Dan Hill began playing professionally at age 14 doing cover gigs around the Inland Empire, and Orange County, CA. It was during this time he formed Riverside, CA local legends Spiderworks. In it initial 6-year existence Spiderworks recorded 3 CDs and toured the U.S, many times and headlined over such heavy hitters as Korn, Sublime and Voo Doo Glow Skulls. Spiderworks recorded demos for A&M and Geffen Records, but soon after the band decided to disband. After Spiderworks Dan formed a rock fusion group called FriedWood. Despite this band’s rather silly name FriedWood recorded a CD and toured with bands like Faith No More and Iron Butterfly.

Having studied drums from day one, it was time to focus on studying fulltime. After meeting legendary percussionist Jerry Steinholtz, Dan decided to enroll at LA Music Academy (L.A.M.A.) in March of 2000. Steinholtz was a true mentor and urged him to study drums and percussion as a dual major, the only student to focus equally on both. L.A.M.A. provided the opportunity to study with the best teachers/players in the Los Angeles Area. Ralph Humphrey and Joe Porcaro are the heads of the drum department at L.A.M.A. Also teaching drums were J.R. Robinson, Mike Shapiro, Sherman Ferguson, and Dan’s private teacher Dave Beyer. The percussion department at L.A.M.A. is headed by Jerry Steinholtz and Emil Richards. Dan Hill graduated L.A.M.A at the top of his class, having been chosen to play drums in the studio drumming class taught by J.R. Robinson, fronting two jazz bands and two Latin bands taught by Jerry Steinholtz and Tony Inzalaco.

After graduating L.A.M.A. Dan toured with L.A. Punk band FEAR, Recorded 2 CD’s for Riverside alternative country band Bucksworth and formed his own Jazz group Like Minds. In addition to Like Minds Dan is currently a member of the rock band Justin Black and the Light. JABTL has toured with Alien Ant Farm, EarShot and STYX. The Band finished their summer 2006 tour at the Havasu Rock Fest with headliners The Black Crows, Live, The Doobie Brothers, and Cheap Trick. In addition to his busy schedule as a player Dan has also taught drums for the last 6 years. He currently teaches at Timbo’s, Riverside’s only professional drum shop, where he will be doing a series of drum clinics. The first clinic was held Saturday December 2nd and promisies to be a fun, educational and entertaining event.