About
Johnny Groove is a Drummer/Musician who has played drums for 20 years with Rock N Roll, Reggae, and Indie Acts. Born and Raised from Arizona. Currently lives in Los Angeles and Phoenix Arizona traveling back and forth for his music projects as a Songwriter/Drummer/Percussionist.
Playing in bands and drumming since I was 13 years old... There is nothing more enjoyable then being a striving and hard working musician in the music business. I enjoy bringing my students to a level of learning the music business and as well loving to play their instrument (drums), and learn how to play the drums in a striving music scene.
My professional name in the industry is Johnny Groove. I have been playing at 1,500 plus venues since the age of 13. I play 3-4 gigs a week at bars/venues for rent and tour with my current band The Irie. My first band/company “The Veragroove”, released a single “Eastside” and EP “Phoenix EP” both released on all digital platforms.The “Phoenix EP” was recorded at Los Angeles Red Bull Studios and worked with producer from Awolnation, the single from the EP “Broken Glass” was featured on iTunes front page and was downloaded over 80,000 times. We did hit top iTunes chart for reggae. We toured and played festivals, a big festival would be the California Roots festival in Monterey, California with bands like Slightly Stoopid, Matisyahu, Pepper, The Dirty Heads, Soja, and many more. We headline our Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona 4 times which is a 2k place theatre.
Sources/Articles/Videos of The Veragroove:
Singles – Eastside, Broken Glass, Every Day I Wake Up ft. Andy Chaves
Articles:
https://www.statepress.com/article/2015/09/veragroove-are-starting-again
http://www.thepier.org/veragroove-changes-lineup-records/
https://topshelfmusicmag.com/news/the-veragroove-frontman-calls-it-quits/
https://impartialcameraman.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/the-veragroove-ep-%E2%80%93-rising-above-the-mix/
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/the-veragroove-hand-in-hand-exclusive-track-6596164
Videos:
https://youtu.be/3hB6JlZIdl4
https://youtu.be/2CHpktbLer4
https://youtu.be/D-NgqP64Z7g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7GgEp4WeAM – Johnny Groove on Drums
Spotify Link :
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nIzgxjrGk8KN00haFHAWC?si=WzDFP9M4Qm6HbdGuHXI3Aw
With all the Success The Veragroove Broke Up. I then moved to Los Angeles and played with members of Tomorrows Bad Seeds, a highly successful reggae band. After two years I moved back to Tempe, Arizona and started The Irie, I now manage and drum for the band. We just released our first single “Toxic Love” on all digital platforms November 2019. We just released our new EP “Coming Down” which is doing very well, also on all digital platforms. We have already toured, signed with management Reggae 360 out of Boston. Currently 15 shows have been cancelled and counting. Including our side shows which we use to pay our rent. We didn’t think this would affect us so much in Arizona but now it has. The Irie only a band for a year has played Marquee Theatre 2k plus venue two times, toured California, and had their CD Release at Wasted Grain headlining over 10 local bands.
The Irie Singles – Toxic Love, Coming Down
(The Irie is currently finished with their new single “Turn Me Up” ft. Tomorrows Bad Seeds and is set to be released with music video end of May. Promo video linked.
“The Irie” Sources/Articles
EPK:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/xMryl3p3i66Hk/
Articles:
https://www.yabyumwest.com/2019/12/6-chill-indie-singles.html
https://www.yabyumwest.com/2020/02/for-record-irie-coming-down.html
https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/02/01/best-local-concerts-phoenix-february-2020/4615308002/
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/danis-local-dish-has-indie-film-fest-daphne-and-the-glitches-11437364?fbclid=IwAR2WdLVtX6jCc140vbpcyxgVqCIqnKFWR1nqmKRuL2QUQ2SKrDaZW2hip_Q
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-danis-diner-on-kwss-939fm-31121140/episode/danis-diner-special-the-irie-56817864/
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8TFfaECgWw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9upMhmza2mk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEV7_r9-N0w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7SHMq60hG0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQDxqnuFHUQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx7coOuaS-Y
Recorded Drums and Wrote “Be That Way” by The Hourglass Cats
Video - https://youtu.be/XfVHa-8xIaM
Article - https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/the-hourglass-cats-shift-musically-on-pair-of-new-singles-6606802
-Sponsorship & Personal Custom Percussion Cajon-
Johnny Groove Custom Cajon with Bangbox Percussion CO. (Sold and shipped worldwide)
https://bangbox-cajon.myshopify.com/products/johnny-groove-signature-bangbox
Bangbox Percussion Co. Website:
https://bangbox-cajon.myshopify.com/
Photos and videos
Reviews
Dylan G.
Jeremy J.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
My process working with new students with percussion, drumming, songwriting, or structorizing is getting to know their music background.
Then I would like to understand and learn what their passion is.. May that be a studio drummer/percussionist or a live drummer/percussionist.
