I was born and raised in Decatur Illinois. I stayed there until I was 19, when I enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. I flew on C-130's in the Coast Guard; you may remember my appearances on The Learning Channel and the Discovery Channel (Yeah, like anyone really saw me!).
Anyway, I am long time friends with everyone in the band, and that is how all of this came to be. I had drums all through my childhood, and my Brothers good friend (My good friend too!) Kip Harper (who is no longer with us) taught me a few things. Other than that I have never had any lessons. I played while listening to the radio, which is why my beats typically have a lot of different influences. As a teenager, I was really into Rap music. When I turned 16, I met a great guy named Tim Rider, who is my Best-Friends stepbrother. Anyway, Tim introduced me to the Eagles, and The Mamas and The Papas. From there, my musical influences really opened up and now I listen to everything, Alternative, Rap, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, 70's 80's, you name it I probably like it. So my music is a collaboration of all of these styles of music, and what I am feeling when we write a song.
I am proud of the fact that I have never had any lessons, because I feel like my music is more from me, than from what I have learned. As I get more experienced, I am taking pointers from other drummers (I would be stupid not to) but I still feel that my music is my own.
If I had to pick a drummer who I wish I could play like, I would pick two! Akira Jimbo, he is a Japanese drummer who does not even need a band to play with him. He plays a combination of electric and acoustic drums, allowing him to provide listeners with an astounding variety of music.However, Carter Beauford (Currently with the Dave Matthews Band) is, in my opinion the best drummer playing in a band today. He is so comfortable behind his set; it almost looks as if he was born there. His beats are so right on, and his sticking ability is near perfect! Hopefully someday I will be close to as good as he is.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to seeing you all at our shows. As INTRYNSIK grows musically, It is my hope that our crowds will grow with us. Keep coming out, and enjoying the music, after-all it is written for you too, not just us!