Steve Drizos may not be a household name but once he gets behind the drums for Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons, he’s easily identifiable. You may also remember him as the drummer for 1700 gigs in ten years with Charlie Orlando as Dexter Grove, where their stripped down sound and Drizo’s conga carried them across the United States back forth more times than they probably care to remember. Times have certainly changed for Drizos.
Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons, featuring Drizos (drums) & JR Ruppel (bass) have confirmed their first non Alaska shows of 2010 as they will be touring behind their brand new release, Badlandia. And Drizos, whose wife Jenny Conlee is the keyboardist for The Decemberists and who himself, has contributed to The Decemberists’ The Crane Wife, is quick to contribute his talents to an array of projects, always thankful he’s still drumming after all these years. Melissa Brodeur, tossed some questions his way.
What do you feel your hometown of Scotia ,NY gave you that you will stick with you through-out life?
Probably my love of classic rock, cause it seems that’s all we used to listen to. And I go home to visit now and they’re still spinning the same tunes. That and my love of drinking beer in the woods. While listening to classic rock.
If you had to describe "music" to someone who has never heard it before how would you describe it?
Maybe play some Beatles, but they are probably already trying to market their new video game to the aliens too.
What album could you listen to over and over again and never get sick of it?
Depends on the day. Right now I would say Blood On The Tracks (Bob Dylan). I haven’t listened to it in a while and I can’t find my fucking copy of it and its bugging the shit out of me.
If you were not a musician for your job, what would you be?
No idea. After doing this for 15 years, I don’t know. I would like to say I would be doing something profound and worthwhile, but probably not. Working a labor job or waiting tables or something, but probably going to see a lot more shows.
I have heard you play the drums so many times and even the guitar a little, are there any other instruments you like to play, even if just fo your own amusement?
I play a little piano once in a while, but really poorly. I have picked up the bass a bit. I spend most of my time working on music programs on my laptop, loops and such.
After being on the road with Dexter Grove for so long, what was one of the hardest adjustments you faced with moving to Portland Oregon?
First off, it was not being with the people I had spent so much time with for all those years. Then trying to get into a new community of musicians that I didn’t know very well and didn’t know me. But I moved here because I was always intrigued and inspired by what I had seen in the music community. A lot commradery and support of each other, very little competition. I am happy to say I made the right decision.
You have worked with many different musicians what do you like about working with Jerry Joseph?
There’s a lot of things I love about working with Jerry, but its his honesty and emotion in his music that I really love. Its ironic that the same things that attract so many of his fans are the same things that scare others away and keep him from hitting the mainstream. Some people find it too honest.
What have been some of your proudest musical accomplishments?
Being able to do this job for longer than I ever thought I would.
If you could ask any musician(live or dead) one question, who would you ask and what would the question be?
I’ve already got to meet and have a talk with Dean Ween, and I’m not telling what we talked about.
One rule I always live by is………………….
Express your personality in color!
Glide contributor Melissa Brodeur writes and works within her three passions: alternative health, music and bees by providing off-beat, creative healing methods to musicians and artist and creative minds alike. Check her out at beewellmassage.com.
