Chris Brien

Last updated

Chris Brien
Birth nameChristian John Brien
Born Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Rock, funk, disco
Occupation(s)Drummer, drum clinician, teacher, writer
Years active1988–present
Website chrisbrien.com

Christian John Brien is a drummer, percussionist and drum clinician. From 1992 he was a member of the Australian rock, funk and disco band Swoop and appears on all three of their studio albums, Thriller (October 1993), Woxo Principle (November 1995), and Be What You Is (January 1999).

Contents

Swoop's most popular single, "Apple Eyes", was released in 1995, which reached No. 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994, Swoop were nominated for 'Best New Talent' for Thriller, while at the 1996 awards they were nominated for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Video' for "Apple Eyes", and for 'Best Pop Release' for Woxo Principle.

Late in 1999 Swoop disbanded, and Brien became a session musician and drum clinician and released solo material. He has also released a number of instructional DVDs including Independence (2002) and Independence, Part 2 (2004). In November 2006 he relocated to Hong Kong, where in 2010 he issued his instructional book, The Chris Brien Drumming System (Level One).

Biography

Christian John Brien grew up in Sydney as the youngest of five children, both his father and grandfather are former drummers. [1] He started playing drums in 1980, from 1986 he taught drum and percussion, and in 1988 he established his first drumming studio. [1] [2] [3] In 1992 he joined a rock, funk and disco band, Swoop, which had formed as a duo, the previous year, with Roland P. Kapferer on lead vocals and Joshua Beagley on guitar and keyboards. [3] [4] He appears on all three of their studio albums, Thriller (October 1993), Woxo Principle (November 1995), and Be What You Is (January 1999). [4] Their most popular single, "Apple Eyes", was released in 1995, which reached No. 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart. [5] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 Swoop were nominated for 'Best New Talent' for Thriller; [6] at the 1996 awards they were nominated for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Video' for "Apple Eyes", and for 'Best Pop Release' for Woxo Principle. [7] [8] Late in 1999 Swoop disbanded. [3]

After Swoop, Brien became a touring and studio session drummer. He also ran drum workshops around Australia and into other parts of the world. His style incorporates the sound of multiple drummers by use of "hand and foot techniques ... playing fast single stroke rolls with one hand or playing 7 or more rhythms simultaneously". [3] A friend dubbed him the "Drumming Wizard of Oz". [3] In October 2005 he issued his instructional book, Progressive Rhythms, which included access to his on-line video lessons. [2] In November 2006 he relocated to Hong Kong and set up his drumming course there from April 2007 while still operating two drumming studios in Sydney. [3] In late 2010 he issued a second instructional book, The Chris Brien Drumming System (Level One). [9]

Bibliography

Equipment

2004–2006, kit
2007–present, kit

Chris Brien has switched to Gretsch Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regurgitator</span> Australian rock band

Regurgitator are an Australian alternative rock band from Brisbane, Queensland, formed in late 1993 by Quan Yeomans on lead vocals, guitar and keyboards; Ben Ely on bass guitar, keyboards and vocals; and Martin Lee on drums. Their debut studio album, Tu-Plang was released in May 1996; it was followed by Unit in November 1997 which was certified triple platinum. Unit won five categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998: Album of the Year, Best Alternative Album, Producer of the Year, Engineer of the Year (Magoo) and Best Cover Art. Their third album, ...Art was released in August 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Superjesus</span> Australian rock band

The Superjesus are an Australian rock band formed in Adelaide in late 1994. Their debut album, Sumo, peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, their second album, Jet Age reached No. 5 and their third album, Rock Music peaked at No. 14. Their top 40 singles include "Down Again" (1997), "Now and Then" (1998), "Gravity" (2000) and "Stick Together" (2003). At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997 they won Best New Talent for Eight Step Rail and Breakthrough Artist – Single for "Shut My Eyes". The group disbanded in mid-2004, and reunited in 2013. The band has undergone multiple line-up changes, with lead vocalist Sarah McLeod and bassist Stuart Rudd serving as mainstays. As of 2022, they are joined by lead guitarist Cam Blokland and drummer Murray Sheridan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Butler Trio</span> Australian rock band

