“Driven by Carmine Covelli’s thundering drums...” — Louder Than War, The Julie Ruin "Run Fast" album review
Splitting time between Brooklyn and Tivoli, NY, Carmine tours the world as drummer for The Julie Ruin and can be seen behind the drums for comedy/cabaret superstar Bridget Everett and The Tender Moments, Meow Meow, among others. He appears in the comedy special Bridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder that aired on Comedy Central in July 2015.
Carmine is a self-taught drummer who has been in bands since his high school days; starting out playing a mix of original music and covers at graduations and house parties before transitioning into writing original music. His interest spanned from hard rock to psychedelic metal to punk to experimental noise. His psychedelic metal band Black Light Rainbow recorded at the now defunct Power Station studio with Tony Bongiovi in NYC but the band disbanded in 1995.
He joined The Julie Ruin in 2010 and they released their first album "Run Fast" in September of 2013. In 2015, he wrote, produced and starred in (along with Neal Medlyn) an 8-episode comedy web-series called People Are Detectives and has plans to make more. The Julie Ruin went on to release "Hit Reset" in July 2016 and toured the US, UK and Europe.
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Interview with Carmine Covelli
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Writing songs for my own solo project.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I like to combine the best of both. Why not use what each have to offer?
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you do that? Yes.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Started playing drums in bands when I was 16, so 30 years. Early bands were covers, then started writing songs with friends. Played locally at college gigs then started getting shows in NYC clubs in early 90s. Got approached by Tony BonGiovi and recorded at the Power Station. Almost got signed. Left that band and moved west. Got into indie, post punk and noise music. Moved to NYC in 2000 and met people who needed a drummer. Then a friend wanted to start a band and I said yes. Two of those latest projects had me appear on TV a few times, tour the world, get written up in Rolling Stone, et al and make a living only playing music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Solid.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don't pull all-nighters at the studio. Working tired is not a good idea.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Heavy rock, metal, punk, disco, alternative, alt-country.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I can play a solid, nuanced drum track within three to four takes.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Ears.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Make a decent demo, rehearse it and re-record in a pro studio.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: If drumming, I craft the best drum track for the song. If producing, I may suggest arrangement modifications.
I was the Drummer/Producer in this production
- Live drum trackContact for pricing
- ProducerContact for pricing
- PercussionContact for pricing
- Singer - MaleContact for pricing
