Former Bay Area Drummer Rocks For Change

Drummer and former Tampa Bay Area resident Nate Hassan said he is “absolutely” living the dream.

“Getting to play drums everyday and touring and getting to see different places and meet new people is all I ever wanted,” said the member of Outernational, a New York City-based rock group that has been described as revolution rock.

Outernational’s latest offering is the CD EP “Future Rock,” which was produced by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello. Just as RATM got folks thinking in the 1990s, Hassan said, Outernational is attempting to do the same now.

Outernational’s video for “Todos Somos Ilegales (We are all illegals)” is a pro-immigration anthem that features Morello and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.

“When you eat that salad or put on your shoes, stare at that screen we’re looking out at you,” vocalist Miles Solay calls out. 

Hassan said his group’s lyrical content has opened his eyes.

“It’s very revolutionary, very radical, but it’s also art too,” he said. “Through the art, we are waking up people for a better world and for the betterment of humanity." 

Smith concurred in a July RollingStone article about this rock/world music band on the rise.

"I've never worked with more focused individuals who really want change to happen through their music," he said.

Hassan, who grew up in Madeira Beach and graduated from Boca Ciega High School in 1998, cut his teeth in the Tampa/St. Pete music scene before moving to Atlanta and later Los Angeles.

For a while he was part of seminal goth-rock group Christian Death. He toured with them from 2008 through 2010, going to Europe, Argentina and California. 

In L.A., Hassan found himself at the Musicians Institute and working at a Sam Ash music store. One day he went to check out Outernational after hearing that Chad Smith was filling in on drums with them. He networked.

“They took my number,” he said. “Two days later I had to go on tour with the (group the) Red Elvises, but in that time we were keeping in touch.”

In December 2011, Hassan joined Outernational. It saved him from going the way of most other people. “I’d gotten a regular job right before I joined the band,” he noted.

Currently on tour with the group, Hassan hopes Outernational will perform in the Tampa Bay region soon. His favorite local venue?

“It’s either Jannus Landing or the State Theatre,” he said.

How about Skipper’s Smokehouse?

“Their clams are amazing, especially with some Corona,” he said. “I don’t know if the band would play there, however.”

More Information:

• www.outernational.net