Pete Wilhoit
Encyclopedia
Pete Wilhoit is an American percussionist and session musician
, best known as drummer
and backing vocalist
for UK
rock band Fiction Plane
. Although the band is based in London
, Wilhoit resides in New York
.
for his first real musical inspiration.
Pete continued learning the art of rock and jazz
drumming throughout middle and high school, playing in several musical projects: Z201, Jake Smith (Mysteries of Life), The Nixon Tapes/The Nixons, 3rd Man, Gyrogenics Quartet, etc.
He later joined The Cutters which enjoyed an eleven-year career, releasing two EP’s (one recorded & funded by A&M Records
) and two full lengths (released by BMG
and Green Van Records). During that time, Pete also played drums on over 35 studio albums and performed numerous live shows, which included Michael McDonald
, G.E. Smith and jazz
notable James Moody
.
He attended Indiana University School of Music and received a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies & Percussion. Pete had the fortune of being taught by some of the top drummers/jazz educators in the world, including Shawn Pelton
(SNL, Sheryl Crow
), David Baker, Dominic Spera, Wilber England and Kenny Aronoff
.
in 2003. In that time, Pete has enjoyed a nine-month US/Canadian tour (including 2 months with Lifehouse
), three tours in Japan
, the U.K., a 2 month - 29 date, 25 country - European tour opening for Sting. He shared the stage with such notable musicians as guitarist Dominic Miller
, guitarist Lyle Workman
, and drummers Abe Laboriel Jr. and Josh Freese
.
In 2005, Fiction Plane recorded and released the Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses
EP
for the Geffen imprint, Everybody's Records. The EP was produced by Paul Corkett, with whom the band continues to record to this day.
In 2007, Fiction Plane recorded and released Left Side of the Brain
for indie label Bieler Bros. Records
. Fiction Plane was also the opening act for The Police
reunion tour that year. The tour ran for 12 months, with 87 shows all over the world ending in Hawaii where both bands took the stage for the encore “Next To You”. It was a rare moment where Stewart Copeland
played guitar in the band and letting Wilhoit handle the drums.
The band followed that up with tours with The Feeling
, The Bravery
, and the 2008 Summer Unity Tour with 311
and Snoop Dogg
.
In 2009, Fiction Plane released the live album, Paradiso, and plans to record a brand new studio album later in the year.
Wilhoit has made appearances with Fiction Plane on several TV shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn", "Jimmy Kimmel Live
", "Taratata
" (France
) , MTV2
: "You Hear It First", "E! News Live", "Extra
", and "Viewsic on the PLANET" (Japan
).
He was recently voted #3 “Up & Coming” Drummer in the 2009 Modern Drummer
Reader’s Poll (July issue).
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
, best known as drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
for UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock band Fiction Plane
Fiction Plane
Fiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa’s Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently composed of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner ; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit.-Recording history:Fiction Plane’s...
. Although the band is based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Wilhoit resides in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Early years
Wilhoit was born in Bloomington, IN and started a band with Bill Maki at Elm Heights elementary school in 4th grade called The Explosives. The Explosives biggest hit at the time was a song called Boom-a-chika. He credits his grandfather and The BeatlesThe Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
for his first real musical inspiration.
Pete continued learning the art of rock and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
drumming throughout middle and high school, playing in several musical projects: Z201, Jake Smith (Mysteries of Life), The Nixon Tapes/The Nixons, 3rd Man, Gyrogenics Quartet, etc.
He later joined The Cutters which enjoyed an eleven-year career, releasing two EP’s (one recorded & funded by A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
) and two full lengths (released by BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
and Green Van Records). During that time, Pete also played drums on over 35 studio albums and performed numerous live shows, which included Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald (singer)
Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
, G.E. Smith and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
notable James Moody
James Moody (saxophonist)
James Moody was an American jazz saxophone and flute player. He was best known for his hit "Moody's Mood for Love," an improvisation based on "I'm in the Mood for Love"; in performance, he often improvised vocals for the tune.-Biography:James Moody was born in Savannah, Georgia...
.
He attended Indiana University School of Music and received a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies & Percussion. Pete had the fortune of being taught by some of the top drummers/jazz educators in the world, including Shawn Pelton
Shawn Pelton
Shawn Pelton is a New York City-based studio and session drummer. Pelton has worked with the Backstreet Boys, Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion and Billy Joel...
(SNL, Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
), David Baker, Dominic Spera, Wilber England and Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff is an American drummer. He has played drums for many musicians, including John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, John Fogerty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, The BoDeans, Gregg Alexander, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tony Iommi, Jon Bon Jovi, Vasco Rossi, Cinderella and...
.
Fiction Plane
After moving to New York City, he joined the British rock band Fiction PlaneFiction Plane
Fiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa’s Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently composed of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner ; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit.-Recording history:Fiction Plane’s...
in 2003. In that time, Pete has enjoyed a nine-month US/Canadian tour (including 2 months with Lifehouse
Lifehouse (band)
Lifehouse is an American rock band from Los Angeles. The band came to mainstream prominence in 2001 with the hit single "Hanging by a Moment" from their debut studio album, No Name Face. The single won a Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year, beating out Janet Jackson and Alicia...
