DDrive began rocking the Northeast back in 2004 when guitarist Don Mancuso (Lou Gramm Band, Black Sheep & Cheater) planned on a new solo album after finishing tracks he recorded for singer Phil Naro's (Talas, Peter Criss & 24K) "Glass Mountain" project. Mancuso and Naro joined forces to write the first self-titled D:Drive album. Longtime friend Lou Gramm (LGB, Foreigner, Black Sheep) heard the demos for the debut D:Drive album and asked if he could participate as guest vocalist and co-writer, Don & Phil obliged! Canadian producer Steve Major rounded out the direction and production. The debut album was called Don Mancuso's D:Drive and was released in 2005, the debut CD received critical acclaim with airplay in the US, Australia, and Europe.
The debut album did so well that Mancuso and Naro decided to put together DDrive as a full-fledged band. After the lineup was complete DDrive wrote, recorded and released its second album in early 2007 entitled "Straight Up The Middle." The new album also received loads of accolades from a rapidly growing legion of DDrive fans and is in its second pressing. DDrive released a video for the track "Pray for Tomorrow" which was released in the summer of 2008. The band's signature sound blends strong classic rock roots with a modern edge sound all its own.
With a killer lineup two successful releases and a steady stream of live dates, DDrive was ready to unleash their third album3D, the long-awaited follow up to "Straight Up The Middle" 3D was released in the summer of 2010. Fans and critics alike agree it was well worth the wait. 3D was not only the bands 3rd release but had great significance as well. 3D is housed in a special edition package with state of the art 3D artwork including a pair of 3D glasses for the ultimate 3D experience. The album also features longtime friend Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Talas, David Lee Roth) laying down some bass on the single Dig Down.
DDRIVE are constantly working hard to bring great new music to their fans. The band has never been in a rush to release an album as they believe the quality of their recordings is more important than the quantity of releases.
In the spring of 2013, the band released their 4th album, an 18 track retrospective album titled "Critical Mass". The idea was to introduce a whole new generation of music lovers to DDrives brand of rock n roll, while giving their loyal and steady followers an album of classics and a taste of what's to come. "Critical Mass" consists of music recorded between 2004 and 2013 and features 2 bonus tracks. One is a newly re-recorded acoustic version of "I'm A Little Outside" plus a brand new song called "Ten Things I hate the Most"
After the release of "Critical Mass" the band started preparing for a summer tour in support of the new release "Critical Mass" the band felt it was time to fill the second guitar slot that had been vacant since the departure of Mike Gladstone, and they recruited David Sessions, a 17 year guitar prodigy and guitar student of Don Mancuso to round out the band. Meanwhile, DDrive were asked to contribute a track to a charity release (A World With Heroes - A Kiss Tribute - For Cancer Care) being assembled by world-renowned music journalist Mitch Lafon. The band did what they do best they recorded a kick-ass version of Psycho Circus by Kiss which featured the debut of David Sessions. During the recording of the charity track the band was also in the studio recording their 4th studio release, a 3 track ep simply titled "Intermission" for fans to enjoy till the new album would be released.
In the summer of 2014, both Don Mancuso (solo) & DDrive were invited to perform live at Rochester International Jazz Festival, the concert was filmed and released in 2015 as a limited edition DVD.
2016 saw the return of DDrive with "To Live & To Love" a 5 track EP, both fans of DDRIVE and rock 'n' roll will not be disappointed as the band return to their roots.
DDrive have scheduled a few select east coast shows for 2017 & 2018.
What The Press Are Saying: "Legendary amount of talent we have on this stage tonight- we are blessed, - we are damn lucky, God, these guys are just awesome, absolutely incredible-" - Carl Russo, Classic Jock, 97 ROCK, Buffalo, NY
"The combined forces of Mancuso, Naro, - plus a long list of talented musicians- resulted in a melodic hard rock album that deserves global attention-" - Chris Lambert, Editor in Chief, RockReport, Belgium.
"Mancuso"s feet are rarely on the ground as he rocks crowds - whose asses are rarely in their seats - with arena-era, blues-tinged guitar." - Frank De Blas-, Rochester NY City News
"Mancuso and Naro have been around long enough to be expert musicians and songwriters-" "Good music never goes out of style, and that's exactly what D Drive delivers - good music." - Derric Miller, hardrockhaven.net
"Phil Naro is, without a doubt, the one true voice of Rock 'n' Roll" - Paul Autry, ballbustermusic.com