Groove
Juggernaut

I’m Groove Juggernaut (Stephen D Haaker), a drummer, producer, and educator based in Los Angeles. I got my start in a unique way; in 2009 I was deployed to Iraq as a founding member of the Army’s exclusive metal band. Upon return, I quickly made sergeant and became leader of the percussion section, simultaneously climbing the ranks of the Richmond, VA music scene. In 2014, I moved to Hollywood to pursue music independently. After graduating from Musician’s Institute, I toured extensively with Azealia Banks, Loveless, and many others. I played on hundreds of recordings, taught countless students, and produced multiple records for Angela Petrilli, Sister Speak, Aaron Durr and more. In 2018, I began working closely with Nick Morzov to develop Cartographer, a djenty alt metal band. This was my first time taking the leap into original music and it has consumed my life for the last couple years. We released 2 albums and 10 music videos, eventually hitting the road for our first regional tour in May 2026. Currently, I’m more focused on education. I’ve done every gig my inner child could dream: Huge festivals, high stakes sessions, million dollar weddings, theme parks and legendary venues—Nothing beats the feeling of helping a student break through and see real results. It’s a great honor to pass on my practical knowledge and deep appreciation to the next generation. The moniker Groove Juggernaut started as a reference to my dynamic and stylistic diversity, from low-volume jazz to belligerent bombasticism. More recently, it’s become synonymous with my indomitable spirit. Undeniable passion and humble confidence forged by failure and triumph alike, has created a juggernaut--forever learning, exploring and grooving.