The John Butler Trio are an Australian roots/rock band led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler, an APRA and ARIA-award-winning musician. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums, Gavin Shoesmith on bass and John Butler on vocals. By 2009, the trio consisted of Butler with Byron Luiters on bass and Nicky Bomba on drums and percussion, the latter being replaced by Grant Gerathy in 2013. After both Luiters and Gerathy exited the trio in early 2019, bassist OJ Newcomb and drummer Terepai Richmond joined the band, accompanied by touring musician Elana Stone on keyboards, percussion and backing vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirsty Merc</span> Australian pop rock band

Thirsty Merc are an Australian pop rock band formed in 2002 by Rai Thistlethwayte, Phil Stack, Karl Robertson (drums), and Matthew Baker (guitar). In 2004, Baker was replaced by Sean Carey, who was, in turn, replaced by Matt Smith in 2010. Thirsty Merc have released one extended play, First Work, and five studio albums: Thirsty Merc, Slideshows, Mousetrap Heart, Shifting Gears, and Celebration. The band have sold over 200,000 albums, toured extensively around Australia, and received national radio airplay for their tracks.

Big Pig was an Australian funk, rock and pop band that existed from 1985 to 1991. An early line-up was Sherine Abeyratne on lead vocals and percussion ; Tony Antoniades on vocals and harmonica; Neil Baker on drums; Nick Disbray on vocals and percussion; Tim Rosewarne on vocals and keyboards (ex-Bang); Adrian Scaglione on drums; and Oleh Witer on vocals and percussion (ex-Bang). They issued two albums, Bonk and You Lucky People, on the White Label Records imprint of Mushroom Records.

House Vs. Hurricane were an Australian post-hardcore band from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, formed in 2006. The band released their debut studio album, Perspectives in March 2010. The band's second studio album, Crooked Teeth was released in July 2012 and peaked at number 20 in the ARIA Charts.

The 10th Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards was held on 30 September 1996 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. Presenters distributed 28 awards with the big winner for the year was You Am I gaining six awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Scary</span> Australian musical duo

Big Scary is an Australian musical duo formed in Melbourne in 2006, by Tom Iansek and Joanna Syme. The pair have released several EPs and five studio albums.

Swoop were an Australian seven-piece rock, funk and disco band established in 1991 by mainstays by Joshua Beagley on guitar and keyboards and Roland Kapferer on lead vocals. They released three studio albums, Thriller, The Woxo Principle and Be What You Is. Their most popular single, "Apple Eyes" (1995), reached No. 9 in Australia on the ARIA singles chart, and was certified gold by ARIA.

Moler are an Australian power pop band which formed in 1993 in Melbourne, Victoria as a three-piece with founding mainstays Helen Cattanach on bass guitar and lead vocals and Julien Poulsen on lead guitar. They featured a changing line-up of drummers and sometimes worked as a four-piece with a keyboardist. Their sole studio album, Golden Duck, was released in October 1997 via Infectious with Lindsay Gravina producing. They disbanded in 2001.

The Shaolin Afronauts are an Afrobeat band based in Adelaide, Australia. Their music is heavily influenced by West African Afrobeat artists such as Fela Kuti, but also incorporates elements of avant-garde jazz, soul and other traditional African and Cuban percussive rhythms. They describe their music as "interstellar futurist afro-soul".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Cisco</span> Australian indie pop band

San Cisco is an Australian indie pop band that formed in 2009 under the original name of King George, in Fremantle, Western Australia. The band are a three-piece, and currently consists of Jordi Davieson, Josh Biondillo and Scarlett Stevens. Davieson and Biondillo share duties on keyboards. In November 2011, the band was signed by Albert Productions, but moved to Island Records for the release of its debut album. In October 2012, the band described its 'vibe' as "squelchy, crispy, streamlined, hairy, indie". At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013 the group were nominated for Best Independent Release and Best Dance Release for the album; and Best Video for "Fred Astaire", which was directed by Andrew Nowrojee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Paper Kites</span> Australian rock band

