Jeff Plate
Encyclopedia
Jeff Plate is a professional drummer and percussionist. He currently plays with the progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra
and with thrash metal band Metal Church
until their 2009 disbanding, although he is most remembered for his drumming for the band, Savatage
on their albums since Japan Live '94
.
with dreams of becoming a pitcher for the New York Yankees
, but his hip popped out of a joint and he was advised to give up playing sports for two years, leaving his dreams behind. However, he saw KISS
perform on television when he was 13, which inspired him to become a musician. After moving to Boston, Massachusetts in 1986 (after living in Tampa
, Florida
in 1981 and returning home in 1982), Jeff met Boston guitarist Matt Leff through a mutual friend, Leff had been playing in a band Wicked Witch, whose lead vocalist was Zak Stevens
. Wicked Witch went through a few lineup changes and had broken up at the time Matt and Jeff started playing together. Zak was living in Hollywood but had decided to move to Boston to reform a 2nd version of Wicked Witch. On one night in late 1989, Zak flew in to meet Matt and Jeff. After picking him up at the airport the 3 of them decided to go to a downtown
Boston club called The Channel. Oddly enough the band playing that night was Savatage
.
Wicked Witch played the Boston music scene for 2 years opening for many national acts. In the fall of 1992, Jon Oliva
announced he was leaving Savatage. Zak got the call to join them, with Wicked Witch at the crossroads. Zak accepted the call, and made his Savatage debut on 1993's Edge of Thorns
. Wicked Witch folded soon after, as they couldn't get a replacement for Stevens. Jeff went back to New York at this point, and joined an alternative/country rock
band called Voodoo Rodeo. They played around New York for about a year, but failed to gain any mainstream success.
After the death of Criss Oliva
in 1993, Jeff heard that there was uncertainty about the band's future. The situation of Steve Wacholz was also uncertain. Wacholz recorded Edge of Thorns, but did not play on the resulting world tour. Zak told Jeff that he had recently spoken to Jon and Paul about him, and that Jeff might have a future with Savatage. Jeff sent the Savatage team a demo and some pictures, and began learning the Savatage catalog.
All went well, and in the spring of 1994, Plate flew out to Florida
to do the photo shoot for the still-in-production Handful of Rain
album. Some of these photos actually mistakenly appear on the European edition of the album. He did not do any drum tracks on that record, but was about to be formally offered the job as drummer when Steve Wacholz came back into the picture. Steve was wanting to phase out his role in Savatage, but apparently was getting second thoughts. Also, there was some political thinking behind the situation, for some thought that there should be a familiar face for the fans to see, following the death of Criss.
For the summer of 1994, Jeff had no idea what his future would be. Instead of sitting around, Plate worked hard on learning the Savatage songs, not wanting to get caught off guard if the phone rang. He did not have to wait long. In August of the same year, Steve decided that Savatage was not something that he wanted to pursue at that time. Jeff was called up by Zak, and offered the job. He received no formal audition and was given two weeks notice that he'd be wanted in Florida. Four weeks after that, the U.S. tour in support of the album was scheduled to begin. Jeff completed the short tour with no problems, and "everything clicked quickly", especially with bass player, Johnny Lee Middleton
. Amazingly, only three months after he officially joined Savatage, Plate appeared on a live recording, Japan Live '94
. Plate then appeared on all subsequent Savatage releases, including 1995's Dead Winter Dead
, citing the subsequent tour in support of the album as a favourite.
The success of the single "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)
" from Dead Winter Dead lead to the formation of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
(TSO), who have, as of 2010, released five CDs starting with 1996's Christmas Eve and Other Stories
.
In addition to his work with TSO, he has recently performed on the solo albums of fellow TSO member Chris Caffery
. Plate has recently joined Metal Church
and can be heard on their latest album, This Present Wasteland
.
2009 found Metal Church
calling it a day and disbanding. The bands breakup led to Jeff forming a new Heavy Metal group with fellow Savatage alumnus Zak Stevens
(vocals), Matt Leff (guitars), and Chris Rapoza (bass) - the band's name is Machines of Grace
. The band has an independent self-titled release.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American progressive metal band founded in 1993 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team. Since then, TSO sold nearly 8...
and with thrash metal band Metal Church
Metal Church
Metal Church was an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in Seattle, Washington as Shrapnel in 1980. Their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, This Present Wasteland, was released in 2008....
until their 2009 disbanding, although he is most remembered for his drumming for the band, Savatage
Savatage
Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.-Early days :...
on their albums since Japan Live '94
Japan Live '94
Japan Live '94 a live album that was recorded by Savatage. The show that was recorded for the release was held in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan on November 12, 1994 and was the last show on the short Handful of Rain tour.Due to a lack of time on the CD, the entire show was not released onto CD...
.
