Meet Johnny Groove | Drummer/Percussionist/Musician/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Johnny Groove and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johnny, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor in success (even if you haven’t achieved success yet) is to never give up on your dream. Dreams are so fragile and can be easy to let go of. In life everyone has trials and tribulations. So, I would say to never giving up on your dreams is a key to success and the second would be to keep grinding and master your craft.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would say getting to where I am at today was not easy. Life in general isnt easy and neither do I think I am sucessful to the point I need to be and I think I never will feel like “okay I am succesful now and be good.” But to start about my art or music…

I have been playing at 1,500 plus capacity venues since the age of 13 one would-be Marquee Theatre in Tempe. .I have worked and recorded in Los Angeles Red Bull Studios and worked with producer from Awolnation, blink-182, and many other artists. One of my old projects The Veragroove toured and played festivals; a big festival would be the California Roots festival in Monterey, California with bands like Slightly Stoopid, Matisyahu, Pepper, The Dirty Heads, Soja, and many more.

With all the Success, The Veragroove Broke Up. I then moved to Los Angeles and played with members of Tomorrows Bad Seeds, a highly successful reggae band. I moved back to Arizona after spending 3-4 years in Los Angeles learning the music scene and now manage and drum for the band The Irie.

The Irie released their 2nd EP “Can’t Get Enough” February 5th, 2021, which debuted #1 on the iTunes Reggae Charts, #12 billboard’s US Current Reggae Albums chart and 75th on the Overall iTunes Charts. The band’s first album “Planet Paradise” is set to release June 24th including two features Andy Chaves of Katastro and Nathan Aurora of Iya Terra. Planet Paradise Album Release Party is scheduled at the Marquee Theatre July 1st, 2022. Our upcoming CD release show is our second time headlining Marquee Theatre following a west coast tour. Our last show was a festival in Las Vegas called Reggae Rise Up where I got to share the stage with The Dirty Heads, Fortunate Youth, Slightly Stoopid, Collie Buddz, and many other reggae artists.

Putting out an album I would say was pretty hard all the work that goes into it. I am beyond excited to be putting out The Irie’s first full length album “Planet Pardise” available on all digital platforms 06.24.22.

The most important thing I have learned is to keep grinding and keep working to your goals and eventually with enough work you will pave your way to success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hmmmmm… As a Arizona native there is so much actually to do and as I get older I fall in love with it more and more. But first, we must go down to tempe to start at Casey Moores, then probably move it to Cornish Pasty for dinner, and then check out Tempe Beach Park. For the night cap I drive a couple hours north and stay in sedona that night. Next morning we would hit up some hiking in beautiful Sedona, Arizona.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say my brother Corey Groove should get a shoutout. I learned everything through him in my first project The Veragroove that I use now with my current band The Irie. I would also say my parents get a little credit for letting my follow my dreams.

Website: www.theirieband.com

Instagram: theirieband

Twitter: The_Irie_Band

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theiriemusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqScZ27-gdM

Other: Personal Instagram Johnny_Groove Custom Johnny Groove Percussion Cajon https://bangbox-cajon.myshopify.com/products/johnny-groove-signature-bangbox