John Calarco
John Calarco | |
|---|---|
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | |
| Other names | Johnny Cee |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Composer
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1978–present |
John Calarco (Johnny Cee) (born April 26, 1966) is an American musician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] Calarco was drummer for many Milwaukee area bands. He also co-wrote and performed in several songs on the very successful Willy Porter album Dog Eared Dream[2] and toured with Porter as his drummer.[3][4] He has made an impact as a touring performer, band member, recording artist, session musician and song writer/producer.[5]
Career
Calarco has been a drummer in many bands in the Midwestern United States.[3][5] He played drums for Big Bang Theory, Tony Brown, Greg Koch and the Tone Controls and the Willy Porter Band.[6] From 1992 to 1997 Calarco played drums with the (three piece) Willy Porter band[7] which included Steve Kleiber, (bass guitar).[8] The band toured the United States with The Cranberries and Toad the Wet Sprocket performing the Willy Porter album.[9][10]
As a form of anger management during the COVID-19 epidemic, he wrote a sardonic song about the never ending quest to find toilet paper[1] In Toilet Paper Hunt he sings:
"Now I stare at empty shelves
Because of people only worried about themselves
I’m just sitting pumping gas
Wonderin’ how I’m gonna wipe my ass."[1][11]
Calarco moved to New York City in 1997 to play with the Blue Man Group.[3]
Awards
- 1997 WAMI (instrumentalist: Percussion)[12]
- 2003 WAMI winner Drums/Percussionist of the Year 2003[13]
- 2004 WAMI Drummer of the Year[13]
Albums
2002 Pure... Solo Album (as Vellocet)[14]
2015 Shine Solo album[15]
Contributions
- 2007 Rewired: The Electric Collection Daryl Stuermer (Drums)[16]
- 2007 Live on the Radio Greg Koch (Member of Attributed Artist, Drums)[16]
- 2007 Drive On Mike Keane (Drums)[16]
- 2006 Go! Daryl Stuermer (Drums)[16]
- 2005 4 Days in the South Greg Koch (Drums, Vocals-Background)[16]
- 2001 Waiting in the Wings Daryl Stuermer[16]
- 1997 Double the Gristle Greg Koch (Vocals-Background)[16]
- 1996 Sounds of the Leisure Class Records: Midwest Collection (Composer)[16]
- 1995 Dog Eared Dream with Willy Porter (Arranger, Main Personnel, Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Composer)[16]
Published works
- Calarco, John (October 1, 2015). Hal Leonard Drumset Fills: 500 Fills * All Styles * All Levels (Paperback). Hal Leonard. ISBN 9781480399723.
Personal
Calarco was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began playing drums when he was ten years old.[6] He has two sons: Anthony and Michael.[3]
References
- ^ a b c Levy, Piet (May 13, 2020). "From albums to videos, how Milwaukee musicians are using their creativity to address the coronavirus pandemic". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- All Music. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Snyder, Molly (May 11, 2014). "Drummer Calarco readies first solo release". On Milwaukee. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ Teich, Mitch (September 28, 2018). "Willy Porter: Marking 25 Years Of 'Dog Eared Dream'". WUWM. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "John Calarco "John Cee"- Drummer Extraordinaire!" (audio). The Wise Musician. May 11, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Snyder, Molly (May 2, 2009). "Calarco brings the beat in Brew City, Big Apple". On Milwaukee. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ Metzger, John (1998). "Backstage Pass An Interview with Willy Porter". Vol. 5. The Music Box. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ Uebelherr, Jan. "From jazz to rock, Steven Kleiber played bass with genius". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ Blocker, Susan (February 11, 1994). "Porter's New Album an Old Friend". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ Calarco, John. "Toilet Paper Hunt" (Video). Retrieved September 28, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ Kassulke, Natasha (May 22, 1997). "Garbage, Vig Haul in Seven WAMIs". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "2003 WAMI Award Nominees & Winners". folklib.net. Douglas H. Henkle. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ Bettine, Michael (December 1, 2002). "John Calarco, Daryl Steurmer's Organic Groove" (PDF). Modern Drummer. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Rake, Jamie Lee (June 9, 2015). "Johnny Cee: Shine". Shepherd Express. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Play John Calarco on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) Genre Pop/Rock Submit Corrections John Calarco". allmusic.com. Allmusic. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
External links
- "John Calarco "John Cee"- Drummer Extraordinaire!" (audio). The Wise Musician. May 11, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- Calarco, John. "Toilet Paper Hunt" (Video). Retrieved September 28, 2020 – via YouTube.