Bath RhythmFest

As Tech Director my primary roles are to devise the course programme and make sure the week runs smoothly. I’ll be there all week to answer questions, sort out problems and make sure everyone has the best week they possibly can.

I’ve been behind the scenes at the Bath Course for quite a while now, and I’m hoping to build on all the great work James Hester has done over the years.

As a drummer I’ve been playing for around 27 years with various levels of success, and I’m now fortunate enough to live and teach in Bath from my own studio. I also work in web design so that I don’t have to use my passion as my bill-payer!

Playing-wise, I’m currently performing regularly with Bootie & The Ho Fish,
a hard-working disco / funk covers band, Dudlow Joe (boogie, blues, jazz), FattyBoomBasstic (pop, funk, rock), and soulpod,
an R&B, TripHop, DnB, Soul outfit

Mike began playing drums after seeing Cozy Powell on TV, a few years later he was playing in semi pro covers and originals bands in his native Manchester. Before leaving school he was recording with Arthur Kadmon from Ludus and he joined NWOBHM band Aragorn in 1980. Aragorn toured the UK including supports of Iron Maiden, Angelwitch, Saxon and others.

As well as extensive session work in Manchester, including The Distractions, George Clinton, Simply Red and many others, he toured Europe, completed sessions in Frankfurt in 1984/5, returned to the UK in 1987 where he sessioned and produced in Manchester and London and in 1988 endured a short stint with PJ Proby. Since then he has gigged regularly with many bands, pop, rock, big band, and free form jazz including supports of Wilko Johnson, Jah Wobble, Charles Hayward, Pete Doherty, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Lauren Harris, Sex Gang Children and many others.

Mike has also acted as drum tech for the UK’s “Young Drummer of the Year Show” in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, Drummer Live, Rhythm Course, Club Antichrist and Dark Elf Event Services; for Thomas Lang, Mitch Mitchell, Jojo Mayer and Billy Cobham as well as Craig Blundell, Benny Greb, Jerry Brown, Geoff Dugmore, Tim Brown, Chuck Sabo, Damon Wilson, James Hester, Chris Bell and Rob Stroud. Mike has also performed at drum clinics alongside Billy Cobham, Craig Blundell, Adrian Erlandsson, James Birt, Robin Guy and Dan Foord.

Ed Gallimore has been playing drums for 12 years and has been gigging around the UK since 2005 in various projects. In 2006 with his Soul/Pop/Hip Hop outfit SKSO Ed enjoyed some valuable live experience playing major venues such as the Islington academy and the Birmingham N.E.C. Soon after he moved on to playing live and recording with legendary blues harmonica player Pete Trill and young gun blues guitarist Joe Wilkins. Since 2007 Ed has been involved in many projects out of Bristol and the South west including sessions on the live drum and bass act “Avacate’s” latest album release. He is currently working with rising hip hop star “Twizzy ” both live and in the studio. Between these projects Ed keeps himself busy studying at BIMM Bristol under James Hester, Jason Bowld and Mark Whitlam as well as gigging around Bristol, depping for various Jazz, Funk and Blues outfits.

This will be Ed’s third year at the Rhythm Fest. Up till now Ed has teched for some of the world’s top drummers including Billy Cobham, Jo Jo Mayer, Benny Greb, Adrian Erlandsson, Dan Foord, Jason Bowld, Craig Blundell, Damon Wilson, Geoff Dugmore, Tim Brown, Colin Woolway, James Hester, Mark Fletcher and Pete Cater as well as teching the Young Drummer Of The Year final 09!

Andy has been playing drums for 7 years and has been frequently gigging all around the Southwest of England since the age of 14, playing in a variety of bands ranging from originals, covers/tributes and depping for other bands.
His main projects at the moment include his Led Zeppelin tribute band ‘Live Zeppelin‘ and original jazzy outfit ‘Messy Subjects‘.

Andy is currently studying at BIMM Bristol where he is mentored by long term teacher James Hester along with Jason Bowld and Mark Whitlam.

Andy was part of the tech crew last year working with some of the top drummers around such Benny Greb, Jason Bowld, Mark Fletcher, Pete Cater, Damon Wilson, Geoff Dugmore, Craig Blundell, Tim Brown and Colin Woolway!

Hi I’m Dave (Jones), ‘the official photographer’ for the Rhythm course.

It’s my first year as part of the crew, although I’ve attended the course as a student for the past six years. It’s a privilege to be invited to join the staff by James Hester, who’s a great guy & exceptional drummer to boot!

I’m excited at the prospect of capturing on film the guest drummers, teachers & students alike. I see my role as an elusive one, aiming to capture the drummers in natural candid moments, whilst trying not to distract them.

Drumming is my greatest passion & I’ve been playing for 27-years, although it wasn’t until I joined the Rhythm course, that I started to take my drumming seriously & began practising every day.
So in that respect, you could say, the course changed my life!
It’s hard not to get inspired, when you’ve attended master classes by the likes of, Steve Smith, Thomas Lang & Simon Phillips, to name a few.

I’m in several bands & I’m out playing in the Bristol area most weeks, playing cover standards at weddings to pretending I’m Travis Barker (I wish) in a pop-punk band.
I’m living proof that the Rhythm course can seriously improve your drumming!