How Meeting Bruce Springsteen’s Drummer Changed Josh Taerk’s Life

I was born in Toronto, Canada and raised on a very healthy diet of Rock ‘n’ Roll music; Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Tom Petty. My taste in music now is just as unique as the spelling of my last name, combining influences from all across the Rock spectrum. I listen to and love bands like Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Counting Crows, Matchbox 20 and just about everything in between!

In the fall of 2010, I got to meet one of my childhood heroes Max Weinberg (Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Drummer for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band) in my hometown. I remember how gracious Max was, taking the time to talk to me about anything and everything. I gave him a copy of some demo tracks I had been working on and a week later Max got in touch with me and asked me to open for him and his big band project in his hometown, South Orange New Jersey. Since then, Max has become an incredible friend and mentor and even invited me onstage at Summerfest to pay tribute to the late Clarence Clemons with his all-star band including Bill and Will Champlin, and Mindi Abair.

At the time, I was working with producer Terry Brown on my first album Josh, and he suggested I take my music to the UK. So I packed up my guitar and played a week of acoustic shows in London which led to an opportunity to go out on a cross-country tour with The Soldiers. I toured with the soldiers throughout England, Scotland and Wales in January of 2012, the summer of 2012 and January of 2013.

In the spring of 2011, I was invited to play at The Aspen Songwriters Festival, hosted by John Oates (Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Hall and Oates). John and I became fast friends and met up a couple months after the festival when he was playing a show in Canada. He has to be one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, and to this day is really supportive of my music. John actually introduced me to my current producer Teddy Morgan (Kevin Costner & Modern West) when I was looking to make my 2nd studio album.

Teddy and I started working on Here’s To Change at the Creative Workshop in Berry Hill, Tennessee in the fall of 2014. During the recording process I met up with John and he asked to take a listen to a couple of the tracks. Next thing I knew I was in the studio with Teddy on the board and John Oates in the vocal booth singing the words that I wrote to “Wise Man” and the title track of the record. Talk about your out of body experiences.

Here’s To Change was released in 2015 and the title track of the album was play-listed on over 40 radio stations across The UK, the album was chosen as one of the top 25 albums of the year by Rock music writer Jason Ritchie (Classic Rock Magazine, GRTR!), and I was named one of the “Top 5 Live Acts” of 2015 by Classic Rock Magazine. Since then, I’ve toured North America where my latest single “Anywhere Love Took Us” was play-listed on Hot AC Commercial Radio in The US.

On tour, my band and I have had the privilege of opening for famed blues guitarist Robin Trower (Procol Harum), Kevin Costner & Modern West, Jon McLaughlin and Austin Jones amongst others. Coming up I’ve got some pretty cool stuff brewing for the holidays and 2017, so make sure you all stay tuned!

Outside of music, I love snow skiing, hiking, and traveling as much as I can. I’m probably the biggest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan ever, love collecting vinyl, and love men’s fashion.

As for my personal style:

Jeans: Always! I wear jeans everywhere including and not limited to more formal events if I can get away with it. My favorite jeans to wear:

• Nudie Jean Grim Tim 
• Rag & Bone Fit 1 Jeans

Shirts: T-shirts are my go to, I basically live in them.

My favorites:

• Zadig & Voltaire Monas Mc T-Shirt
• John Varvatos Silk Cashmere Waffle Knit Henley
• Calvin Klein Liquid Stretch T-Shirt

Pants: You’d be hard pressed to find me wearing anything but Jeans.

Suits: I’m not a big suit guy, but I was invited to perform at Canada’s Walk of Fame and attend the red carpet three years ago. They were very specific that jeans and a jacket wouldn’t cut it; so I went out and bought a Gucci black suit that I wear anytime jeans won’t do.

Shoes: I’m more of a boot guy, but you know what they say when the shoe fits:

• John Varvatos 315 Leather High-Top Sneakers in Black

Accessories: I’m a huge fan of men’s accessories. I think that a well selected hat, necklace, bracelet, etc; can take an outfit and really make that outfit unique. Some of my favorite accessories right now are:

• Black Gold / Copper Feather Necklace – This is a custom piece that I put together over a period of 5 years.
• Navajo Silver Cuff Bracelets – something like these
• Silver Biker Bracelet – something like these
• Rag & Bone Kaden Ribbed Cashmere Beanie
• Zadig & Voltaire Caid Deluxe Cashmere Hat

Outerwear:

• Neuw Men’s Berlin Jacket in Black Leather
• Jean Shop Leather Western in destressed Tan
• All Saints Tocander Denim Jacket in Washed Black
• John Elliott Hooded Villain in Black

Favorite cologne: Versace Eau Fraiche

Favorite app: Uber Eats

Favorite piece of technology: I have had the same guitar since I started writing my own songs, and I love this thing to death: Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Cutaway from 2006

Next style/gear purchase: Style wise, I’ve had my eye on this King Baby Raven Skull Pendant for a while.