Former Green Day drummer Raj Punjabi is set to release his freshman album
BY Wesley Dwaine
September 23, 2024
Raj Punjabi is a Connecticut born musician that now resides in the Pacific NorthWest. Raj started playing drums at the age of 4 and went on to play drums for the band Green Day at age 12 from 1983 until 1991. Raj has also performed with such artists as Curtis Young, Dizzy Right, Sublime LBC, One Wish and Restruct. I recently got to golf with Raj at the Randall Morris Celebrity golf tournament featuring Golftics!
Raj will be releasing his freshman album as a solo artist with hit songs like Jump and Away we Go. It was a pleasure getting a preview of the album. The production and rhythms allow the listener to enjoy the music. I look forward to watching Raj Punjabi grow as an artist and I would suspect you will hear his music in gaming, film, tv, and various other productions. I had the pleasure of asking Raj a few question to further inquire about who is Raj Punjabi.
1. How did you first get into music? Is percussion your 1st instrument? & how many instruments do you play?
I first got into music by going to a Mexican restaurant with my dad when I was a little boy and there was a mariachi band playing and the drummer. Let me sit behind this Kitt lol I was hooked ever since. I can play a little bit of bass, trumpet ,guitar, piano to be dangerous, and can program the hell out of midi.
2. Who are your influences?
I would have to say my influences in the music industry have been and I know they’re sporadic , Michael Jackson, Prince , Eminem, Van Halen to name just a few.
3. Do you have a ritual or routine when creating music?
Usually, I’ll make a cup of hot tea then I’ll pick a BPM and a key and I’ll put down a piano or guitar melody , then I will build upon that and sometimes I might start with making a beat or come up with a cool beat on my drum set It just depends on the mode. I’m in. I get inspired to do something and start composing it.
4. What meal do you eat before shows?
Since I am so ADHD and I have a fast metabolism, I like eating like a cheeseburger meal.
5. Do you have a dream venue or festival you have yet to play?
It would be a dream to play, Coachella and I have not had the opportunity to do so yet.
6. Which is a better city, Boston or Chicago? Which is the better band?
I would honestly have to say Chicago and Chicago
7. What is your take on A.I. technology & art?
My take on AI technologies is this as far as music goes, I don’t use it except for during the mastering phase. I do use emastered, but once again I will go in and make changes on my own to make sure that it sounds absolutely the way that I hear it as far as writing music I feel people should write their own music and not use AI and lyric should be written by an artist, not with AI. I use it myself for making album covers, but I don’t use all the AI. I use it as a platform and then I build upon it with Photoshop or whatever other program.
8. What, when, who, & where was your 1st concert?
My first concert that I ever saw was with my father, and it was Neil Diamond at the Cal Palace in the Bay Area and he was phenomenal.
9. Please tell us about your album release party.
The album release party is going to be off the hook. Let me start with that. I’ve got Ian Ayers that’s gonna be opening up the show. He’s a funk reggae vibe and really good then I’ve got Mr. Brandon Hartt who got nominated at the CMA‘s for new country artist and I’m gonna be playing a set with him playing guitar and me on the drums then after that my band U.S Going to rock that boat with the release of our new album and we’re gonna be shooting a music video to boot for our New single that we just released called “Jump” we Will be joined by DJ Strizzo spinning our beats that I wrote and produced.And it will be hosted by Los Ghost .
**
Funk, Hip Hop, and Country Party Cruise on The Hiyu **
Get ready for an **unforgettable night** of music on **Friday, September 27th**, as **Raj Punjabi**, the original drummer from Green Day, launches his new band, **U.S.**, aboard **Washington’s largest floating concert venue, The Hiyu**! With a fusion of **funk and hip hop**, this event is guaranteed to bring high-energy performances and an electric atmosphere.
**Kicking off the night** will be none other than **Ian Ayers**, the Pacific Northwest’s reggae powerhouse! Known for his electrifying performances and his band **The Soul Purpose**, Ian blends reggae, funk, and rock in a way that will have the entire boat moving. His smooth, soulful sound and heartfelt lyrics have captivated audiences everywhere, making him a must-see artist. You don’t want to miss his performance that will set the stage for an epic evening!
The real showstopper of the night will be **Raj Punjabi** and **Brandon Hartt** performing **together live**! This one-of-a-kind collaboration will fuse Brandon’s rising country stardom with Raj’s iconic drumming and energy, creating an explosive mix of country, hip hop, and funk that will have the whole boat rocking. With **Brandon Hartt** recently nominated as **Rookie Artist of the Year**, this is a rare opportunity to witness these two powerhouse performers bring their talents together in a live setting. Don’t miss your chance to see this unique blend of musical styles and get up close to some of the hottest names in music!
**DJ Strizzo** will take things to the next level, spinning his signature genre-blending mixes and performing alongside **Raj and Brandon**, making this an even more special collaboration that will bring the energy of the night to its peak.
To add to the excitement, **D2R** is sponsoring Raj’s clothing for the night, and the evening will also feature the **release of a brand-new music video**! This event isn’t just a concert—it’s a full-scale celebration and a unique musical experience.
Plus, you’ll get the exclusive chance to **mingle with celebrities** from the **NFL, MLB, pro skaters**, and more, making this an incredible night both on and off the stage!
**
Date:** Friday, September 27, 2024
Date:** Friday, September 27, 2024**
Boarding:** 6:00 PM
Boarding:** 6:00 PM**
Departure:** 6:30 PM
Departure:** 6:30 PM**
Return:** 9:30 PM (Party until 10:00 PM)
Return:** 9:30 PM (Party until 10:00 PM)**
Location:** South Lake Union on *The Hiyu*
Location:** South Lake Union on *The Hiyu***
VIP & Bottle Service Available!**
VIP & Bottle Service Available!**Join us for the perfect end-of-summer party aboard *The Hiyu*, with live music, DJ sets, and a breathtaking Seattle skyline as the backdrop. **Tickets are selling fast**, so grab yours for just **$60** and don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to party with rising stars, celebrities, and experience an unforgettable night!
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