1. what first inspired you to become a drummer???????????

My very first recollection of playing any percussive instruments was when I was in Grade Prep. The teacher pulled out a clothes basket which was full of assorted percussive instrumets. Gee did I go silly with all that stuff. But what started me actually tapping objects was a live Nik Kershaw film clip that appeared on Sounds in the early 80's(remember that show Steve?). What caught my eye was a rear view of the drummer crashing these two massive cymbals which just looked awesome. Sooooo naturally I got out Dads chop sticks & empty ice cream containers & proceded to belt away. A good tip is not to use plastic chop sticks due to their fragility. Woodys are the best... :O) Other inspirations were from old movies as many had BigBands, Trad & DixieJazzBands. Also as a kid I was exposed to many old films & this is where I saw & heard the great sounds of BigBands, Trad & Dixie Jazz Bands thus giving me a great deal of appreciation for the old sounds of Jazz.

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

The biggest thing I've learnt is that a great positive attitude goes a loooooonnnngggggg way. Respect your fellow musician/s. Also be realistic about your capabilitiies!!! Tis good to be honest & true to yourself. On top of all of that "practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise practise " Don't forget the basics which are the foundations of all our playing & seek professional advice cos a good teacher will take you to places you ain't been. ps....Also learn about what influenced your idols, then learn what influenced your idols idols, & then learn what influenced your idols idols idols....Get my drift?????????????????? DIG DEEP!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Currently I'm playing with "Chris Wilson & the Spidermen" which I'd joined only a few months ago. It's a Blues act which I'm just loving & sinking my teeth right into. For years I'd listened to Punk rock, Rockabilly Blues, Country/Hillbilly Blues & me favourite Jazz Blues but only ever touched upon Blues Blues. It's great to indulge heavily into a genre of music as I'm big on becoming as versatile as possible. I just love listening to all of the old recordings. The gigs are generally local gigs within Victoria & a few interstate ones here & there. Theres word of an upcoming recording but no dates as yet. Anything to plug? Please check ChrisWilsons website for gig info at >http://www.chriswilson.com.au/ > >

4. what gear are you using at present?

I've just received my Mapex Drums & Bosphorus Cymbal endorsment via RevolverDrums. DRUMS-The Mapex is a SaturnSeries in BlackCherrySparkle(12,13,14,16,20) but I only ever play a 4pce kit & use the appropiate sizes depending on the band & venue CYMBALS-Cymbals I use are the "Bosphorus Cymbals" which are the NewOrleansSeries(16,18,20). 12" & 14" Hats are on the way!!! ????????????????????? WHY MAPEX & BOSPHORUS YOU ASK ???????????????????????????? I believe that the "Mapex Saturn Series" is the closest thing to a 50's-60's vintage Gretsch kit. Same shell thickness & very similar materials in shell construction. Vintage Gretsch's too also use walnut & maple within their shells. The Orion has thicker shells if you like a bit more maple & projection. The "Bosphorus Cymbals are" to me the best cymbal on the market. My teacher Graham Morgan put me onto them over 5 years ago & I haven't looked back. They are the closest thing to Vintage Zildjians PLUS they're totally hand made & very flexible. What more could you ask for in a cymbal. Sounds too good to be true I know!!!!!!! BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING ABOUT MAPEX DRUMS & BOSPHORUS CYMABLS IS THE VALUE FOR MONEY. Go & check it out for yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You'll be shocked cos they're as good as or better than!!!!! If you happen to see me playing then come & say hello & ask to have a tap & tinker.

5. what would be your dream gig?

Now this is an absolute fantasy gig!!!! It would have to be with TheMilesDavisQuintet. The best rhythm section in history. Ron Carter(bass) & Tony Williams(drums) accompanied with Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter & HerbieHancock. The way this rhythm section works is like closing your eyes & listening to two great buddies talking in the room next door. The conversations they have are so full of flavour & colour that they sound like they know exactly what each other "has said", "is saying" & is "about to say". If you ever get your hands on some MilesDavisQuintet material then appreciate that this phenomenal drummer is only 17 years old when he joined TheMilesDavisQuintet on his first(shared with FrankButler)& second recordings. To be able to play at this level with such musicians would be my dream gig!!!!

6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?

Mannnnn this is always the hardest one to answer. I won't be able to even touch the sides so I'll choose the cream of my crop. Inevitably I will be leaving somone out!!!!!! Well I have to say that the drummer that will always blow me away hands down is the one & only drumming maestro BuddyRich. That guy is so natural that it seems un-natural. The technical & musical side of this guy is over"bloody"whelming. I didn't realise how good he was till I saw his DVD which showed just how easy he makes it look. Also the first time I heard the BuddyRich VS MaxRoach challenge made me realise just HOWWWWWWWWW good he was. To date I have not heard of anyone come close to him. As LouieBellson said "If you can play upto him great BUT no one has surpassed him yet!!!!!!" Others are................ BabyDodds...NewOrleans man!!!! All the main drummers studied this guy. They apparently use to go down to the riverboats & watch him strut his stuff so he kicked started a lot of careers like GeneKrupa & George Wettling. GeneKrupa....All you drummers don't forget "No Gene-No attention to drummers" Great technique & sound behind his SlingerlandRadioKings. BennyGoodmans main drummer. GeorgeWettling....George epitomises the fused sounds of Dixie & Trad drumming. Great speed & feel with wood blocks & cow bells. EddieCondons main drummer. BigSidCatlett...Super Swinger!!!! & pops a snare so beautifully. Probably one of the most versatile drummers of the 30's & 40's having played Dixieland, Trad & Bebop. Played with tonnes of people aswell. Checkout "SaltPeanuts" by DizzyGillespie. Blistering pace & still tonnes of feel. Louie Armstrong's favourite drummer. RayBauduc...."The Master" of Dixieland Jazz. This guy makes it look so easy. Even GeneKrupa & BuddyRich admired him soooo thats gotta be good. He was "BobCrosby&TheBobcats" main drummer. ArtBlakey....Earthy, Powerful, Swings like theres no tomorrow & that ChicWebb inspired MonsterPressRoll is to die for!!! This guy is Sampson on the drums. TonyWilliams....This guy is like ElvinJones, PhillyJoJones & ArtBlakey all in one with an attitude of "StayFresh & GoFull Steam Ahead!!!! All the top names of today like DaveWeckl, SteveGadd, SteveSmith(etc)study/studied this guy VERY VERY closely. FredBelow....Blues drummer that fuses some Bebop licks into his trick bag. Great left hand shuffling. MaxRoach....This master Bebop drummer is a highly musical & highly intelligent drummer. You should hear this guy lead his bands. Checkout any recording where he teams up with trumpeter CliffordBrown. He was also referred to as "TheProfessor" by the great DizzyGillespie who himself is the BebopProfessor!!!!! JoJones....Well can this guy swing!!!! He played with everyone in the 30's - 60's. Great BigBand/Trad'jazz drummer. The hihat is something he really mastered. Everything was done in such good taste too & a BIG smile that is always on display for the customer. Check out his soloing cos he is very very entertaining. He was CountBasies main man. Tis all a very brief outline on these guys but I'm sure you get my drift. One great thing about the drumming community is it seems we all share knowledge so if you have any drummers I should know about or want to find out about the above drummers then please feel free to email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it