Jeff Pettrone’s first introduction to the drums was listening to his father’s two Buddy Rich albums, Buddy and Soul and Mercy, Mercy, in the living room of his Rochester, New York home at the young age of 6. He immediately was drawn to the creativity, speed, technique and passionate playing style of the legendary jazz drummer. His parents purchased him the first of only 3 kits that he’s ever owned for Christmas at the age of 8, a four-piece vintage Ludwig complete with circa 1960 Zildjian cymbals that he still utilizes today. He received no formal training until the age of 10 when he started lessons with the esteemed Professor Vincent Faga at Duke Spinner’s Music Store. He enjoyed the lessons and playing in his school band but his true enjoyment was derived from going down in the basement, putting on headphones and playing along to some of his favorite bands at the time, Boston, Foreigner, Led Zeppelin and Kansas, to name a few. In the early ‘80’s Jeff began jamming with neighbor, friend and current Good Trip Band lead guitarist, Tom Bernacki, covering Rush, The Police, The Cars, Zeppelin and The Who classics. He took out a $1400 loan to purchase an over-sized, seven- piece Gretsch kit which, at the time, seemed necessary and “cool.” His drumming took a backseat to college at SUNY Oswego in the late ‘80’s but his attraction to and love of the instrument never wavered. In 1994 Jeff teamed with close friend and current Good Trip Band front man Angelo Rose to add percussion tracks to the vast array of Angelo’s original music library. The seeds of the Good Trip Band had been planted. In addition to Buddy Rich, Jeff’s main influences include the likes of Neil Peart, John Bonham, Steve Smith, Stewart Copeland and Mitch Mitchell. Peers have described Jeff as having exceptional “feel” and improvisational skills. His drumming philosophy of “less is more” is evidenced in his playing by providing steady time, solid grooves and, and as he says, “staying out of the way and letting the guitarists provide the sizzle”.