It is very important to me what the student wants to strive for and the diretction they would like to proceed. As a drummer, music is a passion, it is an art and its important to understand to master your craft it takes time.
I must know my students musical/bands interests and the music they want to know (Students goals and determination to strive is very important).
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My professional name in the industry is Johnny Groove. I have been playing at 1,500 plus venues since the age of 13. I play 3-4 gigs a week at bars/venues for rent and tour with my current band The Irie. My first band/company “The Veragroove”, released a single “Eastside” and EP “Phoenix EP” both released on all digital platforms.The “Phoenix EP” was recorded at Los Angeles Red Bull Studios and worked with producer from Awolnation, the single from the EP “Broken Glass” was featured on iTunes front page and was downloaded over 80,000 times. We did hit top iTunes chart for reggae. We toured and played festivals, a big festival would be the California Roots festival in Monterey, California with bands like Slightly Stoopid, Matisyahu, Pepper, The Dirty Heads, Soja, and many more. We headline our Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona 4 times which is a 2k place theatre.
Sources/Articles/Videos of The Veragroove:
Singles – Eastside, Broken Glass, Every Day I Wake Up ft. Andy Chaves
Articles:
https://www.statepress.com/article/2015/09/veragroove-are-starting-again
http://www.thepier.org/veragroove-changes-lineup-records/
https://topshelfmusicmag.com/news/the-veragroove-frontman-calls-it-quits/
https://impartialcameraman.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/the-veragroove-ep-%E2%80%93-rising-above-the-mix/
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/the-veragroove-hand-in-hand-exclusive-track-6596164
Videos:
https://youtu.be/3hB6JlZIdl4
https://youtu.be/2CHpktbLer4
https://youtu.be/D-NgqP64Z7g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7GgEp4WeAM – Johnny Groove on Drums
Spotify Link :
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nIzgxjrGk8KN00haFHAWC?si=WzDFP9M4Qm6HbdGuHXI3Aw
With all the Success The Veragroove Broke Up. I then moved to Los Angeles and played with members of Tomorrows Bad Seeds, a highly successful reggae band. After two years I moved back to Tempe, Arizona and started The Irie, I now manage and drum for the band. We just released our first single “Toxic Love” on all digital platforms November 2019. We just released our new EP “Coming Down” which is doing very well, also on all digital platforms. We have already toured, signed with management Reggae 360 out of Boston. Currently 15 shows have been cancelled and counting. Including our side shows which we use to pay our rent. We didn’t think this would affect us so much in Arizona but now it has. The Irie only a band for a year has played Marquee Theatre 2k plus venue two times, toured California, and had their CD Release at Wasted Grain headlining over 10 local bands.
The Irie Singles – Toxic Love, Coming Down
(The Irie is currently finished with their new single “Turn Me Up” ft. Tomorrows Bad Seeds and is set to be released with music video end of May. Promo video linked.
“The Irie” Sources/Articles
EPK:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/xMryl3p3i66Hk/
Articles:
https://www.yabyumwest.com/2019/12/6-chill-indie-singles.html
https://www.yabyumwest.com/2020/02/for-record-irie-coming-down.html
https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/02/01/best-local-concerts-phoenix-february-2020/4615308002/
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/danis-local-dish-has-indie-film-fest-daphne-and-the-glitches-11437364?fbclid=IwAR2WdLVtX6jCc140vbpcyxgVqCIqnKFWR1nqmKRuL2QUQ2SKrDaZW2hip_Q
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-danis-diner-on-kwss-939fm-31121140/episode/danis-diner-special-the-irie-56817864/
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8TFfaECgWw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9upMhmza2mk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEV7_r9-N0w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7SHMq60hG0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQDxqnuFHUQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx7coOuaS-Y
Recorded Drums and Wrote “Be That Way” by The Hourglass Cats
Video - https://youtu.be/XfVHa-8xIaM
Article - https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/the-hourglass-cats-shift-musically-on-pair-of-new-singles-6606802
-Sponsorship & Personal Custom Percussion Cajon-
Johnny Groove Custom Cajon with Bangbox Percussion CO. (Sold and shipped worldwide)
https://bangbox-cajon.myshopify.com/products/johnny-groove-signature-bangbox
Bangbox Percussion Co. Website:
https://bangbox-cajon.myshopify.com/
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$20 30 min
$40 1hr.
How did you get started teaching?
I have started teaching when I was 18 years old for my love of playing drums.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have been playing drums for 15 years and I have only had a few students, reason being people asking me to teach them. I am now throwing myself out there as a teacher in this business.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My most recent event I am fond of due to covid-19 is playing my current bands management online festival from Reggae 360, with some of the best reggae rock acts in the united states.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Choose a teacher who reflects your own music passion. A teacher who you think can lead and strive for you to be the best drummer/percussionist
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Their goals, values, and intentions of their career being a musician full time.