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Spit Stix
Spit Stix
Spit Stix
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Key Information

Tim Leitch (a.k.a. Spit Stix, born December 29, 1955) is an American drummer, producer and songwriter. He gained prominence as drummer for the punk rock band Fear and producer of the first Red Hot Chili Peppers demo tape.[1]

Early life

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Tim Leitch was born in Los Angeles into a musical family. Both his parents and all his siblings played or performed. At the age of eight, Tim chose drums and began to play Bossa and Jazz. At 12, he began tutoring with Marine drum and bugle corps instructor Don Clark, and speed drummer Deane Hagen (son of film/TV composer Earle Hagen). By 17 he had studied with Joe Pass and Art Pepper, and performed with Ralph Humphries and Don Ellis.[2]

Musical career

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Later he joined seminal hardcore LA punk band Fear, performed with avant-garde singer Nina Hagen, Lydia Lunch, John Belushi, LA African Beat Kwashi and Dick Dale. He performed on Saturday Night Live on Halloween 1981.[1]

Leitch learned production, engineering, and songwriting skills from Richie Podler, Bill Cooper, and Bob Clearmountain. He also had some minor roles in movies like American Pop and The Ratings Game In 1983, Tim produced the first Red Hot Chili Peppers demo recording that led the band to its first recording contract.[1] Those sessions were later released in 1994 as “Out in LA”, EMI. Tim had his first top 40 hit with “Paraiso” (WEA Latina artist Chantelle). His credits also include scoring the feature film, Night Eyes II and the film short, “In the Meantime”, as well as ghost-composing many other feature films under Steve “Don’t You Forget About Me” Shift.

After his move to New York City in 1992, Leitch came off the road with FEAR in 1993 and began learning Sonic Solutions and Pro Tools. By 2000, Tim was writing jingles for Bang Music, engineering, producing, licensing, teaching Logic Pro software privately, and demonstrating for software and digital audio hardware manufacturers at trade shows.[2]

In 2003, Tim partnered with Emmy award winning composer Patty Stotter, scoring HBO documentaries and music and sound design for children's books online. Sol-I, Tim's solo projects' debut album, Leap Before You Look, won 1st place at the 2004 Just Plain Folks Independent Music Awards in the category Electronica Album of the Year. Docs Without Borders Film Festival awarded his piece (Is Anybody Listening?) for its 2016 Official Selection in the Human Spirit category.[2] His 13 years of teaching drums was accumulated into his book "Diffusion of Useful Beats" which was released in March of 2019. A collection of beats, fills, and exercises for drum kit. Tim now lives in the Pacific Northwest. Some of his current performing projects include Fear, Nasalrod, and NW Sugar Shakers.[2]

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References

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Spit Stix

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Spit Stix, born Timothy Leitch on December 29, 1955, is an American drummer, producer, songwriter, and educator best known for his role as the original and longtime drummer of the punk rock band Fear. Leitch adopted the stage name Spit Stix in the late 1970s and joined Fear in 1978, contributing to their seminal debut album The Record (1982) and subsequent releases including More Beer (1985) and Live... For The Record (1991), while performing on high-profile platforms such as Saturday Night Live in 1981, where the band's chaotic set caused significant stage damage. He remained with Fear until 1993, citing frustrations over compensation and creative direction, before rejoining the band in 2018 for recordings like Have Another Beer with Fear (2022) and their 2024 album The Last Time. Beyond Fear, Stix has been involved in diverse musical projects, including drumming for bands such as , Victims Family, and his own experimental group Nasalrod, with whom he released material like the 2024 split album . As a producer and engineer, he notably helmed the ' earliest demos in 1983–1984, which later appeared on compilations such as Out in L.A. (1994), and worked with artists including and . Relocating to , in 2005, Stix has since focused on drum education, authoring the instructional book Diffusion of Useful Beats (2019) and maintaining an active presence in the local music scene through solo projects like SPIT and Sol-I.

Early life

Birth and family background

Tim Leitch, professionally known as Spit Stix, was born on December 29, 1955, in , . Leitch grew up in a musical family, with both parents and all siblings actively involved in playing or performing music, which immersed him in a creative household environment from an early age. His father introduced him to records, his mother to Brazilian music, and his brothers to rock acts like and . This familial emphasis on music provided a foundational influence during his formative years. His childhood unfolded in during the 1960s.

