Mr. Beat's musical journey began with a "Kiss Alive 2" album blasting through the speakers of his grandparents Magnavox hi-fi in the spring of 1977. Along the way he discovered Stewart Copeland's blend of world beat and pop, the madcap fury of Keith Moon, and the raw passion of Animal the Muppet.

Not content to be bound by traditional rock drumming, Beat embraced world music. He soon began what would become a mammoth collection of world percussion instruments, and it continues to grow today. The stockpile includes Irish bodrhans, Indian tabla, Djembes from Ghana, a steel pan, marimba, bones, Arabic doumbeks, talking drums, and a didgeridoo.

This musical mercenary's resume is highlighted by some of the most notable and powerful forces in modern rock. In his freshman years he lent his brand of thunder to the likes of Scum, Blackwing, Porkfoot, Prodigal Son (an experiment in spoken word for a cause) Deadwood, The Big Apple and The Revolving Door Band. He was introduced to Seth of Hiring Fair through his friend Shawn Richards while playing a milk box with the Suburban Hillbillies at a local watering hole. They talked over several pints and Beat welcomed the opportunity to jam with Hiring Fair during the Durham Irish Festival weekend in the summer of 2002. In addition to Bangers, Rent a Beat continues to man the drum throne for The Suburban Hillbillies, and the underground epic metal band Fiend.

When not on the clock Mr. Beat enjoy kayaking, boating, trail running, mountain biking, and kite flying. He shares his humble riverside home with his cat Leo, and a backyard of ducks. His proudest achievements include maintaining a unique key chain collection, traveling to Scotland and hiking across the Grand Canyon.

Rent a Beat's stage set features a road worn, brush chrome CB 700 drum set handcrafted with the finest Taiwanese plywood money can buy, an 8x14 Tama snare with amber finish, used Sabian B8 cymbals, various bells and blocks and a drum pedal held together by a 10 penny nail.