ABOUT
I am a semi-professional session drummer and music producer. I have a great deal of touring, recording, and producing experience. I am focused, hard working, goal oriented, and reliable. In the video section of my bandmix profile you will find a number of videos of my playing demonstrating my skills and professionalism. I enjoy all genres of music. I tend to gravitate more toward rock and metal, but love jazz, country, and R&B as well.
I am the former drummer for Damn Your Eyes - an original metal band from New York. I recorded drums on both the self titled debut EP (Aug 2018) and the full length LP called "Kill The Outside" (Aug 2019).
From 2018-2019 I produced a segment called "The Working Drummer", on the blog talk radio show called "Around The Kit" hosted by Joe Gansas.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I started playing drums at the age of 15. My early influences were Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. I played in cover bands throughout all of my high school years. During college, I stopped playing in bands but continued to practice as I earned my B.A. in Economics from New York University. Shortly after college I joined the seen again playing for New York City greats such as Seeing Voices and a few others, and playing in all the local live music spots including CBGB's.
I was hired in the summer of 2013 to record with a well known 80's & 90's rock guitarist for a solo CD, where I recorded drums on 6 of the 12 songs that were released. I was chosen to do this because of my skill level, and my never say die work ethic.
in 2015, I released a CD called Alchemy which contains 8 originals and covers.
In November 2016, I produced and released an EP for a band called For The Desolate.
I have studied with:
1) Sandy Gennaro of Joan Jett, Pat Travers (April 2014 Modern Drummer); (Rock)
2) Joe Bonadio - (Jazz);
3) Jerod Boyd of Miss May I (Metal)
If you want more audio and video of what I can do, both from a playing and engineering perspective please visit my personal website. The web address is in the Equipment List section below.
- Screen name:
- RickySticks17
- Member since:
- Feb 09 2016
- Active within 1 month
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years playing music:
- 30
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- 2-3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 1 night a week
- Most available:
- Nights
Influences
My current influences are very diverse mix and consist of many genres: Miss May I, Blackberry Smoke, Rival Sons, Disturbed, Wage War, Northlane, Erra, Jason Aldean, Texas Hippie Coalition, Black Stone Cherry.
Bands I grew up listening to: Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Motley Crue, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy.
My drumming influences are: John Bonham, Mike Portnoy, Mike Wengren, Jerod Boyd, Rich Redmond, Brian Tichy.
Instrument experience:
- Drums:
- Advanced
- Rhythm Guitar:
- Moderate
- Bass Guitar:
- Moderate
EQUIPMENT
1) DW Collectors Series Custom Graphics Drums - 5 Piece for recording and live performances.
2) Tama Starclassic B/B (black) for live performances.
3) Gretsch - 4 piece (yellow) for small live performances
4) Roland TD30 - For efficient and time critical recording.
A large collection of new Meinl cymbals for live performance and recording.
In addition, I own and manage Red Menace Studio - which operates on a purely referral only basis, so my equipment list goes beyond drums. My guitar collection consists of 7 outstanding guitars.
My personal website is www.rickysticks17.com, on my site you will find my contact details.
MUSIC
-
Solo single - High Road (Video)
Solo single - High Road (Video)76Ifr9mfk8c
-
Rick with Damn Your Eyes - Song "Through it All" (Video)
Rick with Damn Your Eyes - Song "Through it All" (Video)k6bj2JT3e1U
-
Rick with Damn Your Eyes - Song "Ascension" (Video)
Rick with Damn Your Eyes - Song "Ascension" (Video)qygdOrvCnEM
-
Drum Play Through - "Lions from Lambs" (Video)
Drum Play Through - "Lions from Lambs" (Video)zGqT9O-GD1M
-
Drum Play Through - "Afterlife" (Video)
Drum Play Through - "Afterlife" (Video)ZP3SqjxZbwU
-
Drum Play Through - "Blue on Black" (Video)
Drum Play Through - "Blue on Black" (Video)C2k8UuKwx1o
-
Rick Taiano - Drum Cam (Video)
Rick Taiano - Drum Cam (Video)v_YdtbwmdYM