MEDICINE DRUM HISTORY

... From the heady days of Return To The Source at Brixton Academy, London in 1995, through to the scorched dust of Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada... Medicine Drum have charted a unique course through the outer realms of the electronic music world.

The band was founded in London in 1995 by visionary percussionist and Earthdance founder Chris Deckker. Sensing a connection between the modern futuristic dance music sounds and the primal, ancient trance-inducing rhythms of tribal drummers, Deckker fused the two forms in a totally unique and distinctive way. The resulting 'electro-organic' soundscape was instantly appealing to the 'modern tribalism' of a rapidly growing global, youth dance community.

The band's "first incarnation" - a collaboration between Deckker and renowned electronic music producer Andy Guthrie of Banco de Gaia, caused a sensation in the underground music world. The combination of Deckker's driving, fiery percussion and Guthrie's bass-heavy, dub-influenced techno style created instant popularity and resulted in the classic trance / techno album "Supernature" - as well as live performances all over the world. Among the standout tracks from the Supernature album was "Alpha Return" - chosen as one of the top 15 electronic music videos by MTV Amp.

Chris Deckker

Medicine Drum, Denver, 2001

Suzanne Sterling, Medicine Drum @ Reggae On The River 2003

Wisdom, Medicine Drum @ Joshua Tree Music Festival, 2003

Kenji Williams with Medicine Drum, 2001

Irina Mikhailova, MD Juno Reactor Tour 2001

Medicine Drum - "Alpha Return"

Chris's other notable creations of that time included "Anubis" - a studio project with Simon Posford of "Shpongle" fame, and vocalist Neera - which resulted in wonderful tracks such as "Invocation" - released on the Eclipse - A Journey Of Permanence & Impermanence compilation.

After moving to San Francisco in 1999, Deckker took the Medicine Drum concept even further by introducing other artists and new instrumentation to the band. From 1999 to 2002 classically-trained violinist and ABA Structure producer Kenji Williams added his musicianship and dexterity to the band's sound along with internationally recognized singer Irina Mikhailova. Medicine Drum's live show also often featured legendary live "ritual dance theater" performances from "The Shakti Spirit Dancers" - Shiela, Marisa and Jessica - and the band caused a sensation with legendary live performances such as the Burning Man Community Stage in 1999 and Return To The Source in May 2000 at Mt. Fuji, Japan.

From 1999 to 2005 Medicine Drum collaborated with innovative electronic music producer, composer and keyboard wizard Alex Newman, who initially featured as co-producer on two tracks on Medicine Drum's 1999 album, "Talking Stick", before becoming a full time band member in 2001. The creative synergy between them helped forge a new direction for the band with Newman's intricate compositions and unique production style which can be found most notably on Medicine Drum's third album, "Original Face", released on Cyber Octave/Virgin Records.

In 2002, the band was also joined by devotional singer Suzanne Sterling, whose soaring, powerful voice and dynamic stage presence added a magical atmosphere to the live shows. Also in 2002, the razor-sharp lyrical skills of Wisdom (a.k.a. Tevya Jones) were added to the band, adding a more contemporary sound of electro-Hip Hop fusion.

From 2002 to 2005 the band performed across the USA - often featuring other artists, such as noted percussionist Mingo Lewis Jr., and Native American drum/dance group Eagle Spirit.

Now - in 2008 - Medicine Drum is back, with a new lineup and a fantastic all-new live show! Another chapter in the long and meandering Medicine Drum story is unfolding.... and as the page turns, who knows what the future will bring? Like smoke from the incense Medicine Drum is ever changing, always taking new forms and new faces, dancing to the will of the breeze and forever part of the mystery....

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

2008
- Medicine Drum returns with their best artistic collaboration to date.

2005 - 2007
- Medicine Drum takes a well-earned break.

2003 - 2005
- Medicine Drum continue to tour across the world with successful shows in Japan, Australia, Mexico and the USA.

2003
- Medicine Drum 3rd album "Original Face" released by Cyberoctave/Virgin USA. Spring tour supporting sound Tribe sector 9 announced plus shows at the Miami Winter Music Conference.

2000 -2003
- Medicine Drum continue to tour extensively throughout the US and the World.

2000
- Medicine Drum track included in soundtrack to MTV program Road Rage.
- Medicine Drum track used in the soundtrack for the Movie Art Of War featuring Wesley Snipes.

