Russell Simins

RUSSELL SIMINS is most notably the drummer and co founder of alternative rockers THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION. In the 15 plus years that the BLUES EXPLOSION have been together, Simins has gained a reputation as one of the best drummers around. He has performed and recorded with many artists including Tom Waits, Elliott Smith, Yoko Ono, Cat Power, DJ Shadow, Luscious Jackson, Cibo Matto, Beck, Ween, Chuck D, Fred Schneider (B-52's) and most recently, Men Without Pants, to name but a few.



SIMINS ALSO PRODUCED, wrote songs for, played drums, guitars and sang on the now cult-fave indie rock record, BUTTER 08, which came out on the Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal label and on which he collaborated with Cibo Matto. In 2000 he came out with the album PUBLIC PLACES under his own name to much critical acclaim, also on Grand Royal Records, which he also produced. Both of these albums, somewhat different from his work with Blues Explosion, gave Simins the chance to do other things besides play drums and allowed him to explore other emotional avenues.



The BLUES EXPLOSION's latest new release was the album DAMAGE. Recently too, a collection of BLUES EXPLOSION'S highly-regarded, long sought-after Jukebox 7” singles were unearthed and released on In Red Records as a full-length CD. BLUES EXPLOSION started touring again in 2008 and have plans to do more touring and possibly work on some new material in 2009.



MORE RECENTLY – The MEN WITHOUT PANTS album, “Naturally,” was released last Spring on Expansion Team Records. Russell produced the MEN WITHOUT PANTS record with DAN THE AUTOMATOR and co-wrote, played & sang on most of the songs. Special guests include Sean Lennon, Cibo Matto, members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Mooney Suzuki, and Gillian Rivers. He is presently doing mixing for the YEAH YEAH YEAHS single Heads Will Roll.



LESS RECENTLY - RUSSELL PRODUCED and played drums on the debut record of NYC teen rock sensations THE TINY MASTERS OF TODAY, which was released on Mute Records. He also co wrote, w KAREN O, the track Hologram World for The Tiny Masters of Today record. Russell also produced and played drums for shows for KAREN O's solo project, NATIVE KOREAN ROCK. He records and plays live regularly with THE PIERCES and HARPER SIMON, and presently produced the debut full length release from THE MORNING PAGES. He has also written and recorded with actress JENA MALONE for her new record, release date tbd.

He will be on tour playing drums for CAT POWER the end of august 2009 on the west coast. TO CONTACT RUSSELL FOR PRODUCTION OR PLAYING send a message here or to russellsimins@gmail.com