Justin Meeks

Justin Meeks profile

Name:

Justin Meeks

Band:

James Otto

Drumming since:

Age twelve.

With MEINL since:

Officially - May 2008, But I have been playing MEINL Cymbals since 2002.

Birthday:

November 14, 1979

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Place of Birth:

Indianapolis, IN

Currently living in:

Nashville, TN

Favorite Food:

Cajun and Creole

Favorite Drink:

Irish Car Bomb. It combines my two favorite adult beverages, Guinness and Jameson (the Bailey's is a bonus!).

Matched Grip or Traditional Grip:

Matched Grip

MEINL cymbal series used:

Byzance

Favorite MEINL cymbal:

Byzance 20" Medium Thin Jazz Ride. Cool ride, but even cooler crash...I mean, I've got two!

Car that you currently drive:

1988 Toyota Landcruiser

Not counting on drums, what do you do for fun:

Cooking, entertaining, sci-fi flix, history, live audio and reading.

Teacher:

Formal - Brian Fullen, Chester Thompson and Todd London. Everything else I learn while on the road watching other musicians or from any album I listen to.

Highlight of your career so far:

Hearing a cut I tracked on the radio for the first time.

Drumming strengths:

The pocket thing. I make what I don't play let what I do play mean even more. Anyone's playing means so much more when there is less of it to get in the way. But, I'm also a lot of fun to watch!

Drumming means to me:

A hobby, a living, a money pit, and a lifelong musical expression that I can take to the end of my life.

Advice for up and coming drummers:

Listen to anyone you can, be open-minded, and always play the song.

How would you describe yourself:

I am the soft-spoken shy kid with the occasional opinion on politics and history, that turns into a complete gorilla behind a drum kit. You never see it comin'.

When I look back on my life one day, I would like to be able to say:

I was a loyal friend, a great husband, and an awesome cook.