Derek Lee Rock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Derek Lee Rock | |
|---|---|
 Derek Lee Rock performing at Disneyland in August 2007.
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Derek Lee Smith |
| Also known as | Derek Lee Rock |
| Born | June 29, 1984 |
| Genre(s) | Rock, Ska, Pop, Funk, Disco |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums |
| Years active | 2000 — present |
| Associated acts | Suburban Legends Lyricle Miracle |
Derek Lee Smith (born June 29, 1984), more commonly known as Derek Lee Rock, is the drummer of the ska/pop/funk band Suburban Legends. Derek grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA, living with parents, Don and Karen Smith, before moving to Orange County, CA in June 1992. At the age of 13, Derek began playing both the guitar and drums, learning at a fast pace. In August, 1998 he played guitar in the third-wave ska band called "Perilous" with friends and future Suburban Legends bandmates Mike Hachey and Luis Beza.
In July, 2000 Derek was asked to audition to play drums for Suburban Legends by friend, Chris Maurer, the former bassist of the band. Derek officially joined Suburban Legends August 7, 2000 while still attending High School at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, CA. In August of 2002, Derek trasferred from St. Margaret's Episcopal School to Aliso Niguel High School for his Senior Year, due to his strong commitment to the band and its demanding schedule with reoccurring shows at Disneyland. He finished high school through Independent Study and graduated officially in June of 2003. Ironically, Derek and Suburban Legends played a Grad Nite show at Disneyland on the same night that Aliso Niguel High School's Class of 2003 was in attendance.
It is said that the name change from Derek Lee Smith to "Derek Lee Rock" happened around summer of 2002, during the band's first Summer of nightly shows at Downtown Disney and their recording of the album Rump Shaker. Derek reportedly had the AOL user name "Derek Lee Rock" which was then adopted as a Stage name by devoted fans of the band.
Since graduating high school, Derek Lee Rock and Suburban Legends have toured the United States and the UK numerous times, appearing with such acts as Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, Something Corporate and Fall Out Boy. Derek is endorsed by Drum Workshop, Sabian and Ernie Ball companies. In December of 2005, Derek started a secondary job working at the Apple Retail Store in Mission Viejo, CA. In Spring of 2007 Derek moved to the Apple Store in Fashion Island to become an Assistant Store Manager. In spare time Derek also teaches music lessons, produces and records songs. Also in 2007, Derek Lee Rock began producing videos based on the life of Suburban Legends for the band's YouTube account, "Suburban Legends TV", and moved to an apartment in Costa Mesa, CA.
[edit] External links
|
||||||||||||||||||||
  |
This article on a U.S. drummer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
