Gene McEwen plays drums in California power metallers Steel Prophet. He joined the band in october 2004, replacing Kevin Cafferty. Previously McEwen played in Steiger.



Gene’s drumming career started on Long Island back in the mid 1980’s playing the local scene for several years. He studied with all-around great Rod Morgenstein until 1987. Then studying with Atlantic recording artist Guy Gelso (Zebra) until 1988. Studying with such greats, Gene can play in many styles such as Rock, Heavy Metal, Blues, Funk, Country and more.

In early 1989 Gene took his drumming talents to the West Coast in Los Angeles. This is where; in 1991 he joined Bizarre/Straight recording artists Armed Forces.



Their first album Take On The Nation drew strong praise from the industry. This is around the time Gene started endorsing Aquarian Drumheads and Drumsticks. Appearing in ads in Modern Drummer Magazine. Their second release Quicksand had even more to say when it came to the music. One music writer described Gene’s live performance as “..one of the most explosive drum attack that this writer has seen in quite a while.” Armed Forces toured extensively headlining shows at such venues as The Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood, The Troubadour and The Roxy. They also opened up for bands including Armored Saint, W.A.S.P., Badlands and Dangerous Toys to name a few.



Armed Forces live performances and CD reviews have appeared in world wide print. From publications such as Rock Hard (Germany), The Hard Report (NJ), Screamer Magazine (Los Angeles), LA Rock Weekly (Los Angeles) and several Japanese publications including Burrn. Armed Forces disbanded in 1996 after the sad and unfortunate passing of lead singer Michael Henry. Even though Armed Forces is no longer together, a new CD has been released in March 2003 on High Vaultage Records in Germany. It is a compilation of previously released and unreleased music.



Other projects that Gene has recorded drums for are The Rugburns (Bizarre/Planet Records) on their 1994 radio hit “Me and Eddie Veddar.” As well as label mate Gregory Page’s (Bizarre/Planet Records) debut album The Romantic Adventures of Harry (1995). He can be heard on Mike Delaney’s (Mr. Studio Records) Where Heroes Cry (2002). In 2003, you can hear Gene playing on “How about you”, a country single by artist Frank Rose (Solar Federation Records). Which will also appear on his upcoming CD release.



Gene recently joined a new band in late 2002 named Project Steiger. Fronted by guitarist Ken Steiger (Musician’s Institute teacher, Guitar Player columnist). Recording two songs on his upcoming CD entitled Defiance. Virgil Donati (Steve Vai, Planet X) handled the drumming duties on the other tracks of the CD. Ken Steiger says, “Gene has graciously chosen to re-create Virgil Donati’s drum parts for me live…quite a task.” Other musicians on the CD are keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Planet X, ex-Dream Theater, Kiss), bassist Tony Franklin (Jimmy Page, The Firm), and guitarist Gary Hoey. You can now see Gene playing these intense and technically challenging parts live around Southern California.



In late 2004 Gene joined the heavy metal band Steel Prophet. This band has released several albums through Nuclear Blast Records with their latest coming on Massacre Records. In early 2005 the band starting writing for it's new CD.



Also in early 2005 Gene took over the drum duties is the female-fronted alt-rock pop-punk band Shut Up Marie. Their first full CD release expected in the spring of 2005. They are keeping busy with lots of live shows throughout Southern California.