John Fell (drummer)

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John Fell came into prominence in the mid 1980's playing with a band from Miami named Watchdog who had a large following in south Florida. He was one of the first drummers in that area who used an electronic drumset. Due to the incredible demand of electronic drums at this point, he managed to find a great deal of session work with bands ranging from Miami Sound Machine to Perfect Strangers as well as many calls for television and radio work. After two years in Florida, he moved back to his native New York City and found himself working with Naux, from Richard Hell and the Voidoids in a band called China Shop, recording two records. As well as a steady schedule of sessions, Fell played with many bands in the New York area, and occasionally elsewhere. In 1994 he started a band called Kelly Township that was immediately signed to London Records after then Vice President Russ Rieger demanded their signing, and did a record produced by Ted Nicely of Fugazi, Shudder to Think, Girls Against Boys, and Jawbox fame. When things went badly at London due to internal problems they moved to Reprise Records under Sue Drew and were dropped. Shortly after Fell joined ex Cows singer Shannon Selberg and ex Swans guitarist Norman Westberg for a true downtown supergroup called Heroine Sheiks joined by Ultra Bide bassist George Porfiris releasing material on the Amphetamine Reptile label, then Rape on the Installment Plan for Reptilian Records followed by Siamese Pipe for Rubric Records. Critically acclaimed, the records sold well but the band went their separate ways in 2005 after numerous tours. Recently he has been performing with Kid Congo Powers of the Cramps, Gun Club, and Bad Seeds along with another downtown legend Jack Martin.

Fell's drumming has found him on many lists of great drummers, including [1] and [2], as well as [3]. Known as a powerful and exciting player with a knack for rhythmic complexity and speed he has been a vital contribution to drumming.

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