Krasp
Christopher B. Lee, also known as Krasp, (born January 27, 1975) is an American musician, and the drummer from Rapcore band CutThroat as well as reggae rock band Jodoh and has performed in downset., Misrule, Filth Rotten, Social Justice, Drunk With Power, Adema, and others.
History
Born in Torrance, California, Ca. and raised in Sylmar, Los Angeles, Ca. Chris started on pots, pans, boxes, and air drums as early as 3. At age 5 his late father saw interest and bought him a Toys R Us drum kit for Christmas. The kit did not last long, but a passion for drumming did. Taking some snare lessons in fifth grade and getting his first real kit in the summer of '86 so he could start a band, His motivation drove him to be on a performing level and joined a local band from Sylmar, Los Angeles called Social Justice in April 1991 that had started up in the late 80s, and at the time he was also playing in a band with current Death By Stereo guitarist Dan Palmer called Bottom Line. Social Justice morphed into downset. and a buzz began. downset. caught the attention of PolyGram/Mercury Records and released their self-titled debut in 1994 and sophomore release in 1996.
Upon a temporary departure in the summer of 1998 from downset., Chris began getting involved in numerous side projects including Adema, Drunk With Power, and his own, Jodoh, a blend of edgy rock and reggae.
Chris returned to downset. in October 2001 and recorded "Universal", released in 2004 on Seattle-based Hawino Records, and worked on a project called Filth Rotten with Doug "Faydoe" from Crazy Town on bass in 2008.
In 2009 Chris and Jodoh recorded the album "Eavesdrop Assembly" at Kushhouse Studio in Thousand Oaks, Ca. with guest vocals by Steve Ewing of The Urge and Son Doobie of Funkdoobiest. The album was mixed by John Flannery of Too Rude and mastered by Matt Hyde. The album is slated for a 2014 physical/digital release on MNO Records.
In 2011, Chris delved into the percussion world picking up the Cajon drum for future recordings and live performances in an acoustic setting.
Also, in 2011, Chris began work on a new Hardcore punk band named Misrule with fellow Social Justice and downset. members, Roy Lozano and James Morris, with Juan "JR5150" Udave from Northeast L.A. hardcore outfit Countime on vocals. A 2-song E.P. was recorded in July and August 2012, yet never released. January 2013 saw a lineup change with Udave and Morris being replaced by Neil Roemer and J.D. Manhart. The same songs were redone with new vocals, but never released.
2013 also saw the return of Chris in downset. with the same lineup as Misrule. downset. performed at Rock Al Parque in Bogota, Colombia in June 2013 and a brief European tour took place in August 2013 hitting several countries and performing new material. The tour was cut short due to Chris suffering a severe hernia while performing.
In 2014, upon a second departure from downset. Chris and fellow Misrule bandmates Roemer and Manhart launched yet another band, CutThroat. CutThroat picks up right where Misrule left off with the classic Southern California feel. The first single, Forgotten, featured guest appearances by Sen Dog from Cypress Hill on vocals and George Lynch (musician) of Dokken fame on guitar.[1][2]
2016 saw Chris departing Cutthroat and begin working on solo material and building a home studio/jam spot at his new home in the Chicago suburbs to be able to write, rehearse and record in peace. Musically composing over 60 songs in 8 months, Chris partnered with Chicago vocalist Joe Tedesco for collaboration and the demo process began.
In 2017 Chris and Tedesco started a jam project with Louis Svitek (Ex Ministry, MOD) and Frank Cavanaugh (ex Filter).
2018 See's Chris returning to the studio with Tedesco to record the first song of their collaboration efforts, a special song written just for Chris' daughters wedding.
Influences
Chris claims influences of 70s heavy rock, through the Metal stages of the mid eighties on to the punk and hardcore of the eighties and early nineties, as well as rocksteady, reggae, dancehall, dub, hip hop, and some thrash. Artists he credits include the following in no particular order; John Bonham, Bill Ward, Chad Sexton, Neil Peart, Josh Freese, Stephen Perkins, Sly Dunbar, Carlton Barrett, Leroy Wallace, and countless others!
Equipment
KIT A (HOME STUDIO) 2016 Alesis Strike Pro Electronic Drum Kit V1.4 w/ Pro Rack, Alesis Performance Drum Module, Superior Drummer 3.1.2, DW 9000 Airlift Hardware and Pedals, Simmons DA200S 200W Drum Amp, ProCo Snake, Roc N Soc Nitro Throne
KIT B.1 (HOME) 2017 PDP New Yorker 8x10 and 12x13 Toms, 14X18 Kick and 6X13 Snare with Remo Silentstroke Batter Heads, Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbals 14" L80 Hats, 16" L80 Crash, 18" L80 Crash/Ride (X2) and 20" L80 Ride, DW 9000 Hardware with Airlift, DW 5000 Pedals, Pork Pie Big Boy Throne
KIT B.2 (STUDIO) 2017 PDP New Yorker 8x10 and 12x13 Toms, 14X18 Kick and 6X13 Snare with Remo Ambassador Coated Batter Heads, Zildjian K Custom Dark Cymbals 14" Custom Dark Hats, 16" Custom Dark Crash, 17" Custom Dark Crash, 18" Custom Dark Crash, and 20" Custom Dark Ride, DW 9000 Hardware with Airlift, DW 5000 Pedals, Pork Pie Big Boy Throne
KIT B.3 (LIVE) 2017 PDP New Yorker 8x10 and 12x13 Toms, 14X18 Kick and 6X13 Snare with Remo Ambassador Coated Batter Heads, Zildjian A Cymbals 14" Mastersound Hats, 16" Med/Thin Crash, 17" Med/Thin Crash, 18" Med/Thin Crash, and 20" Ping Ride, DW 9000 Hardware with Airlift, DW 5000 Pedals, Pork Pie Big Boy Throne
Heads:
Remo coated Ambassador on snare batter, clear Ambassadors on bottoms of toms and on front of bass drum.
He has also used Powerstroke 3 bass batters (and, on occasion, as resonant heads, too) with a falam pad.
Sticks:
Various Zildjian 7a and 5b sticks
Discography
With CutThroat
- Forgotten (2014) (Single)[3]
- Blind (2014) (Single)
With downset.
- Downset. (1994)
- Do We Speak A Dead Language? (1996)
- Universal (2004)
With Social Justice
- I Refuse To Lose (1992)
With Jodoh
- Sundown to Sunup (featuring Son Doobie) (2009) (Single)
- Eavesdrop Assembly (slated for 2014 release)