Life and career
Plate grew up near Elmira, New YorkElmira, New York
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...
with dreams of becoming a pitcher for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, but his hip popped out of a joint and he was advised to give up playing sports for two years, leaving his dreams behind. However, he saw KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
perform on television when he was 13, which inspired him to become a musician. After moving to Boston, Massachusetts in 1986 (after living in Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1981 and returning home in 1982), Jeff met Boston guitarist Matt Leff through a mutual friend, Leff had been playing in a band Wicked Witch, whose lead vocalist was Zak Stevens
Zachary Stevens
Zachary "Zak" Stevens , is best known as the former lead vocalist of the band Savatage. He is also a drummer and has a degree in psychology but is not, as is often reported, a licensed, practicing psychologist....
. Wicked Witch went through a few lineup changes and had broken up at the time Matt and Jeff started playing together. Zak was living in Hollywood but had decided to move to Boston to reform a 2nd version of Wicked Witch. On one night in late 1989, Zak flew in to meet Matt and Jeff. After picking him up at the airport the 3 of them decided to go to a downtown
Downtown
Downtown is a term primarily used in North America by English speakers to refer to a city's core or central business district ....
Boston club called The Channel. Oddly enough the band playing that night was Savatage
Savatage
Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.-Early days :...
.
Wicked Witch played the Boston music scene for 2 years opening for many national acts. In the fall of 1992, Jon Oliva
Jon Oliva
John Nicholas Oliva is best known simply as Jon Oliva and as founder of and lead vocalist for Savatage. He is the third of four children...
announced he was leaving Savatage. Zak got the call to join them, with Wicked Witch at the crossroads. Zak accepted the call, and made his Savatage debut on 1993's Edge of Thorns
Edge of Thorns
-Band members:*Zachary Stevens – lead vocals*Criss Oliva – guitars*Johnny Lee Middleton – bass guitar*Steve Wacholz – drums -Additional musicians:...
. Wicked Witch folded soon after, as they couldn't get a replacement for Stevens. Jeff went back to New York at this point, and joined an alternative/country rock
Country rock
Country rock is sub-genre of popular music, formed from the fusion of rock with country. The term is generally used to refer to the wave of rock musicians who began to record country-flavored records in the late 1960s and early 1970s, beginning with Bob Dylan and The Byrds; reaching its greatest...
band called Voodoo Rodeo. They played around New York for about a year, but failed to gain any mainstream success.
After the death of Criss Oliva
Criss Oliva
Christopher "Criss" Michael Oliva was born in Pompton Plains, NJ. He was the lead guitarist in, and co-founder of, the band Savatage...
in 1993, Jeff heard that there was uncertainty about the band's future. The situation of Steve Wacholz was also uncertain. Wacholz recorded Edge of Thorns, but did not play on the resulting world tour. Zak told Jeff that he had recently spoken to Jon and Paul about him, and that Jeff might have a future with Savatage. Jeff sent the Savatage team a demo and some pictures, and began learning the Savatage catalog.
All went well, and in the spring of 1994, Plate flew out to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to do the photo shoot for the still-in-production Handful of Rain
Handful of Rain
-Personnel:Due to the shake-up in the band following Criss's death, the line-ups were somewhat unclear at the time. Drummer Steve Wacholz left the band and did not play on the album, but he is pictured in the album to maintain a more "classic" Savatage line-up. Bassist Middleton was apparently...
album. Some of these photos actually mistakenly appear on the European edition of the album. He did not do any drum tracks on that record, but was about to be formally offered the job as drummer when Steve Wacholz came back into the picture. Steve was wanting to phase out his role in Savatage, but apparently was getting second thoughts. Also, there was some political thinking behind the situation, for some thought that there should be a familiar face for the fans to see, following the death of Criss.
For the summer of 1994, Jeff had no idea what his future would be. Instead of sitting around, Plate worked hard on learning the Savatage songs, not wanting to get caught off guard if the phone rang. He did not have to wait long. In August of the same year, Steve decided that Savatage was not something that he wanted to pursue at that time. Jeff was called up by Zak, and offered the job. He received no formal audition and was given two weeks notice that he'd be wanted in Florida. Four weeks after that, the U.S. tour in support of the album was scheduled to begin. Jeff completed the short tour with no problems, and "everything clicked quickly", especially with bass player, Johnny Lee Middleton
Johnny Lee Middleton
Johnny Lee Middleton is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the bass guitar player for Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.-Musical beginnings:...
. Amazingly, only three months after he officially joined Savatage, Plate appeared on a live recording, Japan Live '94
Japan Live '94
Japan Live '94 a live album that was recorded by Savatage. The show that was recorded for the release was held in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan on November 12, 1994 and was the last show on the short Handful of Rain tour.Due to a lack of time on the CD, the entire show was not released onto CD...
. Plate then appeared on all subsequent Savatage releases, including 1995's Dead Winter Dead
Dead Winter Dead
- Story :In the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, there is a town square surroundedby buildings that were constructed during the Middle Ages. Thesquare has a beautiful stone fountain at its center and at one...
, citing the subsequent tour in support of the album as a favourite.