The Paper Kites are an Australian indie rock/folk rock band from Melbourne. The band was formed in 2009 by lead vocalist/guitarist Sam Bentley and keyboardist/guitarist Christina Lacy. Their 2010 single "Bloom" has been certified Platinum in the United States. As of 2024, they have released six studio albums and two EPs. Their latest, At the Roadhouse, came out on 1 September 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Preatures</span> Australian indie rock band

The Preatures were an Australian indie rock band from Sydney, New South Wales, who formed in 2010. The band consisted of lead vocalist and keyboardist Isabella "Izzi" Manfredi, guitarist and vocalist Jack Moffitt, bassist Thomas Champion, and drummer Luke Davison. Vocalist and guitarist Gideon Bensen was a member of the band until 2016. In 2013, the Preatures won the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition with their song "Is This How You Feel?" They disbanded in 2021, following the launch of Manfredi's solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Eyes</span> 1995 single by Swoop

"Apple Eyes" is a song by Australian band Swoop that was released in October 1995 as the third single from the group's second studio album, The Woxo Principle (1995). It was their most successful single, peaking at number nine on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart. The single was certified gold by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments exceeding 35,000 copies. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996, the song was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Video.

Takuya Hirano is a Japanese percussionist and recording artist. He has performed as a solo artist and as one half of the duo Tao Of Sound. He has toured with Fleetwood Mac and Whitney Houston as a percussionist.

David Jones is an Australian jazz drummer and composer. He has also created guided meditation CDs. From 1991 until 2000, he was founder and leader of the jazz ensemble AtmaSphere. He also teaches music.

Ensemble Offspring is an Australian music ensemble. The group is led by artistic director Claire Edwardes, and features some of Australia's most innovative performers. The group has toured to locations such as Hong Kong, London and Warsaw, are regularly featured at MONA FOMA, Sydney and Melbourne Festivals, and have a cult following at their Sizzle series at Petersham Bowling Club. Ensemble Offspring has premiered over 200 works in its 23-year history. The ensemble was previously known as Spring Ensemble.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neighbourhood Freak</span> 1994 single by Swoop

"Neighbourhood Freak" is a song by Australian band Swoop and was released in October 1994 as the first single from the group's second studio album The Woxo Principle. It was their first charting single, peaking at number 62 on the ARIA Charts.

<i>The Woxo Principle</i> 1995 studio album by Swoop

The Woxo Principle is the second studio album by Australian funk band Swoop. The album was released in November 1995 and peaked at number 51 on the ARIA Charts.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Chris Brien". Chris Brien Official Website. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Chris Brien Drum Course / Percussion Course". Tom Lee Music. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mitchell, Sean (2 December 2007). "Chris Brien". The Black Page. Sean Mitchell. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  4. 1 2 McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Swoop'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop . St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 28 August 2004. Retrieved 20 March 2013. Note: McFarlane incorrectly lists the artist as Chris O'Brien not Chris Brien.
  5. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Swoop". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  6. ↑ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1994: 8th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  7. ↑ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1996: 10th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "Winners by Year – 26th ARIA Awards 2012 – Search Results 'Swoop'". Australian Record Industry Association . Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  9. 1 2 Books Registration Ordinance (Chapter 142) – A Catalogue of Books Printed in Hong Kong, S. S. No. 4 To Gazette No. 17/2010 (PDF). 1 September 2010. p. D1387. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "Independence[videorecording]. Part 2, a Giant Step". National Library of Australia. 2004. Retrieved 20 March 2013. In this outstanding tutorial performance, Chris Brien has included 9 original pieces, countless multi-layered rhythmic grooves, as well as detailed explanations and exercises of how to develop your understanding of 4-way independence.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.