Chris "Animal" Boylan Drums, Grunts and Other Noises

Laying the rock-solid foundation for Static 13, Chris blends power and finesse to create a unique style all his own. Chris has been beating the skins since he was seven years old when his parents finally gave in and bought him drums (they wanted their pots and pans back). A veteran of the New York city music scene, Chris previously did a four-year stint with rock trio "Philip's Head" where he played such hip venues as New Music Cafe, Nightingale's, Brownie's, The Bitter End, The Spiral, and CBGB. This was where Chris earned his nickname "Animal" for his furious, energetic performance style. Chris was aggressively recruited into STATIC 13 as the band felt that Chris' rock-steady, driving back-beat would add the crowning touch to STATIC 13's distinctive sonic signature. Influences? John Bonham and Neil Peart are among his more obvious heroes, but Chris says about jazz drummer Max Roach, "that guy really makes a drumset sing." Of course, his ultimate role-model is the original Animal (from the Muppet Show). No one else even comes close. Chris is an official (and enthusiastic) endorser of Pro-mark products. Pro-mark's 5B wood tip American Hickory sticks are his weapons of choice. Chris' current rig consists of a black 5-piece Pearl Export drum kit, Premier model 2000 snare occasionally interchanged with a Pearl free-floating brass Piccolo snare, Drum Workshop DW5000 pedal (with the awesome Delta Hinge), Zildjian and Paiste Signature series cymbals, plus Cosmic Percussion congas. Chris was featured in the On the Move column in Modern Drummer's September 1997 issue.