recordings of the Dead are as legendary as the shows themselves and to see her smiling next to us was an incredible moment in time. As honored and humbled as their kindness made me feel this past week, I have to wonder to myself…these folks are legends…has the CRB been given the nod from the Dead’s royalty?

Whatever the case, yours truly is certainly grateful.

Reflections

sluppick — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:40:55 +0000

End of the year is near, one last tour of the west coast then its into the studio we go to record our first album. Pretty psyched about it all and looking back over the past 9 months or so, I’m reminded of all the traveling we’ve done to get to this point. Just over a hundred shows in such a short time, back and forth across the country several times, we’ve been really busy and although exhausting, it’s been super fun. I’d like to think we’re all a little bit wiser and have maybe even learned a thing or two about life, as well as music. Who knows, but whatever the case, we’ve certainly racked up a ton of memories.

rehearsals at the Alley in LA

getting our gear to fit so snuggly into the back of a 15-passenger van

Muddy. my fellow partner in crime

the rigors of the road

meeting, playing and hanging with the great Bob Weir

backstage blues

all those amazing shows and wonderful audiences

friends & fans that made a lasting impression

our watchful mascot, PDC (Possible Dust Clouds)...whether he's on the bus or on the stage, he's looking out for us

our fantastic tour manager, Brian. always there to remind us where to go, what time to be there and check our tired asses into one hotel after another until he was literally exhausted by the end of the day. what a guy!

and finally, CR. forever faithful & mindful of the muse. thanks bro.

Less than two weeks to go on this last run before we break for Christmas. Excited, tired and extremely grateful for this gig. We’ve come a long way, but we’re just now getting started.

More great pics from a gifted photographer…

sluppick — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:03:17 +0000

My good buddy, P. Chandler Moulton has done it, once again…he’s come to one of my shows, shot some amazing photos, and shown them to me and the world. What a guy! Y’all please dig on this vibe, right here…

Thank you, my friend for being such a good dude.

Peace.

Oh, and by the way…the CRB thanks you, too!

Like A Dumbass…

sluppick — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:35:32 +0000

I acted upon impulse and had my ass handed back to me. When will I ever learn? On Friday, I went to visit a couple of buddies of mine…I use the term “buddies” very lightly at this point cause about an hour into our visit, they decided to talk me into going with them to workout in their favorite gym that boasts the title of “Toughest gym in Los Angeles”, but what did I care…I was only going for a quick workout with some friends. No big deal, right? Well, trust me when I tell you that this is no ordinary gym, but one belonging to Muay Thai boxer, Joe Schilling. Yes, I said Muay Thai. One of the toughest, bloodiest and most lethal of the boxing arts. It’s called, The Yard and this place was chock full of baddassery. Schilling had just come from winning a huge match with Kaoklai Kaennorsing, who he knocked down three times in the first round, which made him the newest WBC Interim Champion, giving the Americans total respect.

In walks the Sluppy. HA!

I don’t know if it was the ten minutes of jumping rope, followed by ten mins of jogging, followed by numerous reps of squats, crunches, planks, then push-up’s, but something killed me. Completely dead. Out for the count. Done. Fin. Total asthma attack, which forced me outta there fast. I’m sure once I left they were all laughing at me and I don’t know if I can ever go back in there and show my sad face again. It’s gonna take a lot if I do. Guess I need to build myself up to it. I did get to shake Joe’s hand though and what a monster of cat he is in person. Holy crap.

Joe Schilling = Muay Thai boxing baddass

New Website

sluppick — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:20:10 +0000

Two weeks into this tour and we get word that our new website is finally up as of today and totally rockin. Check it out here!

Thoughts

sluppick — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:32:13 +0000

Ever get a feeling about yourself, of suddenly noticing where you are, of what you’re doing with your life? Where you’re going and what it all means…any of that? It hits me occasionally, at weird, random moments but is fleeting and never lingers. Like I’m suddenly in a dream, floating, outside of myself, looking at everything. It’s a bizarre thing. Last night it happened. We were in the middle of a tune, I’m on stage (totally sober) and I suddenly have this hyper awareness of where I am and what I’m doing, but it was like I was watching myself perform. I was still able to play during this dream state, nothing was lost but (for a brief moment) it was like my spirit was dancing around me, sitting on my shoulders checking me out. Then, I was reminded of a passage I’d read in a wonderful book by Eckhart Tolle called, The Power Of Now, where he’s describing three different states of being…the first is just you in the moment, then next is your mind with all of your thoughts, but then there’s another self that is above all of that, listening, watching and that’s the one I felt last night. It’s hard to explain.

An out-of-body experience, perhaps?

Her Voice, Those Drums

sluppick — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 18:32:14 +0000

Los Angeles is a great town and I’m happy to be back here working during my time off, although my doctor says I should be taking it easy due to a pinched nerve in my neck that’s still not yet healed. Ouch! But who can say no when a lady comes a-callin’? Certainly not me. Anyhow, yesterday I was in the studio with a wonderful singer songwriter, Julie Cain, a fantastic & unique voice that is really nice to hear coming through the headphones. It was low-key, easy and fun but I wish I’d had the presence of mind to snap some pics of the session, especially the drums. 24″ Premier 1950′s set with an 8 x 14 Slingerland snare that (apparently) used to belong to one of the many drummers from Jethro Tull…I didn’t ask which one. Clive Bunker, perhaps? Killer sounds…woody, open but very dry. And with the timbre of this young lady’s voice, was a wonderful mix. Producer, Sean Hoffman (American Music Club) is a joy to work with, as well. Fantastic musicians, both of them and judging from the results so far, once it’s done, this is gonna be a great record.

Julie Cain...easy on the eyes, too

Everyone should hear her sing.