George Drakoulias
Encyclopedia
George Drakoulias is a Greek-American music producer and A&R
executive at the American Recordings label. He is often considered a protege of Rick Rubin
.
Drakoulias grew up in Syosset, New York
and attended Syosset High School
where he started his musical career with a band called Lifeline. He went to college at New York University
(NYU), where he majored in music and business. There he befriended Rick Rubin, whom he met after he started dating an ex-girlfriend of Rubin's. He became one of the first hires for Rubin's Def Jam label. As an A&R
man, he discovered L.L. Cool J and the Beastie Boys
. After Rubin left Def Jam to move to Los Angeles
and form the Def American label, which was later retitled American Recordings, Drakoulias moved with him and became a producer. Drakoulias signed The Black Crowes
, The Jayhawks and The Freewheelers to American Recordings, and produced albums for all three. He has also produced albums for artists including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
, Maria McKee
, Primal Scream
and Screaming Trees
. He has also produced tracks for Kula Shaker
and served as a music supervisor for a number of movies, including Blades of Glory
, School of Rock
, Star Trek, Team America: World Police
, Tropic Thunder
, The Runaways
, Zodiac
, The Hangover, The Hangover Part II and Super 8
.
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
executive at the American Recordings label. He is often considered a protege of Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
.
Drakoulias grew up in Syosset, New York
Syosset, New York
Syosset is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, in the northeastern section of Town of Oyster Bay near the North Shore of Long Island. The population was 18,829 at the 2010 census...
and attended Syosset High School
Syosset High School
Syosset High School, located on Southwoods Road in Syosset, New York, USA is the only high school for residents of the Syosset Central School District.- Overview :The school was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1992–1993...
where he started his musical career with a band called Lifeline. He went to college at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(NYU), where he majored in music and business. There he befriended Rick Rubin, whom he met after he started dating an ex-girlfriend of Rubin's. He became one of the first hires for Rubin's Def Jam label. As an A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
man, he discovered L.L. Cool J and the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
. After Rubin left Def Jam to move to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and form the Def American label, which was later retitled American Recordings, Drakoulias moved with him and became a producer. Drakoulias signed The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
, The Jayhawks and The Freewheelers to American Recordings, and produced albums for all three. He has also produced albums for artists including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
, Maria McKee
Maria McKee
Maria Luisa McKee is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her work with Lone Justice and her 1990 UK solo chart-topping hit, "Show Me Heaven".-Music:...
, Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
and Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees was an American rock band formed in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985 by vocalist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bass player Van Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel. Pickerel had been replaced by Barrett Martin by the time the band reached its most successful period...
. He has also produced tracks for Kula Shaker
Kula Shaker
Kula Shaker are an English psychedelic rock band. Led by outspoken frontman Crispian Mills, the band came to prominence during the Post-Britpop era of the late 1990s. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the UK between 1996 and 1999, notching up a number of Top 10 hits on the UK Singles...
and served as a music supervisor for a number of movies, including Blades of Glory
Blades of Glory
Blades of Glory is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, and starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder. The movie was released on March 29, 2007 by DreamWorks and MTV Films...
, School of Rock
School of Rock
School of Rock, also called The School of Rock, is a 2003 American musical comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, written by Mike White, and starring Jack Black...
, Star Trek, Team America: World Police
Team America: World Police
Team America: World Police, often referred to as simply Team America, is a 2004 action comedy film written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Pam Brady and directed by Parker, all of whom are also known for the popular animated television series South Park...
, Tropic Thunder
Tropic Thunder
Tropic Thunder is a 2008 American action satire comedy film written, produced, and directed by Ben Stiller, and starring Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr., and Jack Black. The main plot revolves around a group of prima donna actors who are making a Vietnam War film...
, The Runaways
The Runaways (film)
The Runaways is a 2010 American biographical film about the 1970s all-girl rock band of the same name. The film was written and directed by Floria Sigismondi, who based the screenplay on the book Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by the band's original lead vocalist Cherie Currie...
