Groove Juggernaut

     Groove Juggernaut (Stephen D. Haaker) is an independent musician based in Los Angeles. He's currently the drummer for Loveless, Azealia Banks, and his alternative metal band, Cartographer. Stephen is also a producer, recently spearheading the Sister Speak LP "Love For All". He also Co-produced "The Voices", debut EP by Angela Petrilli, recorded at sunset sound. (First single "The Voices" out now) Cartographer is also releasing a new single, "Colorblind", out May 19.

     He performs on hundreds of records as a session drummer for The Vanguard, a popular studio designed and run by Nick Morzov (bandmate, Cartographer). Nick and Stephen are experts in drum recording. They continue to experiment and refine their craft every day, writing and tracking for their band and many others. For more Indie productions, he works closely with Brett Grossman (Co-Producer, "Love For All"). Brett is a seasoned musician and mixing engineer. Together, alongside their favorite songwriters and players, Stephen and Brett produce uniquely detailed and personal records, guiding the artist from demo to master with passion and transparency. Groove Juggernaut is also an experienced teacher, specializing in his unique Open Drumming style.

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     Stephen Haaker has been in Los Angeles since leaving the U.S. Army Band in 2014. Sergeant Haaker performed thousands of shows with many different groups including the Army's first Metal band, "The Four Horsemen of the Arockalypse". They deployed to Iraq in 2009 to perform for the troops. The 13 month mission was his first tour. He recalls, "One of the best shows I ever played was for 200 soldiers at a tiny outpost. They built us a small stage outside, pulled up armored trucks to use as stage lights, and drank non-alcoholic beer as they moshed and raged to Killswitch Engage and Lamb of God covers. It was clear, they desperately needed that show... I started taking music seriously after that." Upon return, he performed stateside with big bands, jazz combos, country ensembles, and lots of wedding bands--further developing his vast repertoire and unique sound.

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     The moniker Groove Juggernaut started as a reference to Stephen's diverse style, forged in the trials of intensive on-the-job training and refined by countless hours of study and practice. The term has since become synonymous with his indomitable spirit. Deeply wounding personal trials and devastating professional setbacks attempt to tamp the fire that has burned since the days of pots and pans. This humble confidence, birthed by failure and triumph alike, has created a juggernaut--forever learning, creating, exploring and grooving.

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