Mike Matera’s Drumming

I’ve been playing drums since the age of 17, mostly creating and performing original music. I’ve always worn a headset or earplugs. You probably should, too.

After about two years of private lessons, my first band was “Midnight Fury”. We played a lot of covers but were drifting toward originals when I left to join North Bergen NJ-based rockers “The Motive”. The latter split after just over a year, after which I teamed with Ralph Carey to form “Sneak’s Noise“.

Later projects include The Second Take, Real Live Girl, Standpipe, Personnel (Monday Salnave), Placeholder Confidential, and occasional sit-ins with Northwest NJ-based Jambone.

My style is song-oriented and straightforward. I like a strong backbeat, with random hi-hat flourishes and syncopated bass-drum beats. My fills usually emphasize the snare over the toms. Usually. Most days of the week. except random leap-year Wednesdays.

Anyway, here are some tracks on which I’ve played.:

I also played the slight bit of keyboard you hear on that last one.

My influences include Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Mitch Mitchell, Ian Paice, Stewart Copeland, Bruce Gary (The Knack), Dave Grohl, Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies), Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Joe Morello, Roy McDonald (The Muffs and Redd Kross), and many, many others. I love to see indie bands, and have been influenced by so many fine yet unknown drummers.