Biography

 "Praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals" 

Psalm 150:5

Date of Birth: December 12, 1987

Hometown: Shoreline, Washington 

Genre: Rock/Hip-Hop

Years Active: 2002-Present

Associated acts: Dead Ringer, Tork

Favorite Bands: Metallica, Eminem, Dr. Dre,  Snoop Dogg, NaS, Deltron, Dialated Peoples, Atmosphere, Shinedown, Gang Starr, Ice Cube, Ludacris, Mos Def, Obie Trice, Tool, AC/DC, Rush,  Blink-182, New Found Glory,  George Clinton & the P-Funk Allstars, Xzibit, Alice in Chains, Alien Ant Farm, Billy Joel,  Blackalicious,  Bloodhound Gang, Cage the Elephant, Clutch, Dave Mathews Band, Dire Straits,  Dragon Force, Earth Wind & Fire, Foo Fighters,  Jimmy Eat World, Judas Priest, KO-S, Primus, Lynam, Lynard Skynard, Mac Dre, Mars Ill, Michael Jackson,  Grayskul, Mute Math,  The Offspring, Outkast, Pidgeon John, The Presidents of the United States of America, Priestess, Queens of the Stoneage, Rage Against the Machine, Reel Big Fish, Richard Cheese, Riddlin' Kids, RJD2, The Roots, Saves the Day, Slash, 2-Pac, Smashing Pumpkins, Spin Doctors, Stephen Lynch, Stevie Wonder, Sugar Cult, Nate Dogg, Warren G, Talib Kwali, Three 6 Mafia, Tom Petty, Tom Jones, Trans-Syberian Orchestra, Westside Connection, Whole Wheat Bread, Roger Troutman & Zapp, and many others.

Influences: Travis Barker, Neil Pert, Jesse Sprinkle, Lars Ulrich, Joey Jordison, and many more.

 

A Percussive Past:

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when this ambitious, 23 year-old, Seattle-area native first began his drumming career. One could argue it started well before his first birthday, when he clutched his first pair of drumsticks (albeit they were made of cardboard tubing wrapped in electrical tape). Or perhaps it took place at the age of two when he graduated from car seat drum solos and started tapping out rhythms on his debut toy drums, followed shortly by his first real kit a Remo Pro Junior. Although he took a 10 year hiatus, Stephen picked up the sticks and dusted off the snare his freshman year in high school and began playing again aided by a year of lessons with private instructor Jesse Sprinkle.

 In Summer of 2010 Stephen spent a few months jamming with the 90's top 40 cover band Dead Ringer, then settled down in September with his current band Tork. Formed  in early 2000, Tork is an original progressive rock band with influences from Tool and the Deftones. Since his initiation,  Stephen has contributed his unique style to the bands debut EP "Perpetual Motion Machine" to be followed shortly by the LP, as well as gigs around the pacific northwest. In late November, the band played a 10 day mini-tour down the coast to the bay area making stops in Olympia WA, Portland OR, Medford OR, & San Jose CA (for a complete list of shows, see the upcoming events page).

 In February 2011, Stephen happily accepted an endorsement deal with Soultone Cymbals based out of Los Angeles CA. Playing exclusivley with the Soultone Gospel series Stephen raves, "They are the best sounding cymbals I've played: I chose the Gospel series from the Soultone line-up because of its bright, warm, and full-bodied tone". He is honored to join the Soultone family, and excited to get back into the studio to record with his new cymbals.

 Stephen looks forward to upcoming gigs, a possible showcase in Nashville, and competitions with Tork, and is doing all he can to increase the bands exposure and fan base. Next steps? "Getting a steady stream of paying shows, finding a manager, and getting hooked up with a label." Beyond Tork, Stephen divulges his individual musical aspirations: "Ideally, I would love to make a living drumming. If I can do that by playing shows, working as a studio musician, or teaching lessons (anything to get paid to play) I would. Also, I've always wanted to play for a worship band at my church." When asked about his dream gig Stephen mused, "Because I've always been into rap and hip-hop music, I would absolutley love to play drums for a hip-hop band. It would be so much fun for me to do something similar to what Travis Barker is doing with artists like Rihanna, Lil' Wayne, Drake, etc. Being able to combine the genre I love to listen to and the style I love to play as a full-time job would be unreal."

He goes on to explain, "At this point in my career, I'm getting a taste of how complicated the music industry can be, and realizing that being a great musician is only half the battle." Vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, and close friend of Stephens, Matt Bekker has been an encouragement and great example of how to be tenacious and sucessful as an individual artist. After a slow start, Matt was discovered by Rocket Entertainment Group (owned By Elton John) and  since signing with them, his career has exploded. Stephen has seen firsthand Matt benefit from having a manager to guide the buisness aspect of his music, which frees him to focus on writing. "Much of what Matt has gone through has shown me what a difference a promoter or manager can make. I'd love to find someone to represent me."

 Stephen also notes the positive example of former church member and friend Kurtis Solheim who is a representitive for Soultone Cymbals and Risen Drums, a stand-in and consultant for worship bands, and has traveled nationwide with numerous Christian musicians. "Kurtis has really made the most of his love of God and his passion for drumming. In my opinion he is a great example of how to find a way to do what you love and still make a living. He has demonstrated the variety of ways I can get myself involved musically, and has helped me connect with people and companies (like Soultone) that will bring me more exposure."

Stephen looks forward to progress in his musical career as part of a band, as well as growing individually as a musician. "For me, drumming is a huge blessing. Many people do not know what it is like to be told that they may never be physically able to drum again. I have been blessed with the incredible support of my family (especially my mom) and friends."

Equipment:

Kit:

20x18" Tama Rockstar Bass Drum

16x14" Tama Rockstar Floor Tom

13x12" Tama Rockstar Floor Tom

10x8" Taye Rack Tom

13x7" Pork Pie Snare

14x6.5" Mapex Snare

Cymbals:

20" Soultone Gospel Ride

20" Soultone Gospel Crash

19" Soultone Gospel Crash

17" Soultone Gospel Crash

15" Soultone Gospel Crash

13" Soultone Gospel Crash

8" Soultone Gospel Splash

14" Soultone Gospel Hi-Hats

18" Soultone Gospel China

 

Hardware:

Iron Cobra Bass Pedal

Pork Pie Throne

Evans Heads

Custom Cymbal Socks

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