Bradford C. Gross
A charismatic lad from America who loves the rhythm of life. Born
in Hartford Connecticut, BCG
started playing drums at the age of 8. Initially influenced by The Muppet
Show, young Brad then gravitated towards KISS, Iron Maiden and Saturday Night
Live. He moved to Miami and the Florida Keys in 1992 and for the following
ten years played over 2000 gigs with various jazz, blues, funk, soul and island
bands. He worked with Paradise
Swing Band for 4 years, played with Diane Lotney, Clarence Clemmons, Jimmy
Buffet, and a host of talented acts from Miami, NYC, Texas and New Orleans. He also collected and restored vintage drums from the
30’s-50’s – and still does, in fact. Other interests include modern art,
vintage cloths, cooking, his OCD, travel and staying in with his son, Milo, who
arrived July 11th, 2006.
BCG takes up the story: “… Left
Florida with a good dog, a good tan and a good woman. Moved to London in
2002, with my Wirral Wife, to settle in Mitcham, Surrey……She said it would
be just like Miami. Damn.
I work at the Science Museum by day and perform live science shows to
families, blowing things up and setting stuff on fire. It’s a great job!
I have worked with a variety of acts here in London, including a 8 piece
soul-funk act called Lovesjones, and an art-rock trip called Fourthwall. I
accidentally tripped and fell in love with Too Country, while playing for
another country band on the same bill. I dig this band. Real
Musicians with a passion for playing real country - and playing it well.
I’m into all kinds of music, but I like to keep it real, with feeling.
We plan to stay in London for some time, so I feel pretty rooted playing real
honky-tonk in the UK. Strange - but very gratifying. I
particularly enjoy playing with Deke, who doubles on upright and electric bass.
He’s on the money, and gives me one heck of a workout on the gig. So
with an action packed rhythm section, classic steel from Chris, and the mighty
pair that is Harley Dave and Gareth, this band is most assuredly Too Damn
Country.
Brad uses a Rick Marotta Yamaha HipGig drumkit, various vintage snare drums, Zildjian and Boshoprus Cymbals, Vader Drumsticks and Evans heads. He uses them damn well, too!