Tag Archive for: cheap trick

My buddy and former All Access Live guest Mark Powers joins me to co-host a special drummers’ roundtable chat with the dynamic Daxx Nielsen of Cheap Trick! We talk about the inspiring moment Daxx got the phone call to join the band, just days before leaving on tour with another group, where he finds balance as a father and husband with a band that tours 180 days a year, the importance of establishing and maintaining relationships and Daxx’s forthcoming tour dates playing drums for The Eagles’ Don Felder.

Growing up in a house full of musical instruments, Daxx gravitated towards the drums at a very early age. After high school Daxx traveled the US extensively with his original band, Harmony Riley. Over a period of 5 years Harmony Riley recorded 2 full length albums and 3 EP’s and performed almost 1,000 shows around the US and Canada. Upon the band’s dissolution Daxx packed up and moved to Los Angeles where he quickly got into the studio and touring world. His first break was drumming for surf guitar pioneer Dick Dale.

While on breaks from touring he did dozens of recording sessions, performed anywhere and everywhere with numerous local artists, and formed A Fine Frenzy with singer/songwriter Alison Sudol. This led to years of touring and recording with Brandi Carlisle, Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons, The Smashing Pumpkins, and numerous others. Since March of 2010, Daxx has been the touring drummer for the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTED band CHEAP TRICK, performing over 1,000 shows with them and recording the critically acclaimed Bang Zoom Crazy Hello.

Daxx co-wrote and drummed on the score for Oscar Award Winning documentary UNDEFEATED.

Some of the other projects Daxx has been involved with over the last few years are; drumming two nights for Eddie Vedder, drumming for The Fab Faux, as well as recording with numerous projects.

Check out Daxx’s Instagram for updates here.

Tony is the long time band member of Alt/Rock legends Dramarama and Cali-based punkpop band MonoDelux. Tony also plays frequently with Gene Loves Jezebel and has played with various artists such as Sylvain Sylvain (New York Dolls), Missing Persons & Dave Wakeling (English Beat/General Public). He’s recorded drum tracks with songstress Chrissy Lomax as well as hundreds of California bands.

We go WAY back in friendship, and share road stories of backstage hangs and celebrating our good fortune to play great music with great friends.

Check out Dramarama’s recent release Color TV and more at https://www.dramarama.us.

Check out Tony’s killer band MonoDelux here at https://www.monodelux.com.

Thanks to Five Star Guitars for their support!

For over two decades, Mike Collins has been one of the busiest and most sought after drummers and percussionists in the Pacific Northwest.

He’s a graduate of the Musicians Institute of Technology and has studied independently with drummers Michael Shrieve (Santana, George Harrison), Zoro (Lenny Kravitz, Sean Lennon), Graham Lear (Santana, Reo Speedwagon) and world renowned instructor Chuck Silverman.

He’s played venues throughout North America sharing the bill with artists such as Little Richard, Cheap Trick, Joan Jett, Cake, Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, George Clinton, Sara Mclachlan, Jason Falkner, Gin Blossoms, Sebastian Bach, Veruca Salt, Soul Asylum and many others.

His drumming and songwriting has been featured on local, national and international television and radio. Mike was also the featured drummer on Portland’s American Idol knock-off “Gimme The Mic”.

Collins has recorded and/or performed with notable artists such as Earl Slick (David Bowie, John Lennon), Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X), Cy Curnin (The Fixx), Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, R.E.M.), Tim Smith (Sheryl Crow, Jellyfish), Freedy Johnston (Rolling Stone “Songwriter of the Year”), David Paton (Pilot, Alan Parsons Project ), Lisa Germano (John Mellencamp, Jewel), Danny Peyronel (UFO, Heavy Metal Kids), Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network), Dilana (The Voice, Rockstar Supernova), Gil Assayas (Todd Rundgren, T-Pain), Keith Slettedahl (The 88, Ray Davies) and a who’s who of local artists including Jon Koonce, Terry Robb, LaRhonda Steele, Stephanie Schneiderman, Thrillbilly, The Nowhere Band, Throwback Suburbia, Ants In The Kitchen and many more.

Collins has also recorded with acclaimed producers Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, John Lennon, Cheap Trick), Mark Plati (David Bowie, Prince, The Cure), Jonathan Plum (Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains), Marc Desisto (U2, Pink Floyd), Jeff Stuart Saltzman (Death Cab for Cutie), Gregg Williams (Dandy Warhols, Sheryl Crow), Duane Scott (ELO, Heart), Brian David Willis (Brad Paisley, John Fogerty), Chris Manning (Jellyfish, Santana), Kelly Gray (Candlebox, Queensryche), Kevin Hahn (Scorpions, Paul Gilbert) and Rob Daiker (Katy Perry, Dan Reed Network) to name a few.

Sponsored by Five Star Guitars