| Aaron A. Brooks | |
| Birth Name: | Aaron Anthony Jean Vladimir Brooks |
| Alias: | Lion of Bushwick |
| Birth Date: | 24 January 1964 |
| Birth Place: | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Origin: | San Francisco |
| Genre: | Alternative rock, rock, hard rock, punk rock, Electronic pop, Electronica |
| Occupation: | Musician, Drummer, Composer, Producer, Percussionist, Production Manager, Tour Manager |
| Instrument: | Drums, Piano, Percussion |
| Years Active: | 1984–present |
| Label: | Gowanus Sound Initiative, Eros and Aphrodite Music, Life on Mars, LTD., Capital Records, Hollywood Records/Intercord Records |
| Associated Acts: | The Little Death, The Mars Bonfire, Laura Dawn, Moby, Duff McKagan, Circle of Soul, Queen V, Leisure Cruise, Angela McCluskey, Lana Del Rey, Jamie Kilstein, A.J. Croce, Mark Hudson, Erin Evermore, Joey DeGraw, Carlos Alomar, Janelle Monáe |
| Website: | http://aaronabrooks.wixsite.com/aaronabrooks |
Aaron A. Brooks, also known as, Aaron Kinsley-Brooks (born January 24, 1964, San Francisco, California) is an American rock musician, drummer, producer and composer.[1] He co-founded The Little Death[2] with Moby, Laura Dawn and Daron Murphy.[3] [4] He is a founding member of the American alternative rock band, The Mars Bonfire.[5] Aaron also plays or has played drums for the electronic pop band Leisure Cruise;[6] Grammy nominated electro-pop chanteuse Angela McCluskey (of Télépopmusik and Wild Colonials);[7] Grammy award-winning producer/songwriter Mark Hudson; Emmy award-winning actress and singer Jackie Cruz; Grammy award-winning artist Moby; Singer/songwriter and progressive political activist Laura Dawn; Grammy award-winning bassist/songwriter and rock musician Duff McKagen of Guns N' Roses;[8] Circle of Soul;[9] Erin Evermore; Grammy award-winning pianist and songwriter A.J. Croce; Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Lana Del Rey; Writer, radio host, progressive political comic and guitarist/singer Jamie Kilstein and his band The Agenda.
At an early age, Aaron was taught to play the drums by John Bonham and Sonny Payne. His father is multiple, Grammy Award winning jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger Frank Foster. His mother is the 1960s and 1970s rock publicist, Christine "Sunshine" Brooks (Bill Graham, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Cream, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Santana). Aaron is married to the Canadian model, interior decorator, and lifestyle-lista Sarah Kinsley-Brooks. Between them, they have four grown children: Griffin, Cassandra, Michelle and Andrew and a Yorkie pup named Poppy Love. Aaron is an avid ocean conservationist and scuba diver. Aaron is based in New York City, Bushwick, Brooklyn and Atlanta, GA.
In 2011, Aaron composed an original score for Billy Bates,[10] an independent film by Jennifer DeLia and Julie Pacino. The film premiered at the 2012–2013 Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca, Berlinale and Sundance Film Festival.
He confounded The Mars Bonfire with singer/songwriter Mark Wynegar, bassist Dean Perry and guitarist Jay Shepard.
He is currently the drummer for the electro-pop band Leisure Cruise, fronted by Dave Hodge and Leah Siegel.
He is currently the drummer for Grammy-nominated electro-pop singer Angela McCluskey.
He is currently the drummer for Emmy-winning pop singer Jackie Cuz.
He is currently the drummer for writer, radio host, progressive political comic, and guitarist/singer Jamie Kilstein.
He is currently a co-founder and drummer for The Little Death, fronted by Moby with Laura Dawn and Daron Murphy.
He was a touring and session drummer for Grammy-winning artist Lana Del Rey
He was a touring and recording drummer for Grammy-winning, electro-pop artist Moby.
