Background

Chris Axelrad started playing drums back in 7th grade, after his bar mitzvah left him with enough money to buy his own drumset after 5 years of begging his parents for one. He didn't quite manage to drive his parents insane practicing for 4 hours every day after school, but he did manage to end up at North Texas for 2 years, then back in Houston where he has played with a host of local musical acts including Beat Temple, Global Village, Carolyn Wonderland, The Hightailers, TKoH!, Brotherhood, Cosmic Latte, (just to name a few -- others include Mark Dini Group, Kelly Dean Band, Watercolors, Brennan Nase's group, and one of his favorite projects of all time (no offense Kelly and Keith) Universal Rhythm) and is currently the main drummer in a loooong loooong looong line of drummers for the local R&B wedding band/juggernaut called Doppelganger.

Chris' strengths in performance are pretty much anything that is groove-oriented -- funk, latin, r&b, rock. He is known for his in-the-pocket feel and tasteful accompaniment. Occasionally he gets to play a drum solo and at that point it's notes everywhere, hopefully all in the right places, wowing the audience and the other musicians who might happen to be wearing ear plugs at that moment. Like Tony Williams said, "Drums are loud". So, sorry.

But, Chris does know how to play quiet. In fact, Keith Vivens, famed Houston bass player, mentioned to Chris on several occasions how he's the only cat he knows who can play so pocket so quiet. I seriously doubt that's true, Keith was most likely just trying to say something nice. However, it IS true that Chris knows how to lay it down while keeping it down.

Anyway, don't hesitate to contact Chris if you are looking for a drummer who can tastefully and artfully provide some serious pocket behind your booty. Please DO hesitate to contact Chris if the gig entails mostly blues shuffles. Chris readily admits he's sick and tired of blues shuffles but doesn't mind playing one every once in a while. Chris lives in Montrose with his wife and two daughters.

Location

Houston, TX

Occupation

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Music That Inspires Me

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Films I'll Watch More Than Once

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