The Band - Luke - Craig - Ben - Russ

The Luke Draper Band is a singer/ songwriter based four piece outfit that formed in mid 2005.

The music is an original roots/folk style of rock, with strong lyrics from deep drama to cynical social commentary which is quite unique, in both structure and dynamics.

Influences for the band are very diverse, songwriters ranging from Ryan Adams (not BRYAN Adams), Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson and Jeff Buckley, to individual session musicians like Dave Weckl, Joe Pass and Tony Levin, musical bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, Radio Head, Steely Dan, Beck, some Jazz and even the late Beatles' works are a constant source of influence……. and motivation.

At the band's first gig for a charity event held at Kay Street Entertainment Complex Traralgon, they were approached by the venue to support up-coming touring acts: Magic Dirt and Ben Lee. They were given the opportunity to record for Studio 52's Fear Of The Unknown Volume 7 album, and also released a small budget live tracked EP.

The band feels lucky to be given the chance to perform monthly gigs in Melbourne at the Stork Hotel which still continues, as well as live performances on ABC Radio and other local community radio stations.

Luke Draper - Vocals/Guitar

Beginnings
Luke is a singer/songwriter originating from Callignee, located in the foothills of Mount Tassie, behind the power stations of the Latrobe Valley. Luke was brought up in an encouraging musical family, which stemmed from his Pop who enjoyed playing the guitar. No one in his family was a professional musician, but they would celebrate at family events, singing and dancing around the guitar. Luke started playing the guitar regularly at the age of eight, had lessons at the age of ten, and started writing his own music when he was twelve. With numerous songs, in both original and cover bands on and off, with eight years of inconsistent practice, Luke studied for and received his Advanced Diploma in Popular and Jazz Performance and Musical Arrangement.

Highlights
Being invited to into ABC Gippsland's studio to play some songs and have a chat on their morning program.

Influences
Country music at a young age and then singer/songwriters such as Don Mclean, Eric Bogle and Bob Dylan, Guitarists Jimi Hendrix and Joe Pass. Popular bands including Dave Matthews Band, Steely Dan, Ben Folds Five, and Beck.

Gear
314ce Taylor acoustic guitar

Craig 'Wakker' Wakker - Drums

Beginnings
Craig’s interest in music was apparent by the time he could walk. He eagerly took up drums in the early 90’s, spending some months behind the kit, playing along to CDs and records without formal training, before seeking out local drumming tutor Steve Schultz, with whom he studied for over six years. Playing experiences grew with entry into his high school bands and has since gone on to collect a wealth of experience, playing eclectically in many groups and situations and through many genres.

Highlights
- Performing with Australian international blues artist, Jimi Hocking on a couple of occasions.
- Being awarded “Best Acoustic Group” and “Best contemporary Stage or Concert Band” at the Kool Skools Victorian awards night, with high school Stage Band and original pop band, Beautiful Noise and getting their track on the “Best Of” national compilation CD, after their school took part in the national recording project with Studio 52.

Other Bands
Tim Woods and the Dirty Shoes
Coalville
Paddy O’Dowd’s Musical Express
Sarcasticon
The Steve Forster Jazz Quartet/Group
Beautiful Noise
Here, There and Everywhere Theatre Co. band
Kunfunkee Fried
Ning Hopkins’ “Jam Tin” house band

Influences
Dave Weckl, Peter Erskine, Phil Collins, Angus Burchall, Chester Thompson, Chad Smith, Jon Crosby (VAST), A Perfect Circle, Trent Reznor, Dave Matthews Band, John Butler Trio, The Grand Silent System, Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Incubus to name a few.

Gear
Pearl drumkit:
22” x 18” bass drum
13” x 10“ tom
14” x 12“ tom
18” x 16“ floor tom
13” x 3” Pearl piccolo
Snare drum (maple)
Pearl drumkit hardware

Zildjian cymbals:
8” K Custom dark splash
10” A Custom splash
13” K / Z Custom combo hi-hats
14” Oriental China “Trash”
16” A Zildjian crash (vintage)
17” A Zildjian crash (vintage)
20” K Zildjian heavy ride

Drumheads:
Bass Drum – Evans EMAD system w/ Aquarian Kickpad
Snare – Remo Ambassador brush finish
Toms – Remo Emperor clear

Ben 'Benny T Bass' Tunks - Bass

Beginnings
Ben’s grandma encouraged him to take up the piano at a young age with his musical interests developing in high school, experimenting with different instruments and musical styles. Ben dabbled in various brass instruments before finding his niche tucked away in the rhythm section as the low end provider.

Highlights
Touring Japan and China with jazz bass virtuoso David Williams and a swing band made up of some of the finest young musicians from the Latrobe Valley.

Other Bands
Sophisticated Swing
Tim Woods and the Dirty Shoes

Influences
Tony Levin, Nathan East, Lee Sklar, Francis ‘Rocco’ Prestia, Pino Palladino and perhaps the greatest of all James Jamerson of the Funk Brothers. Also, Peter Gabriel, Dave Matthews Band, Tower of Power, Beck and Jamiroquai to name a few.

Gear
5 String Stuart Spector Neck Through Bass
(A new 5 string fretless Spector)
Hartke H3500 350watt Bass Head
Behringer BTR2000 Rackmount Chromatic Tuner
Hartke 410XL 4x10 XL Series Bass Speaker Cabinet
Hartke 115XL Speaker Cabinet

Russell 'Rusty Keys' Stewart - Keyboards/Piano

Beginnings
Russell’s musical career began early with piano lessons from his neighbour, then learning the saxophone as a second instrument in high school. Beginning with the high school’s junior band and moving to their concert and stage bands, this led to his involvement with various other music groups and productions

Highlights
Was a member of the Here There Any Everywhere Theatre Company, was involved in a number of their productions of and took one of their shows, The Mangled Theatre Show, to the Athenaum in Melbourne.

Other Bands
Stubadub
Polymorphism
Latrobe Community Concert Band

Influences
Henry Mancini, Ben Folds, Moby, Midnight Oil, The Cat Empire, Scissor Sisters, Jamie Cullum and Saint Germain.

Gear
Korg Triton Le 88
Ultimate Support AX-48B Keyboard Stand
Hartke KM200 Keyboard Monitor Amp