1. What first inspired you to become a drummer?

For me becoming a drummer was just inevitable. As far back as I can remember it was never about playing but more the desire to bash.

The earliest instance of my desire for knowledge was at ages 3 and 4. At age 3 taken to a toy hire shop filled with the best toys a little kid could want, I chose a snare drum. At age 4 the kindergarten teachers were worried due to my fixation with the percussion box. I chose the percussion instruments, over playing outdoors a lot more than usual.

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

What’s helped me the most would have to be playing along with cd's. I started listening to the radio and just taping along with the good old rudiments. Continuing that idea, I would play along with anything from tv shows, adverts, radio or cd. Playing on the back of the car seat in the car, playing the practice pad in front of the tv and in any situation when the people around you seem to not have the same appreciation. Isolating yourself is sometimes needed. When it came to playing drums along with music, I used to crank the cd player up and play along. It was all about the neighbours, at least they could hear the full picture instead of just my drums for a change. Taping ear bud headphones to my ears and wearing headphones over the top worked very well also.

Through doing this I strengthened my timing and was able to distinguish what feel is needed for different genres.

You are taught by the best learning this way literally.

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

I have been playing with a band called 'The Oakes' for the past year and a half, I suppose you could say we have fundamentally been a studio band. Spending the limited time of actually all being in the same country to tighten and record. It has been my turn to have a holiday recovering from chronic fatigue so look out for us over the next couple of months.

We have just released our first EP 'Staring at The Sun'

www.myspace.com/theoakesband

4. what gear are you using at present?

14' African Djembe

12' Turkish Alloy Dumbeck

LP Metador Bongos

8' and 12' AA Meinl Splashes

14'Zildjian A Custom Projection Hi-Hats

16' and 18' A Custom Fast Crashes

20' Bosphorus Stanton Moore Wide Ride

21' Zlidjian K Custom Special Dry Ride

10',12' toms, 14' floor tom and 22' kick Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute

14'x 5.5" Pearl Birch Masters Studio Snare

14'x6' Chris Bardy Hand Made Jarrah ply Snare

 
5. what would be your dream gig?

My dream gig would have to be being able to be apart of something where it just sounds amazing. I am selfish, a good gig for me is one that sounds high-quality and everyone has a perfect mix.

The Abbey Road concerts, a gig from a studio you can't get much better sounding. So I would definitely put that up there as a dream gig.

 
6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?

It all comes down to six drummers fundamentally for me that have shaped my playing and play in my favourite bands.

 
Paul Hester - Crowded House: Is the first band I ever got into and to listen to them I used to steal my brothers cd, masterful song writing and magical playing by the amazing player and brushed master Paul Hester.

 
John Henry Bonham - Led Zeppelin: Nothing needs to be said here, my favourite band and an influence for me of what is possible.

 
Jimmy Chamberlin - Smashing Pumpkins: Apart of the power force that is Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin. Jimmy does what is needed to get what a song needs. For the Adore album two drummers were needed to do what this one mere man had done for 10 years prior.

 
Chad Smith - Red Hot Chilli Peppers: The albums Blood Sugar Sex Magic and One Hot Minute stand out for me personally. Blood Sugar Sex Magic has one of the best sounding recordings of drums and was when Chad Smith was introduced to the worlds best drum maker Chris Brady and his custom made drums. Recorded on a full Chris Brady hand made kit Chad stepped up to the plate with the inspiration of what he had to work with making an epic cd.

 
David Zbbruzzese - Pearl Jam: David recorded Vs. and Vitalogy with Pearl Jam and came into the band to do the tour for the release of TEN. It was during this tour he played on MTV unplugged with Pearl Jam in 1992. Pure precision and accuracy held throughout the acoustic stylized performance, using every inch of his kit. If you get the chance to ever check it out don't miss it.

 
Carter Beauford - Dave Mathews Band: The over drumming master. Playing ghost notes everywhere possible and using every inch of his massive kit. Carter adds everything he has got for the end result of feel and bottomless groove when he plays laughing all the way. Defineatley someone who if I could swap places to do what he gets to do everyday I would not give it a seconds thought.