BIOGRAPHY
Thomas Lang, born August 5, 1967, in Vienna, Austria, is an Austrian drummer, clinician, composer and producer, best known for his efforts within the jazz/rock/fusion music genre. He is the founding member of the Los Angeles-based progressive/avant garde metal band, stOrk.
Thomas took up drumming at the age of 5. In addition to lessons at local music schools and years of private tuition, Thomas was formally educated at the Vienna Conservatory of Music.
After leaving the conservatory, Lang began working professionally – working his way through the European Pop, Rock and Jazz scenes.
In addition to his work as a session musician (Thomas has played with Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big/Racer X), John Wetton (UK, King Crimson), Robert Fripp, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Tina Turner, Robbie Williams, Kelly Clarkson, Sugababes, Geri Halliwell (Spice girls), Emma Bunton ("baby spice’), Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham, Ronan Keating, Steve Hackett, Boyzone, 911, Falco, Nina Hagen, Steve Jones, Mick Jones (the Clash), The Commodores, George Michael, Doogie White (Rainbow), Bill Liesegang, Gianna Nannini, Sertab Erener, Vienna Art Orchestra, Bonnie Tyler, the Vienna Art Orchestra, Save the Robots, Stork, Terabite, Schwarzenator and many more) Lang’s 1995 solo release, "Mediator" topped the charts in Europe and garnered rave reviews for its innovative Jazz/Dance/ProgRock sound.
Thomas has performed at every major international drum festival and has toured the world many times over as a sideman as well as solo performer. Thomas has appeared everywhere from "Top of the Pops" to the Eurovision Song contest, from sold-out football stadiums to the Modern Drummer Festival.
Lang’s original practice regime eventually became the basis for his 2-part series of instructional videos, Ultimatives Schlagzeug I & II which were originally released in 1995. Due to overwhelming demand, these videos were re-released on DVD in 2004 by Hudson Music.
In 2003 Lang released the multi award-winning instructional DVD and book, Creative Control, which was an instant hit with drummers and drum teachers around the world.
His highly anticipated follow-up DVD and book, Creative Coordination & Advanced Foot Technique, was released in November of 2006. This ground-braking DVD has also won worldwide awards and and marks a milestone in modern high-end drumming concepts and technique.
In his quest to, "play the unplayed," Thomas has worked cooperatively with the research and development team at Meinl Cymbals to create, "Tom’s Becken" – a pitch-matched range of contemporary crash cymbals that provide acoustic and electronic drummers with modern sounds that resemble artificially engineered cymbal samples. Launched in 2002, "Tom’s Becken" were so well received that in 2004 Thomas Lang worked with Meinl once again to design the "Fast Hats" , and a whole series of "Filter Chinas".
In 2002, the Remo Corporation approached Thomas to produce the "Thomas Lang Practice Kit".
Other Thomas Lang signature products are the Vic Firth - Thomas Lang signature model drumstick and the Thomas Lang signature Bigfoot bassdrum beaters.
Thomas Lang endorses DW drums and pedals, Meinl cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Remo drum heads, Roland electronics, Gibraltar hardware, Ahead Armor cases, Puresound snare wires, Bigfoot beaters, Hansenfutz practice pedals, E-pad and Audix microphones.
Awards include:
1999, 2001: Best studio drummer (Rhythm magazine)
2002: Best pop drummer, Best all-around drummer (Rhythm magazine)
2002: Best drummer (Drums and Percussion magazine)
2003: Best clinician (Modern Drummer magazine)
2004: Best DVD, Best clinician runner up, Best drummer runner-up (Modern Drummer magazine)
2004: Best DVD, Best new signature product, Best drummer (Drummer magazine). Best studio drummer (Rhythm magazine). Best recorded drum performance (Sticks magazine)
2005: Best pop drummer, Best Clinician, Best Solo Drum performance (Rhythm magazine). Best DVD, Best all around drummer, Best drum event (Drummer magazine)
Best drum clinician (DRUM! Magazine) Best drumming video/DVD (Drum! Magazine)
2006: Best DVD, Best drummer (Rhythm magazine)
2007: Best DVD, Best drummer (Rhythm magazine, Modern drummer magazine)
Aurora Gold Award 2007 (Best Video Production)
Best Clinician 2007 (Modern Drummer magazine)
Best Clinician 2008 (Modern Drummer Magazine)
Best Clinician 2008 (Drum! Magazine)