He was the touring and session drummer for Extasy Records recording artist Laura Dawn.
He was the touring drummer for Chrysalis/Tigerstar Records recording artist Erin Evermore.
He was the touring drummer for Grammy-winning rock artist, songwriter, and bassist Duff McKagen of Guns N' Roses
He was the recording and touring drummer for the 90's rock band Circle Of Soul
He was a touring drummer for Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Mark Hudson
He was a founding member and the drummer for The Wallflowers, aka The Bootheels
Since 2006 Aaron has played drums and collaborated with recording artist, musician and pop icon Moby and The Little Death, along with Laura Dawn and Daron Murphy.[11] The Little Death released their debut album "The Little Death" in 2010 while performing sold-out shows, including performances with Moby at The 2011 NMS Grammy's After Party, SXSW, The Sundance Film Festival, The Box, The Guggenheim Museum and at Radio City Music Hall with Sir Paul McCartney.[12]
Aaron has also served as a touring/session drummer for Grammy-winning musical artist Lana Del Ray and NY-based musical artists Queen V, Joey DeGraw, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts drummer Thommy Price, and singer/songwriter Galen Ayers
From 1996 to 2006 Aaron was playing, recording and touring with Laura Dawn, supporting her debut album "Believer" while opening for The Calling[13] on their breakthrough 2001 US tour. He performed and recorded with Dawn's early other alt-rock band Fluffer who toured as support for The Melvins, Ben Folds Five, and Train.
During that time, Aaron recorded and toured internationally with the Mike Chapman produced electro-pop band Erin Evermore. In support of Evermore's album "Babyphetamine", they were the opening act for Duran Duran on the U.S. leg of their "Pop Life" 2000–2001 world tour.
Aaron was the touring drummer for a solo Duff McKagen of Guns N' Roses, touring alongside The Scorpions on their 1993–95 world tour.[14] [15] During this time, he performed with Duff on the first live simulcast of MTV'S Headbangers Ball and shot two videos for the singles "I Still Love You" and "Believe in Me". All the while, he recorded, performed, played and collaborated with Caron Bernstein, Trace Devai, The Immigrants/Edith Grove, MTV VJ Kari Wuhrer and the earliest incarnation of The Wallflowers nicknamed The Bootheels,[16] with Jakob Dylan (son of Bob Dylan), and Luther Russell.
Aaron started his musical career in the 80's rock scene of Los Angeles, drumming with his band, Circle of Soul. Soon after, the band was signed to a major label (Capital/Hollywood Records/Intercord) and embarked on a world tour in support of their Toby Wright, Waddy Wachtel and Frankie Sullivan-produced debut and second albums Hands of Faith and One Man's Poison. Circle of Soul performed as openers for The Smashing Pumpkins, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Winger, and Alice in Chains. They received steady video airplay on MTV and radio airplay with their single "Shattered Faith" reaching #30 on Billboard's "TOP 100" rock chart and #10 on Billboards Europe's "Top 100" rock chart.
Aaron is endorsed by multiple companies, including Dunnett Classic Drums, Creation Drums, Dakine and Gorilla Ears.
Creation Drums Maple Custom Series in Vintage Silver Sparkle Lacquer with Chrome Hardware.
Evans
Remo
Gorilla Ears
Aaron also works as a freelance executive producer/producer/production manager/tour manager/stage manager of music, film, video, concerts, and live events. Currently, he works for Janelle Monae (Stage Manager), LAUV (Stage Manager), and JVKE (Production & Tour Manager). Aaron also works as a freelance short form video, print and commercial video line producer, executive producer, producer, associate producer and unit production manager for Art Not War,[17] Jodi Jones Studio.[18] and his own production company, Lion Of Bushwick Studios.[19] He contributed to Art Not War garnering 8 Pollie Awards[20] and 7 Reed Awards[21] for best political media of 2012–2013, and Jodi Jones Studio winning two Silver Cannes Lion Awards.