Open the music player and listen for free!Drew Lerdal is an incredibly talented accomplished multi-instrumentalist. He is primarily the bands guitar player, while providing keyboards, background vocals, lead vocals, drums and percussion. Drew’s influence on Judd Hoos is undeniable. He truly defines the role of consummate musician in the group. Drew is a Rapid City South Dakota native and is currently living in Minneapolis.
How did the band get together?
I had worked with Shane as a crew guy at different festivals and as an opening act before playing in his bands. About a month before the end of my junior year Shane asked me to join up with him and our old sound guy Slim for a new project(Stones Throw). After just a couple months of rehearsing at the old Loud American Roadhouse we played our first show. It was kind of funny because they worked on the building while we had practice. Stone Throw started gaining popularity in the Black Hills area until our singer had to quit. After a short time with a replacement singer, Bob started talking to Shane about starting a new project. We took the three members of Stones Throw: Shane, the bassist, and myself and spent the next couple of months in another empty room up in Sturgis putting it all together. Just two weeks before the first show our bassist quit and Chris joined the band.
How did you start playing guitar?
I got my first guitar when I was 4 (no joke) and just messed around until I really got serious about it when I was 10. I played in school Jazz bands and lame high school garage bands until I started playing in Stonesthrow and later Judd Hoos.
What make this band different than other bands you were in?
Professionalism, this is the most pro band I’ve ever been in. Everyone is sober and focused on the goals that are for the most part determined by us as a band. There is minimal dead air and we really try to give the people what they want night after night.
What do you do to get ready before a show?
Usually I’ll stretch out and get a bottle of water or a Red Bull or Mountain Dew if I feel tiered. I try not to eat too much before a show.
What do you think about while you are playing?
That varies a lot, if the gig is tough and the crowd isn’t into things I’ll have to focus more on playing. But if the crowd is having a good time everything becomes more automatic. And if there’s a tv on or a cute girl I’m usually watching that.
Who are your influences?
Years ago it would have been Van Halen all the way. But now I really like the players who use FX to make cool new sounds, like Tom Morrello or the Edge.
Tell us a funny story about Judd Hoos.
This is more embarrassing than funny.
This one time, in Deadwood………
I was singing a song and this crazy lady in a dress was dancing right in front of the stage. Towards the end of the song she started crawling around on the floor and then gave the band a full no panties spread eag shot. This wouldn’t have been as funny but my parents were in the crowd that night. So on break I walked up to Hornick and asked him “did that lady do what I think she did?” and right away Chris’s eyes got wide and he just says Yep. I thought that was pretty funny. Bob is the real story teller of the group so you should ask him.
What is one of your goals with Juddhoos?
To make a good record and keep my record clean.
If you could play anywhere where would it be?
In space, because that would be awesome.
Tell us about your fellow band mates
Bob:
Bob is the most driven person I’ve ever worked with. The man is up at 7:00 every morning making phone calls and generally staying busy. He’s the only guy I’ve ever known who could walk into a club on any given day with just his word and a handshake and walk out with a date on the calendar for the band.
Shane:
Shane is the one of the coolest people you will ever meet. He is constantly solving problems for us or the other bands he works with. For a guy who’s working 24-7 it’s amazing to see him drum his ass of every weekend, and he does.
Chris:
Chris is just whinny little bitch! (just kidding)
I first saw Chris playing bass with Zwarte’ at a street dance in my hometown. It was during the time I was joining Shane’s band and as I sat through the first few songs and thought “If that kid can do this I can” so that was cool. Before Chris joined the band (no offense to Bob or Shane) but I was hanging out with old guys every weekend, so having someone that is in my same generation on the road and on stage with me is really cool. He’s high energy and likes to jump around on stage, and he says just about everything that goes through his head.
What would you like to say to everyone at juddhoos.com?
For all of you that took the effort to look us up, thank you.
