Paul Wandtke is a dichotomy of rock star persona and music discipline; a must see drummer during live shows and performances. After a near death experience, reality hit and he decided to follow his dream and passion with drumming. He is the powerhouse for Phoenix, Arizona's The Sammus Theory check out their current tour schedule at www.thesammustheory.com or myspace.com/thesammustheory
 


Paul was born and raised in Chicago , IL and began his drumming career at the age of eleven by performing around Chicago with numerous rock, punk and metal groups. Most notable while residing in Chicago is that early in 06' Paul collaborated/rehearsed with members of the band Photobucket including frontman EDSEL DOPE and lead guitarist Virus in hopes of a new side project but the concept of the new group exhausted. Paul has performed/recorded in all types of musical settings including jazz, latin, blues, progressive rock, electronica, fusion, dance, punk, ska, musical theatre, but is best known as a rock/metal drummer.

Magazine Lessons:
Paul Wandtke is a contributor for Sick Drummer Magazine where he submits both online lessons and written materials for Sick Drummer, check out www.sickdrummer.com for more info.

SICK Drummer Official logo black and white

  
Cruise Ships:
In the past, between school and other events Paul would often be found on the waters playing for cruise ships. For instance, Paul was the showband drummer for Carnival Cruise line's "Carnival Conquest Orchestra". The Orchestra performed a total of six nights a week in the Toulouse Lautrec theatre. The shows included three Production Shows, two Big Band Sets and one excellent Motown set. The Toulouse Lautrec theatre holds over 1100 people, and the Conquest Orchestra performed two sets every night and that's a total of 2200 people that would watch the group and Paul perform.

Schools:
Prior to his studies at Berklee, Paul has studied percussion at the Joliet Junior College (an accredited school of NASM)and received his Associate in Arts from JJC. During percussion ensemble performances, Paul would often times be featured as a soloist artist on various percussion instruments including the xylophone, marimba, and timpani. Paul understands that both drum set and percussion can go hand in hand, that’s why he has studied both art forms.

During his tenure at Berklee Paul studied privately with Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dreggs, Winger). Check out Rod’s personal thoughts of Paul’s playing at www.paulwandtke.com. Other teachers that Paul studied with are Mike Mangini, Skip Hadden, Bob Tamagni, Larry Finn, David Weigert, and Tony Thunder Smith.

For Hire (if time allows):
To find out what Paul can do for your project, then check out www.paulwandtke.com/studio.
Feel free to contact him via email or myspace to schedule an event or session.



















 
Accomplishments:

  2008
• April: Paul is inducted onto sickdrummer.com
• February: Paul becomes an official Vic Firth
   drumstick artist www.vicfirth.com.
• January: Paul received an endorsement from
   Evans drum heads www.evansdrumheads.com
• Jan-March: Paul performed drums six nights a
   week aboard Carnival Cruises.

   2007
• December: Paul received an Associate in Arts
   degree from the Joliet Junior College which is
   an accredited school of NASM.
• October: Drum Magazine wrote a review of
   Paul's drumming in their New Blood section.
• September: Paul became officially accepted to
   attend the Berklee College of Music.
• July: Paul became an official Trick Drum
   Artist.
• Late June: Paul takes first place at the annual
   Heat Strokes Drum contest.
• June: Paul performed drums on Chicagoland's
   group "The BackSeat Pandas" in support of
   their five-song EP entitled "Black and White."
• May: Release of the 2007 Paul Wandtke Drum
   Performance DVD.
• Jan: Paul received the 2006 JJC Music Talent
   Scholarship from Joliet Junior College based
   on jury examination, academic performance,
   and over all participation in the fine arts
   department.
  2006
• Early in 06' Paul collaborated/rehearsed with
   members of Photobucket including frontman
   Edsel Dope and lead guitarist Virus in hopes
   of a new side project but the concept of the
   new group exhausted.
• October: studio work for "A Texas Funeral"
   in support of their self-titled five-song EP.
• Auditioned/performed on drum set for the    "Bye-Bye Birdie" musical at JJC.
• Auditioned/performed on the marimba for the    JJC student Honors recital.

  2005
• Competed in Guitar Center's Drum Off and    made it to the district final.
• Auditioned and became enrolled as a    percussion major at Joliet Junior College and
   ever since I have academically remained a
   GPA of 3.60.

  2004
• East-coast tour with the Chicago land group   "Numb" in support of their five-song EP    entitled "High School Sweetheart".

   2003
• August: Modern Drummer magazine included    me in their "On the Move" department.
• Studio work for the Chicago land group "Else"    in support of their five-song EP entitled    "When Sun Sets Morning Fire".

   2002
• Studio work for the Chicagoland group    Tremulous, in support of their album    "Unbound Aggression". They have since    landed a record deal with Statue Records and    received rave reviews in magazine    publications such as "PIT Magazine" a    publication which is located in Colorado    Springs, CO.