1. what first inspired you to become a drummer?

As a 12 year old listening to the Oscar Peterson Trio's album "Night Train" … the drummer, Ed Thigpen's tasty brush work got be dead keen on swing drumming, which inevitably took me on a journey through Miles Davis, James Brown and then finally into modern Fusion.

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

That less is more.

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

I am currently playing in a hot funk/soul band called The Lime Tart Report www.myspace.com/TheLimeTartReport and a covers band called Little Miss.

4. what gear are you using at present?

 I'm currently playing the Grestch Catalina Club Jazz 4 piece in silver sparkle, Evans heads, Gibraltar   hardware, Paste 602 18" Crash/ride. Sabian AAX matched 14" HH, 16" Crash, 20" ride. Zildjian 22" China Trash with a 10" Zildjian A splash (stacked). Meinl Byzance 8" splash . Mounted cowbell, block and tambo. 99.9% of this gear was purchased at Revolver Drums! When I record, I use 57s on snare and toms, a Senny E602 mk II on the bass drum and Rode NT5s as overheads.

5. what would be your dream gig?

I would love to play the HiFi Bar again – but this time with James Brown horn section starring Maceo Parker, Bootsie Collins on bass, Tito Puente on percussion, with Cachito Lopez conducting.

6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?

    Karnivool – some very tasty drumming on their debut album Themata. Whether you dig Prog or not, you have to agree that the Karnivool drummer is one talented mofo. An amazing first effort from this Australian band.

    Tortoise – as post modern fusion goes, you don't get much more ambient and cool than Tortoise. They swap around up to three drummers, although the main cat – John Herndon – is particularly clever at creating sonic genius.

    Jimmy Chamberlin – whether it's the Pumpkins, Zwan or the Complex, Chamberlin is still one of the most powerful and creative rock drummers of our time.

    Stephanie Mckay – straddling the fine line between pop / soul / funk and RnB, McKay writes some really hot stuff. He debut album released last year has some amazingly cool drumming which has almost a hip-hop feel, but an incredible groove.

    Cheers,

    Brad