1. what first inspired you to become a drummer?
Trying to catch a glimpse of Steve Adler (Guns n Roses) on late night TV back in the 80's is one of my earliest memories of wanting to play drums, and it just snowballed from there. The obvious Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Stewart Copeland (The Police), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Tim Alexander (Primus), Phil Collins (Genesis/solo), were all drummers that gave me the early inspiration for one reason or another. The real ‘influences’ came later down the track once I started learning more about drums and… METAL!

2. anything that you've learnt along the way that's really helped you as a drummer?
I think my favourite little "lesson" that I find myself thinking about, and telling others, is "don't play by the rules". It’s something that I had to learn over time though. There isn’t any “10 Commandments” that you must follow when it comes to playing drums, you don’t have to go to the naughty corner if you play something you're not suppose to. Just let go, and let it flow! Some of my favorite drummers are those that surprise you with strange beats, fills & rolls that are totally unexpected. BUT, with all that said, you have to make sure what you play still fits in with the rest of the music, and to me, that is the real art.
 
3. who have you and/or who are you playing with at the moment and what are the bands movements. Anything to plug?
I’ve been playing in the same metal band (Frankenbok) for about 10years now. We are currently writing new songs for our 6th release. We have heaps to choose from so far, so the ones that make the album will be the real cream of the crop. We’ll be smashing it our early 2010 with the one and only Reggie Bowman behind the desk… what a guy! We’ll also be supporting the release with another Australian/N.Z tour, and are looking at a Japan Tour as well.

4. what gear are you using at present?
Pearl Masters Studio (birch, w/natural finish), 7pce (w/2 kick drums), Pearl Brass Free Floating Snare, Zildjian (mostly Custom Z's). Vic Firth sticks, DW9000 pedals, Evans Heads, Ragone Cases. Shure Beta 52 Bass Drum Mics x2 (w/MAY Internal Mounting System – priceless! Sound engineers want to have my babies when they see that I have 2 internal kick mics ready to go.)
 
5. what would be your dream gig?
Surely this is impossible to answer?? How about this: Slayer opening (w/Paul Bostaph), followed by Testament (w/ John Tempesta), then P!NK as an interlude (w/me on the pig skins of course), and finishing up with old school Machine Head (w/Chris Contos on the kit). And while we are at it… bring the exuberant brilliance of Keith Moon back from the dead for the craziest, most energetic drum solo you could ever imagine! EXPLOSIONS EVERYWHERE!
 
6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?
- Paul Bostaph (Forbidden, Testament, Slayer,): such a unique way of complicating things, yet it all "make sense" in the end. I was lucky enough to watch him close up four nights in a row when he toured with Slayer back in 2001! Great stuff!
- Keith Moon (The Who): Every time I see footage of this guy, I think to myself “THAT’S ME!” Let’s face it, he was an absolute idiot behind the kit! Pulling ridiculous faces, and bouncing round like Yoda in Star Wars The Phantom Menace… I see a bit of myself in him and I guess that’s why I like him so much. It’s time to get COOKEY! If you haven’t seen him play, get on to youtube RIGHT NOW! Pure Brilliance!
- Thomas Haake (Meshuggah): our theory is that this guy was born with a mathematics book in his hand, and he also wrote that mathematics book himself before he even popped out! Then he thought to himself "how can I express this book to the world... i know, i'll act it out whilst sitting behind a drumkit." I’ve transcribed some of his stuff onto paper – it’s crazy and he’s a freak!
- Big Raymond (Fear Factory): If you want power and precision, Raymond’s your man. This guy is a giant but when he’s smashing through a 64th note snare roll at full pace, you can’t help but wonder how he keeps up such great power in his stroke at such a cracking speed. I guess it’s all the Cheeseburgers that him & Dino use to demolish for breakfast!
- Suds R.I.P (Dreadnaught/Atomizer): I can’t speak highly enough of Aaren ‘Suds’ Suttil as a drummer. At one stage, I was lucky enough to share everything with this guy before he passed away; stages, drumkits, tour van seats, beers and burgers, and most important… the passion for rockin out! He played hard, fast, but more importantly, didn’t miss a beat and was solid solid solid! He specialised in “Four on the Floor” whilst doing 100 clicks in 3rd gear, sure he could have gone faster, but this was living on the edge. Check out Dreadnaughts “DOWN TO ZERO” for Suds at his very best.