, Zodiac
Zodiac (film)
Zodiac is a 2007 American mystery-thriller film directed by David Fincher and based on Robert Graysmith's non-fiction book of the same name. The Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros...
, The Hangover, The Hangover Part II and Super 8
Super 8 (film)
Super 8 is a 2011 American science fiction action film written and directed by J. J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, and Kyle Chandler and was released on June 10, 2011 in conventional and IMAX theaters...
.
Cultural references
- Drakoulias is mentioned in the "Stop That TrainStop That Train"Stop That Train" is the name of several songs:*"Stop That Train", a 1965 ska single by The Spanishtonians*"Stop That Train", a 1967 rocksteady hit single by Keith & Tex, a cover version of the Spanishtonians song...
" section of the song B-Boy BouillabaisseB-Boy BouillabaisseB-Boy Bouillabaisse was originally the 15th and final track on the album Paul's Boutique by American hip hop group the Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989...
on the Beastie BoysBeastie BoysBeastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
album Paul's BoutiquePaul's BoutiquePaul's Boutique is the second studio album by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989, on Capitol Records. Featuring production by the Dust Brothers, the recording sessions for the album took place in Matt Dike's Apartment and the Record Plant in Los Angeles from 1988 to...
in the lyricLyricsLyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
, "Sat across from my man reading El DiarioEl DiarioEl Diario is a newspaper of Bolivia, published in La Paz. Founded in 1904, it is Bolivia's oldest newspaper currently still published. The newspaper traditionally published a conservative position in line with its founders, the Carrasco family, one of La Paz's most influential families of the 20th...
, riding the train down from the El BarrioSpanish HarlemEast Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem and El Barrio, is a section of Harlem in the northeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. East Harlem is one of the largest predominantly Latino communities in New York City. It includes the area formerly known as Italian Harlem, in which...
. Went from the station, to Orange JuliusOrange JuliusOrange Julius is a chain of fruit drink beverage stores. It has been in business since the late 1920s. The eponymous beverage is a mixture of orange juice, milk, sugar, ice and vanilla flavoring.- History :...
, I brought a hot dogHot dogA hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
from who? George Drakoulias."
- The character Oseary Drakoulias in the film The Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouThe Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouThe Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is an American comedy-drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Wes Anderson. It is Anderson's fourth feature length film, released in the U.S. on December 25, 2004...
is named after Drakoulias and Guy OsearyGuy OsearyGuy Oseary is an Israeli-American expert businessman who began his career in entertainment at 17 at what was to become Maverick Records. He is Madonna's manager.-Maverick:...
.
- The character Big George Drakoulias, played by Billy Bob ThorntonBilly Bob ThorntonBilly Bob Thornton is an American actor, screenwriter, director and musician. Thornton gained early recognition as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire and in several early 1990s films including On Deadly Ground and Tombstone...
in the film Dead ManDead ManDead Man is a 1995 American Western film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. It stars Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Billy Bob Thornton, Iggy Pop, Crispin Glover, John Hurt, Michael Wincott, Lance Henriksen, and Robert Mitchum . The film, dubbed an "Acid Western" by its director, includes twisted...
, is named after Drakoulias. (Jared HarrisJared HarrisJared Francis Harris is a British character actor, well known for playing the obnoxious Mac McGrath in the Adam Sandler film Mr. Deeds, and for his portrayal of Lane Pryce on the AMC series Mad Men.- Personal life :...
, incidentally, plays a character named after Benmont TenchBenmont TenchBenjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
of the HeartbreakersTom Petty and the HeartbreakersTom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
in the same film.)
- In a nod to his work on Star Trek, an alien predator which hunts down young James T. KirkJames T. KirkJames Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies...
on Delta Vega (in the novelization of the film, Kirk describes it as the "bastard offspring" of a polar bearPolar BearThe polar bear is a bear native largely within the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak Bear, which is approximately the same size...
and a gorillaGorillaGorillas are the largest extant species of primates. They are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies...
