History

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  • 1970

     

    Birth

    Born October 28, 1970 in Missoula, MT

  • First Gig!

    My father (Jerry Rankin) hooked me up with my first show: a jazz gig with virtuoso bassist Rob Kohler at the Yellowstone Art Center in Billings, MT. I made $75, and was hooked on being a professional drummer for life!

    1987

  • 1987

    Dogs on the Loose

    I played w/ this cover band for years, primarily at ski resort bars. We were featured in Ski Magazine in ’88.

  • Cirocco Jones

    My first “touring band”, getting me out of state for the first time on the road, just one month out of high school.

    1988

  • 1990

    Slam

  • Curious George

    1991

  • 1991

    The Expendables

  • Married Jennifer Seeley

    August 1, 1992 at Silver Cloud Inn in Bozeman, MT

    1992

  • 1992

     

    VI Days

  • Mr. E

    House Bar band at the J Bar T in Great Falls, MT

    1993

  • 1994

    Moved to Portland, Oregon

    Pursuing rock stardom and grad school at Lewis & Clark College

  • Started On a Llama

    Joined Lea Krueger and Greg Kirkelie to form the Rock-it Girl Records band On a Llama. Learn more.

    1994

  • 1995

     

    On a Llama: "On a Llama" album release

    Recorded at Poundhouse Studios, Sauvie’s Island in Portland, OR

  • On a Llama: "Riddle Canon" album release

    Recorded at Falcon Studio in Portland, OR

     

    1997

  • 1998

    Left On a Llama

  • Nicole Campbell

    1998

  • 1998

     

    28 If

    Dreamy rock led by Jeff Labanksy. Performed throughout Oregon. Eric Singer (KISS, Alice Cooper) was original drummer on the album.

  • Kaleb Rankin Born!

    April 28: Jen and I had our first boy, a wild and precocious 9lb 13oz redhead! Official Site

    1999

  • 1999

     

    Brian Cutler

  • FINN

    2000

  • 2001

    Sugarbang

  • Nolan Rankin Born!

    September 27: Jen and I had our second boy, another gorgeously large 9lb 7oz redhead!

    2001

  • 2001

     

    Sheer Bliss

    Chad & Rachel Hamar’s project, who would go on to form country pop group “Cloverdale”.

  • Joined Animotion

    Played my first show in Fresno California on my birthday, October 28, 2002

     

    2002

  • 2007

     

    Everchanging Nomad

    Recorded the album “Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow” with the band Everchanging Nomad, performed live to support the release.

    buy on Apple Music

  • Joined A Flock of Seagulls

     

    2016

  • 2022

     

    October 8: Inducted into Oregon Music Hall of Fame

  • Relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico

    2022