), three tours in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, the U.K., a 2 month - 29 date, 25 country - European tour opening for Sting. He shared the stage with such notable musicians as guitarist Dominic Miller
Dominic Miller
Dominic Miller is an Argentine-English guitarist who toured and recorded with World Party and King Swamp, worked on Phil Collins' solo album ...But Seriously and played guitar on every Sting album and tour since 1990...
, guitarist Lyle Workman
Lyle Workman
Lyle Workman is an American guitarist, composer, session musician and music producer. His music has been widely distributed since his debut on the eponymous Bourgeois Tagg album in 1986, and is currently best known for his work as composer and bandleader for the Superbad soundtrack.Workman is also...
, and drummers Abe Laboriel Jr. and Josh Freese
Josh Freese
Josh Freese is an American session drummer and songwriter. He is a permanent member of A Perfect Circle, The Vandals, and Devo, having formerly played drums for Nine Inch Nails from late 2005 until late 2008, and for Guns N' Roses from mid-1998 to 2001. Freese has appeared on close to 300 records....
.
In 2005, Fiction Plane recorded and released the Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses
Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses
Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses is the 2005 EP released by British rock band Fiction Plane.- Track listing :# "American Standard" - 3:43# "Patience" - 4:43# "Author Lies" - 3:59# "Tolerate" - 4:48...
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
for the Geffen imprint, Everybody's Records. The EP was produced by Paul Corkett, with whom the band continues to record to this day.
In 2007, Fiction Plane recorded and released Left Side of the Brain
Left Side of the Brain
Left Side of the Brain is the second Album by British rock band Fiction Plane. Released in 2007, this album was followed up by Fiction Plane's support role in The Police's reunion tour which continued until February 2008.- Track listing :# "Anyone" - 3:47...
for indie label Bieler Bros. Records
Bieler Bros. Records
Bieler Bros. Records is an independent record label based out of Florida, USA.-History:Bieler Bros. Records was formed in January 2002 by brothers Aaron and Jason Bieler...
. Fiction Plane was also the opening act for The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
reunion tour that year. The tour ran for 12 months, with 87 shows all over the world ending in Hawaii where both bands took the stage for the encore “Next To You”. It was a rare moment where Stewart Copeland
Stewart Copeland
Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
played guitar in the band and letting Wilhoit handle the drums.
The band followed that up with tours with The Feeling
The Feeling
The Feeling are a BRIT award-nominated English pop band from West Sussex and London. The band categorise their music as "pop".Following a limited release of their first single "Fill My Little World" in late 2005, the band entered the UK Singles Chart at #7 with their first full release "Sewn" in...
, The Bravery
The Bravery
The Bravery is an American rock band from New York City that consists of Sam Endicott , Michael Zakarin , John Conway , Mike Hindert , and Anthony Burulcich...
, and the 2008 Summer Unity Tour with 311
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
and Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
.
In 2009, Fiction Plane released the live album, Paradiso, and plans to record a brand new studio album later in the year.
Wilhoit has made appearances with Fiction Plane on several TV shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn", "Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.The nightly hour-long show made its debut on January 26, 2003, following Super Bowl XXXVII. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is produced by Jackhole Productions in association with ABC Studios...
", "Taratata
Taratata
Taratata is a French TV show showcasing live and pre-recorded footage of current rock acts. Presented by Nagui since its début in 1993, the show was initially shown on France 2. This show often involves surprise and unlikely duets, as well as brief interviews with the artists...
" (France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) , MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
: "You Hear It First", "E! News Live", "Extra
Extra (TV series)
Extra is an American entertainment television news program covering events and celebrities which debuted on September 5, 1994 in syndication. It is produced at Victory Studios in Glendale, California by Telepictures Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Distribution...
", and "Viewsic on the PLANET" (Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
).
He was recently voted #3 “Up & Coming” Drummer in the 2009 Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer is a monthly publication targeting the interests of on drummers and percussionists. The magazine features interviews, equipment reviews, and columns offering advice on technique, as well as information for the general public...
Reader’s Poll (July issue).
Equipment
Pete uses the following equipment live and in the studio- Drum set: Tama Starclassic (Bubinga Wood)
- Cymbals: Sabian
- SticksDrum stickA percussion mallet is an object used to beat drums and other percussion instruments. Some specialized mallets are called beaters, drumsticks.Note: See Rute .-Drum sticks:...
: Vic FirthVic FirthVic Firth is an American musician and is the founder of Vic Firth Company , a percussion stick and mallet manufacturing company that he started in 1963. The company bills itself as the world's largest manufacturer of drum sticks and mallets... - Heads: Evans
- Cases: XL Specialty Percussion and A&S Cases
- Auxiliary Drums: RolandRolandRoland was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. Historically, Roland was military governor of the Breton March, with responsibility for defending the frontier of Francia against the Bretons...
V-drums (TD-20) - SamplerSampler (musical instrument)A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...
