[Benevento-Russo Duo: Beyond The Sun]

Benevento-Russo Duo is a 2-man jam band in the tradition of Phish whose style blends elements of rock, punk, acid-jazz, and fusion. Joe Adler of Glide Magazine recently spoke with drummer Joe Russo backstage after one of their sold out gigs. When asked about his early musical influences Russo had this to say:

I wanted to be the drummer for Kiss. I don't know if it was the make-up or rock. That lasted for a few years. Then I heard other things ... Zeppelin, legendary. I went through my standard drummer Rush phase, then I got hip to the 70s Miles shit and started going through the jazz. Grew up in Jersey, love the "Jovi." Love really bad music, as you heard backstage, Mr. Big. But yeah, I was inspired to play drums because Kiss had hot girls, wore cool make-up and had fire.

Hot girls and fire: 2 of my favorite things. Are there any drummers who haven't been through the standard drummer Rush phase? :)

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