1. what first inspired you to become a drummer?

 

watching peter chris from kiss when i was a kid, He had this massive drum kit and i remember when the song " i was made for loving you" came out and he played this tom fill just before the break down and it sent shivers down my spine, i was obsessed with that drum fill and would try to play it everytime i heard it, i was given a kit by a family friend in the hope that it would keep me busy and out of trouble but it was short lived coz i would take the drums out the back yard and just practice that fill over and over but my neighbour had other ideas, the poor dear had throat cancer and had surgery and couldnt talk so she would climb up on her fence with her garden hose and spray me with it, needless to say that i was hooked from that point on hahaha.

 

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

 

rudiments rudiments and more rudiments, for me rudiments helped me look outside the square at a time when i was in a playing rut, i think we can all relate to sitting down at an instrument and being really frustrated because we are just playin what feels like same old same old, when i was shown that rudiments are more than just exercises, they were possibilities, seemingly endless possibilities when you look at applying accents, and/or using different parts of the kit simultaneously, for me it kept me in the practice room and kept me interested in playing, now i am not the rudiment king or anything but there are times in my bands music where i have used them and its worked out great for the song, so my best advice to anyone down on their playing would be to learn the posibilities in rudiments and your world will open up.

 

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

   Anything to plug?

 

i currently play in a band called JERICCO, we are a rock band with (but not resrticted to) prog roots and middle eastern influences, we have had a whirlwind year that included being signed to new world artists and mgm distribution, touring most of the country with some of the biggest acts in australia to mention a few: karnivool, mammal (r.i.p), deadlettercircus, sydonia,mm9, the getawayplan, and we have played about 10 festivals around the country, shot a video for our single "sun" from our debut self titled e.p that you can buy on itunes or our myspace page www.myspace/jericcoband.com or at jb hifi, we are currently writing for our next recording that will be out mid year and prepairing for an eastcoast tour with deadlettercircus that begins in coffs harbour and on the 24th of feb and finishes with 2 shows in melbourne  playing the pelly bar in frankston on the 4th of march and then the gershwin room at the espy in st kilda on the 5th it should be a blast and everyones invited so come check it out.

 

4. what gear are you using at present?

 

currently i am playing a 5 piece pearl masters premium model drum kit with a candy apple red and glitter finish that consists of with out going into sizes bass, snare, mounted tom and 2 floors, i mainly use gibralter hardwear, and have an array of zildjian cymbals mainly from the A and A custom range, i am not currently endorsed although it would bloody help right now hahahaha

 

5. what would be your dream gig?

 

big festival + good time slot = a sea of people

 

6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?

 

lately the drummer i admire most is probably ben ellingworth from mm9 he is a fantastic drummer, a consummate proffessional, and a genuinely nice guy. We have played many a show together and when I have found myself in need of help, either with advice or equipment he has always been really supportive. The logistics and expenses of an indy touring band can be a ball breaker, and its great when you realise that the drumming fraternity in this country is just fantastic, when you get to that touring level you're all just helping each other out with what ever, whether it be a lend of equipment or a pat on the back telling you you did alright, coz we know that its a hard slog but its well worth it, its a priveledge actually.

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