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Dave Chavarri
Dave is the founder, producer, and manager of the wildly successful Ill Nino. The former of drummer of Soulfly and Merauder, he has ample experience behind the kit and behind a desk. Directing a band seemed as natural as drumming. Influenced by a range of popular bands from Radiohead to Metallica, he brings solidity to Ill Nino, a trait that gives a foundation for lyrics dealing with cultural change. The band has been steadfast since its creation in 1999 and its first album Revolution. Commercial success has only sharpened Ill Nino's collective resolve to make political statements with their songs, advocate humanitarian causes, and herald their cultural roots. Thus, Latin rhythms increasingly mix with metal and heavy rock, while Spanish lyrics mingle with English. Dave Chavarri has been integral in every step Ill Nino takes, from booking to production and has ensured that the most recent album Enigma is consistent with band philosophy, heritage and goals. In the tradition of great Hispanic bands, percussion is a key driving force. Thus, the collaboration between Chavarri on drumset and Danny Couto (another Toca artist) on percussion is central to the excitement and credibility of the Ill Nino. Dave is a one of a new breed of drummers integrating percussion with conventional drumset (begging the question) and Toca's durability and ease of "fit" with the drumkit, in addition to sonic purity and projection, are important components in his sound. Meanwhile, his band Ill Nino continues to climb, playing at increasingly larger venues around the globe.
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Born
in Lima, Peru, and transplanted to New Jersey, Dave Chavarri is a multi-faceted
personality. His drumming is as heavy as heavy gets yet he is not a stereotypical "metal
head". In fact, his emphatic anti-substance abuse stance and his
advocacy of animal rights places him more in the progressive mainstream
of the rock hierarchy. But make no mistake: this man plays heavy drums.
Nothing tentative is going on here.