: Digitech (Jam Man) - Drum Samples: Toontrack (Superior Drummer 2.0)
Selected discography
- The Nixon Tapes (1994) The Nixons
- The Cutters (1995) The Cutters
- 3rd Man (1997) 3rd Man
- Sonic Wave Love (1998) The Cutters
- Flypaper Highway (2000) The Cutters
- Flamingo (2002) Simon Rowe Trio
- Freed Men (2003) 3rd Man
- HolesHoles (film)Holes is a 2003 film based on the novel of the same name by Louis Sachar, who also wrote the screenplay, with Shia LaBeouf as the lead role of Stanley Yelnats...
motion picture soundtrackMotion Picture SoundtrackThis article is about Motion Picture Soundtrack, the UK alt-rock band. For film soundtracks see Soundtrack. For the track by Radiohead see Kid A.Motion Picture Soundtrack are a British alternative rock quartet from Canterbury, Kent...
(2003) ~ contributed the song "If Only" by Fiction PlaneFiction PlaneFiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa’s Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently composed of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner ; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit.-Recording history:Fiction Plane’s... - Bitter Forces and Lame Race HorsesBitter Forces and Lame Race HorsesBitter Forces and Lame Race Horses is the 2005 EP released by British rock band Fiction Plane.- Track listing :# "American Standard" - 3:43# "Patience" - 4:43# "Author Lies" - 3:59# "Tolerate" - 4:48...
(2005) by Fiction PlaneFiction PlaneFiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa’s Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently composed of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner ; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit.-Recording history:Fiction Plane’s... - Left Side of the BrainLeft Side of the BrainLeft Side of the Brain is the second Album by British rock band Fiction Plane. Released in 2007, this album was followed up by Fiction Plane's support role in The Police's reunion tour which continued until February 2008.- Track listing :# "Anyone" - 3:47...
(2007) by Fiction PlaneFiction PlaneFiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa’s Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently composed of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner ; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit.-Recording history:Fiction Plane’s... - Paradiso (2009) by Fiction PlaneFiction PlaneFiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa’s Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently composed of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner ; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit.-Recording history:Fiction Plane’s...
As session drummer
- Raw Material (1994) Beeble Brox
- Keep The Flame Alive (1994) Janiece Jaffe
- Indianapolis Intergalactic Spaceport (1997) Beeble Brox
- Dreamtable (1999) Beth Lodge Rigal
- Squall (1999) Kevin McCormick
- Jammin’ at the Kitchen (2000) Monica Herzig Acoustic Project
- Songs From Your Waitress (2001) Kelsey Smith
- Window on the Soul (2001) Craig Brenner
- Hearts Desire (2002) Janiece Jaffe
- Ballads for a Rainy Afternoon (2003) Bob Williams
- Live From the Red Lion (2006) Michael Brunnock
- Cover Their Eyes (2007) Krista DetorKrista DetorKrista Detor is a singer-songwriter and pianist from Indiana whose music has been featured on NPR, and with Mike Harding on the BBC.Detor has worked with Carrie Newcomer and Tim Grimm on the collaborative stage show and CD Wilderness Plots, which is based on the book of the same name by Scott...
- What Have You Gone and Done? (2007) Monika HerzigMonika HerzigMonika Herzig is a German-born pianist, composer and performing/recording artist. After receiving a scholarship in 1987 from the pedagogical institute in Weingarten, Germany for a one-year exchange program at the University of Alabama, she moved to the United States in August 1988...
Acoustic Project - The Break-In (2007) Ari HestAri HestAri Hest is an American singer-songwriter and a native of Riverdale in the Bronx borough of New York.-Early life:Ari took piano lessons as a child and later, as a teenager, taught himself to play his mother's nylon string guitar by ear with influences from both his parents' record collection and...
~ performed on the song “So Slow” - Sky Flowers (2008) Alice CohenAlice CohenAlice Cohen is a New York City based American singer, songwriter and fine artist.-The Vels:Cohen is best known for her years as the primary songwriter and lead singer of The Vels, the Philadelphia band she co-created in the early 1980s. They were signed in 1984 to the Mercury label under which...
- “Like A Tune” (2008) The Daunting
- So I Do (2008) Michael Brunnock
- New Reality (2009) Rudie Kay
- “Feel Proud” (2009) Laura CritchleyLaura CritchleyLaura Critchley is a British singer-songwriter.-Biography:With a voice described as that from a love child of Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks, Critchley started singing when she was 7 years old. She wrote her first song, "Change", at the age of 16. It received radio play on BBC Radio Merseyside on...
External links
- Official Website Pete Wilhoit's own website, which he personally maintains
- Fiction Plane: Fiction Plane's official MySpace page
- Tama Drums: Pete Wilhoit profile at Tama Drums official website
- [ AllMusic.com]: Pete Wilhoit at AllMusic.com
- Drummer World: Pete Wilhoit profile at Drummer World
- Tama Salutes Modern Drummer 2009 Readers Poll winners: Pete Wilhoit 2009 spotlight at Tama Drums official website
- Nuvo Weekly Summer 2008 interview with Pete Wilhoit in Indiana weekly paper
- Hardball Times 2008 Interview with Pete Wilhoit regarding his passion for baseball
- Fiction Plane Info Center spotlight on Pete Wilhoit Interview with Pete Wilhoit from 2005