Dan known as ``Danimal`` was born in Lowell, Massachusetts in September of 1968. As a young kid he moved around alot to several states, so music kept him at peace with the new starts in new places.

Being a heavy hitting drummer and loving to get crazy on stage while rockin out is how I earned my nickname Danimal, which was chosen by my friends & fans lol. It just stuck and truly that is me. I just love to play and perform and put on a great show.

At the age of 9 years old is when his interests in playing the drums became a reality. His Stepdad played several instruments and one day he set up a stand with a cymbal on it and mounted a tambourine to it next to his piano. As his step dad started to play the piano, Dan played along on the tambourine and cymbal with his stepdad and loved every minute of it.
I remember it like it was yesterday Dan says, we played ``roll out the barrel`` and ``Dina won't you blow your horn`` lol. Songs i`ll never forget.

On Dan`s 10th birthday while living in San Jose, Ca. he got his first drum set. It was a 3-piece, red sparkle-finished Ludwig drum set. I was in heaven lol. I sure wish I still had that drum set today.

Being a self-taught drummer and having a gift of learning to play with his ears, feeling the music, and playing from his heart, Dan would play records of all styles of music and play along with the songs for hours every day. I remember the first song I learned, it was Beat it by Michael Jackson.
His determination and drive continued as he began listening and playing along to his biggest influences like Neil Peart, Buddy Rich, Tommy Aldridge, Rod Morganstein, Tommy Lee, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Terry Bozzio, Scott Rockinfield, just to name a few.

All through Jr. High & High school he played in different school bands eager to learn everything he could while still being a self-taught drummer and never learning how to read music. I would watch, feel the music, & listen to how they were playing the beats and it would just come naturally to me and i`d play it.
People would ask me, wow where did you take lessons from and when i told them i never took lessons they wouldn't believe me lol, which made me feel humble on my talent and love of playing the drums

At the age of 15, Dan got his first taste of being on stage playing in his first club while living in California. After that night the dream became clear, it`s what i`m meant to do.

At the age of 17, now living in Boyertown, pa, Dan started his first originals band with some close high school friends and called the band Trust. While writing songs and playing all the local clubs the bands passion became a reality and they went into their first professional recording studio working with a producer and recorded their first album. Recording in the studio and writing is just pure heaven to me. I can express all of me in what I'm playing.

With over 40 years of experience and being a versatile player, but also a true Rocker at heart, Danimal has played in some great cover & original bands over the years. Playing locally and on the circuit up and down the east coast & other states, while always staying humble and having a positive attitude that you can never stop learning. Some of those great bands just to name a few were Trust, Last Call, Wicked Sins, Dirty Mary, Stir Crazy, Cranked and currently playing in MAXX 22. The love for writing and recording is still a major passion that still burns in my soul. I`ve played clubs big and small & along with national acts and every show means so much to me and i`m thankful that i get to share my passion for playing the drums with everyone who comes out.

With my versatile style and energy that never stops, It`s a passion i`ll never lose or give up. It`s just what i`m meant to do. My love of performing, playing shows, writing, recording, meeting people at shows, and watching people have fun is why i still love playing today. It`s my drug.

I`m truly thankful and honored to be an endorsed artist for Soultone Cymbals.

I dedicate this journey and every time i play in honor of my mother who tragically passed away from a car accident in March of 2019. Taken to soon. She was one of my biggest supporters and fans.

Why do I play Soultone Cymbals? Well let me tell you??

First i have to say the people at Soultone Cymbals care about you. The customer service reps are friendly, down to earth, very helpful people who care about your questions and what your looking for in a cymbal. They know there product and what us drummers are looking for.

To be honest in my many years of playing the drums I've tried and owned the other major company's cymbals and nothing compares to the quality and sound of Soultone Cymbals.
The craftsmanship, quality, and sounds of Soultone Cymbals are just AMAZING!!!

They have so many styles to choose from for every drummer's style.
For my playing & style I love the Extreme and Custom Brilliant cymbals. The response of the cymbals, tone, & attack are just amazing and something i wasn't happy with until i started playing Soultone cymbals.
They just fit me & my style while playing various types of music live and in the studio.

Every drummer should try Soultone cymbals. The selection they have to choose from is just WOW!! You won't be disappointed. And most of all very affordable for every budget.