About Nick D’Virgilio
Nick D’Virgilio is a drummer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.
Nick’s career took off in 1994 when he joined Kevin Gilbert’s band Thud. Nick toured with Kevin and did many recording sessions for him, including sessions for Kevin’s rock opera The Shaming of the True. After Kevin’s very unfortunate passing in 1996, Nick - along with engineer/producer John Cuniberti - finished Kevin’s rock opera. Nick played many instruments, sang, and co-produced.
In 1995 Nick joined the UK band Tears For Fears. Nick toured and recorded for TFF from 1995 until 2010.
In 1997 Nick was one of two drummers to replace Phil Collins in the band Genesis and recorded on the album Calling All Stations. Nick was a founding member of the acclaimed progressive rock band Spock’s Beard and was in the band from 1991 to 2010. Nick played drums his whole career in Spock’s but also became the band’s lead singer in 2002. During Nick’s tenure in Spock’s Beard they made 10 studio albums and played hundreds of shows throughout the US, Canada, and Europe (as documented on multiple live releases).
From 2010 to mid-way through 2014 Nick (and his family!) went on the road with the Cirque du Soleil show Totem, where he was drummer, lead singer and assistant bandleader. In the four and a half years when Nick was in Totem, he performed the show 1426 times (not including rehearsals) in 26 cities on two continents.
In August 2014, Nick joined the musical instrument and technology retail giant Sweetwater Sound in Indiana. At Sweetwater Studios, Nick is the “house” drummer and part of the studio team as a vocalist, producer and audio engineer. Nick is also a content creator for the many products Sweetwater sells and education it provides.
As a session and touring musician, Nick has had the honour of working with a number of notable bands and artists. These include Kevin Gilbert, Steve Hackett, Peter Gabriel, Genesis, Eric Burdon, Robben Ford, Mike Keneally, Adrian Belew, Jonatha Brooke, Natalie Hemby, Addison Agen, Michael Omartian, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Paul Gilbert, Marcus Scott, Carl Verheyen, Frost*, and many others.
As a solo artist Nick has released three records – Karma, Pieces and most recently the album Invisible, which was released in June 2020 on Sweetwater Studios’ own label. In 2009 Nick got together with producer Mark Hornsby to release Rewiring Genesis, a tribute to the landmark Genesis album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. Nick also has a side project with Jonas Reingold (from Steve Hackett’s band) and Randy McStine (recently announced as Porcupine Tree’s touring guitarist) called The Fringe, who released their first record in 2016.
Nick has been a clinician for Paiste Cymbals, Alesis, Sonic Reality, IK Multimedia, Meinl Cymbals & Percussion, Mapex Drums, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Aquarian Drumheads. He has performed and taught masterclasses at drum festivals, music schools and music conventions all over the world.
Last but most certainly NOT least, Nick has proudly been a permanent member of Big Big Train since 2009 following the release of The Underfall Yard album, having recorded sessions for the band’s 2007 The Difference Machine. Since Nick has been in BBT they have released 11 studio albums, 4 live albums/Blu-rays, have reached the UK top 40 album charts numerous times, have sold out concert venues all over the UK and EU, and won multiple PROG awards. Big Big Train will embark on their biggest tour to date in the UK and EU coming in September 2022.
For more information go to www.nickdvirgilio.com
