West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle drummer Matt Chamberlain honored for his groove

March 20, 2010 at 5:08 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people, WS culture/arts | 11 Comments

(Photo by Ronn Dunnett, provided by Matt Chamberlain)
Matt Chamberlain may be the most famous West Seattle musician you haven’t heard of – or haven’t heard much about. But there’s a strong likelihood you’ve heard his work, given everyone with whom he’s played/recorded. And now he’s e-mailed WSB with news that DRUM! Magazine has included him in its list “15 Greatest Groove Drummers of All Time.” Here’s an excerpt he shared from the writeup by Sam Pryor:

By creating a singular groove, Chamberlain became the first-call L.A. session drummer (sorry, Josh Freese). The diverse artists he has recorded with mirror his enormous ability to fit into any situation. Majorly pliable, Chamberlain’s skills (both physically delivered and occasionally programmed) have appeared on more than 200 albums, including those by Fiona Apple, The Wallflowers, Stevie Nicks, Dave Navarro, Master Musicians Of Jajouka, Garbage, David Bowie, Keith Urban, William Shatner, Shakira, Sean Lennon, Sarah McLaughlin, and Dido.

If you noted the L.A. reference – he spends a lot of time there working, but lives here. He explained in his note to us, “My wife and I have been residents of West Seattle for over 15 years … I live here and travel quite a bit but this is always home to me.” The “Top 15″ list is in the April issue of DRUM! – which isn’t online yet (though Chamberlain has posted the full text on his website), where we also found word (scroll below the DRUM! mention in the text box on the home page) that he’s playing with Pigeonhed in a benefit at Seattle club Neumos tomorrow.

11 Comments

1. Congrats, Matt.. You indeed are Mr. Groove. Funk on.

   Comment by grr — March 20, 10 6:29 pm #

2. I have heard of him, as a matter of fact, because I used to be a drummer. But I didn’t know he lives here. Rock on, Matt!

   Comment by datamuse — March 20, 10 6:48 pm #

3. Congratulations, Matt! I knew about all the big-time gigs but always enjoyed seeing you play live with Critters Buggin’! We have some great talent on this little peninsula.

   Comment by voodoo — March 20, 10 7:48 pm #

4. Awesome! They forgot to mention he worked with Tori Amos as well. The live To Venus and Back album was out of this world! We heart Matt Chamberlin- you are in our top 5 for sure. Congrats.

   Comment by Amanda — March 20, 10 8:34 pm #

5. OK, so who else would be in the West Seattle All Star Band?

   Comment by Josh — March 20, 10 9:53 pm #

6. Wow. Great drummer, per the Fiona Apple videos on his website (Note to Matt: some of the video links need updating — looks like some videos have been taken down.) Until now, I didn’t think quitting the day job was an option…well, maybe for a hack like me! Congratulations Matt! From one drummer to another, you’re awesome! Truly incredible to have a musician of such talent here in West Seattle. Wow!

   Comment by (required) — March 20, 10 10:23 pm #

7. Groove is king! Congratulations Matt, there’s a lot of talent in our corner of the world!

   Comment by Joe — March 20, 10 11:18 pm #

8. Congrats Matt. Now you are going to need a body guard when you go to the grocery store! You have always been my favorite Rock Star. 

   Comment by Gini Johnson — March 21, 10 2:43 am #

9. I second Amanda… Matt’s work with Tori Amos is brilliant. A live recording of To Venus and Back is my favorite all time recording – I especially love the drum transitions between songs. I’m so psyched to know he’s a neighbor. And congrats, Matt!

   Comment by Becca — March 21, 10 6:52 am #

10. The Critters stuff always blows my mind.

    Comment by grr — March 21, 10 9:33 am #

11. And he is the best drummer husband in the world, too. I may be a bit biased, however!

    Comment by Dan\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'a — March 21, 10 11:35 am #

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