) is officially named the drakoulias.
Albums produced
- (1990) Shake your Money Maker, The Black CrowesThe Black CrowesThe Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
- (1991) White TrashWhite trashWhite trash is an American English pejorative term referring to poor white people in the United States, suggesting lower social class and degraded living standards...
, White TrashWhite trashWhite trash is an American English pejorative term referring to poor white people in the United States, suggesting lower social class and degraded living standards... - (1992) The Southern Harmony and Musical CompanionThe Southern Harmony and Musical CompanionThe Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is the second album by the American blues-rock group The Black Crowes, released on May 12, 1992. It was the first record by the band to feature Marc Ford on lead guitar, replacing Jeff Cease, who was fired the year before.It features four hit singles;...
, The Black CrowesThe Black CrowesThe Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the... - (1992) Hollywood Town HallHollywood Town HallHollywood Town Hall is a 1992 album by country rock revivalists The Jayhawks. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Heatseekers and #192 on the Billboard 200...
, The Jayhawks - (1993) You Gotta Sin to Get SavedYou Gotta Sin to Get SavedYou Gotta Sin to Get Saved is the second album by American singer/songwriter Maria McKee, released in 1993 .-Track listing:#"I'm Gonna Soothe You" – 3:36#"My Lonely Sad Eyes" – 2:41...
, Maria McKeeMaria McKeeMaria Luisa McKee is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her work with Lone Justice and her 1990 UK solo chart-topping hit, "Show Me Heaven".-Music:... - (1994) Give Out But Don't Give UpGive Out but Don't Give UpGive Out But Don't Give Up is a 1994 album by Primal Scream. It was the follow-up to the successful Screamadelica.-Track listing:All tracks written by Bobby Gillespie, Andrew Innes and Robert Young, unless noted.# "Jailbird" - 3:46# "Rocks" - 3:37...
, Primal ScreamPrimal ScreamPrimal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney... - (1994) Carnival of LightCarnival of Light (album)Carnival of Light is the third studio album by British alternative rock band Ride, released in June 1994 via Creation Records. "How Does It Feel to Feel?" is a cover of a song by The Creation...
, RideRide (band)Ride were a British alternative rock band that formed in 1988 in Oxford, England, consisting of Andy Bell, Mark Gardener, Laurence "Loz" Colbert, and Steve Queralt. The band were initially part of the "shoegazing" scene. Following the break-up of the band in 1996, members moved on to various other...
("How Does It Feel To Feel?") - (1995) Tomorrow the Green GrassTomorrow the Green GrassTomorrow the Green Grass is an album by the American alternative country and rock band The Jayhawks, released in 1995. It peaked at number 92 on The Billboard 200 charts.-History:...
, The Jayhawks - (1996) DustDust (Screaming Trees album)Dust is the seventh and final album by the Screaming Trees, released on June 25, 1996.After an aborted attempt at recording a followup to Sweet Oblivion with producer Don Fleming, the band hired producer George Drakoulias to man the controls for what eventually turned out to be their last album...
, Screaming TreesScreaming TreesScreaming Trees was an American rock band formed in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985 by vocalist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bass player Van Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel. Pickerel had been replaced by Barrett Martin by the time the band reached its most successful period... - (1997) GlowGlow (Reef album)Glow is the second album by rock band Reef released in 1997. The album peaked at #1 in UK Albums Chart.-Awards:* #49 in Kerrang!'s "Top 100 British Rock Albums of All Time" list.* #26 in Kerrang!'s "100 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die " list....
, ReefReef (band)Reef are an English band from Glastonbury. The band members includes Gary Stringer on vocals, Kenwyn House on guitar, Jack Bessant on bass and Dominic Greensmith on drums.-Early days:... - (1998) No. 4 RecordNo. 4 Record#4 Record is an album by Australian rock band You Am I, released in 1998. The album reached #1 on the local albums chart upon its release. This was You Am I's third consecutive album to debut at #1 on the Australian charts, a record at the time...
