Blake Fleming
Blake Fleming (born 1972) is an American drummer from Alton, Illinois. He started drumming at age eight and learned in fife corps, bagpipe bands, jazz bands and orchestras. He studied with Jerry Whitaker, a noted rudimental drummer.
In 1990 he co-founded Dazzling Killmen, an influential experimental band. They toured the United States and released several records. Their 1994 album Face of Collapse was named the number one heavy record of the decade by Alternative Press. Fleming also toured with Zeni Geva and later formed Laddio Bolocko, an instrumental group with three albums and extensive touring.
He moved to Long Beach to help start The Mars Volta, recording their first demos and playing on Omar Rodríguez-López’s first solo album. Back in New York, he formed Electric Turn To Me, which toured the US and Europe before splitting up. Fleming briefly rejoined The Mars Volta for a major US/Canada tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and appeared on Henry Rollins’ show.
After that, he focused on teaching and session work in New York, collaborating with artists such as Evan Dando, Gibby Haynes, Kim Taylor, Israel Nash Gripka, Chris Riffle and Vajra. He recorded Kim Taylor’s acclaimed album and worked with Israel Nash Gripka on multiple projects, including festivals and radio appearances in Europe.
Fleming has also worked with video artist Janet Biggs, creating soundtracks and performing at art festivals around the world. He composed the soundtrack for Biggs’ In the Cold Edge and performed in Wet Exit at the DUMBO Arts Festival. Since 2008 he has been an adjunct professor at SUNY Oneonta, teaching and leading rock ensembles. He is also part of the experimental group Future By Now with Andris Balins and recorded drums for Vajra’s debut album released in 2012.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 05:20 (CET).