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Jim Benuska Bio
Jim knew he was destined to be a drummer at age 7 when his eyes fell hypnotized while watching a Guns n’ Roses video. Instantly he knew that he absolutely had to play drums. What he didn’t know or recall was that his mother had given him wooden spoons and Tupperware to play as a baby so he had been drumming all his life.
Luckily, his mother was fully supportive of this pursuit however, she had one stipulation; no drums until he had more classical and preparatory musical training and playing a horn or woodwind would help him achieve that foundation. Jim respected his mother’s wishes, holding tight to the reward, and played the French horn from third through eighth grade in marching band, jazz band and concert band.
Finally…that sweet summer going into eighth grade Jim obtained his very first drum set: a black 5-piece Royce with a crash, a ride, and a high-hat. Now armed with a drum set Jim abandoned practicing his French horn and began honing his rhythm on his own continuing to play French Horn in school bands and unveiled his drumming prowess at the Washington Jr. High Eighth Grade Talent Show. Jim’s mom always played an eclectic mix of rock, jazz, classical, blues, R&B and occasional country rock around the house, so exposure to music was constant and varied, which was no accident unbeknownst to Jim. Nirvana, Tool, Pearl Jam and Ozzy were Jim’s early favorites upon which he was able to build his abilities as a rock n’ roll drummer and he spent that whole summer playing and jamming a bit with friends.
Friends like Dickie Boyer who would become a lifelong musical partner......
Fast forward to Jim’s first year of high school. Word quickly got around at Reed Custer High, and the band director soon caught wind of fresh musical talent at his school. Being self-raised on a kit, Jim was dismissive on the idea of playing in the school band, however, after some convincing, he decided to expand his repertoire and joined the percussion section. There he spent four years under the watchful instruction of Band Director, Mark Truckenbrod, and it was there that Jim really began to understand the true art of drumming, thanks to a deeper immersion from the drum kit side of jazz. Each day after school, Jim received a personal half hour lesson from Mr. Truckenbrod and was taught how to fine tune his separation and refine his skill through practicing jazz charts. This hard work led to Jim receiving the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award two years in a row (1997, 1998).
Aside from Mr. Truckenbrod’s encouragement and instruction, clinics with the Disney musicians at Disney World in Florida, state competitions and competitive marching band, along with jazz band and Jim’s personal bands all contributed heavily to Jim’s musical prowess.
Also while in high school Jim formed a group called The Droogs. The Droogs were a four-piece rock band that endured for some years, playing shows in and around Chicago. The group released an EP in that time as well, and as happens with most bands, the group morphed over the years through different players and under different names, but always there was consistent relationship between Jim and his bass player, Dickie. This collaboration continued as Jim entered and learned the other end of the music business. The “business” side…
Through a series of chance meetings and introductions, Jim landed an internship with Interscope Records. While at Interscope he met Christopher Lelko, a guitarist looking to form a band. With Jim and Dickie eager to fill Chris’ rhythm section, Devil May Care was incarnated.
As DMC grew, they established a significantly strong following in the Midwest region. After releasing an EP entitled, “Be That As It May”
and touring regionally, they caught the attention of Shawn M. Crahan (Clown) of Slipknot. The intent was to have DMC shopped to major labels by Mr. Crahan, and the group cut several demos under his independent label, Big Orange Clown Records. But as budget cuts and distribution deals fell through, it felt as though the window for this opportunity was closing. DMC folded as Jim relocated to the West Coast to hone his craft and find new ground in his music. (Bonus: No more Chicago winters).
Jim now lives in San Diego, California with his gorgeous and talented wife Janelle and their two dogs.
His focus has solidified on touring and recording with working musicians, teaching drum lessons and continuing to grow as a professional drummer and percussionist while also increasing his competency at the piano and didgeridoo. Jim recently picked up a guitar adding to his repertoire of musical proficiency.
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