1999
- Chris Deckker is featured in the movie Better Living Through Circuitry, which explores the growth of the American dance scene.
- Medicine Drum track chosen for Nintendo game - Hotwheels
- Medicine Drum sign to US label Cyber Octave/Virgin and release their second album titled Talking Stick. The album receives excellent reviews.

1997
- Medicine Drum release their first album Supernature on US label 911 which gains excellent reviews.
- Medicine Drum release their single Alpha Return in the USA which hits the CMJ alternative dance charts at number 15. It remains in the charts for 7 weeks.
- The video clip of Alpha Return is chosen as one of the top 15 electronic music videos by MTV Amp.
- Chris Deckker creates the groundbreaking event "Earthdance", a synchronized global dance event for world peace uniting 18 cities across the world. Earthdance continues to grow every year and becomes the worlds largest synchronized dance event with over 100 cities taking part.
- Chris Deckker meets His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of the international Earthdance collective.
- Medicine Drum do their first national USA tour (The Big Top). Headliners include Moby, Carl Cox, Eat Static, Derick May, etc.

1995 - 1996
- Medicine Drum quickly gain popularity within the UK dance scene and are chosen as a "Hot Tip" prediction by music magazine Melody maker.
- Chris Deckker begins London Club night "Return to the Source" which becomes one of the most popular club nights on the UK underground dance scene - with huge, ecstatic, and completely sold out shows (regularly with thousands turned away even from larger venues due to capacity!) in London and overseas. Return To The Source also formed a record label which featured now-legendary psy-trance and ambient compilations such as "Deep Trance & Ritual Beats" and the "Ambient Meditations" series.

1995
- Medicine Drum founded by Chris Deckker in London UK. Teams up with acclaimed producer Andy Guthrie (Banco De Gaia, Eat Static)

TOURING HIGHLIGHTS:

- Medicine Drum have toured across the world performing everywhere from small clubs to large festivals. Highlights include:

- Glastonbury Festival UK: Main Dance tent supporting the Chemical Brothers.
- Mt Fuji Festival Japan supporting the Orb.
- Big Top tour USA - Electronic music tour which covered 10 cities in the USA. Other acts included - Moby, Banco De Gaia, Derek May, Juan Atkins, 808 State.
- ACA Sound festival Acapulco, Mexico - Headliners included Moby, Carl Cox, Hybrid, Danny Tenaglia.
- Womad Festival Dance Tent, Reading, UK.
- Festival of Love UK: Headliners included Underworld, Paul Oakenfold.
- Burning Man, USA, Community Dance Stage 1999-2000, Illuminaughty 2002.
- Miami Winter Music Conference, Miami, USA. 2003
- Destiny Festival Toronto, Canada
- Sound Tribe Sector 9 USA Tour 2003
- Rustlers Valley Festival South Africa.
- Lovefields Trance Festival Hamburg, Germany.
- Ring Of Fire Festival, Hawaii, 2001
- Berlin Love Parade, Germany
- Return to the Source Festivals - UK, Japan, Mexico City, USA, Europe, South Africa.
- Brixton Academy London, UK
- Juno Reactor USA Tour 2001
- Eclipse Festival, Cornwall UK 1999.
- Electronic Festivals across the USA including: The Sixth Element New York, Future Fest Atlanta, Fusion Festival San Francisco to name a few.
- Morrocco 2001 Electronic music festival.
- Earthdance Festival - Northern California, USA
- Power to the Peaceful Festival, San Francisco, USA 2003
- Australian Tour 2005
- Eugene Celebration Festival , Oregon, USA 2002
- Ashland Country Fair, Ashland, Oregon, USA
- The Green Festival, San Francisco, USA
- Anon Salon's SEA OF DREAMS, San Francisco, USA.
- Joshua Tree Music Festival - California, USA 2003
- Harmony Festival - "Techno Tribal" 2001, 2002 (headlining), Main Stage 2003 - Santa Rosa, CA, USA
- Sierra Nevada World Music Festival - CA, USA 2003
- Solar Fest - Taos New Mexico, USA 2003
- Reggae on the River Festival Main Stage 2002, 2003 - CA, USA
- Trinity Tribal Stomp Festival, CA, USA
- Doheny Days Music Festival, San Diego, USA
- Agarinasai Festival, Japan (headlining).

DISCOGRAPHY:

For the most up-to-date discography, please see the Medicine Drum Discogs page

Medicine Drum @ the epic Return To The Source, Tokyo 2000

Both kinds of Medicine Drum