Branden Steineckert
Branden Steineckert (born April 21, 1978), is the drummer for the punk rock band Rancid. He was previously in The Used.
Biography
Branden was born in Pocatello, Idaho, USA and was raised in a Mormon family which moved more than twenty times during his youth. He has claimed to have never tried tobacco, alcohol, or any other recreational drug, all of which are barred by Mormon beliefs. When Branden was 11 years old, his father, Neil Steineckert, committed suicide, after which he picked up skateboarding as a way to release himself from his problems.
At the age of 12, Branden decided to learn how to play the drums because his late father had played drums at around his age. He helped found The Used, who would go on to achieve success, earning two gold albums.
On September 12, 2006, drummer Steineckert was announced as no longer part of The Used, due to a wish from the band to "move forward without Branden as our drummer". The new drummer has been chosen, Dan Whitesides. Some theories for Branden's departure from the band include his recent work producing other bands, and his engagement to The Used merch girl, Spike. Due to the numerous rumors surrounding his departure, he has since clarified on his MySpace blog that he was fired from The Used over the phone and has not been contacted by the remaining members of the band since then. The band's third album is due to come out May 22, 2007. Before that, they will be releasing a CD/DVD titled "Berth" on February 6, 2007. Though the live concert portion of the DVD is from when Branden was still in the band, he wrote on his MySpace that "I can't say that I will support it 100% because I have no part in the final product, what it consists of, how I will be portrayed, how it will come across, and if it will be any good. In other words, if it sucks, I had nothing to do with it except playing drums at the show." He also clarified that he neither wrote nor played any of the music that will be featured on The Used's new cd.
On November 3, 2006, it was announced that Branden would play drums for Rancid until the end of their tour. Replacing drummer of 15 years, Brett Reed. On the tour, Rancid has been saying he will be their new drummer. It is now noted on The Useds official fan site, that Branden is now the official drummer of Rancid.
Equipment
Branden uses:
- Orange County Drums [1]in the following sizes:
- bass: 24x22
- snare: 6 1/2x14
- rack tom: 8x12
- floor tom: 12x14
- floor tom: 14x16
- Vater Power 5B Nylon Tip Sticks
- Drum Workshop Pedals and Hardware
- Zildjian Cymbals
- REMO Drumheads
Trivia
- Began skateboarding in 1989, at the age of 11, after the death of his father.
- In 2005 he founded the skateboard company, twenty twenty skateboards.
- He began playing drums at 12 years of age
- He was the oldest member of his former band The Used