Introduction to music

Tim Leitch, better known as Spit Stix, began playing at the age of eight, initially focusing on and styles influenced by his family's musical interests. Growing up in provided access to a vibrant cultural scene that later fueled his immersion in the emerging punk movement. By his early teenage years, had solidified as Spit Stix's primary instrument, with formal training beginning at age 12 when he joined a private drum corps under Marine instructor Don Clark. This experience emphasized discipline, endurance, speed, and accuracy, blending structured lessons with self-taught experimentation in subgenres like and fusion. Influenced by drummers such as and , as well as fusion pioneers like and during high school, he developed a technically proficient style that incorporated complex rhythms and improvisation. He further honed his skills through private study with saxophonist and guitarist by age 17, adapting techniques without formal punk instruction at the time. In the mid-1970s, as ' punk scene began to emerge from rock and precursors, Spit Stix's interests shifted toward high-energy acts that reignited his passion for rock. Hearing the in 1976 particularly inspired him, alongside bands like The Ramones and , prompting his first amateur musical endeavors. In 1976, he co-formed a short-lived band called Spit with his brother, though it never progressed to gigs. Post-high school, he gained initial performance experience drumming in his brother's cover band in , marking his entry into live playing amid the era's punk fervor. These early, informal outings in the mid-1970s LA-adjacent scene laid the groundwork for his professional trajectory, emphasizing raw energy over polished technique.

Musical career

Tenure with Fear

Spit Stix, born Tim Leitch, joined the band in 1978 as its original drummer, adopting the stage name upon recommendation from frontman to fit the band's aggressive aesthetic. He replaced initial drummer Johnny Backbeat, forming the classic lineup alongside Ving on vocals and guitar, guitarist , and bassist , which defined Fear's raw, confrontational sound in the scene. Stix's tenure with the band spanned from 1978 to 1993, marked by intense collaboration and eventual tensions, particularly with Ving over compensation and creative control, leading him to depart after feeling undervalued as a despite his foundational role. Stix's drumming contributions were central to Fear's albums and live energy, including the seminal 1982 release The Record, More Beer (1985), and Live... For The Record (1991), where his athletic, muscular style—drawing from jazz and African rhythms to "goose the beat" with emphatic backbeats—propelled tracks like "I Love Livin' in the City" and shaped the band's blistering hardcore punk intensity. This approach amplified Fear's chaotic live performances, exemplified by their infamous Halloween 1981 appearance on Saturday Night Live, where Stix powered songs such as "I Don't Care About You" and "New York's Alright (If You Like Filth)" amid slam-dancing fans who caused nearly $20,000 in damages, resulting in the band's lifetime ban from the show. The performance, facilitated by John Belushi, highlighted Stix's ability to drive the band's high-octane fury, influencing punk's evolution toward more visceral, crowd-inciting energy. After a 25-year hiatus, Stix rejoined Fear in 2018 for the band's 40th anniversary celebrations, including a performance at Riot Fest, where he resumed drumming duties with Ving, while Cramer participated briefly before departing. The reunion revitalized the group, leading to ongoing tours and new material, including contributions to Have Another Beer with Fear (2022). As of November 2025, Fear continues active touring, having performed shows in Memphis (August 15) and Nashville (August 16), though Stix occasionally faces scheduling conflicts filled by substitutes like Shane Hawkins. This period underscores Stix's enduring influence on Fear's relentless punk legacy.

Production and songwriting

Spit Stix produced the ' first demo tape in May 1983 at Bijou Studios in , shortly after the band's formation, which helped secure their initial recording contract with . The sessions, featuring tracks like "Out in L.A.," captured the band's raw funk-punk energy and were later officially released in 1994 as part of the band's rarities collection. His songwriting credits extend to collaborations with avant-garde artists, including work alongside , , , and [Dick Dale](/page/Dick Dale), where he contributed to compositional elements in their projects during the late 1970s and early 1980s punk and experimental scenes. Beyond major artist productions, Stix engineered commercial jingles for Bang Music starting around 2000 and created demonstration tracks for software like , often showcasing its capabilities at industry trade shows. In 2003, he partnered with composer Stotter to produce sound designs for documentaries and a children's book adaptation, applying his engineering expertise to narrative-driven audio. Stix's production style characteristically fuses the aggressive, high-energy rhythms of punk—rooted in his drumming tenure with —with electronic genres such as , creating layered, dynamic soundscapes that emphasize percussive drive and textural innovation. This approach, influenced by mentors like Richie Podler and Bill Cooper, prioritizes rhythmic precision and genre hybridization in his engineering choices.

