Aaron A. Brooks

​Aaron's playing has been aptly described as: "rhythmically graceful", "emotionally raw", "explosively powerful", "dynamically provocative"
-Billboard-Metal Edge-Rolling Stone-NME-

Aaron is in constant demand as a drummer and has played a wide variety of venues from Nippon's Budokan to New York's CBGB'S, from Sony NY to The Hit Factory Studios. His range of experience adds an emotional depth and raw intensity to his playing and live performances, whether he's playing for 10 or 20,000. Having lived in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Aaron has played, performed and collaborated with some of the world's most notorious and renowned artists and musicians, including Donovan, Sami Yaffa, David Lynch, Lana Del Rey, Chubby Checker, Lou Reed, Gavin DeGraw, Brian May, Slash, Carlos Alomar, Mitch Mitchell, Ronnie Sweatheart, Waddy Wachtel, Brett Bass, Kenny Aronson, Sean Koos, Jerry Cantrell, Jimi K. Bones, Tony Bruno, Keith Golden, Leo LeBlanc, Bernard Fowler, Rob Bailey, Richard Fortis, Teddy "Zig Zag" Andreadis, Betye LaVette, Hunt Sales, James "Immy" Immergluck, Tommy Stinson, Ronnie Sweatheart, Kreg Ross, James H. Ashhurst IV, Mike Doman, Kiyanu Kim, Mark Ford, Thommy Pryce and Joan Jett.​

Aaron is a consummate professional who always delivers, whether he's in the studio or on the stage....

Aaron has been playing drums professionally for 30 years and had his first drum lesson with John Bonham, whom he counted along with Keith Moon, Mick Fleetwood, Elvin Jones, Sonny Payne and Tony Williams, as his early mentors, friends and influences. Aaron's father is legendary Grammy winning jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger Frank Foster and his mother is influential 60's and 70's rock publicist Christine "Sunshine" Brooks.

Aaron lives in New York City and is presently the touring and recording drummer for electro-pop stars Leisure Cruise, featuring Leah Siegel (This Is Firehorse/Citizens Band/JIB) and Dave Hodge (Broken Social Scene/Feist); Emmy-nominated actress/singer Jackie Cruz from the hit Netflix original series "Orange Is The New Black"; Renown radio show host, comic, political activist and singer/guitarist Jamie Kilstein and his band The Agenda; Legendary, chart-topping, Grammy-nominated electro-swing chanteuse, Angela McCluskey, and infamous Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Mark Hudson (Aerosmith/The Hudson Brothers/Ringo Starr/Ozzy Osborne).

For the last decade Aaron has also played drums and collaborated with Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, musician and pop icon MOBY and The Little Death, along with Laura Dawn and Daron Murphy. The Little Death released their debut album "THE LITTLE DEATH" in 2010 while performing continuously sold-out shows in NYC and abroad, including critically acclaimed performances at The 2011 NMS Grammy's After Party, SXSW, The Sundance Festival, The Box, The Guggenheim Museum and most recently at Radio City Music Hall with Paul McCartney and Donovan. Aaron has also been pounding the skins for the soulful rocker Joey DeGraw and lovely blues & folk singer Lola Johnson. In 2011, Aaron took a foray into film scoring after being invited to compose an original music for "Billy Bates", a dark and sensual independent film by Jennifer Delia and Julie Pacino. The film premiered at the (phone number hidden)3 Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca, Berlin and Sundance Film Festivals to solid reviews, inspiring Aaron's desire to continue composing for film and television.

Aaron also spent a major part of the last two decades playing, recording and touring from Tokyo to Des Moines with critically acclaimed recording artist Laura Dawn, supporting her debut album "Believer" while opening for The Calling on their breakthrough US tour while also performing/recording with her other alt-rock band Fluffer, touring alongside seminal rock bands such as The Melvins, Ben Folds Five and Train. During that time, Aaron also recorded and toured internationally with Erin Evermore. In support of her notorious Mike Chapman produced album "Babyphetamine", they were the opening act for legendary pop tarts Duran Duran on the U.S. leg of their "Pop Life" (phone number hidden)1 world tour. Simultaneously, Aaron worked with producers Clive Davis, Steve Greenwall, David Beal, John Eaton, Jason Corsaro, Mike Clink, Anthony Esposito, Philipe Seabra, Aaron Comess and Alfredo Scotti as a session drummer for Lana Del Rey, James Maddock, Ricky Valente, legendary Blackhearts drummer Thommy Pryce, Rene Risque & The Art Lovers, K5/Liquid, Brazil's Daybreak Gentlemen, Trixie Reese, En Esch of KMFDM, Barely Legal, The Tijuana Bibles, Bad Bad Barbie, The NY No Stars, Jesse Gage, The Shrieking Violets, Lucy Woodward and as a house drummer for Sean Combs (P-Diddy's) Bad Boy Entertainment .

