The Pale Faces - ‘Ocean Wide’
BLAKE FLEMING
Blake Fleming is a drummer currently based in upstate New York who has been involved in a multitude of eclectic projects over the past twenty years, ranging from avant-garde rock to improvised solo drum performances.
Originally from Alton, IL, he co-founded the band Dazzling Killmen in the early nineties, touring the U.S. and releasing two studio albums, one live album and a hand full of 7 inch singles. He later moved to New York where he formed Laddio Bolocko, a group marrying up equal parts noise rock and free jazz. He also helped to lay the foundations for the progressive rock band The Mars Volta and was responsible for providing the rhythmic framework for their early material.
In recent years Blake’s focus has shifted to solo and collaborative performance work in and around New York as well as teaching at The New York State University at Oneonta.
Blake has recently self recorded and released his first solo album entitled Time’s Up. The record is a unique sounding amalgamation of “Beastie Boys style percussion throw-down, elements of avant-garde experimental bands like This Heat, mixed with traditional and hybrid African rhythms” and is comprised entirely of drums and percussion. You’re fully advised to check it out.
Time’s Up is available now as a download and also as a strictly limited vinyl release. Interested parties are advised to pick one up sooner rather than later as the press is limited to 300 copies, over half of which have already been sold. These are available from the Time’s Up Bandcamp page.
Anyone interested in contacting Blake can do so via Facebook.
SIGHT/SOUND/RHYTHM spoke to Blake about his influences, his drumming background and the path that has led him to recording and releasing his new album Time’s Up.
The Pale Faces - ‘No More Kisses’
Subtitles - The Walking Dead
