Darrin Voris is a whirlwind of influences. Taking in styles from jazz (John Coltrane, Alvin Jones), metal (Iron Maiden, Deicide), blues (John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters), and more, he takes it all in and applies it to his performances in any number of bands around Jackson.
"I may not be the best at any one genre," Darrin says, "but I'm diverse enough that I can play with anybody and play anything."
And play he does. He started in local band Penile Youth at 17, and from there went on to play in a variety of groups, from Trash Cats to Jacktown Hustlers.
Darrin almost wasn't a drummer. Hearing Van Halen's "Panama," he thought he would try his hand at guitar. But drumming came more naturally to him.
Now, he enjoys being something of a bandleader like his influence Questlove, organizing set lists and calling out songs in a live show. That experience led him to produce and host concerts of his own - like the stoner metal show he put on a few summers ago at the Michigan Theatre.
"It's not about making money," Darrin says. "It's about putting on the kind of show you'd like to see."