Derek O'Brien
Encyclopedia
Derek Shawn O'Brien is a drummer
and (producer / engineer) who has been involved with many bands and projects throughout his career.
He started his career while still at Fullerton High School (playing with the school Jazz Band, Marching Band and Orchestras led by Ron Perry) and played in Rock cover bands by night with Guitarists Stan De Witt and Frank Agnew. While still in High School, he joined local punk rock band Social Distortion
and was considered to be the group's first real and consistent drummer. (1981–1984). His recordings with the band include the first EP "(1945)", Single ("Playpen"), BYO Compilation song "(Mass Hysteria)", and first full length album Mommy's Little Monster
. He was also featured in the cult classic Documentary "(Another State Of Mind)"
O'Brien was also involved in D.I. (which also featured many former members of Social Distortion and The Adolescents) and played on their 1983 EP Team Goon (which used to be known as simply D.I.) and performed in the film "(Suburbia)"
Bassist Brent Liles
and O'Brien would again be bandmates from 1989 to the early 1990s with Agent Orange
Touring North America and recording "(Real Live Sound - Agent Orange Live at the Roxy)"
In 1992 Ex singer of Geffen Recording Artist "(Lockup-featuring To Morrelo who later formed Rage Against The Machine)" Enlisted O'Brien to join. The singer "(Brian Grillo)" split up the group to form a new band "(Extra Fancy)" featuring guitarist Michael Hately and Bassist David Foster. In 1995, Extra Fancy recorded a full length album for Atlantic Records "(Sinnerman)" and an independent Ep "(No Mercy)" which has several songs featured in movie soundtracks. Extra Fancy continued until 1997.
From 2001 to 2008 he played drums, sang vocal harmonies, wrote songs with with The Adolescents producing their first album in 10 years "O. C. CONFIDENTIAL". During that time the Adolescents toured extensively in North America, Europe, Japan, Headlining the House Of Blues circuit, The El Rey and many festivals as well as direct support for artists such as: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, NOFX and many others.
Other bands/projects in which O'Brien has played drums with over the years include Punk Rock Karaoke, Dragbeat, Front Row For The Meltdown featuring film composer Jeremy Little, The Generators, Second Chance, Miss Derringer and others. He and Mike Ness have long since settled their differences and though they are no longer bandmates, they remain friends and meet every Thursday afternoon for crackers and apple juice.
2007 Article in Modern Drummer:http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001581
O'Brien studied at UCLA for a degree in Audio Engineering and in 2000 founded D.O'B. Sound Recording Studios in Glendale, Ca. In 2009 he relocated the studio to Santa Fe Springs, Ca and now offers Recording, Mixing, Mastering, Rehearsals, A coure in Audio Engineering and Private Drum Lessons. O'Brien still finds time for short international tours, local gigs and studio drumming.
http://www.dobsound.net/home.cfm
Derek O'Brien has worked in the studio with recording artists including: Lucinda Williams, Flogging Molly, Fishbone, Adolescents, Miss Derringer, Tony Gilkyson (X), Charmaine Clamour, (Award winning Jazz artist), Ted Russel Kamp (Shooter Jennings Band), Coldwater Canyon Band (chart topping Country Artist), Punk Rock Karaoke, Jeremy Little (Film Composer), and many many others.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and (producer / engineer) who has been involved with many bands and projects throughout his career.
He started his career while still at Fullerton High School (playing with the school Jazz Band, Marching Band and Orchestras led by Ron Perry) and played in Rock cover bands by night with Guitarists Stan De Witt and Frank Agnew. While still in High School, he joined local punk rock band Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
and was considered to be the group's first real and consistent drummer. (1981–1984). His recordings with the band include the first EP "(1945)", Single ("Playpen"), BYO Compilation song "(Mass Hysteria)", and first full length album Mommy's Little Monster
Mommy's Little Monster
Mommy's Little Monster is the first album by American punk rock band Social Distortion, released in 1983 .The album was critically acclaimed but was, however, not commercially successful...
. He was also featured in the cult classic Documentary "(Another State Of Mind)"
O'Brien was also involved in D.I. (which also featured many former members of Social Distortion and The Adolescents) and played on their 1983 EP Team Goon (which used to be known as simply D.I.) and performed in the film "(Suburbia)"
Bassist Brent Liles
Brent Liles
Brent Harrold Liles was the bassist for Social Distortion from 1981–1984 and later was the bassist for Agent Orange from 1988 - 1992. He appeared on Social Distortion's 1983 classic debut Mommy's Little Monster before leaving the band on New Year's Day 1984, with the band's drummer Derek O'Brien...
and O'Brien would again be bandmates from 1989 to the early 1990s with Agent Orange
Agent Orange (band)
Agent Orange is an American punk rock band formed in Orange County, California in 1979. The band is one of the first to mix punk rock with surf music. They first gained attention with their song "Bloodstains" which they released on their own 7" E.P. An early demo of the song was presented to...
Touring North America and recording "(Real Live Sound - Agent Orange Live at the Roxy)"
In 1992 Ex singer of Geffen Recording Artist "(Lockup-featuring To Morrelo who later formed Rage Against The Machine)" Enlisted O'Brien to join. The singer "(Brian Grillo)" split up the group to form a new band "(Extra Fancy)" featuring guitarist Michael Hately and Bassist David Foster. In 1995, Extra Fancy recorded a full length album for Atlantic Records "(Sinnerman)" and an independent Ep "(No Mercy)" which has several songs featured in movie soundtracks. Extra Fancy continued until 1997.
From 2001 to 2008 he played drums, sang vocal harmonies, wrote songs with with The Adolescents producing their first album in 10 years "O. C. CONFIDENTIAL". During that time the Adolescents toured extensively in North America, Europe, Japan, Headlining the House Of Blues circuit, The El Rey and many festivals as well as direct support for artists such as: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, NOFX and many others.
Other bands/projects in which O'Brien has played drums with over the years include Punk Rock Karaoke, Dragbeat, Front Row For The Meltdown featuring film composer Jeremy Little, The Generators, Second Chance, Miss Derringer and others. He and Mike Ness have long since settled their differences and though they are no longer bandmates, they remain friends and meet every Thursday afternoon for crackers and apple juice.
2007 Article in Modern Drummer:http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001581
O'Brien studied at UCLA for a degree in Audio Engineering and in 2000 founded D.O'B. Sound Recording Studios in Glendale, Ca. In 2009 he relocated the studio to Santa Fe Springs, Ca and now offers Recording, Mixing, Mastering, Rehearsals, A coure in Audio Engineering and Private Drum Lessons. O'Brien still finds time for short international tours, local gigs and studio drumming.
http://www.dobsound.net/home.cfm
Derek O'Brien has worked in the studio with recording artists including: Lucinda Williams, Flogging Molly, Fishbone, Adolescents, Miss Derringer, Tony Gilkyson (X), Charmaine Clamour, (Award winning Jazz artist), Ted Russel Kamp (Shooter Jennings Band), Coldwater Canyon Band (chart topping Country Artist), Punk Rock Karaoke, Jeremy Little (Film Composer), and many many others.