The success of the single "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)
Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 is an instrumental medley of "Carol of the Bells" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" first released on the Savatage album Dead Winter Dead in 1995 as "Christmas Eve ." It was re-released by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a side project of several Savatage members, on...
" from Dead Winter Dead lead to the formation of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American progressive metal band founded in 1993 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team. Since then, TSO sold nearly 8...
(TSO), who have, as of 2010, released five CDs starting with 1996's Christmas Eve and Other Stories
Christmas Eve and Other Stories
Christmas Eve and Other Stories is a rock opera and Christmas album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The story is about a young man who wanders into a bar on Christmas Eve where he encounters a mysterious old man who tells him a tale about the magical effect of Christmas day on the human race...
.
In addition to his work with TSO, he has recently performed on the solo albums of fellow TSO member Chris Caffery
Chris Caffery
Chris Caffery is a heavy metal guitarist who is best known for his work as a member of Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra...
. Plate has recently joined Metal Church
Metal Church
Metal Church was an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in Seattle, Washington as Shrapnel in 1980. Their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, This Present Wasteland, was released in 2008....
and can be heard on their latest album, This Present Wasteland
This Present Wasteland
This Present Wasteland is the ninth and final studio album by heavy metal band Metal Church. The album was released September 26, 2008 in Europe. This is the only Metal Church album to feature guitarist Rick Van Zandt....
.
2009 found Metal Church
Metal Church
Metal Church was an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in Seattle, Washington as Shrapnel in 1980. Their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, This Present Wasteland, was released in 2008....
calling it a day and disbanding. The bands breakup led to Jeff forming a new Heavy Metal group with fellow Savatage alumnus Zak Stevens
Zachary Stevens
Zachary "Zak" Stevens , is best known as the former lead vocalist of the band Savatage. He is also a drummer and has a degree in psychology but is not, as is often reported, a licensed, practicing psychologist....
(vocals), Matt Leff (guitars), and Chris Rapoza (bass) - the band's name is Machines of Grace
Machines of Grace
Machines of Grace is an American hard rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band features two former members of Savatage, namely vocalist Zachary Stevens and drummer Jeff Plate. Zachary Stevens is also the vocalist for Circle II Circle and Jeff Plate is the drummer for the Trans Siberian...
. The band has an independent self-titled release.
Savatage albums
- Live In JapanLive in JapanLive in Japan is George Harrison's second official live album release, coming after 1971's Grammy-winning The Concert for Blangladesh and was released in 1992. Although unbeknown to anyone at the time, Live in Japan would prove to be Harrison's last solo release in his lifetime...
(1994) - Dead Winter DeadDead Winter Dead- Story :In the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, there is a town square surroundedby buildings that were constructed during the Middle Ages. Thesquare has a beautiful stone fountain at its center and at one...
(1995) - The Wake Of MagellanThe Wake of Magellan-Personnel:*Zachary Stevens - lead vocals*Jon Oliva – lead vocals , keyboards*Chris Caffery – guitars, backing vocals*Al Pitrelli - guitars, backing vocals*Johnny Lee Middleton – bass guitar, backing vocals...
(1996) - Poets And MadmenPoets and Madmen-Personnel:*Jon Oliva – lead vocals, keyboards*Chris Caffery - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals*Johnny Lee Middleton – bass guitar, backing vocals*Jeff Plate – drums, backing vocals-Additional musicians:*Bob Kinkel - additional keyboards & backing vocals...
(2000)
Trans Siberian Orchestra albums
- Christmas Eve and Other StoriesChristmas Eve and Other StoriesChristmas Eve and Other Stories is a rock opera and Christmas album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The story is about a young man who wanders into a bar on Christmas Eve where he encounters a mysterious old man who tells him a tale about the magical effect of Christmas day on the human race...
(1996) - The Christmas AtticThe Christmas AtticThe Christmas Attic is the second album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a rock opera, and the second installment of their Christmas Trilogy, the sequel to Christmas Eve and Other Stories and the prequel to The Lost Christmas Eve...
(1998) - Beethoven's Last NightBeethoven's Last NightBeethoven's Last Night is a concept album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in 2000. The album tells the fictional story of Ludwig van Beethoven on the last night of his life, as the devil, Mephistopheles, comes to collect his soul...
(2000) - The Lost Christmas EveThe Lost Christmas Eve-References to other media:"Back to a Reason " is a sequel to the Savatage song "Back to a Reason", on their 2001 release Poets and Madmen....
(2004) - Nightcastle (2009)
Chris Caffery
- Faces/God Damn War (2004)
- Music ManMusic ManMusic Man can refer to:* The Music Man, a Broadway musical play by Meredith Willson** The Music Man , a feature film adaptation** The Music Man , a television film remake...
(2004) - W.A.R.P.E.D.W.A.R.P.E.D.W.A.R.P.E.D. is a 2005 album by Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery. A majority of the record appeared as the bonus disc to Chris's first album, Faces.-Track listing:# "Home Is Where The Hell Is"# "God Damn War"# "Election Day"# "Erase"...
(2005)