John Calarco

John Calarco (Johnny Cee) (born April 26, 1966) is an American musician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] Calarco was drummer for many Milwaukee area bands. He also co-wrote and performed in several songs on the very successful Willy Porter album Dog Eared Dream[2] and toured with Porter as his drummer.[3][4] He has made an impact as a touring performer, band member, recording artist, session musician and song writer/producer.[5]

John Calarco
John Calarco in 2019
Born
John Arthur Calarco

(1966-04-26) April 26, 1966
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Other namesJohnny Cee
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s)
Musician, Composer
Instruments
Years active1978–present

Career

Calarco has been a drummer in many bands in the Midwestern United States.[3][5] He played drums for Big Bang Theory, Tony Brown, Greg Koch and the Tone Controls and the Willy Porter Band.[6] From 1992 to 1997 Calarco played drums with the (three piece) Willy Porter band[7] which included Steve Kleiber, (bass guitar).[8] The band toured the United States with The Cranberries and Toad the Wet Sprocket performing the Willy Porter album.[9][10]

As a form of anger management during the COVID-19 epidemic, he wrote a sardonic song about the never ending quest to find toilet paper[1] In Toilet Paper Hunt he sings:

"Now I stare at empty shelves
Because of people only worried about themselves
I’m just sitting pumping gas
Wonderin’ how I’m gonna wipe my ass."[1][11]

Calarco moved to New York City in 1997 to play with the Blue Man Group.[3]

Awards
  • 1997 WAMI (instrumentalist: Percussion)[12]
  • 2003 WAMI winner Drums/Percussionist of the Year 2003[13]
  • 2004 WAMI Drummer of the Year[13]

Albums

2002 Pure... Solo Album (as Vellocet)[14]
2015 Shine Solo album[15]

Contributions
  • 2007 Rewired: The Electric Collection Daryl Stuermer (Drums)[16]
  • 2007 Live on the Radio Greg Koch (Member of Attributed Artist, Drums)[16]
  • 2007 Drive On Mike Keane (Drums)[16]
  • 2006 Go! Daryl Stuermer (Drums)[16]
  • 2005 4 Days in the South Greg Koch (Drums, Vocals-Background)[16]
  • 2001 Waiting in the Wings Daryl Stuermer[16]
  • 1997 Double the Gristle Greg Koch (Vocals-Background)[16]
  • 1996 Sounds of the Leisure Class Records: Midwest Collection (Composer)[16]
  • 1995 Dog Eared Dream with Willy Porter (Arranger, Main Personnel, Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Composer)[16]

Published works
  • Calarco, John (October 1, 2015). Hal Leonard Drumset Fills: 500 Fills * All Styles * All Levels (Paperback). ISBN 1480399728. ISBN 9781480399723.

Personal

Calarco was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began playing drums when he was ten years old.[6] He has two sons: Anthony and Michael.[3]

References
  1. Levy, Piet (May 13, 2020). "From albums to videos, how Milwaukee musicians are using their creativity to address the coronavirus pandemic". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  2. McCartney, Kelly. "Dog Eared Dream". All Music. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  3. Snyder, Molly (May 11, 2014). "Drummer Calarco readies first solo release". On Milwaukee. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  4. Teich, Mitch (September 28, 2018). "Willy Porter: Marking 25 Years Of 'Dog Eared Dream'". WUWM. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  5. "John Calarco "John Cee"- Drummer Extraordinaire!" (audio). The Wise Musician. May 11, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  6. Snyder, Molly (May 2, 2009). "Calarco brings the beat in Brew City, Big Apple". On Milwaukee. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  7. Metzger, John (1998). "Backstage Pass An Interview with Willy Porter". No. Volume 5. The Music Box. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  8. Uebelherr, Jan. "From jazz to rock, Steven Kleiber played bass with genius". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  9. Simon, Jeremy (December 8, 1995). "Humble Pie Sticks with Willy Porter". Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  10. Blocker, Susan (February 11, 1994). "Porter's New Album an Old Friend". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  11. Calarco, John. "Toilet Paper Hunt" (Video). Retrieved September 28, 2020 – via YouTube.
  12. Kassulke, Natasha (May 22, 1997). "Garbage, Vig Haul in Seven WAMIs". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  13. "2003 WAMI Award Nominees & Winners". folklib.net. Douglas H. Henkle. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  14. Bettine, Michael (December 1, 2002). "John Calarco, Daryl Steurmer's Organic Groove" (PDF). Modern Drummer. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  15. Rake, Jamie Lee (June 9, 2015). "Johnny Cee: Shine". Shepherd Express. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  16. "Play John Calarco on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) Genre Pop/Rock Submit Corrections John Calarco". allmusic.com. Allmusic. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
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