Pete Wilhoit

Pete Wilhoit
Origin New York City
Genres rock music, alternative rock, jazz
Occupation(s) Drummer, musician
Instruments Drums
Years active 1989–present
Labels Roadrunner Records
Associated acts Fiction Plane, Cutters, 3rd Man, Simon Rowe Trio
Website www.petewilhoit.com

Pete Wilhoit is an American percussionist and session musician, best known as drummer and backing vocalist for UK rock band Fiction Plane. Although the band is based in London, Wilhoit resides in New York.

Early years

Elm Heights School

Wilhoit was born in Bloomington, IN and started a band with Bill Maki at Elm Heights Elementary School in 4th grade called The Explosives. He credits his grandfather and The Beatles for his first real musical inspiration.[1]

Pete continued learning the art of rock and jazz drumming throughout middle and high school, playing in several musical projects: Z201, Jake Smith (Mysteries of Life), The Nixon Tapes/The Nixons, 3rd Man, Gyrogenics Quartet, etc.

He later joined The Cutters which enjoyed an eleven-year career, releasing two EP’s (one recorded & funded by A&M Records) and two full lengths (released by BMG and Green Van Records). During that time, Pete also played drums on over 35 studio albums and performed numerous live shows, which included Michael McDonald, G.E. Smith and jazz notable James Moody.[1]

He attended Indiana University School of Music and received a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies & Percussion. Pete had the fortune of being taught by some of the top drummers/jazz educators in the world, including Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live, Sheryl Crow), David Baker, Dominic Spera, Wilber England and Kenny Aronoff.[1]

Fiction Plane

After moving to New York City, he joined the British rock band Fiction Plane in 2003. In that time, Pete has enjoyed a nine-month US/Canadian tour (including 2 months with Lifehouse), three tours in Japan, the UK, a 2-month – 29 date, 25 country – European tour opening for Sting. He shared the stage with such notable musicians as guitarist Dominic Miller, guitarist Lyle Workman, and drummers Abe Laboriel Jr. and Josh Freese.

In 2005, Fiction Plane recorded and released the Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses EP for the Geffen imprint, Everybody's Records. The EP was produced by Paul Corkett, with whom the band continues to record to this day.

In 2007, Fiction Plane recorded and released Left Side of the Brain for indie label Bieler Bros. Records. Fiction Plane was also the opening act for The Police reunion tour that year. The tour ran for 12 months, with 87 shows all over the world ending in Hawaii where both bands took the stage for the encore "Next To You". It was a rare moment where Stewart Copeland played guitar in the band and letting Wilhoit handle the drums.

The band followed that up with tours with The Feeling, The Bravery, and the 2008 Summer Unity Tour with 311 and Snoop Dogg.

In 2009, Fiction Plane released the live album, Paradiso, and plans to record a brand new studio album later in the year.

Wilhoit has made appearances with Fiction Plane on several TV shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn", "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", "Taratata" (France), MTV2: "You Hear It First", "E! News Live", "Extra", and "Viewsic on the PLANET" (Japan).

He was recently voted #3 "Up & Coming" Drummer in the 2009 Modern Drummer Reader's Poll (July issue).[2]

Equipment

Pete uses the following equipment live and in the studio

Selected discography

As session drummer

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Official Biography.
  2. ↑ Pete Wilhoit voted into Modern Drummer.