Brent Lawson
One man band, producer, songwiter,singer, multi-instrumentalist
2
songs
115
plays
I am a one-man musical machine that has been churning out compelling musical statements for 20 years. Around 1986, while in high school, I began to take piano lessons and theory studies. Already an accomplished drummer, this began a lifelong musical exploration. Always working alone (while simultaneously working with several bands), I weave a music very personal. I play all instruments and sing and do all production. I hope to evoke a spiritual atmosphere with a hint of irreverence, and a little psychedelia to boot. Nothing on my tracks is programmed! Sometimes I use electronic drums out of necessity, but they are always played in real time.Band/artist history
At the age of seven, Brent’s father approached him and asked if he would like to take lessons on a musical instrument. Brent chose drums and that decision would determine the course of his life. Starting right away with lessons at a local store, Brent continued his schooling in music culminating in his graduation from the Berklee College of Music, graduating with a dual major in education and performance. Along the way he was often an officer in marching bands and All-State bands in New Jersey where he grew up close to two major cities: New York and Philadelphia. Brent took advantage of his location by seeing nearly every one of his heroes as they drifted through town on tour. Brent's first band, with guitar prodigy Joe Petruzzo, did amazing covers of Yngwie Malmsteen's "Rising Force" album.
Brent’s passion for the drums has always been evident in his performances. Polyrythmic, odd-meter, and other more “progressive” styles are comfortable territory for him, but make no mistake, Brent can rock hard and bring the real visceral impact needed for heavier styles, including double bass mayhem! John Bonham, Brad Wilk, Neil Peart, Billy Cobham, Clyde Stubblefield, and Terry Bozzio top Brent’s list of influences.
In Boston, after graduation from Berklee, Brent worked as keyboardist/percussion/vocalist/utility guitarist with the unique but little known progressive rock outfit Medicine Pipe. After 5 intense years and two self-produced recordings, a strange but devoted following of twenty-something intellectuals and some freaks to round it out, the band called it quits finding it hard to adapt to the onslaught of Seattle Grunge.
Atlanta found Brent in demand in a variety of situations and styles, allowing him to gain valuable experience and strengthening his eclectic character. Most notable among them are: Spunhuny, an inspired blend of Jam-Band frenzy and real classic rock songwriting (Spunhuny created the soundtrack to the documentary film “Dreadheads”.) Providing the danceable beat for the acoustic-pop stylings of the Penny Lane Band (now called the Pennies) was another highlight of Brent’s Atlanta tenure. Recently, Brent was seen onstage at the Vans Warped Tour at Hi Fi Buys Amphitheater with the punk-influenced band the Sloppy Meateaters, who, despite the silly name, have a huge underground following and hundreds of thousands of downloads to date. In April 2006 Brent appeared in Kelly Harper's new video "My New Best Friend."
Brent has impeccable time and can play with click tracks with ease. He can lay down that funky backbeat and knows when not to overplay. Live and studio he is good to go with dynamics and consistency. A songwriter himself, you can be sure he will play to the needs of the song and be musical.
“First thing you catch is the playing. It dazzles. Spunhuny powers out of Atlanta as master musicians... You’re grabbed, right off, by “After the Flood,” with Brent Lawson’s propulsive, diamond-sharp drumming,... Lawson’s “Real People Love” is yet one more instance of Spunhuny’s breadth, as the elegant melody and Brent’s soft-voiced vocal give way to a spacey, Fender Rhodes solo, courtesy of the composer.” -- Paul Evans - co-author Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock n’ Roll
Partial Band/Artist List (chronological):
Hassenberg (New Jersey), Joe Petruzzo Project (New Jersey), Cygnus (New Jersey),
Medicine Pipe (Boston), Glenn Phillips (formerly of Hampton Grease Band-Atlanta), Cobweb Strange (Atlanta),
Garrett Factory and the Whooping Cranes (Atlanta), Halcyon Days (Atlanta),
Elegy (Atlanta), Spunhuny (Atlanta), Penny Lane Band (Atlanta), Brent Lawson (solo-Atlanta), Sloppy Meateaters (National), Kelly Harper (National)Have you performed in front of an audience?Always. Everywhere from Hi Fi Buys Amphitheater to mexican restaurants. Yes, It's the way to make it my whole life, including making a living.
Your musical influences
Jerry Garcia, Joni Mitchell, Led Zeppelin, Bright Eyes, Beck, Audioslave, The Police, Pink Floyd, Yes, Grateful Dead, Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Frisell, Erik Hinds, Derek Bailey, Frank Zappa, ELO, Tegan and Sara, AC/DC, Tool, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Animal Liberation Orchestra, Col. Bruce Hampton and friends, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, XTC, Peter Gabriel, Heart, Kiss, Mars Volta, Incubus, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Bob Marley, James Brown, Ozzy Ozbourne and friends... many moreWhat equipment do you use?
DW collectors kit, martin, and fender guitars, nord & kurzwiel keys, roland electronics, Macintosh pcAnything else?
honest, soul-searching music with spice and integrity
Decatur, GA
USA
ID
567140
Contact
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