The Story of Jason McNichols
Do you ever find yourself wondering if the pizza delivery guy from that quirky commercial you’re watching might secretly be one of the most exhilarating drummers you’ll ever witness live? Jason “Snoball” McNichols could very well fit that description. Jason kickstarted his career in acting, gaining recognition for his role as “Young Francis” in an episode of “Malcolm in the Middle,” alongside Bryan Cranston, titled “Thanksgiving.” From there, he ventured into an array of commercials, including those for Slim Jim, Virgin Airlines, and the NCAA, and expanded his portfolio with appearances in TV series such as “Rake” and “Dr. Ken,” as well as movies like “Camp Fred 3,” “Visions,” and “Camp Takota.”
Simultaneously, while pursuing his acting career, Jason was actively involved in the music scene, playing the drums for various bands, including “The Fireturtles” and “Jameson Moss and The Thrillers.” More recently, Jason has been dedicating his time to recording music in studios throughout Southern California.
The journey of his band, Harvey Drive, kicked off at World Class Audio, where they recorded their debut track, “Dead Sleepyhead,” under the guidance of Shawn Sullivan. After Jason delivered a flawless drum track in one take, he earned the nickname “Snoball,” a moniker that has stuck with him ever since.
Following their successful debut, Harvey Drive released their second single, “White Elephants Suck,” recorded at Low Ceiling Records with Jose Alcaraz. To celebrate, they performed their first live show at Vine in Long Beach, California, on August 30, 2023.
Presently, Snoball is hard at work on 4–5 singles for Harvey Drive, collaborating with two different studios: Low Ceiling Records and Matt Sturgis at The Sierra Lodge.
In addition to his work with Harvey Drive, you can catch Snoball showcasing his drumming talents with artists such as Ray James Steward and FAMESON. He’s also part of an indie band, reminiscent of Circa Survive, which is set to make its live debut at Dog Park Live Sessions in Ontario sometime in December.
If you’re eager to witness Snoball in action, you won’t have to wait long. He’ll be freezing his drum set with Ray James Steward at the bar “Good Times at Davey Wayne’s” on November 2nd in Los Angeles, California, starting at 10 pm.
But that’s not all. Jason also operates JMNART Apparel, where he offers T-shirts inspired by his acrylic artwork, a passion he’s been pursuing for the past 15 years.
