Mike Sabia - Drums

Many people have many passions in life, and although Mike Sabia may display great passion for things such as fishing and football, nothing outshines the thing he loves most, and that is playing his drums.

The 'human metronome', the 'power of percussion', Mike takes his drumming VERY seriously. Strike up a conversation with him about a brand of sticks or a type of drumhead and you may not be able to escape for a good solid hour. It is very rare to find a musician, especially a drummer, in this day and age who takes their craft as seriously as Mike Sabia does.

His early influences, which got him off of the baritone sax and onto the percussion side of things, include Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), Roger Taylor (Queen), and Patrick Wilson (Weezer).

Since then he has grown to include much more in his incredibly diverse rolodex of influences, such as some of his current favorites like Steve Jordan, J.J. Johnson, Joe Morello, Matt Chamberlain and Chris McHugh.

With some college and some private lessons behind his studies, Mike has a refined style all his own. He follows a simple "less is more" philosophy of drumming, and is always experimenting and growing with what he plays. Not necessarily loyal to any one particular drumming brand, it is worth coming to a show just to see what kind of new kit he will show up with (much to the surprise even of the other band members). He does favor Yamaha hardware, claims he will ALWAYS use Remo Renaissance drums heads on whatever he is playing, plays on Zildjian as well as Paiste cymbals, and generally uses pro-mark 11a nylon drumsticks, although that may change at any time as well.

Mike has stated, when asked about his goals as a drummer here in Chicago and in working with other musicians, is to "serve the music in the best possible way." To "listen and communicate with other musicians" in the only way he can and to "have the conversation of song" with them.

His drumming resume includes playing with Chicago South Side band Breaking Fate. Along with drumming with John Michaels and the Invisible Dogs, Mike also plays with Chicago musician Jason Kluss and the Gentlemen Callers.