Savage Artists

John Tempesta
JohnTempesta.com
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John plays a 5mm 7X14 Bell Brass replica in the old bell finish
In a career spanning two decades, drummer John Tempesta has built a body of work that's deservedly earned him a place among metal's most popular and well-respected players. Perhaps best known for his tenure with Rob Zombie - both in White Zombie and with Rob's solo project - John worked his way up through the drumming ranks, always looking for his next challenge and never resting on past achievements. John's extensive professional resume includes gigs with Exodus, Testament, Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society, Tony Iommi, Helmet and Scum of The Earth (which features John's brother, guitarist Mike Tempesta). Presently, John can be found touring the world behind the drum throne of The Cult.
Growing up in the Bronx, John was first inspired to play drums as a child after watching the classic Beatles' film, A Hard Day's Night on TV. "I thought that Ringo Starr looked so cool," he remembers. "I knew right then that I wanted to be a drummer." A short time later, John heard that a neighbor was selling a drum kit and he begged his mom to let him buy it for the price of $25. "It all happened from there," says John. In 1977 John attended his first live concert when he went to see David Bowie at New York City's Madison Square Garden. There, he was blown away by Bowie's drummer, Dennis Davis. "Dennis was amazing," says John. "He was such a soulful, groove player but also a total rock drummer. Dennis Davis became my first major drum influence."
Coming up, John was further influenced and inspired by the techniques of hard-hitting rock drummers like John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Alex Van Halen and Bill Ward of Black Sabbath - one of John's favorite bands. "Besides Van Halen and Black Sabbath, I saw so many great shows as a kid. Being in the crowd, under the lights with the smoke and the sound - I got so inspired. That kept me very focused on my goal," he admits. As John began to experiment stylistically, getting into progressive rock and fusion, Terry Bozzio became another important influence along with prolific session drummers like Simon Phillips and Cozy Powell.
Early in his career, John gained crucial experience on the road and in the studio as drum tech for Anthrax's Charlie Benante. "Charlie definitely taught me how to approach playing thrash metal, because I wasn't that type of drummer," says John. "From watching his double bass technique, I learned so much about how to improve my speed and accuracy. I owe a lot to Charlie for his help." In 1989, after four years with Anthrax, John moved behind the drum throne of Bay Area thrash metal stalwarts Exodus, with whom he recorded three albums. He then joined cross-town rivals Testament. Although he recorded only one studio album with that band (1994's Low), John left a lasting impression on guitarist Eric Peterson. "John is definitely one of the best drummers in the country," Peterson remarks. "He has the power of John Bonham, the finesse of Carter Beauford, and the aggression of Dave Lombardo. As a drummer, John really has it all."
John's profile grew in 1994, the year he joined industrial metal juggernauts White Zombie. The release of 1995's Astro-Creep 2000 made White Zombie a household name, largely due to the dance club hit "More Human Than Human" and its accompanying video. "John was the best," says former White Zombie bassist Sean Yseult. "White Zombie toured quite a bit with Pantera, and besides Vinnie Paul, there were no drummers that could compare to him. He's like a machine, but brutal. You rarely hear such a hard hitter with such speed, detail and finesse." Rob Zombie liked John's playing so much that after White Zombie split up in 1997, he kept him on as drummer for his solo band. Playing with Rob Zombie also gave John the freedom to drum on albums like Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi's self-titled solo record, as well as Black Label Society's Hangover Music Vol. VI.


Dennis Leeflang
Instagram and Facebook: @DennisLeeflang
YouTube: /DennisLeeflang
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Dennis plays a 5mm 6.5X14 bell brass replica, in a raw finish, with chrome hardware and die cast hoops.
Born in The Netherlands, Dennis Leeflang picked up a pair of drum sticks for the first time at age 8, joining a local marching band. In 1996, having just turned 17, Dennis was a founding member of Within Temptation, Holland’s biggest musical export since The Golden Earring. After successful collaborations with other Dutch bands such as Sun Caged and Epica, Dennis traded windmills for skyscrapers in the early 2000’s. Having connected with guitarist/singer/producer Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal on an earlier trip to New York City Dennis became his touring drummer in Europe, and became Thal’s full-time drummer upon his arrival in NYC, recording three albums and touring all over the world.
Apart from touring extensively with Bumblefoot and various other artists such as The Saturnine, Ted Poley (Danger Danger) and Lita Ford, Dennis built his own recording studio in Queens in 2007, enabling him to collaborate through remote recording as well as record music with local musicians.
In 2015, Dennis relocated to Los Angeles, where he has collaborated with artists such as Dilana (Rockstar Supernova), Mitch Perry (Cher, Edgar Winter), Megan Ruger (The Voice), Kenny Kanowski (Steelheart), T-Bone Andersson (Gov’t Mule), Francesco DiCosmo (Evanescence, Thin Lizzy), Steve Fekete (Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani), Paulie Z (ZO2, The Sweet), Victor Brodén (LeAnn Rimes, Thompson Square) and Eric Dover (Slash’ Snakepit, Jellyfish, Alice Cooper), Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake), as well as producers such as Mikal Blue (Colbie Caillat, Jason Mraz) and Ken Caillat (Fleetwood Mac, Colbie Caillat).
Aside from Savage snares, Dennis proudly endorses Q Drum Co, Paiste, Promark, Evans, Drumtacs, Ahead Armor Cases, and Steinberg.


