James


I started playing drums at the age of 9, well, my mother’s pots and pans and anything else that would look or work as a drum. I really didn’t have a clue what I was doing early on. I got some lessons from one of my father’s good friends and they were just enough to get me going. We attended a lot of churches when I was young and I watched some drummers play during the services. Later on I joined the school band and started learning more about the basics and it started to make sense how the drum kit worked. I listened to an album my step-brother had called Led Zeppelin II. It was intense! I heard music quite differently all of a sudden and I had to learn how to play like that! I became obsessed with the drums, air drumming in my room all night and playing along to albums all day. I taught myself in the beginning, learning all the licks from John Bonham, Neil Peart, Steve Smith, and many others.

Through my late teenage years I played with many other bands, but none of them ever went very far. I ended up getting a job at a music reproduction company and didn’t realize at the time that it was the best networking move I ever made. I started to put my heart into it again with a renewed passion. My musical tastes started to change, I started listening to drummers like Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith and Virgil Donati. I met many musicians and started to gig. I took lessons with different teachers and focused on my technique. It wasn’t until I took lessons from a drummer named Mark Zaragoza that my technique really matured.

Since then, I have always tried to challenge myself musically and continue to work with as many musicians as possible to learn and be creative. So remember, if you love to play, never stop and you will always be happy!

You can e-mail, visit me at the links below, or you can visit my website.

-JB






Andrew

Andrew is an electric on stage performer with roots in Blues, Country, Gospel, and Southern Rock. This rebel preacher's kid grew up watching his Dad and Grandparent's Gospel Trio perform all over the country. He knew at an early age that he wanted to be a performer of some sort. Starting with a stint in Professional Wrestling, he honed his skills as an entertainer by wrestling in front of crowds all over Texas. After an injury sidelined that venture, he went on to discover his voice, in Karaoke bars, and contests. After a bad breakup, Andrew picked up a guitar and started writing songs. With an acoustic roots sound, he started playing in country bars, and coffee shops. Finally in 2006 he landed a gig with a band called South Wind. During his time with South Wind, he was featured on 95.9 the Ranch numerous times, and appeared on over 100 shows. After 3 years he learned that he wasn’t very country at all. Andrew began seeking out musicians to compliment his true musical style. That’s when in 2010 he found Minus 9, a group of no nonsense musicians who were willing to give him a shot at what he truly excels at...Rock!

- AK





Gabe

I started playing bass back in high school when a couple friends and I decided to start a band. It was either bass or sing. Thankfully for everyone's ears, I went with the bass :)

My late high school years and into college helped me to discover my musical identity. This is when I discovered a whole new world of music: Dream Theater, Rush, Opeth, Michael Manring, and lots of other progressive rock/metal bands. I loved finding new bands or even an older band but new to me.

After college, I drifted apart with my musical side and stopped playing bass nearly all together. I still enjoyed music but it wasn't the same.

It wasn't till 2007 that I realized I needed a change and wanted to re-connect with that old me. So I started playing bass again and discovering new music. I still enjoy the progressive rock but in the last few years, I've expanded my listening spectrum to all kinds of rock and metal. Everything from Dredg, Porcupine Tree and Mew to Machine Head, Gojira and Soulfly. I've come to appreciate music in a more mature manner. Just like in life, you need diversity. Sometimes you need mellow, sometimes aggression, sometimes corny happy, and sometimes crazy technical metal!

-Gabe