Brian Van Mersbergen
Drums - Percussion

Brian joined Triple Threat in June of 2002 and is the band's newest member.

Brian began playing drums at the age of nine in the elementary school band. He continued to play drums and percussion while attending Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois, where he was active in marching band, symphonic band, and orchestra. Inspired by some of the older drummers, which included Todd Sucherman (current drummer for Styx) Brian wanted to become a better drum set player. "My first rock band was called Alchemy. We were mostly a basement/garage type band. The music was a variety of our mixed interests, but hey, we made some music. We even entered a battle of the bands sponsored by the park district. We also gave an interview and a photo appeared in the paper. That was cool! Too bad the battle never happened."

Brian's musical involvement continued in college as a member of the drumline of the Big Red Marching Machine at Illinois State University. During his freshman year, he played in a band back home in Skokie called Phoenix. "This was the first band where I was able to write some drum parts. The other two guys were younger than me, but they were really talented musicians. The bassist, Avie Kopernik, is now the touring bassist for From Zero! We had seven originals down, kind of a harder 80's rock style. When I went back to school in the fall, I came home six weeks later to find out I was kicked out of the band". Brian later auditioned and joined a band at ISU called DOA. DOA played numerous shows during their two-year existence, from frat parties, to bar gigs, to battle of the bands contests. "I really enjoyed those guys. We didn't write, but the tunes were challenging. People loved us. Everything we played was a popular tune, from Buffet, to Metallica, to Rush, to GNR, to Van Halen. We did it all"

After graduating, Brian returned home to Skokie. After trying to hook up in bands the next few years, finally something cam along that appeared good. "They came to my basement. It was convenient. The band was called Butane. I don't think we lasted a year. Two shows and done. The attitudes were wrong. I was so angry afterwards, I didn't play drums again for six months! I felt I would never appear on stage again"

Brian began practicing again when asked to perform for the middle school he teaches at during the talent assembly. "When I started playing, it was fun again." This performance inspired Brian to again, try and pick up where he left off with DOA. "I read an ad for a band looking for a drummer. They practiced close by, so I thought I would give it a shot". He has been with the Triple Threat Band ever since. "The blues are a bit of a stretch for me, but I liked their originals and the rock stuff that they played" "Whenever we go out and do a show, it is extra special for me. I never thought I would do this again, let alone at the caliber we do it at. Dean can really play, he's the best musician I've ever played with. And the other guys are real good too!"

Brian lists his influences as Neil Peart of Rush, Steve Smith of Journey, and Todd Sucherman of Styx. "Not to count out other guys, but those are the big three. Lately I've been listening to those old Rush tapes from the 80's, and I have that personal connection to Todd when I listen to Styx. I'm always trying to see what I'm going to steal from him next!" Style? "My style is difficult to define. When we write, I try to play what comes naturally, what works for the music, and what challenges me, and wrap all that into a drum part." Brian holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physical Education from ISU and Chicago State University, respectively.

Brian's Gear:

Favorite TT original: Into the Night

Favorite TT cover: Closer to the Heart-Rush

Favorite piece of musical gear. Double Bass Pedal

What motivated you to start in music? Saw the school band in 3rd grade.

What artist do you like that you feel really guilty about liking? Rush (for some reason, people frown about Neil Peart influenced drummers)

If I were on a desert island, was smart enough to build a CD player and headphones from coconuts and palm leaves and fashion a solar panel to power it, and could only have 1 album to play in it, what would it be: Moving Pictures-Rush

Most interesting experience had while peforming (music that is): When my primary bass pedal broke during a song at an Illinois State University Battle of the Bands. I had to play the rest of the set left footed.

Song that changed your life and why: Tom Sawyer-motivated me to practice so I could sound like Neil Peart.

Most shameful piece of musical gear owned:A set of wood bongos with removable heads.

Dream car: Viper

What you actually drive: Chevy Lumina

Name something about your bandmates that most people wouldn't guess: Dean can lift 280 pounds off the floor and up over his head to do squats, Tony and I were on the same baseball team in high school, and Todd was in marching percussion.