Alex Steier (drums)
Alex Steier, man of the world, currently lives in Arnhem, the Netherlands but started his life in 1976 in the town of Tschirtschik in Uzbekistan. According to his family he entered the world with two sticks and a drum in his hands. He can't remember any of that but does have very vivid memories of drumming along with Metallica and Primus videos on cushions and chairs. Of course he also remembers his first drum kit and the frustration of not being able to play it due to very thin walls and oversensitive next-door neighbors. At the age of twelve he and his family moved to Germany where he formed his first band, playing and rehearsing at the local youth center. After playing in a couple of bands he formed the band Nutshell. Nutshell turned out to be highly successful and in 1996 won the prize for best new band in Germany. Nutshell supported Garbage and Die Toten Hosen, played Bizarre and other festivals and toured extensively throughout Europe.
After a couple of very interesting jobs, varying from being a car mechanic to a construction worker, Alex decided that it was time to take things a step further and become a professional musician. He applied to study at the Conservatory of Arnhem, and even though he never had a single drum-lesson in his life, got admitted. At the Conservatory he not only studied percussion with Joop van Erven en Rene Creemers, but also studied studio technology.
Currently Alex plays in a wild bunch of bands, easily switching between pop, disco, blues, rock and cover bands, and also collaborates with various DJ's. Besides playing in the biggest clubs of Europe and northern Africa, he also has a thriving teaching practice, owns his own recording studio in Arnhem and regularly works as a producer and sound engineer for various bands and theater groups.
His inspiration mainly comes from people like Steve Gadd, Wim de Vries, Rene Creemers, Hans Eijkenaar and bands like Dream Theater, King Crimson, ZZ Top and of course Porcupine Tree, with his favorite drummer, Gavin Harrison.
Since the end of 2009 Alex is a member of Tony's band, which he experiences as a very rewarding and inspirational journey.