, You Am IYou Am IYou Am I are an Australian alternative rock band, fronted by vocalist/guitarist and main songwriter Tim Rogers. They were the first Australian band to have three albums successively debut at #1 on the ARIA Charts, and are renowned for their live performances.-History:Tim Rogers formed the first... - (2002) The Red RecordThe Red RecordThe Red Record is the debut album from the Tri-Cities, Washington hard rock band Loudermilk.- Track listing :# "Estrogen Oxygen Aches in the Teeth Again" - 3:43# "California" - 4:54# "Kreates a Presence to Blush" - 3:29# "The Twisting" - 4:34...
, Loudermilk - (2002) The Last DJThe Last DJThe Last DJ is the eleventh studio album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The tracks "The Last DJ", "Money Becomes King", "Joe", and "Can't Stop the Sun" are attacks on the greediness of the music industry....
, Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersTom Petty and the HeartbreakersTom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch... - (2004) TambourineTambourine (album)Tambourine is the second album by alternative country artist Tift Merritt. It was released in 2004 by Lost Highway Records, and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album.-Track listing:# "Stray Paper"# "Wait It Out"# "Good Hearted Man"...
, Tift MerrittTift MerrittCatherine Tift Merritt is an American singer-songwriter, musician and North Carolina native. With her longtime band, she has built what has been called a "unique" and critically acclaimed body of work of "sonic short stories and poignant performances." She has been compared to songwriters like... - (2005) The Deep End, Madrugada
- (2006) The Believer, Rhett MillerRhett MillerStewart Ransom Miller II , better-known as Rhett Miller is the lead singer of the alternative country band Old 97's and a successful solo musician. He graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas, a private boys' school in Dallas in 1989 and briefly attended Sarah Lawrence College on a creative...
- (2007) Low StarsLow Stars (album)Low Stars is the debut album from Los Angeles band Low Stars. Signed by Hear Music, and released through Starbucks,Low Stars revisit the days when virtuoso vocals and melodies ruled pop, and three- and four-part harmonies piled up like layer cake....
, Low StarsLow StarsLow Stars is a musical project of Dave Gibbs and Chris Seefried, that captures the sound of classic bands like Crosby, Stills, and Nash and The Eagles.- History :... - (2008) Another CountryAnother Country (Tift Merritt album)Another Country is a studio album by singer-songwriter Tift Merritt. It was recorded in the summer of 2007, produced in L.A. by George Drakoulias, and released on February 26, 2008 by Fantasy Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Tift Merritt....
, Tift MerrittTift MerrittCatherine Tift Merritt is an American singer-songwriter, musician and North Carolina native. With her longtime band, she has built what has been called a "unique" and critically acclaimed body of work of "sonic short stories and poignant performances." She has been compared to songwriters like... - (2008) You Can Do AnythingYou Can Do AnythingThis article is about the album by The Zutons, for the video game developer famous for using this phrase, see Peter MolyneuxPrior to release, the album leaked to file sharing websites three days before the release date, on Friday 30 May.-Charts:...
, The ZutonsThe ZutonsThe Zutons are an English indie rock band from Liverpool. They were formed in 2001 but did not release their first album, Who Killed...... The Zutons?, until May 2004. They achieved their biggest hits with "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?" and "Valerie", both taken from their second studio album... - (2008) Back to the RiverBack to the RiverBack to the River is the sixth studio album by blues musician Susan Tedeschi, released October 28, 2008, on Verve Forecast. Production was handled by Tedeschi herself. Upon its debut, Back to the River has received favorable reviews from music critics, including a four out of five star review from...
, Susan TedeschiSusan TedeschiSusan Tedeschi is an American blues and soul musician, who has received multiple Grammy Award nominations, and is well-known for her singing voice, guitar playing, stage presence, and marriage to blues guitarist Derek Trucks...
External links
- [ AllMusic profile]
- TAXI interview with George Drakoulias