Dean Butterworth is an English–American musician who is noted for working with English singer Morrissey, in 2005 became the drummer for American band Good Charlotte after they parted with their previous drummer, Chris Wilson, and in fall 2014 became the permanent drummer for American pop rock bandSugar Ray.
Early years
Dean Butterworth was born in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. He moved to the United States at age 10 and started learning to play the drums at age 12. During the early years he focused on the intricacies of jazz and fusion drumming, but after experiencing the chameleon-like way in which Stewart Copeland of The Police switched fluidly from one style to another, often within the same song, he began to branch out into many different styles. His stepfather, Patrick Shanahan, was also an influence on his drumming, advising him to learn a wide variety of musical styles. It is the versatility he gained then which later allowed Butterworth to work with many different artists, including blues legend John Lee Hooker. He is a supporter of Rochdale A.F.C.
In May 2005, after Good Charlotte parted with their drummer due to drug use and inability for Chris Wilson to tour, Butterworth was called in as a temporary replacement. He performed on their 2007 album Good Morning Revival. On the eve of the release of their next studio album the temporary membership was turned into a permanent one. The band released their fifth studio album, Cardiology, in November 2010. Butterworth worked with Joel and Benji Madden from Good Charlotte on their band the Madden Brothers, drumming on their album Greetings from California, released in 2014. His third album with Good Charlotte and their sixth overall Youth Authority was released in July 2016. His fourth and their seventh Generation Rx was released in September 2018.
Other projects (1997–present)
Between 1997 and 2001, Butterworth was one of The Innocent Criminals, the band of Ben Harper. Butterworth sang, played the piano and guitar and wrote his own songs. One of the songs he co-wrote with Harper is "She's Only Happy in the Sun", from the albumDiamonds on the Inside. In 2002 Butterworth toured with Morrissey. In 2003 he worked with surfer and musician Donavon Frankenreiter, on whose self-titled album he plays the drums and sings, with fellow ex-Innocent Criminals David Leach on percussion. In the fall of 2003, Butterworth laid down drum tracks for a song with Scott Shriner, the current bassist of Weezer; Justin Shekoski, guitarist for Saosin; and Anthony Green, singer for Saosin at the time. The song, entitled "I've Been Dying To Reach You", was allegedly recorded to test out the new home studio of John Feldmann, producer and singer for Goldfinger. The song was originally released only on the internet, but a version was later released as "Dear Child " on Green's debut album Avalon in 2008. In 2004, Butterworth toured once more with Morrissey. Butterworth recorded drums for the Used on their third album, Lies for the Liars, after their former drummer, Branden Steineckert, was kicked out of the band. He drummed for the Cab on their album Symphony Soldier, released on August 23, 2011. He is also the drummer and band leader of the house band for the NBC game show Hollywood Game Night. In 2016, Butterworth became a permanent member of Sugar Ray along with Kristian Attard, replacing Bivona brothers, after being a touring member since 2013. In 2017, Butterworth drummed for Hollywood Undead on their album Five.
