ERIK
SWENSON
| Back-up Drums / Percussion / Backup Vocals
Drives the Bus
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From as early as he can remember, Erik was fascinated by drummers. From the school band to the concert stage, all he wanted to do was bang on the drum all day.
Growing up in rural Minnesota, bands like REO Speedwagon, Styx, Journey and Led Zepplin filled the airwaves. Erik spent endless hours trying to cop the licks of those great rock drummers. During his this formative time he was lucky enough to be accepted as a student by the great Richard Moore at Drum Quarters in Duluth. He set a great example with his deep appreciation of the art and knowledge of many different styles.
Upon graduation, he traveled to the University of Minnesota in Duluth to widen his musical knowledge. Professor Dave Schmalenberger challenged him to explore different music than he was used to. Dave was versed in world music, jazz and classical. He played in several original rock groups in Duluth as well as the UMD Jazz ensemble and Wind Ensemble. Practicing more than he slept, he honed his skills on drums, guitar and keys.
Rock and roll was still calling to Erik and when the phone rang to leave Duluth and join the original rock band the Throwbacks, he couldn't resist. They had been one of his favorite Twin-Cities bands since he snuck into backwoods bars as a teenager to see them.
From grunge to swing to rock and Americana, Erik has played with dozens of Twin Cities bands over his career. A founding member of the award-winning Kurt Jorgensen band, he enjoyed many years of success with this mid-western mainstay. Steve Clarke and the Working Stiffs provided a chance to swing, something Erik had wanted to try since college. Bands like Liberty Street gave him horn-band chops. A regular fill-in with the Buzz keeps him busy.
Erik is a busy recording musician and studio owner with numerous commercial and video game titles to his credit. He enjoys working with singer-song writers and collaborating with the production forces of Musik Arkaid and Airborne Audio.
Now coming full-circle, Erik has joined forces with Arch Allies to dig deeper into the grooves of those great records by REO, Styx, and Journey. The future looks bright for this ambitious performer.
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