Gene’s drumming career started on
Long Island back in the mid 1980’s playing the local scene for
several years. He studied with all-around great Rod Morgenstein
until 1987. Then studying with Atlantic recording artist Guy
Gelso (Zebra) until 1988. Studying with such greats, Gene can
play in many styles such as Rock, Heavy Metal, Blues, Funk,
Country and more.
In early 1989 Gene took his drumming
talents to the West Coast in Los Angeles. This is where; in 1991
he joined Bizarre/Straight recording artists ARMED FORCES. Their
first album Take On The Nation drew strong praise from
the industry. This is around the time Gene started endorsing
Aquarian
Drumheads and Drumsticks.
Appearing in ads in Modern Drummer Magazine. Their second
release Quicksand had even more to say when it came to
the music. One music writer described Gene’s live performance
as “..one of the most explosive drum attack that this writer
has seen in quite a while.” ARMED FORCES toured extensively
headlining shows at such venues as The Whisky A Go-Go in
Hollywood, The Troubadour and The Roxy. They also opened up for
bands including Armored Saint, W.A.S.P., Badlands and Dangerous
Toys to name a few. ARMED FORCES live performances and CD
reviews have appeared in world wide print. From publications
such as Rock Hard (Germany), The Hard Report (NJ),
Screamer Magazine (Los Angeles), LA Rock Weekly
(Los Angeles) and several Japanese publications including Burrn.
ARMED FORCES disbanded in 1996 after the sad and unfortunate
passing of lead singer Michael Henry. Even though ARMED FORCES
is no longer together, a new CD has been released in March 2003
on High Vaultage Records in Germany. It is a compilation of
previously released and unreleased music.
Other projects that Gene has recorded
drums for are The Rugburns (Bizarre/Planet Records) on
their 1994 radio hit “Me and Eddie Veddar.” As well as label
mate Gregory Page’s (Bizarre/Planet Records) debut
album The Romantic Adventures of Harry (1995). He can be
heard on Mike Delaney’s (Mr. Studio Records) Where
Heroes Cry (2002). In 2003, you can hear Gene playing on
“How about you”, a country single by artist Frank Rose
(Solar Federation Records). Which will also appear on his
upcoming CD release.
Gene recently joined a new band in
late 2002 named Project Steiger. Fronted by guitarist Ken
Steiger (Musician’s Institute teacher, Guitar Player
columnist). Recording two songs on his upcoming CD entitled Defiance.
Virgil Donati (Steve Vai, Planet X) handled the drumming duties
on the other tracks of the CD. Ken Steiger says, “Gene has
graciously chosen to re-create Virgil Donati’s drum parts for
me live…quite a task.” Other musicians on the CD are
keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Planet X, ex-Dream Theater, Kiss),
bassist Tony Franklin (Jimmy Page, The Firm), and guitarist Gary
Hoey. You can now see Gene playing these intense and technically
challenging parts live around Southern California.
In late 2004 Gene joined the heavy metal
band STEEL PROPHET. This band has
released several albums through Nuclear
Blast Records with their latest coming on
Massacre Records. In early 2005 the band
starting writing for it's new CD. Also in
early 2005 Gene took over the drum duties in
the female-fronted pop-punk rock band SHUT
UP MARIE. Their first full CD release came in the summer of
2005 titled "Gimmie". They are
keeping busy with lots of live shows
throughout the western states. In the summer of 2005 Gene has
joined up with former Anthrax singer Neil Turbin. Neil Turbin
put Anthrax on the map with their first album "Fistful of
Metal" which Neil wrote the hit songs "Metal Thrashing
Mad", "Deathrider" and "Panic" to name
a few. The band has been
playing some live shows throughout California and in June of
2006, the band played on the ZEPPELIN stage at the SWEDEN ROCK
FESTIVAL.
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