Chris Brien

Christian John Brien is a drummer, percussionist and drum clinician. From 1992 he was a member of the Australian rock, funk and disco band Swoop and appears on all three of their studio albums, Thriller (October 1993), Woxo Principle (November 1995), and Be What You Is (January 1999).

Swoop's most popular single, "Apple Eyes", was released in 1995, which reached No. 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994, Swoop were nominated for 'Best New Talent' for Thriller, while at the 1996 awards they were nominated for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Video' for "Apple Eyes", and for 'Best Pop Release' for Woxo Principle.

Late in 1999 Swoop disbanded, and Brien became a session musician and drum clinician and released solo material. He has also released a number of instructional DVDs including Independence (2002) and Independence, Part 2 (2004). In November 2006 he relocated to Hong Kong, where in 2010 he issued his instructional book, The Chris Brien Drumming System (Level One).

Biography Christian John Brien grew up in Sydney as the youngest of five children, both his father and grandfather are former drummers. He started playing drums in 1980, from 1986 he taught drum and percussion, and in 1988 he established his first drumming studio. He appears on all three of their studio albums, Thriller (October 1993), Woxo Principle (November 1995), and Be What You Is (January 1999). At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 Swoop were nominated for 'Best New Talent' for Thriller; at the 1996 awards they were nominated for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Video' for "Apple Eyes", and for 'Best Pop Release' for Woxo Principle. Late in 1999 Swoop disbanded.

Equipment 2004–2006, kit SONOR Delight Series Drums (Piano Black), Ufip Cymbals and LP Percussion: Sonor Drums – Birdseye Azure or Brillant Black

14x5" Snare 12x5" Sonor Designer Snare 12x5" Sonor 3001 Snare (kicks with pedal) 10x4" Jungle Snare 8x8" Tom 10x10" Tom 12x14" Tom 17x22" Bass Drum 14" Sonor Jungle Bass Drum 14" Bionic Series Hi-hats 10" Bionic Series Hi-hats

10" Experience Splash (x2) 5" Ufip Cup Chime (x3) 8" Bionic Series Hi-hats 20" Bionic Series Ride 18" Bionic Series China 16" Bionic Series Crash 18" Bionic Series Crash L.P Bongo Small" L.P Bongo Large" L.P Quito (Classic) L.P Tumba (Classic)

Chris mostly used SONOR Hardware and Pedals, but also had been seen using other brands. Chris used Attack drum heads and Silverfox Sticks.

2007–present, kit Chris Brien has switched to Gretsch Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks.