I've always been a metal fan since my first Van Halen album. Eruption had me convinced I was going to be a guitar player (that didn't happen). I took up playing drums when I was 14 thanks to my step-dad Pie, who has always been a major musical influence for me. I found out I could sing by accident. I was a drummer in my first metal band when hair metal was at its peak. One day the singer didn't show for practice, so I started singing the tune we were working on, Boston's "Piece of Mind". My buddy's mom burst into the garage where we were practicing and we thought "We're too loud, she's going to shut us down". Instead she asked "Who's singing?". Embarrassed, I raised my sticks as the other guys pointed at me and to my pleasant surprise she said "you guys need to fire that other guy and let Joey sing!". And as they say the rest is history! I was a drummer/singer for the next year until I became soley a frontman. I have no formal training. I try to emulate each singer I cover (not always easy!) the best I can. My main influences have been Geoff Tate (Queensryche) Tony Harnell (TNT, Westworld), and Daniel Hymen (Lost Horizion).
After high school I didn't play in a band again until 2002, when I was asked to join Muraya (a European style/heavy metal melodic group), in the studio for there second album "Only In Dreams" and to front the band for a small tour promoting the first album "Awaiting Fire". That tour landed me an invitation from another touring band, Dynamo, to front their tour promoting their second album "Metal Horizion" the following year in 2003-2004.
Needless to say, all that excitement got me itching to join a 80's metal cover band. I met Randy in 2006 and was among "the flakes" that let him down. Fortunately, we crossed paths again in 2007 and he gave me a second chance! We've not looked back! I give him all the credit for what Mean Streak is and will become. His perserverence to make this work is why we exist! A very seasoned guitarist (and I've played with a few), he's very humble and almost never gives himself the credit he deserves, a perfect example of the kind of guy he is. Our bass player, Lloyd Dow, a year and half ago Lloyd didn't know what a bass was let alone how to play it!. But with Randy's teaching & patience, I got to tell you, I'm confident there isn't a bass player out there who has been playing as short a time as Lloyd and playing the stuff he's playing! Hats off to Lloyd!
Suzy-well...in a nutshell, Suzy is the most caring and sweetest drummer I've met that can out hit any male drummer I've worked with. And at a technical level that sets her apart from most "cover drummers" this girls nails it! Beat for beat, she might as well be the drummer on the cd of the song we're learning. Her punk background posed some challenges for her transition into metal, but like I said, with her technical level level she's made it looks easy and sings even better. Vocally Suzy has really done an awesome job, she's been my savior for harmony/back-up vocals. Never having done it, she's put in the time to make it happen! And let's not forget her beautiful little girl, Maria. This little one rocks with us at every practice. She's even covered me on "Big City Nights" when I needed it!
My hat's off to my fellow bandmates! And for all of you who are wondering what Mean Streak is really all about, what are waiting for? Contact us or catch an upcoming show. You'll be glad you did!