Pat Whalen

Patrick Leonard Whalen (Pat) My interest in the drums began in 1977 when a neighbor of mine in California gave me a used pair of drumsticks. In grade school I started playing the snare drum in the 5th grade band. I bought my first drum set out of a JC Penny’s catalog in 1982. As a teenager, I joined a band with friends from high school named Bates Motel; we played school dances and keg parties. In 1986 I joined the Army and was stationed in Fort Ord, California serving three and a half years, guess that’s why my hair is still short!

I’ve been married to my sweetheart for 17 years and we have three kids that are all musically inclined. Our oldest boy is also a drummer and plays in a local original band named “The Empire”. After a long hiatus I got back behind the drum set in 1994 when I joined a local original band, Raised by Flies. After a couple of years of recording and playing original music the band dissolved but my desire to be in a band and on stage was so strong that me and a couple of guys from the Dodge Center formed a trio and played local bars for booze! Unfortunately we could only get through one set because we would get so intoxicated to ensure we had been paid in full!!! Making our home in Rochester, I currently work at Village Hearth in route sales, where I met Jeff Lien. Jeff introduced me to bass player Mark Eidem and the three of us formed an original band, Defuze. On 6/6/06 we hooked up with a singer out of California that had a few connections. The band recorded the song “Pull” which is featured on the “20 Stories Below Blind Melon Tribute album”. The singer moved back to California, which brings us to now, Jeff and I joining N2N!

I am excited for the opportunity to be on stage with three talented musicians Chris, Dennis and Teddy who have always put on one hell of a show. I listen to all kinds of music from the 60’s to current with many musical influences. Elvis will always be the King, Jim Morrison the best front man and John Lennon’s musical impact will live on forever. My biggest influence, and the best drummer of all time is John Bonham. Seeing him play Ludwig drums in the movie “ The Song Remains the Same” was the day I decided I wouldn’t play anything but the best, Ludwig. When I am not behind the drums my other passions in life are my family, friends and my Harley Davidson Road King. Hope to see you at the next show. ALL RIGHT!! Pat