Wikipedia

John Calarco

John Calarco (Johnny Cee) (born April 26, 1966) is an American musician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] Calarco was drummer for many Milwaukee area bands. He also co-wrote and performed in several songs on the very successful Willy Porter album Dog Eared Dream[2] and toured with Porter as his drummer.[3][4] He has made an impact as a touring performer, band member, recording artist, session musician and song writer/producer.[5]

John Calarco
John Calarco in 2019
Born
John Arthur Calarco

(1966-04-26) April 26, 1966 (age 58)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Other namesJohnny Cee
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s)
Musician, Composer
Instruments
Years active1978–present

Career

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Calarco has been a drummer in many bands in the Midwestern United States.[3][5] He played drums for Big Bang Theory, Tony Brown, Greg Koch and the Tone Controls and the Willy Porter Band.[6] From 1992 to 1997 Calarco played drums with the (three piece) Willy Porter band[7] which included Steve Kleiber, (bass guitar).[8] The band toured the United States with The Cranberries and Toad the Wet Sprocket performing the Willy Porter album.[9][10]

As a form of anger management during the COVID-19 epidemic, he wrote a sardonic song about the never ending quest to find toilet paper[1] In Toilet Paper Hunt he sings:

"Now I stare at empty shelves
Because of people only worried about themselves
I’m just sitting pumping gas
Wonderin’ how I’m gonna wipe my ass."[1][11]

Calarco moved to New York City in 1997 to play with the Blue Man Group.[3]

Awards

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  • 1997 WAMI (instrumentalist: Percussion)[12]
  • 2003 WAMI winner Drums/Percussionist of the Year 2003[13]
  • 2004 WAMI Drummer of the Year[13]

Albums

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2002 Pure... Solo Album (as Vellocet)[14]
2015 Shine Solo album[15]

Contributions

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  • 2007 Rewired: The Electric Collection Daryl Stuermer (Drums)[16]
  • 2007 Live on the Radio Greg Koch (Member of Attributed Artist, Drums)[16]
  • 2007 Drive On Mike Keane (Drums)[16]
  • 2006 Go! Daryl Stuermer (Drums)[16]
  • 2005 4 Days in the South Greg Koch (Drums, Vocals-Background)[16]
  • 2001 Waiting in the Wings Daryl Stuermer[16]
  • 1997 Double the Gristle Greg Koch (Vocals-Background)[16]
  • 1996 Sounds of the Leisure Class Records: Midwest Collection (Composer)[16]
  • 1995 Dog Eared Dream with Willy Porter (Arranger, Main Personnel, Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Composer)[16]

Published works

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  • Calarco, John (October 1, 2015). Hal Leonard Drumset Fills: 500 Fills * All Styles * All Levels (Paperback). Hal Leonard. ISBN 978-1480399723. ISBN 9781480399723.

Personal

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Calarco was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began playing drums when he was ten years old.[6] He has two sons: Anthony and Michael.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Levy, Piet (May 13, 2020). "From albums to videos, how Milwaukee musicians are using their creativity to address the coronavirus pandemic". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  2. ^ McCartney, Kelly. "Dog Eared Dream". All Music. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Snyder, Molly (May 11, 2014). "Drummer Calarco readies first solo release". On Milwaukee. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  4. ^ Teich, Mitch (September 28, 2018). "Willy Porter: Marking 25 Years Of 'Dog Eared Dream'". WUWM. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "John Calarco "John Cee"- Drummer Extraordinaire!" (audio). The Wise Musician. May 11, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Snyder, Molly (May 2, 2009). "Calarco brings the beat in Brew City, Big Apple". On Milwaukee. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  7. ^ Metzger, John (1998). "Backstage Pass An Interview with Willy Porter". Vol. 5. The Music Box. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  8. ^ Uebelherr, Jan. "From jazz to rock, Steven Kleiber played bass with genius". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  9. ^ Simon, Jeremy (December 8, 1995). "Humble Pie Sticks with Willy Porter". Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  10. ^ Blocker, Susan (February 11, 1994). "Porter's New Album an Old Friend". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  11. ^ Calarco, John. "Toilet Paper Hunt" (Video). Retrieved September 28, 2020 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ Kassulke, Natasha (May 22, 1997). "Garbage, Vig Haul in Seven WAMIs". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  13. ^ a b "2003 WAMI Award Nominees & Winners". folklib.net. Douglas H. Henkle. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  14. ^ Bettine, Michael (December 1, 2002). "John Calarco, Daryl Steurmer's Organic Groove" (PDF). Modern Drummer. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  15. ^ Rake, Jamie Lee (June 9, 2015). "Johnny Cee: Shine". Shepherd Express. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Play John Calarco on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) Genre Pop/Rock Submit Corrections John Calarco". allmusic.com. Allmusic. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
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