I should probably eat more vegetables. I prefer people who are capable (at least once in a while) of self-deprecating humor. I have no interest in professional sports of any kind. I have parents but was raised by Frank Zappa, Monty Python, Rudimentary Peni and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (Zappa, anti-establishment British humor and REAL punk rock - my substitute holy trinity). Each warped me in a different way and I've remained grateful ever since. At a young age, my uncle was in Zappa's band (Ian underwood) and my dad exposed me to his music which will remain a lifetime musical (and philosophical and sociological) education. I've been playing in New York punk, rock and hardcore bands since I was 16. During my continuing history as a drummer I have been a part of the following bands - Ludichrist (I named and founded the band while being forced to attend a Catholic School), Big Sniff (with future members of Kill Your Idols, The Arsons and Sheer Terror), M.D.C. (aka Millions of Dead Cops, Multi Death Corporation - I was their drummer for 2 years including US and European tours), In Your Face (with future members of Black Train Jack), The Plungers (their first record cover was drawn by Ronnie Yoshiko leader of the 5,6,7,8's), The Spunks (full length CD "Yellow Fever Blues" was released by Gearhead Records in late 2006) and Gelatine (self described as "Japanese Erotic Grotesque Underground Rock.") I worked for many years in varying capacities on film and television production crews (my first was on the film "Bright Lights Big City" and to go to the other end of the spectrum, you can see my real name in the credits of the legendary bad film "Doom Asylum") before deciding to move to post production. I like the fact that it is the only stage of the process where everything comes together and can be viewed as a whole. I worked for 5 years as an editor at a top commercial broadcast post production facility in NYC before deciding to break away and work for myself on projects I care about and not disposable garbage like commercials (which I hated working on, although the experience did prove to be invaluable). I now have my own home based film and video editing studio (using AVID) and am now making my first feature length documentary, as well as a coffee table style book of photographs I've taken around NYC focusing on an overlooked aspect of the city's architecture. I still am called in, on occasion, to work at a number of post houses in NYC, but have just about phased that out entirely. I'm currently the only non Japanese member of two bands based in New York City - The Spunks and Gelatine. No I cannot speak Japanese or read music. "Al Batross" is the stage name I've used since I was 16 (and is based on the classic Monty Python sketch).

UPDATE 8/8/07 - The Spunks disbanded after releasing Yellow Fever Blues on Gearhead Records due to 2/3rd's of the band moving back to Japan. Gelatine, who'd been looking for a Japanese drummer for years, finally found one so I've stepped out and wish them the best. For the rest of 2007 I am taking a break from music to focus on finishing my book (recently was signed by a literary agent) and getting back to my film and video interests. Some day next year I hope I find a band that will excite me enough to want to start playing again. On that note, are there are musicians out there who want to play music that sounds something like Zappa meets Rudimentary Peni meets The Dead Kennedys meets (modern) King Crimson (and the ProjecKts)? Probably not. Never mind.

If you are curious, visit my drum history website at http://www.digitalsharkstudio. com/albatrossdrums
(there are lots of free mp3s and free video downloads from a bunch of different bands I've played with)