TOM STUART - DRUMS

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The first instrument Tom Stuart picked up was the trumpet and that is where he learned to read music. At the age of sixteen, Tom's father relented and told Tom that if he bought his own drum kit, he could play it in the house. After paying for three drum lessons, Tom decided that the theory approach didn't feel right so he turned to a friend, John Pasqua, a local drummer who was displaying prowess in San Diego bands. The two would jam to the Grateful Dead, The Black Crowes, and Eric Clapton. Tom's first band, Beligernt, also featured Stretcher bassist Joe McGowan. Tom was eighteen at the time and the band became infamous for rowdy shows to the point where they were unable to book shows in San Diego, CA under the name Beligernt. The band needed a new name and joked that if you didn't leave the show on a stretcher then you didn't actually go to the show, and thus, "Stretcher" was born.

Stretcher's initial run lasted from 1998 to 2006 and produced two albums and two EPs. During the pandemic, the Stretcher rhythm section of Stuart and McGowan began writing with different musicians.  Tom said to Joe, "My sentence isn't finished."

and the two reactivated Stretcher in earnest with guitarist Chris Hartjen and vocalist Brian Sheerin in 2023.

After fifteen years of performing live and in studio on every type of drums from Slingerland to Yamaha to Pearl and more, he built a drum set, but it didn't have the attack he was seeking. Tom then played a DW kit at a friend's house and finally found the tone he was searching for in the drums John Good tunes. As every single kit corresponds to a key, you can tune your drums to the key of where the bass or guitar lies. DW Customs provides Tom what he needs in tone and power. 

DW 5000 pedals have been Tom's go to equipment under his feet for his entire career.

Tom's would lay waste to cymbals until he met Zildjian. He plays Zildjian Custom A's for their tremendous wash, tone and durability. 

Sticks suffered under his hands as well, turning into wood chips. In addition to being able to withstand a pounding, the balance of his sticks is crucial and Pro Mark provides the whole package. Tom prefers Pro Mark 5A Rebounds.

Throughout his journey on the drums, Tom always wanted to own a Gretsch set. When DW and Gretsch merged Tom had the honor of acquiring a Gretsch custom 1956 reissue. The people at Gretsch helped Tom decide what would be the best fit for his playing style.

During the years of travel and owning fourteen different snares with their own life and blood, Tom discovered a drum artist named John Stubblefield. Mr. Stubblefield introduced Tom to slatted snare drums. The response time, quickness and crack of a Stubblefield slatted snare drum is unparalleled.

Tom loves the challenges and joys of learning the nuances of different drums, cymbals and accessories and adds every new sound and tone to his arsenal.

Six new tracks produced and mixed by Eddie Wohl (Anthrax) in Los Angeles with drums tracked by recording engineers Eric Emery (Blink-182) and Eddy Garcia (Pissing Razors,) Information Overdose is powerful and difficult to pin down. It's heavy, but full of hooks and earworms. Vocals run through the ages of rock n' roll and the grooving punch of Stretcher's rhythm section propels an almost punk guitar style. Whatever it is, it rocks and you can sing along with it. Information Overdose was mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More) and is arriving April 4, 2025 on all major platforms.

Founding Stretcher members Tom Stuart (drums) and Joe McGowan(bass,) (first and second from left) join former Mower vocalist Brian Sheerin and guitarist Chris Hartjen (far right.) This lineup has fans of both Stretcher and Mower, who played together frequently as two of San Diego's premier metal bands, talking excitedly as the group is surprising people with a sound different from their former acts.

Stretcher made their name with nationwide Metalfest stops and shows with Marilyn Manson, Machine Head, and Cannibal Corpse. Stretcher self-released two albums, "Everybody Loves A Tragedy"(1998) and "Annomundi"(2000.) Mower and Sheerin gained international recognition with tracks like “Road Rage,” featured on Sirius XM and MTV’s Headbangers' Ball, and "General Admission" featured in an MX vs. ATV video game.  Mower released three albums on Suburban Noize Records - "Mower" (2003,) "Not For You"(2006, which featured production by Snot and Soulfly guitarist Mikey Doling) and "Make It A Double"(2009, where Sheerin first collaborated with producer Eddie Wohl.) Mower shared stages with Slayer, Disturbed, System of a Down, and Linkin Park. Both bands hail from the same San Diego scene that birthed P.O.D., Blink-182, and Unwritten Law.