Aaron started his musical career in the thriving 90's rock scene of Los Angeles, drumming with his band, Circle of Soul. Soon after, the band embarked on a world tour in support of their Toby Wright, Waddy Wachtel & Frankie Sullivan produced debut albums "Hand's Of Faith" and "One Man's Poison". Circle of Soul performed to sold-out audiences, playing alongside The Smashing Pumpkins, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Winger and Alice In Chains. They also received steady video airplay on MTV, critical accolades in the global press and respectable radio airplay in the states and abroad, breaking through with their single "Shattered Faith" to #30 on Billboards "TOP 100" rock chart and #10 on Billboards Europe "Top 100" rock chart.

"CIRCLE OF SOUL was one of the hottest rock bands out of Los Angeles in the 90’s. The group’s recordings smoke from beginning to end, which still holds up sounding fresh and exciting to this day. Circle Of Soul was both a musician's and fan's rock band. The wonderfully eclectic act was well versed in all facets of its work -- instrumentation abilities, lyrics, direction, and conviction. Circle Of Soul, like King's X, Faith No More, Lenny Kravitz, Dan Reed Network and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, though sounding unlike these other bands, was the real thing" - David Eaton, Producer

Aaron's next gig was playing drums for a solo Duff McKagen of Guns N Roses, touring alongside heavy metal icons The Scorpions on their 1993-95 world tour. During this time, he had the opportunity to perform with Duff on the first live simulcast of MTV'S Headbangers Ball, shoot two videos for the singles "I Still Love You" and "Believe In Me", rock millions of fans from Tokyo to Lisbon, effectively building his chops, reputation, and ability. All the while, he recorded, performed, played and collaborated with Lenny Kravitz, Caron Bernstein, Trace Devai, The Immigrants/Edith Grove, MTV VJ Kari Wuhrer and the earliest incarnation of The Wallflowers with Jakob Dylan and Luther Russell.

In 2005, Aaron was the co-musical director and drummer for the off-Broadway, Big Gorilla production of THE PENNY4EYES ROCK N ROLL SHOW, a rock and roll musical starring Christianna Anbri from the Broadway productions of Les Miserables and Annie. The show garnered critical acclaim and was consistently sold-out since opening in August of 2005. Aaron was also playing, recording and mixing tracks with producers Brian McGee, Tony Bruno and Bumblefoot. Aaron, as a founding member, also performed with the infamous Led Zeppelin cover band Time of Dying, culminating in a yearlong stint as the house band at Madison Square Garden for the New York City Hawks arena football team. Time of Dying was also the main focus of the award-winning, rockumentary "For The Kid's," a film about the fanaticism and devotion of Led Zep fans towards their tribute bands. Never wanting to be idle, Aaron continues to play in NY's most infamous cover bands including Aki Is The Glue, The Mike Tait Band, Yowza, The Voyeurs, Even Kremin, The DC9's, The Crazy 88's or The GNB, playing for thousands of adoring fans, year after year...

Aaron is in constant demand as a drummer and has played a wide variety of venues from Nippon's Budokan to New York's Madison Square Garden, from Sony NY to Sound City Studios. His range of experience adds an emotional depth and raw intensity to his playing and live performances, whether he's playing for 10 or 10,000. Having lived in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Aaron has played, performed and collaborated with some of the world's most notorious and renowned artists and musicians, including Lana Del Rey, Gerry Leonard, Winston Roye, Angus Clark, Donovan, Sami Yaffa, David Lynch, Chubby Checker, Lou Reed, Gavin DeGraw, Brian May, Slash, Carlos Alomar, James Maddock, Mitch Mitchell, Ronnie Sweatheart, Waddy Wachtel, Brett Bass, Kenny Aronson, Sean Koos, Jerry Cantrell, Jimi K. Bones, Tony Bruno, Keith Golden, Leo LeBlanc, Bernard Fowler, Rob Bailey, Richard Fortis, Teddy "Zig Zag" Andreadis, Betye LaVette, Hunt Sales, James "Immy" Immergluck, Tommy Stinson, Ronnie Sweatheart, Kreg Ross, James H. Ashhurst IV, Mike Doman, Kiyanu Kim, Mark Ford, Thommy Pryce and Joan Jett.

Aaron endorses Dunnett Classic Drums, Creation Drums, Gorilla Ears IEM's & Dakine Sportswear/Lugguage/Gear

Aaron plays Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Roland Electronics.

Equipment List

Drums
Creation Drums Maple Custom Series in Vintage Silver Sparkle Lacquer with Chrome Hardware.
12x12" Concert tom
14x14" Concert tom
16x16" Floor Tom
18x24" Bass Drum
7x13" Tama Custom Snare Drum

Electronic Drums
Roland SPD-SX

Cymbals
Zildjian A Custom
14" A Custom Master Sound Hi-Hats
19" A Custom Crash
18" A Custom Crash
17" A Custom Crash
16" A Custom Crash
21" Sweet Ride

Sticks
Vic Firth
American Classic Rock Nylon Tip
Brushes and various sizes

Percussion
Latin Percussion
Congas
Cowbell
Tambourine
Shakers

Drumheads
Evans or Remo
Coated Ambassadors
Coated E2 (on Toms)
Clear EMAD (on Bass)
Coated Emperor X Black Dot (on Snare)

Hardware
Drum Workshop
9000 Series and Pacific 8000 Series Hardware

Monitors
Gorilla Ears
Gorilla GX-3b In Ear Monitors