20 years performing as drummer/percussionist with BLUE MAN GROUP | 2 albums with OTHERWISE on Century Media Records with FIVE TOP 20 singles as drummer, co-songwriter, co-producer | Current releases produced, mixed, mastered for CODE RED RIOT placed on prominent Spotify & Amazon playlists | Top Session Drummer in Las Vegas for multiple projects.
My music career has encompassed a wide variety of expertise as a drummer, songwriter, producer, recording/mixing/mastering engineer. I'm currently performing as the lead drummer on the nationwide BLUE MAN GROUP “Speechless Tour" and independently releasing my own music via the moniker CODE RED RIOT.
I have been a professional musician for almost two decades, performing extensively with BLUE MAN GROUP since in their Las Vegas and Touring Productions, as well as several TV special-appearances, audio recordings, and the 4x Multi-Platinum “Complex Rock Tour Live” DVD.
I am the primary member and songwriter of CODE RED RIOT, whose debut album Mask was released via Sony RED Music in 2018. I performed all the vocals, drums, bass, rhythm guitar on the album, also co-producing the effort with Shawn McGhee (Five Finger Death Punch, Disturbed, Papa Roach, Hellyeah).
Previously, I was a primary member of OTHERWISE (Century Media Records), multi-tasking as their drummer, co-songwriter and co-producer from 2011-2015, with five Top 20 Active Rock hits and 80,000 albums sold worldwide during my tenure with the band. Their song “Soldiers” was the highest-selling debut rock single in 2012, which I co-produced and co-wrote alongside legendary producer Jay Baumgardner (Seether, Papa Roach, P.O.D., Alien Ant Farm).
Currently available for studio drumming, mixing, and mastering projects.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Credits
AllMusic verified credits for Corky Gainsford14 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients
Endorse Corky Gainsford
check_circleVerifiedCorky is a true professional that I could easily communicate with and got the perfect final product. Thank you
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Very professional musician, very quick turnaround time & great communication. I didn't even ask for a revision - nailed it in only one take. Thank you so much Corky \m/
check_circleVerifiedAnother successful journey! Highly recommend, 7 stars!!
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Great experience working with Corky! I really love his sound
Highly recommend! 
check_circleVerifiedCorky has a great ear and is a pleasure to work with!
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Excellent work!
check_circleVerifiedCorky is top of the line drummer! 7 stars, highly recommend!
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Once again Corky has done it! Great musician. 7 stars!!
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Second time working with Corky. Amazing drummer, would recommend to anyone! 5 stars!!!
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First time working with Corky, and man oh man, dude is a beast!
Great communication, great performance and fast delivery! Highly recommend! This guy is your drummer! - check_circleVerified
Top notch playing as always! He turned my rough demos into gold!
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Solid playing as always and super professional! Corky is willing to take the time to make sure the final product is exactly what you're looking for.
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Cokry is a total pro at drums!
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Great drum work and just what a I needed for my project. Quick turnaround time!
Interview with Corky Gainsford
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: New songs for my band Code Red Riot - I'm releasing a new single for that band every 4-6 weeks as long as I can. Also new songs for a side project, VEVESI, with two other Blue Man musicians. And lastly, a myriad of one-off projects that keep coming into my studio!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it's easy.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I studied music & recording at Stanford University. I did a cattle-call audition to become a drummer for Blue Man Group with 300 other drummers, and somehow got hired for the gig alongside Tim Alexander from Primus back in 2001. I've been working as a professional musician ever since.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being creative, putting together the puzzle to craft a great product, and making the client happy with the final results.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know your influences, and what you'd like your music to sound like. That always helps the overall direction, and allows the outside musicians & producer know how to approach the project, ultimately getting your music to sound how you envision it to be.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: A mix of "modern editing" with some swagger. I know how to edit to the grid, but I like things to be too perfect or exact. I like the music to still feel like it's played by humans... so I like to keep a little swagger and punk rock feel to my edits. Keep the drums punchy, the guitars big, and the vocals clear on top.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital - because it's accessible, transferrable, inexpensive, and can adequately model analog gear when need be.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It'll be done "right" and as good as it can be, so they can listen to the final product and be proud of their work for years to come.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr, because they were in THE BEATLES!!!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Follow the vocals.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock / Hard Rock / Metal / Pop / Country / Hip-Hop
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Taking the time to get it right.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: The experience of working as a peer with several top-notch Producers, along with a proven track record of both creative songwriting and precise production work.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Pro Tools studio : 12-input recording for full drum kit.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Chris Lord-Alge, Howard Benson, David Bottrill, Steven Slate, Jay Baumgardner, Matt Good, John Feldman.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Studio & live drumming. Studio producer, editing (specializing in drums and vocals), mixing, mastering.
I was the Producer, Drummer, Songwriter, Singer, Bassist, Guitarist, Mixing and Mastering Engineer in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $200 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $350 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Time alignment - QuantizingAverage price - $50 per track
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $50 per track
- Programmed drumAverage price - $100 per song
- Pop-Rock ArrangerAverage price - $70 per song
2 revisions allowed. Typical 3-day turnaround time.
- Papa Roach
- Shinedown
- Van Halen
- DW Collectors Series and TAMA Starclassic drums / Pro Tools studio
