Gina Newell

Gina was born and raised in San Francisco California and started playing drums and a variety of percussion in the late 60’s. She began with private lessons in San Francisco, at Angelo’s House of Music when she was just eight years old. Her first drum set was a new Ludwig Standard with the gold astro wrap! Lucky kid, huh? And her first album was Iron Butterfly, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. She could not get enough of that song!

The year was 1968, and it was the height of the “San Francisco sound”. Killer music was all around, and it made quite an impression on this fledgling drummer. She played throughout school and in several different garage bands in and around the Marin County and Sonoma County areas. Her drumming influences are a who’s who of legendary drummers: Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts and Keith Moon, Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, Ginger Baker and Dave Grohl. Just to name a few! But then she stopped playing...to pursue “other interests”... for about 40 years, just like that! Yet she always knew, deep down in her heart, that someday she would return to her pecussive roots.

Now she lives in Northern California, and is married with 5 kids, all in their 20’s. Over the past few years, she started playing again. Currently she collaborates with several gifted musicians and one very talented lyricist/singer. All of their songs are original. Presently, they are working on sync. music; background in video games, tv and radio spots, and tv and movie scenes. The band, “Group Hug Sounds“ is looking forward to going into the studio soon. She recently upped her game and splurged on her dream kit... a DW performance series beauty with the tobacco satin oil finish and new Zildjian cymbals. She Just got her DAW together and is working on mastering that. Some sweet acoustic panels just went up in her home studio. As you may be able to tell, she is very excited to be back making music again.
Looking forward, she will continue to collaborate with talented artists and hopefully play a role in helping to create some some legendary songs and drum parts.