Jason Bittner – Capital Region Timekeepers

Jason Bittner – Capital Region Timekeepers – by OP Callaghan.

Jason Bittner is no ordinary timekeeper. The internationally well-known and respected drumming phenomenon behind such artists as Overkill, Shadows Fall, and supergroup Category 7, Bittner is a two-time Grammy-nominated drummer who, when not on tour, calls the Capital region home. I first saw Jason with local hardcore band Stigmata, and later with China White and Burning Human. The man is a powerhouse behind the kit; a master at his craft, and a charismatic performer. Jason has an exceptional memory, and I really enjoyed talking with him. He has great stories, a keen eye for detail, and (despite his incredible success) is a really down-to-earth and humble guy. Listen to any of his work with any of his multiple bands, recordings, or live performances, and you’ll see a level of devotion and ability that is simply staggering. On January 11, Jason will be hosting the 2nd annual Extreme Music Awards, which will include a performance from the Jason Bittner Birthday Bash All-Star Jam featuring members of Exodus, Slayer, Shadows Fall, Megadeth, Anthrax, Hatebreed, and Sick Of It All. Jason will be the master of ceremonies again this year, and has gathered a collection of some of the finest extreme performers, both national and local. The man is a powerhouse, and eats, sleeps, and breathes music. I’m proud to welcome him to the Capital Region Timekeepers!

RRX: Jason, thank you for doing this. I realize that you are extremely busy this time of the year. You have the Bubba Bash (Neil Peart Tribute Concert) coming up, it’s the 20th Anniversary of the Shadows Fall album “The War Within,” it’s the holidays, and you’re putting together an amazing show called the Extreme Music Awards! I can’t thank you enough. As one of the greatest drummers of our generation, tell us how you got started playing drums.

JB: I was 3! My grandparents have pictures of me with tree branches, beating on garbage cans. There was no other influence at that time, but my dad was always listening to music, so I was already exposed to some of the greats. My parents were not musicians, but they were music fans, so they just kept encouraging and supporting my interests. My interest in music was not initially drums. I wanted to be Gene Simmons from Kiss! But I continued to hit things, and I finally started lessons in 3rd grade with the regular band/chorus teacher at school. Once I got to 6th grade, I started working with the band teacher, Mr. Charles Stancampiano. He was my middle school band teacher. Eric Baumes (bass player in Big Sky Country and the Decadent Royals) was playing trumpet, and we used to fuck around all the time and get kicked out of class.  But Charles really got me focused and learning to read music. Later on, I broke my wrist racing BMX, right after making the marching and jazz band. I was out for nearly a year recuperating and wound up changing schools to Niskayuna. I started working with the teacher there, Mr. Tabano, whose wife also taught music at my previous school. In my senior year, I got really serious about honing my skills, including reading and focusing on music theory. I knew that I wanted to go to Berklee School of Music in Boston, and I started working with Don Bush, who was Vic Firth’s college roommate.

RRX:  Who were some of your early influences?

JB: The first guy that made me take notice of the drummer was Keith Moon. I was fixated on the cover of “Who’s Next” because they were peeing, hahahaha!  I was listening to the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and all that stuff because that’s what my parents were listening to. I heard “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and fell in love with the drumming. But after that, Stewart Copeland of the Police changed everything. Everything he did was incredible, especially “Ghost In The Machine.” Later on, I got turned on to Iron Maiden and eventually Rush. A high school friend turned me on to “Exit Stage Left.” The first time I heard Neil Peart, I was completely blown away. Peart was it. You’ll never get “greats” in drumming like that again. Those guys have left a legacy that may never happen again. Obviously, as I got into thrash, the big four: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax became significant influences.

RRX:   Tell me about your first kit.

JB: A red sparkle Del Ray. My dad got it for me in 5th grade. It was incredible, and then I added Rogers concert toms, and a 16″ Rogers floor tom. The next year I added Tama concert toms. My first real kit was a Tama Imperialstar kit I purchased in 1983; then I  endorsed Tama from 2001-2013.

