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.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
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