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Dave plays a 5mm 6.5X14 cast bronze drum with black nickel hardware and cast bronze hoops.
Bio coming soon
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Dave McGraw

Will Andrews
Instagram: @will.d.andrews
Facebook: @WillAndrews
TenMilesWideBand.com @TenMilesWide
@WalkingPapers
@NightPalmMusic
Will plays a 5mm 7X14 drum, in a weathered finish, black nickel hardware with 3mm triple flanged hoops.
Will Andrews is a professional drummer in Seattle, WA. At a young age. Growing up near Boston MA, Will’s passion for music naturally led him to attend Berklee College of Music where he studied with the great Mike Mangini, currently of Dream Theater. After years of practice and preparation, Will left Boston and moved to Seattle in his late teens to pursue new projects that would perpetuate his growth as a musician.
With the ability to fit into many musical situations with confidence and creativity, Will has worked his way into becoming a stalwart of the Seattle music scene. He is known his intense, hard-hitting approach when playing heavier styles of music and his use of subtlety, groove, musicality and dynamics when accompanying songwriters. He is also well-versed in odd time and polyrhythm. During the last few decades, Will has played on dozens of recordings ranging from progressive rock, alternative rock, singer songwriter, metal, and experimental. He has performed live in clubs, arenas and everything in between. He is the current drummer for major Seattle acts, Walking Papers and Ten Miles Wide and Night Palm.
Walking Papers has headlined tours in the US and Europe, and toured supporting Alice In Chains, Aerosmith, and Myles Kennedy. Ten Miles Wide has toured the west coast performed with Korn and Stone Sour. New albums from both bands are currently in the works.
Will is currently a Paiste, Vater and Savage artist.


Jake Hayden
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Instagram: @JakeHaydenDrums
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Jake plays a 3mm 6.5X14, in a satin finish, with chrome hardware and cast bronze hoops.

Kyle Schneider
Instagram and Facebook: @KylesDrums
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Kyle plays a 7X14 5mm drum, in a satin finish, with chrome hardware and cast bronze hoops.
As well as a 67/8X14 solid shell rosewood with 3mm triple flanged hoops.
Kyle Schneider is an American Drummer, best known for his work with Nashville/Texas based Country music artist Gabe Garcia. With Gabe, he has played all over Texas and throughout the United States. Kyle has also worked with artists such as Tracy Byrd, Scott Wiggins, Gary Glenn, Jade Marie Patek; and has played in bands such as The Southern Strangers, and Faithful Texas Band. His work with the various artists’ and bands led him to play many different styles including Blues, Funk, Swing, and Rock. Kyle has also recorded demos for various artists and studio sessions, such as Scott Wiggins’ 2018 EP "This Ol' Cowboy" and on Weston Ripps' soon to be released EP. His influences include Neil Peart, Todd Sucherman, Steve Smith, Stewart Copeland, and Jeff Porcaro. Kyle endorses and highly recommends Canopus Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Porter & Davies BC Series Drum Thrones.
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Marco Castellini
Instagram and Facebook: @MarcoCastellini
YouTube: /Tamco2
Bands: @DirtyShannon @BlueMeridian
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Marco plays a 6.5X14 5mm bell brass replica, in a raw finish, with chrome hardware and die cast hoops.
Marco’s inclination towards the kit started at 14 years old, having the fortune to get a vintage Japanese drum kit at that time. He began taking lessons and it was quite evident that the fascination for the instrument became quite immersive.
Loving the ins and outs of the drums, he became quite influenced by classic, hard rock, new wave, and progressive rock from the late 70s to late 80s. His drumming influences are quite vast because of the varied types of acts he grew up listening to.
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Currently he plays in various bands in Orlando Fl. concentrating his time with veterans: Blue Meridian and Dirty Shannon.
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Having a substantial collection of snares he definitely favors his Savage Custom Drums Bell Brass 5mm Replica, it being at the apex of the collection!


Josh Cairns
Instagram: @stairway_to_drums
Josh plays a 6.5X14 5mm drum with black hardware and die cast hoops.
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Josh Cairns is an in demand touring drummer and educator with over 20 years experience, playing and teaching all over the world. He spent the early stages of his drumming career, establishing himself on the Melbourne scene at age 17 playing shows regularly along the metropolitan area, all the way through to rural Victoria and and eventually around the world as a touring drummer, and has since settled into Australia, which is where he currently calls home.
He chooses to be a Savage!
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Kendall is a professional drummer, musician and educator from Milford, PA. He started playing drums at the age of 9 when he was giving his first drum set. Kendall quickly fell in love with the instrument and began playing all the time. By the age of 21 Kendall decided to move to Los Angeles and study at Musicians Institute, where he learned to hone his craft and become the well rounded musician he has become today.
Kendall is always striving to achieve excellence in his skill. His fun-loving attitude helps to support being a team player when working with bands, and his passion for playing music drives him to become an even better musician. His talent to adapt and play what the music calls for is his strength. His versatility and capability to play all genres give Kendall a unique skill set. As an educator, he inspires his students to reach their fullest potential, and to have fun and to enjoy the process.
Kendall is currently playing with art and prog band, The Reign of Kindo, his instrumental project Kinglet and with pop and soul artist Remember Jones.