Musician
Podcast guestScott Otis
Self-taught drummer, known simply as Otis, who plays in Menace and the AC/DC tribute Old Voltage.
Scott Otis, who goes by Otis, started on guitar at nine and moved to drums at about 13 after tapping a beat on a snare drum at a jam. He is self-taught on drums and learned by watching other drummers. His early playing was heavy metal like Pantera, Ozzy and White Zombie, and he spent eight years drumming with a classic rock band in West Tennessee, where he learned how much feel and nuance classic rock takes. Back in Minnesota he played with the Atomic Playboys and later with the Tough Customers at a Thursday jam for about three years. He now drums for Menace and for Old Voltage, an AC/DC tribute, with bassist Chris Morehouse in both bands. Menace opened the main stage at the Midsummer Music Festival two years in a row.
On the Minnesota Music Note
MN Music Note - Ep 21 - Scott Otis - The Rhythm of Life: Scott Otis' Musical Journey
7mo ago
Open episode pageFun facts from the interview
- Goes by Otis.
- Started guitar at nine and drums at about 13; self-taught on drums, never had a lesson.
- Played eight years with a classic rock band in West Tennessee, including 10 shows on guitar.
- Played with the Atomic Playboys for about eight months after returning to Minnesota.
- Played with the Tough Customers at a Thursday jam for about three years.
- Drums for Menace and for Old Voltage, an AC/DC tribute; Chris Morehouse plays bass in both, and they have shared three bands.
- Menace opened the Midsummer Music Festival main stage two years in a row and closed the second stage the same day.
- Menace usually plays two to three shows a month, including the Thirsty Buffalo in Buffalo.
- Early drum heroes: John Bonham, Ringo Starr and Alex Van Halen; saw Van Halen live.
- Van Halen's 1984 got Otis into heavy music, followed by Ozzy's live albums.
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