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STEVE MYERS - Drums and Percussion

Thanks for taking the time to read about me! I hate these things, but I’ll just lay it out there…<smile>.

Along with being a musician I've made a living as a computer geek, working over the years as a software engineer, web developer, systems integrator and (ahem...Sr.) business analyst.  In addition to teaching at a local college I've built a few Timber frame homes in Western NY, and have done various freelance web development projects (not including the Soul Barons band site - hehe). ).  I got heavily into digital arts in college, where I discovered the wonderful world of the microprocessor.  Old news now eh?  I've done volunteer multimedia development for Squeaky Wheel, and I enjoy various digital diversions - one of my pastimes I hope will one day bear more visible fruit.

As I'm usually burned out on computers these days, I often take refuge in one of my favorite activities. I love wood-working and games, house projects or just fixin stuff. I love the outdoors, and weekends usually include mountain biking, hiking, boating, snow-shoeing, or any combination of the above. I love adventures.

Focusing on the music thing - my influences are far too numerous to note individually, but some certainly warrant mentioning. I listen to almost anything except hard-core and rap.  Basically I like music, not attitude, although attitude has its place, and if that place happens to be in a song, then is has to be expressed musically.  Shouting or recitation with instruments doesn’t qualify. 

I’ve had the pleasure of playing with so many musicians through the years, all of whom I’ll thank collectively here for that privilege.  As for the bands I’ll name a few - the unnamed junior high and high school bands – Charles Weber, Drew Cafeiro, Ken Abbott, Hugh Cohen, Bill Bunny, Susan Fillipone, Jim Dill, Mike & Steve Schifferle, Glenn Bernardis, Mike Mietlicki, Mark Lenkei, Dean Gionis, Pete Violas, the UB Jazz Ensemble, Insomniax, HipCzech, RockBottom and now Soul Barons – not to mention all the random jams – cheers and thanks to you all.

As of this writing my father is 87 years old. He still plays banjo and organ, and during WWII , while manning a howitzer he played in a band.  Ironically no, he wasn’t a percussionist, but a String bassist.  He built one out of a wash tub, and when he finally was able to buy one from a guy, he shipped it in the hold of the troop carrier ship carrying his platoon as they shipped back to France.  Unfortunately the moisture caused the sides to bow up like ribbons - so much for that investment. But hopefully I will have been able to post here on the band’s web site of one my most treasured and inspirational possessions – a pic of him and the guys jamming out in the woods during the war.  This to me is what music is about – escapism, joy in the midst of ultimate hardship, solace against the ravages of time, and the irrepressible lust for life.

I’ve never known anyone to have more fun when he plays.  I dream of bringing as much joy to the world as he has in his lifetime.  Or Heck even the flies on the walls he leaves echoing with his playing – care-free as to who or what might be listening, just the pure joy of it – that’s music.

So there’s my first influence.  The second most important would have to be Steve Bradley, my teacher, friend and mentor at SUNY Buffalo, who taught me and so many  others the intricacies of recording, electronic music production, effects - and how all of this means less than nothing without a willingness and desire to listen. It’s been almost 10 years since Steve passed away from MS, but his legacy lives on in various engineers and musicians who came through UB and were truly graced to have known his superb tutelage.  The studios in the basement of Baird Hall have come a long way since the 16-track Ampex machines, Prophet 10 and first Kurzweil samplers.

The list of drummers I’ve learned from and been inspired by is virtually endless.  I can only dream of ever being mentioned in the same sentence with these guys, and although I feel it’s self-serving to imply I would enjoy any comparison by mentioning them here, hopefully it will inspire others to learn from them – or just listen to their magic, as I have. 

Here’s the “short” list:  Phil Collins, Rod Morgenstein, Bill Bruford, Vinnie Colaiuta, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, Narada Michael Walden, Graham Lear, Billy Cobham, Neil Peart, Randy Cooke, Jerry Gaskill, John Bonham, Mike Portnoy, and of course local heroes Ted Reinhardt, Lou Marino, Tony Miranda, the Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble, and Jim Linsner. 

Last but certainly not least, my first *real* drum teacher and a guy who showed me it was possible to live the dream without the fame, Chuck Cavanaugh. Chuck’s work with Pegasus/Pagasonics/Electro-Man in the 70’s simply blew me away as a young teen.  Together with Mark Freeland, Kent Weber, Vince Cooper, Steve Trecasse and Dave McCreary - these guys were light years ahead of their time, and will never know the extent of the gift they gave all of us (well perhaps Mark does now, may he rest in peace). I also learned from Chuck not to be dismissive of “simple” bands.  Often a band can mask the gifts if its individuals (and sometimes that happens in reverse). Consider the context always.

To my wonderful wife Mary and my son Dennis, you are my new inspiration and strength.  Every note goes out with you in my heart, and the sweetest notes I will ever hear echo with your laughter.

Lastly, I truly hope you enjoy the band.  We’re not Traffic or Genesis or the Allman Brothers, but we are sincere and play from the heart, which basically means it’s real, we have fun when we play, and we don’t suck.  That’s all I ask out of a $5 cover…but we’ll always give you more <smile>. .and usually there’s not even a cover…<grin>.

Thanks for allowing us to perform for you – please stop and say Hi if you catch us out, you’re what it’s all about.