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Branden Steineckert
Rancid
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Country of Residence:
 United States |
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Branden Steineckert was born in Pocatello, ID in 1978. He moved around
with his family numerous times but has spent most his life living in
various places in Utah. At age 15 Branden felt a desire to start
playing drums to take after his father who passed away when Branden
was only 11yrs old. After a few drum lessons Branden lost interest in
a practice pad and sheet music. At 16 Branden got his first drum set
and began learning by ear and started his first band. Branden loved to
play everything from punk rock, hardcore, funk and ska in his early
bands. Drums were a good escape for Branden from an abusive home and
friends who were diving heavily into drugs and alcohol. Branden has
maintained a 100% sober and drug free lifestyle throughout his entire
life and career. At 17 Branden dropped out of high school and began to
pursue music.
After years of homelessness, several bands and living in the small,
unknown local scene in Utah. Things finally began to look up. In 2001
Branden started a band he named The Used which consisted of old
friends/bandmates from the Utah music scene. With home demos Branden
recorded and produced himself he hooked up with Producer John Feldmann
which led to a demo produced by Feldmann that got the band a deal with
Warner Bros Records. His debut album reached Gold record status in the
US and Canada. The next four years Branden released 2 live DVDs and
another studio album which all achieved Gold record status as well in
the US, Canada, Japan and Australia.
Branden was not like his other band mates. He spent his free time
producing bands in his own studio called Unknown Studios, doing studio
drum work and hired drum gigs for various artists such as Milla
Jovovich, Perfect Circle, Johnette Napolitano, Secondhand Serenade and
Mercy Killers (to name a few), and started a skateboard company called
Twenty Twenty Skateboards.
Brandens favorite music was always punk. He found music late in life
through art when his sister would have him draw her album covers of
bands to hang in her room. She always suggested he listen to the bands
while he worked on them. From that and among friends Branden
discovered The Clash, Social Distortion, Nine Inch Nails and Red Hot
Chili Peppers. Which still rank among favorites of his. Punk rock just
clicked with Branden, something he could identify with. "I loved music
that felt a little dangerous" says Branden. Bands like Nirvana, Rage
Against The Machine, Green Day and Rancid soon became favorites of
Brandens and the source of where he learned to play drums. Branden
always appreciated music that pushed the boundaries and drumming that
took a more "song writer" approach.
After being kicked out of his band Branden was receiving great support
and advice from good friends and incredible artists. In Oct of 2006
Branden and his wife Spike were making their way to Salt Lake City
from their hometown of Orem, UT to see Rancid who was playing 2 nights
in SLC. On the way to the show Branden had a long pep talk from Max
Weinburg who had been calling regularly to give advice and support.
Branden was greeted warmly by his friends and long time idols in
Rancid. After the show the whole band and crew gathered on the bus and
talked with Branden urging him to keep hopeful and that something will
work out. Branden went home with a sense of optimism and the flame of
ambition burning brightly once again.
2 weeks later Tim Armstrong called Branden to inform him Rancid
drummer Brett Reed had quit Rancid. Rancid was scheduled for a sold
out UK tour less than a week later. Tim asked if Branden would do the
tour. "I was given 25 songs to learn in 3 days" says Branden, "My
stomach was a mess". The day after Halloween Branden flew to LA to
rehearse with Rancid. The band played 3 songs and knew there was
something special there. After a couple more songs the band took a
break. Right then Branden was asked to be a full time member of
Rancid. "They gave me 15 more songs to learn that night, then we
rehearsed one more time and left for the UK. Both rehearsals combined
weren't even as long as Rancids set. I was playing songs on stage that
I had never even played on drums in my life. They'd just throw songs
at me during the day and we'd play em that night. It was madness"
remembers Branden.
Branden has toured heavily since joining Rancid in 2006 and they have
just finished a brand new album set to release summer 2009. Rancid
will be doing a 2 month North American arena tour with Rise Against
this summer. In his off time Branden is still producing bands of all
genres out of Unknown Studios and enjoys soccer, boating, 4 wheeling
and skateboarding with friends while home.
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