1. what first inspired you to become a drummer?

system of a downs second cd Toxicty. i listened to alot of music as i >grew up, my family being very musical it was hard to escape music, however i never really paid much attention untill i bought this album. i was 15 at the time and i think i was quite angry, the music just made me want to play. listended to it and had to buy a drum kit. the rest is history.

2. anything that you've learnt along the way that's really helped you >as a drummer?

My current teacher Darren Perkins said to me if you can't dance how the hell to you expect to make your audience dance? as drummers we are the driving force behind the band, our grooves make the listener groove. we make them tap their feet, and want to get up and dance, or express themsleves physically. rhythm is not notes witten on paper, its movement and feeling. having taken up dancing myself i have noticed that my feel and overall playing has greatly changed, and my understanding of rhythm has as well.

3. who have you and/or who are you playing with at the moment and what are the bands movements?

at the moment i am playing with notorius 80's cover band stand and deliver, which is a blast. Anything to plug? we play at the toorak lion on fridays from 7.30pm - 9.30pm, and after at club odeon in crown from about 10pm till late and on saturdays at >the spot form about 10pm till late

4. what gear are you using at present?

i am playing on a red gretsch catalina birch. my setup at the moment is quite simple 10", 14" toms, 22" bass drum and 14" snare, with a custom cymbols and pearl basspedals. i don't really need much more for the minute, however when thetime comes i'll definatly explore a bigger setup for fun.

5. what would be your dream gig?

my dream gig would be some sort of a stage hand to the band tool. i wouldn't like to play with them, but i would love to watch them from a different perspective and see how they work as a band. they have always facinated me.

6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?

Danny carey is deffinatly my greatest influence. i love how he plays with such creativity and finess. i find that every time i listen to any of their albums, especially lateralus, i discover new things that i didn't realise where there. there are so many layers to music that its always fresh.