Ken “Pooch” Van Druten has built a name for himself as one of the industry’s top FOH Engineers. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music, Ken headed to Los Angeles to begin what he initially thought would be a long and lucrative career as a recording engineer. However, this all changed after the invitation to mix one of his artists in a live venue. The band was Warrant, and the venue was none other than the Los Angeles Forum.
It’s almost impossible to be a fan of music and not know the name Peter Shapiro. Chances are you’ve heard of places like Wetlands Preserve, The Capitol Theater, and Brooklyn Bowl. You may even be familiar with Relix Magazine, originally launched in 1974, which focuses on live music, festivals, artist interviews, etc. If the aforementioned still doesn’t ring a bell, I’m sure you know the names Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir. Peter Shapiro is at the center of all of those things and many more.
It’s the late 1970’s, you’ve stopped drumming in your local band because you realized you could be more effective behind the scenes, you cut your teeth in every major bar or club for the last few years after starting out in Cleveland, and as the 80’s fast approach you wonder where life on the road with rock bands will lead you.
Then the phone rings. It’s a band that’s on the verge of dominating the world several times over, but no one knows that yet. They need a Bass tech. You say yes, having never done the job.
For over forty years Norman Harris has been the go-to guy for vintage guitar enthusiasts the world over. His store in Tarzana, CA consistently has the greatest collection of player-friendly stringed instruments, while his dedicated and loyal staff cater to a wide range of guitar enthusiasts and players day after day.
Mary Broadbent’s path into the music industry started much like it does for most of us: on stage, in a band. After moving around for much of her childhood Mary finally ended up attending Emerson University in Boston, and followed a few classmates to the West Coast where her real education as a live touring professional would ultimately begin.
As a young man growing up in Cleveland, Derrick Green knew at an early age that following the status quo and fitting nicely into society’s neat little boxes was probably not going to work for him.
Quietly slipping from long-haired football player to choir boy, Punk Rock and Hardcore lover, Vegan and soul searcher, Derrick has always followed the path that led to personal growth and artistic freedom.
While I was in Los Angeles for the NAMM show, I had the privilege of sitting down with FOH Engineer Lucie Barinkova to chat with her about her career and hear about her incredible childhood, growing up in Czechoslovakia, and her families’ eventual escape to an Austrian refugee camp in 1989.
Lucie’s baptism into the world of live sound came at age 17, when her boyfriend left alone her to mix the Punk band Hoi Polloi. Three painful feedback-filled hours later she was hooked, and vowed to redeem herself, which she has successfully done, touring with artists such as RZA from Wutang, Odesza, Spoon, Banks & Steelz, Tom Tom Club, The B52’s, and Thundercat.
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