1. what first inspired you to become a drummer?

Well it started out when i was about 8 listernig to Guns n roses,Bob Marley, Bodycount,Jhon Farnhem,Led Zepplin,Prince and all sorts of crazy mixed up genres of music that a usual 8 year old child would not be listerning to... but i loved it and it totally inspired me I used to get dairy bell ice cream buckets, turn them in to a little kit and try to play along (they sounded pretty good too). Then one day at about age 12 I was at a mates place and he had a drum kit that his Mum just bought him, i remember sitting down behind the kit and having a bit of a bash and it was on like donkey kong from there....

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

Yeah "PAITENCE" and Just be yourself... every body is in it for a different reason do your best to work your own style it really shows.. bring those emotions out on the kit....
 
3. who have you and/or who are you playing with at the moment and what are the bands movements/Anything to plug?

Currently working in 3 bands and a bit of session work on the side..
 
An 8 piece funk soul outfit called PABLODISCOBAR
blues/roots singer songwriter AUSTIN (a.k.a the The Austin Band)
and a energetic rock/pop group NEVERELEVEN
 
also worked on singer songwriter ROSIE BURGESS new album
and played a few shows with very talented solo artist MJ TAYLOR
 
Touring around canada with PABLODISCOBAR in june so hopefully that goes well, we will be playing at the North by Northeast festival and then back to Australia for a national tour to Sydney, Brisbane,Byron Bay and Sunshine Coast also about to realease NEVERELEVEN's new e.p and hopefully be touring that around the country too and plenty of gigs and recording dates lined up with AUSTIN I guess we'll see how it goes......
 
4. what gear are you using at present?
 
At the moment im using a DW collectors series maple kit..
its a beutiful sounding kit ...real punchy...
22x18" kick
14x6"snare
10x8" tom
12X10"tom
14x12"floor tom
 
Ziljian A Custom cymbals..
6"splash
8"splash
13"hi hats
16"crash
18"crash
20"ride
14"oriental china
16"oriental china
 
and a whole bunch of percussion stuff..
 
SONOR 8" Jungle snare
LP tone blocks (yellow and red)
Cowbells
TAMA 8" Timbali
Chimes
Djembe
Bongos
Shakers
Tamborine
 
5. what would be your dream gig?
 
Well its just about the vibe for me some of my most amazing musical expeiences have been to a room of 15 people but id still really like to play some kind of stadium/amputhetre style gig with thousands of people eveyone vibe'n lots of different instruments wickid sound and lights..."yeah" that would kick ass..
 
6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?
 
Wow the list could go on forever.........
Umm just of the top of my head.......
 
Tony Royster jnr -
I pretty much just wanna play like this guy energetic dynamic passionate tasty he just has this understanding of playing drums..
 
Morgan Rose - Sevendust -
one of my all time favorite heavy drummers just solid vicous grooves he really speaks through the kit
 
 
Stewert Copeland - The Police -
i love reggae what an awesome tasty drummer
 
Lucius Borich - Cog -
love his creative aproach to the kit he plays the songs with force and great passion love a real passionate drummer
 
Nicky Bomba - Jhon Butler Trio - Bomba -
love his freestyle reggae feel and tasty grooves
 
Virgil Donati -
well every body loves him he is a monster behind the kit amazing innovative
the king of chops..
 
Danny Carey - Tool -
well i dont really need to explain much there
 
Clide and Jabo - James Brown -
these guys are the pioneers of funk drumming all feel.... a huge insparation the ultimate groove masters i strongly recomend the Clide and Jabo instuctional dvd if your into your funk they really show you can be spectacular without bieng a chop head..
 
Buddy Rich -
the godfather of swing you just have to love him
 
Dave Weckel -
I love his funky latin feel, tones and different drums he incorperates
brillant
 
Carter Beuford - Dave Mattews Band -one of my all time favorites such tasty tight grooves i really dig his style and his ideas ..genius..
 
Jhon Otto - Limp Bizkit -
ok i know what your thinking!!!!!! but theres something about this guys drumming that i really dig if you listen to 3 dollar bill yall theif first album you might understand... just raw kickin fat beats........
 
Cheers Stevo Anthony Murray (Shorty)