CHEAP TRICK Drummer DAXX NEILSON – "I’m Half Their Age And I’m Exhausted After A Show"

Daxx Neilson, the son of Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Neilson and drummer for the band, recently spoke with Drum! Magazine. An excerpt from the interview is available below.

DRUM!: When you’re on the road I notice you take organic juice and carrots backstage? How do the other guys in the band take care of themselves?

Daxx: “It’s insane how they do it. Everyone tries to relax and save their energy for the stage. I’m half their age and I’m exhausted after a show. We’re on the road close to 200 days a year. It’s exhausting but its so rewarding.”

DRUM!: You posted a video of you playing an event recently with Eddie Vedder, performing “The Kids Are Alright.” And I know you’ve had a lot of posts of people who have been on stage with you. How frequently is that happening with Cheap Trick, where guests join the band?

Daxx: “I was Eddie’s drummer for two nights in Chicago for a fund raiser that we put a band together for and was lucky enough to do it. That was a dream come true! I grew up in that era. Late ’80s to mid-’90s music was a huge influence on me. Cheap Trick loves to have people come up onstage. It bridges the gap between us and the fans of other bands. Maybe fans of Pearl Jam will check us out because they saw Eddie Vedder play with this drummer guy from some band called Cheap Trick.”

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Celebrating a long-anticipated induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cheap Trick announced an exclusive new deal with leading global independent record label Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Tim McGraw). The legendary band is currently hard at work finishing their Big Machine debut album titled Bang Zoom Crazy… Hello, slated for release on April 1, 2016. Produced by Grammy-winning producer Julian Raymond, the album marks Cheap Trick’s 17th studio album and first in more than five years.  

“We can’t thank the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame enough for honoring Cheap Trick. Thanks to all the fans who have supported us for all these years and to the Hall Of Fame members who cast their votes. We are excited and honored,” said Cheap Trick bass guitarist Tom Petersson.    

“Coinciding with their entry into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, I am beyond proud and excited to announce that Cheap Trick are the newest members of the Big Machine Records family,” said Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta.  “As a band, they’ve never stopped rock’n the free world and they play every night with as much conviction as their first power-pop-punk club shows from the mid ’70s.  I can’t wait for Cheap Trick fans everywhere to have the new album.”  

Eligible since 2002, Cheap Trick will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame after being nominated for the first time this year. More than 800 artists, historians and music-industry professionals determine the annual honorees, who are considered qualified 25 years after releasing their first single or album – 1990, for the newest crop of nominees. The 2016 Induction Ceremony is scheduled for April 8.  

Cheap Trick are an indisputable American institution, beloved around the globe since 1973 for their instantly identifiable, hugely influential, brand of pop rock ‘n’ roll. The band – Robin Zander (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar), Tom Petersson (bass guitar), and Daxx Nielsen (drums) – are truly one of a kind, power pop pioneers with an unparalleled streak of certifiably classic tunes, spanning “Surrender” and “I Want You To Want Me” to “Dream Police” and the worldwide #1 hit single, “The Flame”.  

Now well into their fourth decade, the band is among the most active and successful in music history with featured appearances on over 20 movie soundtracks, more than 40 international gold and platinum certifications, a myriad of awards and industry honors, and total record sales in excess of 20 million.  

Surely among rock’s greatest live acts, Cheap Trick continues to spend much of their time on the road. Upcoming dates include Napa, CA’s Uptown Theatre (December 18); Stateline, NV’s Harrah’s Hotel Casino – Lake Tahoe (December 19) and San Jose, CA’s City National Civic (December 20). A major North American headline tour will be announced in support of the new album.

To celebrate Cheap Trick’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and signing to Big Machine Label Group, the band is giving away a free download of “No Direction Home” from their upcoming BMLG release. Head to this location to procure the free download.