DAVE SCHOEPKE BIO
Dave Schoepke is a uniquely admired and respected drummer and percussionist whose wide-ranging approach always puts meaning and substance ahead of virtuosity. Whether holding down the groove in a prog, rock or singer-songwriter band, composing layered avant-garde or meditational music, or letting loose in free and freewheeling improvisational settings,Dave is always hailed for his musicality, professionalism, and his thoughtfulness as an artist and a human.
A lifelong resident of the Greater Milwaukee area, Dave has been. drummer and collaborator with the Willy Porter Band since 2002. He has also had the pleasure of touring with legendary Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre, who says, “Dave is a wonderful musician, extremely diligent, caring and an amazing team player on and off the road.”
Dave’s first solo project, Drums On Low(2019), has received acclaimed reviews from Modern Drummer, Recording Magazine, and numerous global on-line music critics. The 400th issue of Recording Magazine featured Dave on the cover and includes a multi-page feature of Dave’s process of writing and recording Drums On Low. Since then Dave has released two more solo albums and numerous collaborations.
His home studio is an up-to-date, high quality tracking room stocked with his sprawling collection of new and vintage drums, percussion and cymbals. An array of classic microphones, preamps and audio interface where he records all of his solo material and tracks for artists across the globe. Additionally, he is an extremely busy session musician working at great studios with legendary engineers and producers in the midwest and the USA. With over 50 albums to his credit, these albums cut across all genres of music.
A dedicated teacher, Dave has also recorded dozens of instructional CD’s for the Hal Leonard Corporation, and his method book with a full year’s worth of daily style workouts called DRUM SET 365 is an Amazon best seller routinely sitting in the top 10 drum method books. Since 365, Dave has released four more method books, all through publisher Troy Nelson Music and all are available on Amazon.
Dave has been nominated for over 20 WAMI awards (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) and won best drummer in 2009 and music instructor of the year three years in a row 2023,24 and 25. In addition Dave’s 2024 solo album Sun Will Follow won best World/Unique album as well as best album artwork which was designed by Deborah Sheedy(Tool).
Dave has presented dozens of clinics and educational based symposiums with legendary artists such as Ed Thigpen, Paul Wertico, Dom Famularo, Greg Bissonette, Ernie Adams, and Carmine Appice. He maintains a busy schedule of teaching, touring, clinics, and sessions, and is always striving to evolve in every facet of his music making.
“Dave is one of the most versatile, solid and talented drummers I’ve had the pleasure to work with. He plays with soul and his feel is sublime! And, on top of all that, he’s a heck of a nice guy and always with a positive attitude during sessions. I’d be happy to work with Shep anytime!”
“Just a few hours before a major Harley Davidson festival show, our drummer was suddenly grounded by flight cancellations. With a rowdy crowd expecting a full-throttle rock set, playing acoustic wasn’t an option. The promoter told us, ‘Call Dave Schoepke—he’s the best drummer in town.’
We took a long shot. Could someone learn our entire set in an hour? Dave showed up already listening, already taking notes in his own shorthand, already locked in. He heard each song once, halfway through because there was no time. That was it.
When the show started, Dave played like he’d been a member of Sister Hazel for years—hitting every cue, locking into the pocket, adapting in real time, and catching all the little nuances only we thought we knew. He kept the whole performance grounded with feel, musicality, and total confidence.