Thomas Pridgen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Pridgen
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Pridgen performing in 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Thomas Armon Pridgen |
| Also known as | "Thomas 'Perpetual Solo' Pridgen" |
| Born | November 23, 1983 Alameda County, California, U.S. |
| Origin | El Cerrito, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1999–present |
Thomas Armon Pridgen (born November 23, 1983) is an American drummer. He is famous for playing drums with the band The Mars Volta from 2006 to 2009. Thomas also tours with rapper Residente. He is the drummer for the hardcore punk band Trash Talk. He also has his own music project called The Memorials. In 2023, he joined the band Fever 333.
Thomas Pridgen's Early Life and Career
Thomas Pridgen started playing drums at a very young age. When he was just nine years old, he won the Guitar Center Drum-Off competition. At ten, he became the youngest person to get an endorsement from Zildjian. This company has been making cymbals for almost 400 years!
Thomas is naturally left-handed. However, he plays the drum kit like a right-handed person. He learned from great drummers like David Garibaldi and Troy Lucketta. In 1999, at age 15, he received a four-year scholarship to Berklee College of Music. He was the youngest musician ever to get this scholarship. He has also played in special drum clinics with other famous drummers.
First Tours and Joining The Mars Volta
Thomas's first time touring with a non-gospel band was with The Coup. He worked with them in 2001 and 2002.
In 2006, Omar Rodríguez-López from The Mars Volta called Thomas. Omar invited him to try out with the band. Thomas joined them for a jam session. He then played with them at a big show in Cleveland.
In 2007, Thomas officially became the new drummer for The Mars Volta. His first show with them was in New Zealand. The band later recorded their fourth album, The Bedlam in Goliath. Thomas's drumming on this album was known for being very fast and creative.
Modern Drummer magazine voted Thomas Pridgen as 'Best Up and Coming Drummer'.
Besides The Mars Volta, he also worked with other artists. These included Christian Scott and Wicked Wisdom. For a while, he was the live and studio drummer for singer Keyshia Cole. He also helped direct her music.
Leaving The Mars Volta
In October 2009, Thomas Pridgen left The Mars Volta. The band did not make an official statement about why he left. Another drummer, Dave Elitch, took his place for the rest of their tour.
Starting The Memorials
In December 2009, Thomas started a new band. It was called The Memorials. He formed it with friends from Berklee College of Music. These friends were Viveca Hawkins (vocals) and Nick Brewer (guitars).
The band's first album, The Memorials, came out on January 18, 2011.
Other Music Projects
Thomas has been part of many other music projects.
- Elixir on Mute: In 2010, he helped record the band's first album, End of Sky.
- Giraffe Tongue Orchestra: He joined this supergroup in 2011. The band's first album, Broken Lines, came out in 2016. It featured members from bands like Mastodon and Alice in Chains.
- TEN: In 2012, he teamed up with guitarist Eric McFadden and bassist Norwood Fisher.
- Vigilant: He recorded an album with Jon Reshard and others in 2012.
- Thundercat: He toured Europe as a guest drummer for Thundercat in 2012.
- Wicked Evolution: He took part in live recording sessions with Wicked Evolution, Jada Pinkett Smith's band.
- Pinnick Gales Pridgen: In 2013, he released an album with Eric Gales and dUg Pinnick. They released a second album in 2014.
Recent Work
Thomas continues to be very active in music.
- Residente: Since 2017, he has been touring with rapper Residente.
- Trash Talk: In 2020, Thomas announced he rejoined Trash Talk. They released a new EP called Squalor.
- The Mask of the Phantasm: In 2021, he played drums on their debut album, New Axial Age.
- Fever 333: In 2023, the frontman of Fever 333 announced that Thomas Pridgen was a new member. He joined as the drummer. The band released their first song as a quartet, "$wing," in May 2023.
Thomas Pridgen's Drum Equipment
Thomas Pridgen uses specific drum equipment to create his unique sound. He uses DW Drums and Zildjian Cymbals. He also uses Evans Drumheads and Zildjian Drumsticks.
Discography
Thomas Pridgen has played on many albums with different artists.
With Zenith Patrol
- VU (2005)
With Christian Scott
- Rewind That (2006)
With Eric Gales
- Crystal Vision (2006)
With dUg Pinnick and Eric Gales
- "Pinnick Gales Pridgen" (2013)
- "PGP 2" (2014)
With The Mars Volta
- The Bedlam in Goliath (2008)
- Octahedron (2009)
With Omar Rodríguez-López
- Calibration (Is Pushing Luck and Key Too Far) (2007)
- Los Sueños de un Hígado (2009)
- Xenophanes (2009)
With Juliette Lewis
- Terra Incognita (2009)
With Elixir on Mute
- End of Sky (2010)
With Foxy Shazam
- Foxy Shazam (2010)
With Thundercat
- Lotus And The Jondy (2013)
With The Memorials
- The Memorials (2011)
- Delirium (2012)
With Trash Talk
- "No Peace" (2014)
- "Squalor" (2020)
With Spiritworld
- Pagan Rhythms (2020)
- DEATHWESTERN (2022)
