Rick Leith
“For me, the drums aren’t just an instrument; they’re a language that talks to the soul of everyone who takes the time to listen to me play. Nothing commands respect and attention like percussion.”
Although the violin was Rick’s first instrument, after two years he decided that it just wasn’t loud enough. He took up drums at the age of thirteen, and hasn’t even tapped on the breaks since. Dennis Chambers, while recording at Cue Studios in Falls Church, had the opportunity to hear some of Rick’s drum tracks being mixed down. He describes Rick’s playing as “Solid. Good and Tight.”
In and out of different bands from age fifteen to 23, his first steady gig came in 1993 when he joined the Northern Virginia heavy alternative band “NO SaNER”. Upon the release of their first full-length release “Ire”, the band signed with DSI Records and were sponsored by Jagermeister. After touring up and down the East Coast in support of three more albums, playing with such world renown national acts as Testament, OverKill, Anthrax, Pro-Pain, Death, Morbid Angel, Stuck Mojo, and Grip, Inc., NO SaNER disbanded in 1998.
The next move for Rick was the hard rock band “BREAKINGFORM”. It was this project that allowed him to hone his vocal and songwriting skills. Before ending his eight year tenure with “BREAKINGFORM” in Fall of 2006, they were also sponsored by Jagermeister, had released three albums, and shared the stage with such rock legends as KISS, Def Leppard, .38 Special, Molly Hatchet, Blue Oyster Cult, Dokken, Poison, Vince Neil, Skid Row, and W.A.S.P..
In early 2007, Rick was given the opportunity to join his third Jager Band “ONE SLACK MIND”, a beyond heavy alternative band hailing from Our Nation’s Capital. They are a thick, detuned, body shot to the solar plexus, doubling you over with the impact of their memorable riffs and original hooks. ONE SLACK MIND is steadily touring the mid-Atlantic region in support of their newest full length release “The Earliest I’ve Ever Been Late”, expanding their fan base, pedaling their wares and exposing the glassy-eyed masses to their unique brand of heavy music. You must see and hear…. to believe.
