Derek began his career straight out of Fullerton High School - Fullerton, Ca after drumming with the school Jazz Band, Orchestra, Marching Band and a local Rock Cover Band featuring Frank Agnew of (The Adolescents, TSOL) and Stan DeWitt (Co-Producer, Composer / Arranger for many albums to come). 

Hitting the road and studios with the band (Social Distortion) began his life-long passion for professional drumming and working with bands to help create their music in the studio.

After earning a degree in Music Production and Audio Engineering from UCLA, Derek built his first studio in Glendale, Ca and added professional Producer / Engineer to his resume and passions. He later relocated to Santa Fe Springs, Ca where he does the majority of his studio work.

These are some of the artists that Derek has worked with over the years:

Social Distortion, D.I., Agent Orange, Adolescents, Extra Fancy (Atlantic Records artist), Lucinda Williams (Grammy winning folk artist), Flogging Molly, Marc Ford (Black Crows), Clem Burke (Blondie), Arthur Kane (New York Dolls), Matt Skiba  (Alkaline Trio, Blink 182), Mike Herra (MXPX), Kim Shattuck (The Muffs), Punk Rock Karaoke (feat. members of Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, Devo, NOFX, Offspring and others), Fishbone, The Adicts, The Generators, Pulley, Meat Puppets, Andrew Browning and the Nine Pound Hammers (Outlaw Country artist), Triggerman (feat. members of Ignite), Long Beach Youth Choir, Tokyo Riot, DJ Mike Snow, Inflatable Idols, UltraBomb (feat. members of Husker Du, Soul Asylum)