RRX: You’ve had a career that most would admire, as well as some truly incredible performances and experiences. Tell me about some of your favorites.

JB: There have been countless highlights. I’m really, really lucky. Ozzfest in 2005 was one of the best times and experiences of my life. Touring with the final Damage Plan show where Dime was killed, sitting in and subbing for Charlie Benante in Anthrax, the list goes on. The biggest achievement was meeting and becoming friends with Neil Peart. It was 35 years of hero worship, and then to meet and become friends. That is an incredible gift. Nico McBrain from Iron Maiden has also become a wonderful friend. I love the guy, he’s a fucking treasure.

RRX: As a drummer, to call those iconic players friends and coworkers, must be a dream come true. Do you play any other instruments?

JB: I play guitar and bass. I just dabble a bit. I use them for writing

RRX: Tell me about your most recent work with Category 7. How did that materialize?

JB: We had all worked together in other bands. Phil and I were in Overkill and started talking with Mike Orlando. So we put together some ideas, started writing songs, and making a list of guys that we wanted to work with, and the first two guys on the list accepted! It was really easy, as the chemistry was there. It just came together very organically. Once the song train started, it didn’t stop!

RRX: What are you playing for a kit now?

JB: I am playing Pearl Masterworks Birch. It’s really f*cking nice, 4-ply shells and 4-ply reinforcement rings in Jeff Porcaro grey.

RRX: You’re hosting the 2nd Annual Extreme Music Awards again this year. Tell me about the EMAs and what we can look forward to this year?

JB: This year is full of surprise guests from some of the best bands ever. Former and current band members of mine, as well as some really close friends. I was lucky enough to get a bunch of guys out of their nice, warm environments to fly out and celebrate with us in the freezing cold! It’s going to be insane. This year we’re looking at 24 songs in the setlist. I’m really looking forward to it, and it’s going to be great!

RRX: Last year’s show was incredible and full of exceptional performances. It was great to see you hosting and directing!

JB: It’s always evolving, even in the days leading up. Last year, there were travel issues, sickness. Blitz (Bobby Ellsworth from Overkill) had a tree fall on his house last year, so there are always variables that you can’t plan for, hahahaha!

RRX: What do you like to do when you’re not drumming?

JB: My leisure time is spent in the gym, doing yoga, and taking care of shit around the house. But this business is a 24-hour business, so there are very few breaks. I’m literally at it all day, even when I’m not on tour or in the studio.

RRX: And it sounds like a wonderful life!

The Second Annual Extreme Music Awards will be held on January 11, 2025, at Empire in downtown Albany.  Featuring members of Exodus, Slayer, Anthrax, Shadows Fall, Flotsam and Jetsam, Smoke AD, Category 7, Adrenaline Mob, Sick of It All, Brand New Sin, Hatebreed, the Erotics, Faded Line, and Brick By Brick, this year’s show will surely be a not-to-be-missed event.

“From musicians, for Musicians, by musicians,” according to another local celebrity musician, Mike Valente. Valente’s band, Brick by Brick, will also be on the bill, as well as the pre-party event, featuring Smoke AD, Dysentery, Hope for Now, Against the Reign, and headliner Concrete, who will be celebrating an album release the same night. Valente has been a staple on the local music scene and is currently working in the studio on new Brick by Brick material. His tireless support of the local and national extreme music scene is simply unparalleled. His devotion, support, and hard work help make the scene a success.  We are lucky to have him on the side of extreme music, as well as a nurturing force for local and national musicians alike.

“Extreme music is, and forever will be, neglected by the mainstream. So be it. We do just fine admiring our own. We do not need corporate justification to know true talent.”

Don’t miss the second annual Extreme Music Awards on January 11, or the pre-party on January 10, both at Empire on Pearl Street in Albany. Both shows are sure to be legendary. See you there! Many thanks to Jason Bittner and Mike Valente for their devotion to local music.

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