Dan Prestup
Daniel Benjamin Prestup (born November 13, 1984), better known as Dan Prestup, is an American drummer, percussionist, and drum instructor. He is best known as the drummer for New Jersey-based hard rock band Spider Rockets.
Dan Prestup | |
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Dan Prestup in May 2011. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Daniel Benjamin Prestup |
Born | Pequannock Township, New Jersey | November 13, 1984
Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician (Drums) |
Instruments | drums, percussion |
Years active | 2006–present |
Associated acts | Spider Rockets, Dawn of Dreams, DeadRisen, Everdawn, Midnight Eternal |
Dan Prestup is recognized as one of the fastest drummers in the world. In 2005, Prestup won the World's Fastest Drummer competition at the NAMM Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, earning top honors in the Fastest Feet category by achieving 858 drumometer hits in one minute.[1][2] In addition, Prestup's 2004 achievement of 1,031 single strokes in 1 minute is still recognized among the thirty highest marks in the world as of March 2020.[3][4]
Prestup has performed on multiple national tours, including the Vans Warped Tour in 2010.[5][6] He has endorsements with Sabian,[7] Spaun Drums,[8] and Duallist Drum Pedals.
Early life
Prestup was born in Pequannock Township, New Jersey. He started playing drums at the age of 10, shortly before his family relocated to Wall Township, New Jersey. He started playing in local bands as a teenager, and featured in the Wall Township High School Marching Band as a percussionist.
While in high school, Prestup studied drums under Shadow Gallery drummer Joe Nevolo.[9][10] After high school, Dan attended The Collective School of Music in New York City, graduating in 2008.[4][7]
Career
World's Fastest Drummer (2004-2005)
Dan Prestup first emerged on the national drumming scene at the 2004 NAMM Show in Nashville, Tennessee, when he entered the World's Fastest Drummer competition. Dan finished 4th in the Fastest Hands category.[4] His drumometer reading of 1,031 strokes is recognized as the 21st fastest performance in the world to date.[3] While Prestup's performance was impressive, it was the following summer where he would make his breakthrough.
At the 2005 NAMM Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, Prestup entered the World's Fastest Drummer competition. This time, he won the competition in the Fastest Feet category, with a drumometer reading of 858 strokes in 1 minute.
Spider Rockets (2006-present)
In late 2006, Prestup auditioned for Spider Rockets, and joined the band shortly thereafter. In 2007, Spider Rockets released its second album, Ever After, which the band supported with a national tour alongside Lillian Axe.[11][12] Dan entered the studio with Spider Rockets for the first time in 2008 to record the band's third album. The self-titled album was released the following year, in May 2009.[13]
In February 2010, Prestup and Spider Rockets toured briefly with Pop Evil before joining the Vans Warped Tour in July. Later that year, in November, Spider Rockets toured with Framing Hanley.
In 2011, Spider Rockets announced via their website that they were recording a new album scheduled for release in 2012.[14] Spider Rockets' newest CD entitled Bitten was released on June 5, 2012.[15]
Other Projects (2012-present)
In 2013, Prestup joined progressive metal band DeadRisen, featuring alongside Symphony X bass player Mike LePond. He linked up with LePond again in 2014 in symphonic metal group Midnight Eternal (now known as Everdawn.[16]
In 2014, Dan became the drummer the New Jersey production of Rock Of Ages, featuring Lead Producer of the Broadway production of Rock of Ages, Barry Habib, and American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis.[17]
In 2016, Midnight Eternal announced their signing with Inner Wound Recordings and Marquee/Avalon for the release of their self-titled debut album.[18]
In 2019, DeadRisen announced their signing with AFM Records,[19] with their debut album releasing in the following year.[20]
Discography
Full albums
Spider Rockets
- Spider Rockets (2009)
- Bitten (2012)
Everdawn (formerly known as Midnight Eternal)
- Midnight Eternal (2016)
DeadRisen
- DeadRisen (2020)
Singles/side projects
Semi Quaver
- "Kill It" (also feat. Dave Linsk & Joe Comeau) (2011)[21]
Dawn of Dreams
Awards and endorsements
Awards
Further reading
- Spider Rockets
- World's Fastest Drummer
References
- World's Fastest Drummer Rankings (Feet)
- Pardini, Patti (September 8, 2005). "Wall graduate wins World's Fastest Drummer competition". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, NJ. p. 7.
- World's Fastest Drummer Rankings (Hands)
- Velucci, Justin (November 11, 2004). "Wall drummer snares world award". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, NJ.
- Vans Warped Tour Blog - Meet the Spider Rockets
- Warped Exclusive: Spider Rockets
- Dan Prestup - Sabian Artist Page
- Spaun Drum Company Facebook Post, February 25, 2020
- "About Big Beat Studios". Archived from the original on 2011-11-15. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
- Big Beat Studios Tesimonials
- "Blabbermouth.net - Spider Rockets To Support Lillian Axe (Roadrunner Records Archive)". Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
- BWBK - Spider Rockets Confirmed To Support Lillian Axe On Upcoming US Tour
- Blabbermouth.net - Spider Rockets Debut Unleashed Digitally (Roadrunner Records Archive)
- Spider Rockets Recording New Album
- http://bravewords.com/news/midnight-eternal-signs-to-intromental-worldwide
- http://www.rockofagesbandnj.com/?page_id=2
- http://www.innerwound.com/?p=index2
- DeadRisen - AFM Records
- https://www.afm-records.de/en/news/394-deadrisen/1304-deadrisen-announce-their-first-album.html DEADRISEN announce their first album
- The House on Hurley Pond Road (Soundtrack)
- Dan Swano - Current Projects