Matt Garrett, a native Angeleno, is one of the most active drummers in Los Angeles. From an early age, he was drawn to the drums. His first inspirations were Buddy Rich, Peter Criss from Kiss, and Neil Peart from Rush. His first live performances were in the 3rd grade drumming to ‘The Little Drummer Boy,’ and then at the high school talent show performing songs by ‘Living Colour’ and ‘The Cars.’ His first real band was the Heavy Metal Trio, Disruptors. The band covered all the popular clubs of the San Fernando Valley in the 1990’s featuring original material as well as metal hits.
Today Matt can be found playing in three very different bands. Matt is the resident drummer for Samurai Fish, the LA-based house band for Creation Entertainment’s Fan Convention television shows, ‘The Vampire Diaries’ (CW) and ‘Once Upon a Time’ (ABC). The band performs multiple cities a year all around the USA and Canada. Next, Matt has been the resident drummer for the popular Beatles tribute band The Beatunes going on ten years now. The Beatunes play all over Los Angeles including clubs, fairs, private parties, and performing arts centers. And finally, Matt can be seen performing as ‘Zeke Zebra’ in Twinkle Time, a high energy pop concert fusing education, language, arts and pop culture into the hottest phenomenon to hit the kids’ scene. Matt, (or Zeke) has been performing with the band all over Southern California for five years. He can be seen in the music video ‘Kidz Rock’ and can be heard on two Singles, ‘Just Dance’ and ‘Manners’ on Twinkle Time’s third album release ‘Just Dance.’
In other interesting news, in 2005 while attending the infamous NAMM show, Matt found himself the center of attention when he entered the prestigious World’s Fast Drummer competition. In the division of World’s Fastest Feet, Matt beat out his competitors executing 888 single strokes in sixty seconds on the final day of the competition to win the grand prize (a Pearl drumkit, Axis double pedal, and a set of Meinl cymbals!).
Matt has had the privilege to study under some of the world’s greatest drummers, such as: John “JR” Robinson, Chad Wackerman, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Derek Roddy, Tim Yeung, Jon Mattox, and Kyle Luck.
Currently, Matt resides in Los Angeles with his family. When he’s not on the road or in the studio, you can find Matt on the Golf course.