got my I first drum set when was 6. It was a toy set with paper heads that lasted about 30 minutes. When I was 11 I bought a pair of Ludwig sticks I saw in a magazine ad and hit everything I could with them until one broke. The other one became an ornament on my dresser. My friend Tom taught me my first beats when I was 16. He and I soon formed a band and that's where I learned to play. I bought my first real drum set from a friend, a good ole CB700. I had it for about a year, and then I bought a Tama Swingstar. I used that kit in many variations for about three years. I had many other pieces that I bought and would integrate them into the kit. When I was 24, I bought the set I still own today, a Tama Royalstar. I upgraded the snare to a Ludwig 10X14 12 lug marching snare. This thing still has gut snares on it and has a sound like no other. It has rounded the set out. I now play on a DW Collectors series in Emerald Green satin oil with 24kt gold hardware. My influences are just about everything you can think of with the exception of Country & Western, and Hip Hop. My early days were filled with Grand Funk and Bad Co. I listened to everything from classical to jazz rock/fusion. Led Zeppelin was to be a big part of my musical training, as was Rush, Yes, and ELP. I would spend countless hours trying to learn tunes from these bands. Now I listen to Tool, Jane’s Addiction, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, APC, and still love Jazz fusion. My experience on drums as follows.
Late 80's till 90's Outta Control ( later renamed to Dunn with the Chiff Band, and then back again after Keith Dunn left) Ray Chiffy on drums, Tom Woodward on Bass, Jeff Woodward on Guitar, Chris Merchant on Guitar, later replaced by Keith Dunn on Guitar later replaced by Ken Schmid.
91 to 94 The Dead Hedge ( Later to become Joe Zoom and the Dead Hedge) Ray Chiffy on drums, Mike Poulin on Bass, Shawn Connoly on Guitar, Joe Roszumus on Vocals
94 to 94 Emanon-Al Herbert on Bass Guitar, Jeff Riley on Guitar, Peter ? on keyboards, Mark P. on vocals.
94 to 98 I pretty much dropped out of the scene except for playing percussion
97 to 98 Biscuits For Cheese Ray Chiffy on Drums, Jeff Meehan on Guitar, Brian on Bass, Brendan on vocals.
98 to 99 Wilton Post Office: Ray Chiffy on Drums, Jeff Meehan on Guitar, Brian on Guitar, Mark Vaughn on Bass, John Gaudette on Keyboards, Juan Saucedo on Vocals
2002 to 2002 D'Funk'D: Ray Chiffy on Drums, Jason Behling on Guitar and Vocals, Patrick Lanctot on Guitar and Vocals, Bill Gauthier on Bass and Vocals and later replaced with John Spence on Bass and Vocals
2002 to Present A Band Called Spike Ray Chiffy-Drums, Frank Giannetti on Bass and Vocals, Jim Alger Guitar and Vocals
2006 Tetanus Playground 2.0: Ray Chiffy-Drums, Frank Giannetti on Bass and Vocals, Jim Leboeuf on Guitar and Vocals