1. what first inspired you to become a drummer?

After my parents bought my older brother a guitar when I was about 12 our house began to flood with new music. Listening to my brother nut out the basics and start to learn songs by the bands I was beginning to get into, i.e. Metallica, Faith No More etc, I was convinced I had to play the drums. Once I nagged my parents into giving me a trial with lessons soon enough (13th birthday) I had my own kit.

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

There's a couple of valuable things (I think) that I've learnt as 95% self taught drummer.
1) It seems to me that drumming is all about developing a big bag of tricks. I found as I was learning that once you get the basics, of some kind of beat (rock, funk etcj) for example, there are a a multitude of slight variations of that beat. Also with different kinds of fills and rolls, once you work one out you can apply it anywhere. So I guess over the last 10 years I've been trying to build that bag of tricks.
2) I think practicing along with music, to a point, can be a pretty good way to improve, but writing your own does so much more for you. I was lucky to have a brother to muck around with writing our own stuff, certainly helps staying motivated through that boredom hump that we all must get over.
3) Growing up on a cereal farm really helps if you want to learn the drums, restriction free. I've noticed that over the last 5 years being here in Melbourne.

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

I play in two bands, 'Kids With Guns For Hands', a 4 piece progressive/hardcore/math band, and 'Ibis Rookie' a female led indie rock band.
Currently KWGFH has a 4 track EP titled "Your Daughters Are Divine" (available at shows, soon to be available in all good record stores) released under UK record label, 'Sound Devastation'. Looking at an "on and off" national tour with dates in Perth between Christmas and New Years, as well as a couple of stints in Sydney in early 2008. Locally, we are playing at the Public Bar, Melbourne on Friday the 16th of November. Also the Old Bar, Fitzroy on Friday the 7th of December with good friends Hotel Wrecking City Traders. Currently writing material for our debut album which we're planning to record mid 2008.
Ibis Rookie are about to polish off a list of new songs to take into the studio in February/March for a debut release (EP). No current dates to mention.

www.myspace.com/kidswithgunsforhands
www.myspace.com/sdrecs

www.myspace.com/ibisrookie

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4. what gear are you using at present?

I have a cranberry red 7 piece Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage kit. I bought the whole 7 piece with the belief it was better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it, I only use 5 piece for both bands. I can't even remember the last time i had the whole thing setup.
I have a 20 inch ride that I bought from a friend for $20 when I was 15 that I still use today. I'm a big Paiste fan but I only have two. I'm beginning to see the quality in Zildjian now so any new crashes I buy are predominantly Zildjian.

5. what would be your dream gig?

Our label has made mention of a possible run of shows in the UK which would be a good reason to save for overseas. We have the advantage of being signed to a label based there as we should be able to tee up shows with other bands on the label quite easily.

6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?

I eventually moved on from the Metallica phase and moved on to Rage Against the Machine, then Tool, now I'm a huge Interpol and Kashmir fan. I'll always be into alternative, drum driven music such as Tool, Cog and The Mars Volta. But I think my tastes are expansive enough to not be restricted by my interest in drums. Favourite drummers would be Josh Freese and ex Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore . Josh Freese because I think he has one of the best styles I've seen. Jon Theodore because he's just really interesting , I tend to like drummers I know are way way better than I am, always need something to aspire to I guess.