Sheila Stocking

I am a British kit and djembe drummer based in Brixton, London. In 1985, having no previous experience but inspired by the punk music scene in London I bought a drum kit and joined a punk band. As well as regular London gigs with bands including as Some Sirens, The Whores of Babylon and Feast of Hunger I spent some time touring in Europe.

Since then, I have played a wide range of music on drum kit including Free Improvisation, Jazz, Reggae/Ska, Rock, Country, South African Jazz, World Music and Fusion. I played with Cats From Japan, a Bowie cover band for 10 years. I am currently playing with rock blues fusion band, Whiskey Widow and am a co-founder of the punky rude woman band, Get On The Bus. In 2023 I released a free improvisation EP, Moments, with my ensemble, Under The Volcano.

In the late nineties I started playing African djembe drum. Since then, I have played extensively in clubs with Dub, Reggae and Drum and Bass DJ’s and sound systems. Some of the many artists I have played with include Stackup Sound, Hippo Sound, Benny Page, Marvellous Caine, and DJ Feline. I have put on many gigs and events in and around London. Anarchist Party events included a range of music genres from classical players to rock and jazz. Community Bass at Café Cairo and The Queens Head in Brixton for Drum and Bass, also giving time early in the evening for young bands and DJ’s.

I am currently putting on band and DJ nights under the name Sheila’s Selectors. With a background in Psychology and education I started running children’s music workshops in the late 80’s and working in schools. I have worked for several music services teaching djembe and drum kit and managed a Saturday music centre. I now teach drum kit and lead percussion ensembles in several London schools.