1. My first inspiration to become a drummer may have even been when my parents ( mum 8 months pregnant ) jumped the fence at Kooyong to see Led Zeppelin and I had John Bonhams mighty beats going through me, though consciously it was definitely a video I’d taped off the ABC of a Midnight Oil concert called ‘Oils on the water’ featuring the amazing Rob Hurst. I would sit in front of the T.V. after school, pots & pans, pillows and buckets all set up and play away with 2 of my dads paint stirring sticks, unaware until I took lessons a year or so later, of all the foot work that was going along with it. Rob Hirst is an incredible and very energetic drummer ( & a great singer to boot! ) Rock solid when needed & fills galore when the time was right to strike. Explosions out of nowhere. ( plus 1 huge kit! )

 

2. Things I’ve learnt to help me along the way ( & are still learning! ) are many, but a few important ones that come to mind. Firstly, you need to keep time. No seriously, people are relying on you, you are the time keeper. For people to play along with, to dance to, or just tap their foot to. Be solid & tight, and even get a groove, before going all over the place with fills and tricks. Be smart with your drumming, there IS a time and a place for big fills, and if you pick your moments right…well that’s when you can light up a room. Also play to the room, big or small and play to what suits the band you’re with. Don’t be scared of ‘different’ types of music, step out of your comfort zone, you might learn a lot!? Last of all; learn how to tune your drums. Get to know your kit inside & out. There’s not much point having a great kit that just sounds ok.

 

3. The first band I played with, when I was about 18 was the Dweebs, later I joined Brokenhead before forming Megalongvalley in 2001. ( whilst doing stints with Resistica, Tenfold and Womnal, which consisted of 3 drummers on many occasions! A lot of fun. )

Presently I’m playing in Cold Harbour, the Gung Hoes and a new project called Burn in Hell where I use a slightly unconventional setup. ( all with new releases due out soon.)

 

4. As far as gear goes, for a long time now I’ve been using my trusty Pearl Export kit. (my Black Beast ) as it tunes up real nice, & fat! But recently I purchased a 70’s pearl kit (through yours truly, Steve at Revolver Drums) it’s got a beautiful finish and most importantly it sounds great. Punchy and has a little 20” kick drum, which is perfect for smaller stages and…it just looks cool!

Hardware is all Pearl and cymbals, always Zildjian. I have one indestructible 22” Z Ride, 2x Projection crash’s 18 & 20’s, mixed 13” Hi-Hats ( A Custom & Dyno Beats ) plus a Z-Bel ,wrong way around. (Everyone just loves it!) 5a & 5b sticks depending on the tempo or fast I have to play. & lately I’ve been loving using Vic Firth 606’s (sometimes you need a bit of electrical tape where you rim-shot) but they sound fantastic. Great to record with and perfect for semi-acoustic situations.

 

5. My dream gig, well I was lucky enough earlier this year to fill in on drums for Dallas Crane on the recent Who tour all around Australia and playing Arena’s & right before Zak Starkey each night was pretty amazing to say the least. & Albert Park Grand Prix show in front of some ridiculous amount of people was some of the best fun I’ve ever had. I’d love to play more outdoors gigs & festivals or St.Kilda festival would be pretty cool with the beach and ocean just over my shoulder.

 

6. My favorite drummers, from the late 60s & early 70s; John Bonham is the king along side Keith Moon & Mitch Mitchell. From the 80s, Stuart Copeland, Clem Bourke & of course Rob Hirst. Plus Iron Maiden was great fun to try & play along to. (Try!) Nowadays, Dave Grohl is just incredible behind a drum set, Dale Crover from the Melvins, Dave Lombardi of Slayer & last of all my favorite drummer would be an Australian young lady by the name of Stella Mozgawa , an absolute power house, truly amazing.   

 

Cheers! Evan.

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