Kevin Dean has moved his drum studio to East Syracuse. It is now called Rhythms and Melodies and includes guitar, voice and brass in addition to drum lessons. Ben Blujus and Nick Fields will also be teaching out of the new space. Students will have opportunities to incorporate lights, video and more. I talked to Dean about his incredible background, career highlights and what he brings to the community.
Hey Misse, Career highlights, I like that approach. I made it through music school at Onondaga Community College back in 1993. Not easy for a guy with no melodic background. I’m very proud of that Associates Degree. I auditioned at Potsdam and got accepted but changed my mind on the course of my journey.
After kicking around in local bands, trying to be an adult for a few years, I landed a cool job as lighting director for a regional disco band The United Booty Foundation. That really opened my eyes to the possibilities of the entertainment business. My childhood buddy Jeff Tortora got picked up by the Blue Man Group (Vegas) and I took over drumming duties for a few months. Those guys were working hard, man…3-5 shows every week around the state, huge production, light show, polyester, neon and pyro. It was great training for what was to come.
A few years later while selling and buying sheet music (at VIP Music Distributors) I began teaching private drum lessons. Soon after I was also teaching at The Music Center. The owner, Buke talked me into it and I’ll always respect that man for the nudge. Without that push I’m not sure I’d have a music school right now. Eventually he filled my roster with 54 students per week.
In late 2002 out of nowhere, I got a call join Brand New Sin who had already been touring and recording with their debut album (on Now Or Never Records). They had opened for Motorhead and Black Label Society that year and luckily I got to also open for both bands on subsequent tours.
I jumped on my first tour in January 2003 with Saliva, Breaking Benjamin and Greenwheel. From there it was a rollercoaster of cool shit: Clutch, Kitty, BLS, Motorhead, The Cult, Slash, Stone Sour, Type O Negative tours, cameo in School of Rock with Jack Black, theme song for the WWE wrestler The Big Show, signed with Century Media Records, two videos on MTVs headbanger’s Ball, UK tour…
It makes my head spin walking down memory lane. Wow.
We did that for about ten years. Eventually we got dropped from the label and had some irreconcilable differences, members quit etc. You know, typical band saga. Two remaining members and I hired a new guitarist, recorded one more album and had a couple side projects for a while. We started gigging and hosting open mics around town (Syracuse). If you want to be a well-rounded drummer and get along with a diversity of talent, host open mics for a while. It’s fun and can be a breeze on some nights but it can also be a huge challenge! You have to be ready for anything (with strangers).
I began teaching again in 2011 out of a spare bedroom at home. I got myself up to 5 or 6 students then joined forces with a few drum teachers sharing a space above Subcat Studios. I taught there for 5 years while also teaching Redhouse Rock Camp each summer.
In 2014 I received a call from my childhood friend and former band manager Pete Merluzzi who was tour manager for Heart at the time. I didn’t believe him but then I received a package in the mail with set lists and DVDs so yeah, it was real. I had work to do. Heart needed a drummer and I was the guy!
Crazy that it actually happened. I played 3 shows with them and got to travel on tour for 8 days.
The following year, another childhood friend, Sean O’Loughlin contacted me for 5 shows with Josh Groban!
Moral of the story: Grow up in Lyncourt, join concert band and your network will set you free. Haha. It’s not what you know but who you know?
I was supposed to give you a little run down but now I’ve opened a can of worms.
I’ll talk faster…
In 2016 I moved my teaching studio to the Gear Factory with more space and room for growth. Eventually took over the large stage space for group lessons. What a great motivator, the building is super inspiring with musicians and artists throughout.
In 2018 I started a summer drum camp called Summer Drummers. We had two seasons of high energy live performances around the county at events and festivals including Wegmans Playground, Funk n Waffles, and The NYS Fair.
2021 New business: Rhythms & Melodies
I had been scouting for either a store front location or combination store/apartment dwelling for years. I finally took the leap of faith when I looked at the second floor of a former movie theater in East Syracuse. I was really going to start with one small room but ended up acquiring 6 spaces for music. The new space was listed on Marketplace. It was the first place I looked at. Sold! Contact info: 315 999 DRUM, RhythmsandMelodies315@gmail.com
I love my job. It’s never boring, there is always work to do and it keeps me motivated to stay on top of my craft. My roster and schedule fluctuate but any given month I teach between 32 and 39 students. At this time I have two fellow teachers, Ben Blujus – guitar and Nick Field’s – voice/brass.
My girlfriend, Teresa Puccia, also has a cool painting space called ArtWave Studio. We will eventually host exhibitions, art shows and family friendly events with music, art and the community.
I managed to keep hold of 3 band projects- Dean Martin & Davie, Dangerous Type and Seattle Sons. As the world opens up to live music again, be on the lookout for us.
I’m in a good place mentally and physically. This was a stressful move but now that the dust has settled the day-to-day operations are running smoothly. I can finally get back to the music and focus on putting smiles on kids’ faces (and get those booties shaking on the dance floor).
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