Jules Radino has held the drum chair for the iconic classic rock band Blue Öyster Cult since 2004. Having played on six albums/DVDs including the bands 2020 release, “The Symbol Remains”, he has cemented himself into the legacy of BOC. He has also toured and recorded with artists such as Rob Halford, Dee Snyder, Joe Lynn Turner, Popa Chubby, Rudy Sarzo, Bakithi Kumalo, among many others. He has also performed on “Fox and Friends” and “Good Morning New York”.
In addition to BOC, Jules is thrilled to be the drummer for The Ultimate Queen Celebration. With such notable musicians as Yvan Pedneault, MiG Ayesa and Angus Clark, The Ultimate Queen Celebration is a powerhouse band that tours across the United States.
When not on the road, Jules spends most of his time at "The Woodshed", his studio in Long Island, NY. It’s here where he records drum tracks for artists around the world. A huge advocate of drum education, Jules also maintains a healthy teaching practice. The Woodshed boasts multi-camera production and audio recording for both online and in-person lessons.
He proudly endorses Dixon Drums and Hardware, Sabian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vater Drumsticks and Brushes and Toca Percussion.
Early Years:
Jules started playing drums at about age 10. His dad, who played guitar, showed him a few beats and his first song, “Come On Up” by the Rascals. Together they played songs from bands such as Vanilla Fudge, Blues Project and Cream. Through his school years Jules played percussion in band, learning the wide assortment of percussion instruments including timpani and marimba. He also played drum set in the pit bands for the school plays and talent shows. When in high school, he started lessons with his first drum instructor Fred Weng at the Long Island Drum Center. Through the LI Drum Center he was fortunate to get the opportunity to study with Jim Chapin, Dom Famularo, Al Miller and John Miceli. He would go on to take private lessons with Michael Lauren and Kim Plainfield at Drummer’s Collective in NYC. In addition to studying with these giants of the drum community Jules was playing in a wide variety of bands and musical situations. From theatre work, jazz combos, heavy rock and hip hop he was absorbing all that it took to be a working drummer.
He soon started recording with different artists and joined a few NYC bands that toured and released a few albums. Still looking for more, Jules decided to go to an open mic at Manny’s Car Wash in NYC . This night would change the course of his life. “I show up at Manny’s at about 9pm. It’s an open mic that Big Ed ran for years. I make some small talk with Ed and he puts me on the list. An hour goes by, then another. Soon it’s 12:30. I finally get called to play with some guys that to put kindly are not very good. As we’re playing I’m thinking this may be the end of the line for me as a full-time drummer. As we’re struggling through a tune the door bursts open and in walks a guitarist I recognize. It’s blues great Popa Chubby. At this point I’m trying my best to get these cats to swing. After the tune Ted (Popa Chubby) comes up to the bandstand and tells everyone (in nice way lol) to get off the stage. Everyone except for me. The house band then comes up, with me playing drums and Ted playing guitar and singing. We play just over an hour. Every kind of style from blues, funk, shuffles, ballads, rock. You name it we played it. After we closed out the night Ted asked if I had a passport. Two weeks later I’m on a month long tour of Europe playing huge festivals. ”A year later Jules would land the gig with Blue Oyster Cult and has been their drummer since October 2004.