John Calarco


John Calarco is an American musician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Calarco was drummer for many Milwaukee area bands. He also co-wrote and performed in several songs on the very successful Willy Porter album Dog Eared Dream and toured with Porter as his drummer. He has made an impact as a touring performer, band member, recording artist, session musician and song writer/producer.

Career

Calarco has been a drummer in many bands in the Midwestern United States. He played drums for Big Bang Theory, Tony Brown, Greg Koch and the Tone Controls and the Willy Porter Band. From 1992 to 1997 Calarco played drums with the Willy Porter band which included Steve Kleiber,. The band toured the United States with The Cranberries and Toad the Wet Sprocket performing the Willy Porter album.
As a form of anger management during the COVID-19 epidemic, he wrote a sardonic song about the never ending quest to find toilet paper In Toilet Paper Hunt he sings:
"Now I stare at empty shelves
Because of people only worried about themselves
I’m just sitting pumping gas
Wonderin’ how I’m gonna wipe my ass."

Calarco moved to New York City in 1997 to play with the Blue Man Group.

Awards

  • 1997 WAMI
  • 2003 WAMI winner Drums/Percussionist of the Year 2003
  • 2004 WAMI Drummer of the Year

    Albums

2002 Pure... Solo Album

2015 Shine Solo album

Contributions

Personal

Calarco was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began playing drums when he was ten years old. He has two sons: Anthony and Michael.