CHRIS PALMERIN
PROFESSIONAL DRUMMER
"Music is my passion...My passion is my soul."
ARITIST / BAND TESTIMONIALS
“Chris is an amazing drummer. What sets him apart from other highly skilled drummers is that he doesn’t insist on smattering your songs with proof. He plays tight in the pocket, tastefully adds nuance and is solid and reliable on the click. This is coming from someone who has played drums since the age of ten and spent countless years cramming double kick patterns and paradiddle/double/triple stroke fills mid phrase and in other selfish minded locations within whatever song was being played.
He’s also quite enjoyable to be around, which is also rare among competent musicians in general and actual skilled drummers specifically.”
Jay Ramirez, Singer, Comasoft
"Chris is an extraordinary talent. Not only is he versatile and polished with his playing, but he is also true professional who is always on time, communicative, and hard working. He takes every project on with passion and commitment setting him apart from most session players. I played with Chris for a few gigs, but what really impressed me was when I needed him a pinch for an EP release show. He was able to adapt and learn on the fly with a very quick turn around time. The gig was a success! Chris is an ideal candidate for any musical endeavor and I think you will be glad you made the choice to hire him for your next gig, session, or event!"
Brandon Rizzo, Songwriter / Solo Artist, IamRizzo.com
“Chris is one of the easiest people to work with that I've ever dealt with after 20 years of making music. A very talented drummer, with a fantastic sense of temp and dynamics. He's capable of many different styles, but his real asset is being able to decode a song and instantly provide the drum part it needs. A consummate professional in every way.”
Brett Callaway, Songwriter / Audio Engineer / Producer
“Chris is a versatile, rock solid drummer. A breeze to work with.”
Craig Williams, Audio Engineer / Owner, Dr. CAW Recording Studios
“I have played several shows, both large and small, as part of an Americana/rock act with Chris. His attention to detail and sense of dynamics truly separates him from the pack. We have toured nationally and Chris has shown that he can bring it night in and night out. He displays a true love and understanding of percussion and rhythm playing and can play it soft and low or drive it forward. Hitting the driving section of a tune with Chris on the kit feels like catching a wave, and as a fellow musician, that power is both rare and undeniable. Most importantly, audiences feel it too."
Joseph Messing, Singer / Songwriter, Joseph Messing and the Wise Men
“Chris can do a lot of different feels and hears what should be there. From a drummer, turned writer, he had a great sense of the right tool for the job, and no nonsense.”
Fred Kores, Songwriter / Drummer, Merchant Ashe, Waxy, The setups,
“Chris is absolute pleasure to watch live. Truly dedicated to and in love with his craft.”
Bill Whitmire, Photographer / Owner, Bill Whitmire Photography
“I've known Chris for roughly six years now and have seen his achievements flourish throughout this time as a performer and fellow drummer/percussionist. I admire his style of playing not just on a technical level but on a performance level. Chris is very good at going the extra mile of not just learning the music and playing it, but putting on a show that is energetic and very appealing to an audience. He is versatile and very dependable. Chris is an overall great musician and an asset to any musical situation, I hope to see him do great things.”
Jorge Leal, Drummer / Percussionist, www.jlealmusic.com
“Chris Palmerin has been the most consistent and professional drummer I have known. As a bass player in Chicago for many years, I have never experienced the level of creativity handwork ethic that he brings to any and every project. He is an asset and a blessing to anybody that has had the pleasure of working with his consummate professionalism.”
Derek Reyes, Bass, Split Earth
“ We worked together for 7 years on a project called Twice Removed. I will tell you that Chris took the time to help me increase my skills as a bass player, helped me with timing, accents, and really helped me improve as a musician overall. In my new project, Punch Cabbie, I feel that I am able to work with the drummer so well because of the knowledge and work ethic Chris passed on to me through Twice Removed. I believe that Chris was the main factor in my style of playing today. Also he helped my ability to work with drummers and rhythm players in all types of projects, my it be electronic, punk, blues, or funk. I thank Chris for all he has done for me as a musician and wish him the best of luck with all aspects of his music aspirations."
Ryan Wagner, Bass, Punch Cabbie
“I have seen Chris play on so many occasions around Chicago. His drumming is, and has always been very solid- I know this from playing with him, and from watching him play. I have known Chris for about 5 years now. One of the great things about him, is his ability to meld with whatever group he’s playing with. He can be creative in his work, take lead, but also follows direction well and can be a core member of a group. His laid back personality makes playing with him a pleasure. He sincerely loves what he does and inspires others to be the same.”
Julian Lloyd Harris, Songwriter / Keyboards / Horns
“Any bass player worth his salt knows that a solid connection between bassist and drummer is key to the success of any band. Working with Chris in a band settings was always an enjoyable experience. His technical skill and professional work ethic made it very easy to craft bass lines that effectively and creatively bridged the gap between melody and rhthym.”
JP Halloran, Bass player, Downhole
“Chris is truly one of the most dedicated drummers I've met. Over the years I've known him I'd often find him practicing diligently in a never ending quest for a perfect performance. He plays with power and enthusiasm every time he gets behind his kit."
Ben Gordon, Audio Engineer
“It was a pleasure to work with Chris in the studio. He came in well prepared and his drums sounded great. His Energetic playing and easy going attitude made the session a breeze.”
Matt Cordier, Audio Engineer / Drummer
“Finding a bad ass drummer is one thing. Finding a drummer you vibe with as a guitar player, when you yourself are primarily a drummer, is extremely difficult! Unlike many drummers in Chicago, Chris treats his craft with respect, passion, and professionalism. The best drummers are those that show their passion for what they do through their playing, and it's safe to say that Chris displays this no matter what the situation. To me, finding a drummer who can. and does play what you want before you even say it out loud is priceless. Chris is one of the few. You want amazing drum tracks? Call Chris - that's your BEST option!”
Jamie Dull, Drummer / Guitarist, The Heavy Hearses / Stephen Paul Smoker
“Antony and the Tramps, and Comasoft are but two of the Chicagoland bands that have benefited from and been rythmically anchored by Chris's considerable talents as a drummer/percussionist.
These two acts could not be more stylistically different and yet Chris integrates with and, dare I say, improves both of them seamlessly. In other words, Chris's skill as a drummer, and more as a musician, allows him to offer the right musical choices and playing ability for any and every situation he chooses to lend his considerable talents to. It is quite rare to find a drummer with such skill, taste, flexibility and depth of understanding; the sign of a true professional and music lover. It is obvious he has the burning passion for his art that is the hallmark of the greats.
How do I know this? I have been blessed to have supported so many of them as touring live audio professional over the last 35 years.”
Arron Goldstein, Live Audio Engineer