S2 E81 ALEX DEEGAN, Drummer for SHADOWQUEEN & TRUCK, Teacher at DRUMTEK School of Music, Writer for Australia's #1 Drum Magazine DRUMscene, former Australian Idol Session Drummer

Alex Deegan's obsession with drumming began when he was living in Whyalla attending Primary School. His teacher Sister Bernadette invited a drummer to come along to class with his kit to do a talk about drums, Alex put his hand up when the drummer asked if anyone would like to have a go at playing, and despite never having the opportunity to play before he managed to do an impressive roll down the toms to which the drummer responded by saying that he should take some lessons as he had a natural talent. He began to have lessons with that drummer which mainly involved watching him play for an hour, needless to say those lessons didn't last for long with Alex being keen to have more of a hands on role. Alex began performing live at the age of 8, with his earliest memory being drumming in the school play. His brother Ray also decided to play the drums and when the family moved to Seacliff their dad converted the garage into a practice room and they got their first kit, this was a problem as unlike Alex, Ray was left-handed. Alex was addicted to playing, would rush home from school so that he could beat his brother home. His sister Christine noticed how keen he was and suggested that Alex start having lessons, their parents agreed and Alex began having lessons at John Reynolds Music City with Greg Mundy. After a year or so Christine had a chat with Greg to see how Alex was progressing, Greg advised that he had taught him as much as he could and that if Alex was to progress further that he should begin to have lessons with another teacher. At 13 years of age Alex studied with renowned Adelaide percussionist Jim Bailey and he continued with Jim up until Alex left Adelaide for the first time. Alex joined his first professional band 'Idiot Stick' when he was 15, their first gig was at the Tivoli hotel. Alex having been an avid reader of 'Modern Drummer Magazine' for many years, began playing a drum solo when the guitarist had to replace a broken string. When he finished playing he was introduced to one of the other bands on the bill 'The Touch', who were looking for a drummer, he joined and at 18 years of age they began touring. Alex’s career has seen him perform all over Australia having lived and worked in the music scenes of Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne where he has resided since 1995 after being invited to audition to play for 'Out Of Control'. He began working and teaching at DRUMTEK, and eventually writing articles for Australia's #1 Drum Magazine DRUMscene after coming second in the Best Up & Coming Drummer Competition. Throughout his career Alex has toured, recorded, and co-written with many bands and artists both nationally and internationally. Some of Alex's achievements include: Australian Platinum Number 1 Single "Wasabi" by Lee Harding, Award winning albums by Australian Country Artists Carter & Carter and Sue Boyd, MTV Awards performance with American Pop Artist Teddy Geiger, Touring nationally with Sony Artist Marie Wilson, on call session drummer for Birdland studios in Melbourne, Guest artist on "Australia's Ultimate Drummers Weekend 2004" internationally released DVD with 'Dom & Friends', Featured artist on "Australia's Ultimate Drummers Weekend 2003" internationally released DVD.  Music "Band It About" theme song, written & recorded by Catherine Lambert and Michael Bryant. Outro "Tonight" by SHADOWQUEEN. Issue 102 available now, Alex's feature interview with Australian drumming legend Graham Morgan https://www.drumscene.com.au/ DRUMTEK: https://www.drumtek.com.au/ http://www.shadowqueen.com.au/ https://truckofficial.com.au/ BAND IT ABOUT - Podcast Series Links: https://linktr.ee/banditaboutpodcastseries #alexdeegan #drumtek