About Vern Hammersmith

Drum Kit & Percussion

Vern started his musical journey at the age of eight. Inspired by of all groups, "The Monkeys", he asked his parents for a guitar, and began lessons for the next several years. At that time, his brother, Dale, five years older, and a drummer, brought Vern into his band. Vern was eleven, his brother and the rest were 16.

At the age of 18, Vern and a group of his friends, including our long time core member Tom Roller, decided to start a band of their own. One problem...all four of them played guitar. 

Because Vern used to love playing his brother's drum kit whenever he could, he volunteered to switch to drums. Another guy started bass lessons and a new musical era was born for Vern. 

Over the next 27 years, Vern has played in a number of local bands and various projects...mostly for the fun of it, but always for the love of the music. He has been playing a vintage 1967 Ludwig kit all these years and still loves it, though recently he caved-in to modern technology and is also playing a Tama Starclassic, (in "liquid metal", for anyone who cares) which has stolen his heart.

Heavily influenced in the early years by John Bonham and Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, he now favors adult alternative groups like Bo Deans, Dave Mathews and Matchbox 20. When Suburban Folk decided to look for someone to play their "stage kit" to add to their semi-acoustic sound, Tom suggested Vern... and he took advantage of the opportunity. "I'm having a blast because for everyone in the band, it's all about the music."

Today, Vern lovingly plays his vintage Ludwig kit and adds his own musical influence to the band Suburban Folk.

View Vern's Photo Gallery

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