Andy Sparkes (Cardiff, Wales, 1975) is best known as drummer in Absinthe. Sparkes, who started playing drums at age 13, has previously played in The Albino Experience and Punk Sheep.



He names Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, QOTSA), Bloc Party, The Kaiser Chiefs and Tico Torres (Bon Jovi) as inspirational artists.



Andy Sparkes built a solid reputation in the late 90s with legendary Cardiff underground band Punk Sheep. After moving to Amsterdam in 2001 he joined The Albino Experience and then in 2003 alternative rock band Absinthe.



Absinthe have a very unique sound and stand out among today’s other alternative acts – largely due to the drums. Absinthe’s vision of drumming is to create rhythm through texture rather than defined beats.



Asked what he has learned last year, Andy responds:

"Keep a tight grip! On stage my fellow band members no longer have to keep their eyes peeled for unidentified flying sticks!"

He is currently promoting the EP to labels, planning a UK tour in February 2006 , support major acts across Europe and US and try to appear on summer festival.