drop comix

Drop Comix, a band strongly bonded by a lasting friendship and determined enough to make their dreams come true, collectively set out on a musical journey in early 1999. Influenced by various genres of music they developed a sound that can't be limited to one description. The quartet is as eclectic as the music the four perform and they always leave their crowds lusting for more.

Ricky Shuler was born into a musically talented family, and took to various intsruments at a young age.While in high school he was the 3rd ranked percussionist in South Carolina, and played with the Converse Wind Ensemble, Spartanburg Symphony, and All-State Orchestra. He also loved to play the guitar, and after playing with several other bands he met up with Benjie Newman. The two recorded a few songs together, and soon after Drop Comix started taking shape. Benjie Newman, also from a long line of musicians, was exposed to music at an early age by his father who took him to concerts and taught him the basics of music. Benjie played several instruments throughout high school, but after entering college (University of South Carolina Biatch!) he studied the guitar and drums more than schoolwork. After several attempts to gather members for a band that had the same forward vision he did, he had a chance meeting at school with Brent Blackwell. Brent Blackwell played trumpet in high school for years earning several awards and medals, but he persued the bass vigorously after graduation. He felt that by playing the bass no one could tell him what to play or how to play it, and he felt free to write. His crunching but melodic bass lines mirror his emotions while also complimenting Benjie's steadfast rhythm and 6-string artistry of Ricky and John O'Connell John O'Connell, a native a Asheville, NC, received an early start playing the guitar, having his first lessons in the second grade. In his early experiences with the guitar, John's lessons focused on basic music theory, sight reading, and technique. A founding member of the late Asheville, NC-based heavy act, MiniVoid, John met the Drop Comix boys by sharing different stages and lots of shots with the band during MiniVoid's 4 year stint. After the break-up of MiniVoid,John found his way into the line up that is now the current Drop Comix.

.....Drop Comix and the band's sound of guitar-driven hard rock has no limitations. Upbeat grooves and melodic intricacies make the music unpredictable, though the music still retains its intent to satisfy the audience. With Ricky Shuler playing guitar while delivering passionate vocals, John O'Connell also on guitar complementing Brent Blackwell on bass, and Benjie Newman on the drums, their style has allowed them to play with many different bands. Some of these include Kittie, Three Doors Down, Ill Nino, Custom, Stepa, and Chimaira. The experience in performing with these artists has aided them in developing as musicians and entertainers. Drop Comix, a band strongly bonded by a lasting friendship and determined enough to make their dreams come true, collectively set out on a musical journey in early 1999. Influenced by various genres of music they developed a sound that can't be limited to one description. The quartet is as eclectic as the music the four perform and they always leave their crowds lusting for more. Much like all four members, Drop Comix's music is an all out audio onslaught, and it is thought that the "Drop" in Drop Comix describes the band's music. Meaning that they play with an uncompromised intensity, and the "Comix" reflects their wild-man crazy antics on and off of the stage. Not only do they perform their own brand of music; they also produce, write, direct, shoot, and edit their own music videos. This is Drop Comix. They help each other through the hard times; they enjoy the good times. They love life, they love people, and most of all they love music..... (and a few shots of Jager for good measure!)