Chris Arpad


Christopher John Arpad is an American steel drummer based in Los Angeles, California. He is best known for his solo steel drum performances which combine his own vocals and live steel pan with his custom instrumental and vocal backing tracks to create a full band sound; and he is also known as DJ Arpad, adding DJ music to his live steel drum shows.

Early years

Chris grew up in McPherson, Kansas and attended Hutchinson Community College and Wichita State University.

Career

Chris began performing and managing the band Stainless Steel from 1986 to 1991, and continued performing steel drums as a soloist and various other band formats to present. Stainless Steel was a regional success at the time, billed as "the Midwest's Only Steel Drum Band", touring the states of Minnesota, Kentucky, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas. Stainless Steel opened concerts and shared stages with such notable acts as Carlos Santana, Andy Narell, Stanley Jordan, Sinbad, Tower of Power, Bonnie Raitt, Head East, Jeff Healey, The Rainmakers, and Steel Pulse; appearing at the annual South by Southwest, aka "SXSW", Music and Media Festival held in Austin Texas, in 1990 and 1991. Under Arpad's management, Stainless Steel was also a Central region showcase member of the National Association for Campus Activities, NACA, attending showcases and performing for college campuses throughout the region.

Credits