1. what first inspired you to become a drummer?

The first thing really to inspire me to become a drummer would have to be my lack of ability at my first chosen instrument, the guitar. Just like any young buck who wants to play music, I picked up the guitar because it seemed like no hassle and all you really needed was one object which seemed a good price for a beginner. After a month of really giving it a shot my teacher suggested I try another instrument as I was sucking very hard, (in much nicer words of course) so I followed his advice and never will I touch a guitar again. I still really wanted to play music though as not many kids were into it at school as they were more into sports, so one night I was watching TV and on the news they had a little segment on The Rolling Stones tour as they were in Melbourne the night before. I just remember seeing Charlie Watts behind the kit and thinking he was one of the coolest guys I have ever seen. So I wanted to be cool like him! So after a couple of weeks begging to my parents I headed to a Dandenong second hand store and purchased me a Maxwin by Pearl, a crankin' little banger that served it's purpose well!

2. anything that you’ve learnt along the way that’s really helped you as a drummer?
    
One thing that has been a big help to me as a drummer from when I first started and is something I still use now would have to be a metronome, thank god I got onto that handy little invention as a youngster. An early tip I learnt from a teacher was that the drummer is the engine room of a band, so if you wanted to be a solid drummer and work magic for your band...staying in time was a must! So when I first started playing in a recording studio with my band we had the option to record either click track or no click track, it's always a good option to play to them if you need to edit and if you want more of a live vibe you just opt for not having it in. So practising rudiments to one has always made me better!

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

I'm currently playing in a Melbourne rock band named 'Trial Kennedy' we have put out 2 ep's and a split ep with a great band called Horsell Common. At the moment we have a brand new single out called 'The Great Escape' and it is an internet download only, we are doing a lot of touring to plug the song at the moment and we're heading all over Oz. In between touring we are constantly writing in the studio for our album which should be due out mid to later in the year which should be exciting!

    
4. what gear are you using at present?

Well at the moment I am using a Premier Gen X kit, a 22" kick. 12" rack tom, the floor tom I am using currently is a 16" DW which I am borrowing off a good buddy because my 14" just does not cut it in a rock band and the snare I am using is a 14" Ludwig custom which I absolutley love to death. This thing is my baby and just does it's job live and in the studio! Cymbal wise I am running all Sabian, 14" metal hi hats which I've had forever (pretty much over them though) 19" AA rock crash, 20" AAX Stage crash and a 20" AA Rock Ride which is pretty old but still doing the job. I am also using Vater 5b nylon tip sticks!

    
5. what would be your dream gig?

What would be my dream gig, that is a very very tough one. I would probably have to say a Homebake, it's just a top notch festival with all the great bands from this country. Our music scene is just so strong and this festival really lets you witness all the great talent this country has to offer. Also you don't have to worry about international bands with there heads up there asses which is a plus!

6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?

My favourite drummers would have to be Josh Freese (plays for everyone but people might know him from The Vandals, A perfect Circle or recently Nine Inch Nails), Matt Cameron (now plays in Pearl Jam but used to play in Soundgarden) , Zack Starky (Ringo Starr's son who had been playing a while with The Who, he also now plays with Oasis) and Brookes Wackerman (this guy plays for Suicidal Tendencies, apparently was touring with Tenacious D when they were in Oz recently). All amazing drummers! Favourite bands would have to be The Who, Weezer, Samiam, Foo Fighters, Oasis, U2 and Front End Loader.... just to name a few. But could probably go on for days!