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Anthony Dio (b. 1979) is a Filipino professional drummer, known for his playing with R&B/hip-hop band K24/7. He is also a session musician who has performed with several renowned artists
& groups, most notably with The Diamond Soul Siren Nina. He is also a mainstay of The 3rd Avenue, the Philippines' premier wedding band.
Anthony Dio became interested in drumming and began playing at age 13,
when he was a freshman high school student in La Salle Greenhills. He got his first set of drums as a Christmas
present from his parents in 1992. He is mainly self-taught, learning by
watching and listening to drummers on TV and radio, playing along to songs & reading Modern Drummer
magazines.
Rock music was his first love. He was first influenced by the rock, alternative and grunge drummers of the 90's & the classic rock drummers of the 70's. Some of his early drumming influences include John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Matt Cameron (Soundgarden), Jimmy Chamberlin (The Smashing Pumpkins), Dave Abbruzzese & Dave Kruzen (both from Pearl Jam). Soon, he discovered progressive rock music, which greatly contributed to his growth & development as a drummer. His early progressive drumming influences include Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche), Tim Alexander (Primus) & his greatest drumming hero of all time, Neil Peart (Rush).
Rock music was his first love. He was first influenced by the rock, alternative and grunge drummers of the 90's & the classic rock drummers of the 70's. Some of his early drumming influences include John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Matt Cameron (Soundgarden), Jimmy Chamberlin (The Smashing Pumpkins), Dave Abbruzzese & Dave Kruzen (both from Pearl Jam). Soon, he discovered progressive rock music, which greatly contributed to his growth & development as a drummer. His early progressive drumming influences include Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche), Tim Alexander (Primus) & his greatest drumming hero of all time, Neil Peart (Rush).
Anthony Dio joined the DLSU Pops Orchestra when he entered college. Under the baton and mentorship of Maestro Eliezer San Felipe, he was
exposed to a wide range of musical styles. Once a pure rocker, he was molded into a versatile and musical drummer. During these years,
he discovered the drumming styles of contemporary world-class drummers such as Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, Tony Williams, Carter
Beauford, Simon Phillips & his greatest influence in groove and feel, Jeff Porcaro.
In 1998, he began playing professionally, juggling his time performing on gigs, studying & fulfilling obligations with the DLSU Pops. Some of his early professional gigs are with show bands Pose/Raspberry Surprise (1998-2000), The Grind (2000) & Prime Council (2001-2002). In 2002, after graduating from DLS-College of St. Benilde with an Industrial Design degree, Anthony Dio pursued a full-time career as a professional musician. That year, he joined the versatile pop band 7th Soul, where he kept himself busy playing on bar gigs & events, touring & developing his drumming.
In 1998, he began playing professionally, juggling his time performing on gigs, studying & fulfilling obligations with the DLSU Pops. Some of his early professional gigs are with show bands Pose/Raspberry Surprise (1998-2000), The Grind (2000) & Prime Council (2001-2002). In 2002, after graduating from DLS-College of St. Benilde with an Industrial Design degree, Anthony Dio pursued a full-time career as a professional musician. That year, he joined the versatile pop band 7th Soul, where he kept himself busy playing on bar gigs & events, touring & developing his drumming.
In 2004, he joined K24/7, which was timely due to his growing interest in R&B & hip-hop drumming during this period. K24/7 frequently performed back to back with South Border, one of the Philippines' most successful pop/R&B bands. K24/7 recorded and released the album "New Era" in 2009. With K24/7, Anthony Dio earned a reputation for being a drummer with a strong sense of groove & feel. He also began establishing himself as a session drummer, allowing him to further grow musically & show his versatility by performing for different artists & groups with varying musical styles.
Anthony Dio left K24/7 in 2013, then was invited to join fuseboxx. With his brief stint with the 4-piece
progressive group, he has come full circle, bringing him back to the progressive musical styles he loved & intensely studied. His recent progressive influences
include Danny Carey (Tool) & Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree).
Though mostly self-taught throughout his drumming life, Anthony Dio took drum lessons from two of the Philippines' top drummers. He studied with jazz/fusion master Mar Dizon in 2002 & with
all-around master drummer Michael Alba in 2010 and 2012.
Currently, Anthony Dio is keeping himself busy playing on a variety of gigs, whether sessioning for renowned artists like Nina or playing at weddings & corporate events with 3rd Avenue. He still aspires and perseveres to have a fruitful musical career while continuously learning and improving his drumming.
Currently, Anthony Dio is keeping himself busy playing on a variety of gigs, whether sessioning for renowned artists like Nina or playing at weddings & corporate events with 3rd Avenue. He still aspires and perseveres to have a fruitful musical career while continuously learning and improving his drumming.
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Major Drumming Influences:
Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, Jeff Porcaro, Tony Williams, Vinnie Colaiuta,
Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Danny
Carey, Gavin Harrison, Simon Phillips, Tim Alexander, Stewart Copeland, Carter Beauford, Jimmy Chamberlin, Matt Cameron, Michael Alba, Mar Dizon, Benjie Mendez, Junjun Regalado.
Artists and groups Anthony Dio has performed with:
K24/7, Nina, The 3rd Avenue, fuseboxx, Six Part Invention, Morissette, Jake Zyrus, Ronnie Liang, Sarah G, Janine Tenoso, Noel Cabangon, Christian Bautista, Karylle, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Basti Artadi, Davey Langit, Lara Maigue, Michael Pangilinan, Kikx Salazar, Marlo Mortel, Mimi Marquez, Solenn Heussaff, Lovi Poe, Sabrina, Roselle Nava,
Jimmy Bondoc, Sabado Boys, Pido, Malik, Aliya Parcs, Vince Alaras, Jed Madela, Eric Santos, Angeline Quinto, Junji Arias, Zendee, Jessica Sanchez, Samantha Felizco, Klarisse De Guzman, Janice Javier, Bradley Holmes, JK Labajo, Darren Espanto, The Voice Kids PH (Season 1 Finalists), Rodjun Cruz, JC De Vera, Rivermaya, Erectus, Shamrock, U-Turn, Crib, Saia, H2O, Fairground, Surreal, Fair Warning, The Sauce, Surreli Jazz Ensemble,
Working Stiff, DaCapo, Sound Salad, Uno Ritmo, Quartet Manila, Soul Brothers, Phase 90, 7th Soul, Prime Council, The Grind, Pose, Raspberry
Surprise, Ringo Marquez, DLSU Pops Orchestra, Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, ABS-CBN
Philharmonic Orchestra, Bread Of Life Ministries, The Feast (SYNC).
TV Show performances:
It's Showtime (ABS-CBN), ASAP (ABS-CBN), Everybody Sing! (ABS-CBN), The Sweet Life (GMA).
Recording Credits:
- K24/7 - New Era (Red Cow Music, 2009). Tracks: "Sweetest Thing", "Don't Ever Let Go", "Your Smile", and "Pangako".
- “Lost” by Robin Nievera, from the album "Are You Listening?" (Christian contemporary album, produced by: Bebo Bharwani, 2010).
- Hit Productions - Alaska Aces "Discipline" TV Commercial (Arranger: Mike Villegas, 2010).
- "Sa Sabsaban" - fuseboxx, featuring Noel Cabangon and Anima Choir, 2014.
- "Happy Truck Pilipinas" Theme Song - TV5, 2016.
- "You With Me" Original Soundtrack (Arranger: Gerard Lao, 2017). Tracks: "Kahit Saglit", "Sana Ako Pa Rin", and "Fallin".
