ROB SPECK drums

In February 1974, on his 9th birthday, Rob’s father took him on a mile-long walk through knee-high snow to Smith’s Drum Shop in Wheaton, Maryland. There, Rob embarked on a journey of old gray haired jazz teachers followed by long-haired hard-rockin’ types who had transcribed songs from Blood Sweat & Tears, Cream, Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, and of course, The Beatles. Having already discovered Elton John and The Edgar Winter Group, Rob religiously practiced until forming his first band with school friends at age 13. That band, Echo, would have a degree of success for their age, playing Wolf Trap Theater, being featured on local newscasts and playing regularly at school parties. At Clark University, Rob joined a group called The Generics and then later The Basics (yes, it’s that corny), playing local Worcester, MA clubs every week for several years.

After earning an MBA, Rob joined the suit and tie crowd on Wall Street (not a band, the real place… in NY). After toiling away 80 hours per week, he decided to look to join a band, finding an ad in the Village Voice for what turned out to be James O’Connell, Hugh Simmons and Jon Doyle - Johnny One Note. The connection was instant magic; a group playing intuitive, original pop rock that defies description. Hugh’s stringing of loose leaf paper through his guitar strings and James’ stinging R&B vocals were the stuff of lower east side legend – Rob was hooked. They played a variety of small shows and made a recording in New York before Rob decided to wander Europe in search of the unknown. In 1991, Johnny One Note reformed in Boston; this time without Hugh and the style took a turn toward an edgy swingy jazzy punky sound. Johnny produced 3 recordings and spent 6 years playing clubs in Boston and Cambridge; occasionally venturing down to Providence and New York. Johnny One Note’s music was featured in three feature films directed by Brad Anderson, “Frankenstein’s Planet of Monsters”, “The Darien Gap” and “Next Stop Wonderland”. During these years of playing in Boston, Johnny’s band members settled down, married and started families. more >>