Other bands and solo projects

Following his time with , Spit Stix pursued a solo project under the moniker Sol-I, releasing the debut album Leap Before You Look in 2004. This record marked a significant genre shift toward computer-based composition, incorporating elements of alongside influences, such as Latin rhythms in tracks like "Papi Chulo." The album earned critical recognition, winning the Electronica Album of the Year at the 2004 Just Plain Folks Independent Music Awards. In the Pacific Northwest after relocating there, Stix formed and joined several local projects, including the NW Sugar Shakers, a rock band known for covering hits from five decades of music. He also contributed to other regional ensembles like The Gyromatics and Rob Moss & Skin-Tight Skin, blending his punk roots with broader rock styles. Stix co-founded the Portland-based band Nasalrod in the early 2000s, serving as drummer in this high-energy fusion of punk and . The group's sound draws heavily from Stix's driving percussion, alongside members Mandy Morgan on bass and vocals, Mustin Douch on guitar and vocals, and Chairman on vocals. Nasalrod has remained active, performing a notable show on September 5, 2025, at Polaris Hall in Portland as part of the Pabst Festival kickoff, co-headlining with HELP and opening for acts like and . Beyond full band commitments, Stix has engaged in guest drumming for rock and punk artists, including sessions with and , extending his collaborative reach in those genres.

Other work

Film scoring and acting

Spit Stix, whose real name is Timothy Leitch, composed the score for the 1991 erotic thriller Night Eyes II, directed by Rodney McDonald and starring and . He also scored the short film In the Meantime. Additionally, Leitch has ghost-composed music for numerous other feature films, contributing uncredited work to various productions. In 2003, Leitch partnered with Emmy Award-winning composer Patty Stotter to score HBO documentaries, leveraging his production expertise to create soundtracks for these projects. This collaboration extended to music and sound design for online children's books, blending his drumming background with broader compositional roles. Leitch has appeared in several films and television productions, often in musical or punk-inspired roles. His acting credits include portraying a punk musician in the animated film American Pop (1981), directed by Ralph Bakshi; performing as a member of The Dawn Patrol in the TV movie The Ratings Game (1984), starring Danny DeVito; singing in Nightmares (1983), a horror anthology featuring segments with punk elements; and appearing as himself (drummer for Fear) in the documentary The Decline of Western Civilization (1981). He contributed to production on Good-bye Cruel World (1982) as a production assistant. In music, he worked on the soundtrack for the Netflix comedy Metal Lords (2022), which centers on heavy metal enthusiasts. Additionally, he appears in the 2025 documentary We Destroy the Family: The Story of Lee Ving and Fear.

Writing and education

Spit Stix, whose real name is Tim Leitch, authored the drumming instruction book Diffusion of Useful Beats in 2019, published by Hudson Music. The book compiles exercises, beats, and fills for drum set, drawing from his extensive teaching experience and emphasizing practical patterns such as breakbeats. It serves as a resource for drummers seeking to develop versatile techniques applicable across genres, including punk and rock rooted in his professional background. By 2019, Stix had accumulated 13 years of teaching , offering private lessons that cover foundational and advanced skills tailored to individual students. He conducts instruction at Revival Drum Shop in , where students benefit from hands-on guidance in building endurance, accuracy, and creative application of rhythms. Stix promotes Diffusion of Useful Beats through educational videos shared on platforms like and , where he demonstrates specific beats and fills from the book, such as breakbeat breakdowns and adaptations of classic patterns like "Let's Have a War." These demonstrations, often one- to two-minute analyses, highlight sticking orders, purposes, and variations to aid self-study, with content continuing into the early .

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0500620/
  2. https://www.discogs.com/artist/629398-Spit-Stix
  3. https://idioteq.com/tim-leitch-spit-stix-recalling-80s-punk-fear-the-chili-peppers-first-demo-and-more/
  4. https://www.punkglobe.com/spitstix1119.php
  5. https://hudsonmusic.com/product/diffusion-of-useful-beats/
  6. http://www.markprindle.com/stix-i.htm
  7. https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/spreading-fear-since-the-1970s/
  8. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/la-hardcore-punk-pioneers-fear-headline-regency-ballroom-san-francisco/
  9. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/saturday-night-live-rocks-25-greatest-musical-performances-128644/fear-october-31st-1981-128707/
  10. https://www.startribune.com/snl-bad-boys-lee-ving-and-fear-lead-old-school-punk-revival-in-minneapolis/601227679
  11. https://fearleeving.com/events
  12. https://www.rhcpsessions.com/1983-album-1-demos-1
  13. https://www.discogs.com/release/33274563-Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-RHCP-Demo-4-Album
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/12661235-Sol-I-Leap-Before-You-Look
  15. https://www.thebash.com/classic-rock-band/nw-sugar-shakers-band
  16. https://nasalrod.com/bio
  17. https://nasalrod.com/
  18. https://nasalrod.com/calendar
  19. https://everout.com/portland/events/nasalrod-help/e213802/
  20. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0500621/
  21. https://www.facebook.com/revivaldrumshop/videos/a-one-minute-improvisational-by-spit-stix-tim-teaches-at-revival-and-his-book-di/585833198906556/
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG74_cBBDEw
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnUo5knskXw
  24. https://www.facebook.com/revivaldrumshop/videos/spit-stix-50-second-breakbeat-breakdown-spits-book-diffusion-of-useful-beats-is-/3997034160404557/
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