1. what first inspired you to become a drummer?

Probably my uncle who wasn't actually a drummer,but was obsessed by the drums & drummers. I can remember he would have his drummer mates' kits set up at my grandparents place all the time. He also had an incredible collection of vinyl. So I was always around drums & music. Either that or maybe it was me wanting to be a tap dancer when I was in pre-school.

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

The best thing I have learnt is to stay out of the way. What I mean is that you should play what's best for the song instead of it being a showcase for how many tricks you can do in 3-4 minutes. Definitely try to do something interesting but don't dominate the song & leave space for the other players. How many people dance to a drum solo?

 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 Push Button Auto for almost ten years now and we were lucky enough to get a Vic Rocks Arts grant last year to record our fourth album. We have just finished mixing at the wonderful Sing Sing studios and if eveything goes to plan it should be out in the second half of the year. So we'll start playing shows again around the same time. In the mean time if you want to see what we're about check out:

http://www.pushbuttonauto.com/

http://www.myspace.com/pushbuttonauto

 4. what gear are you using at present?

A Tama Swingstar 4 piece which i think is from around the mid to late 70's. I have replaced all of the hardware over the years for much sturdier stuff which is a mixed bag of whatever Revolver Steve had on sale at the time. I have two Bosphorus Traditional Series crashes,Sabian B8pro Heavy hats & a Zildjian heavy crash I use for a ride. On the recordings I did this year I used my cousins kit which I'm pretty sure is the 2006-7 version of mine. He just had different size tom's, a kick with more depth & a maple snare which I thought would be a nice change as I've used my old kit with various cymbal set ups on most of the other recordings I've done.

5. what would be your dream gig?

One where I don't have to set up or pack up, I get  paid well, have a generous  rider  & play so good that other bands want to retire from music & think of something new to do

6. favourite drummers and/or bands and why?

First of all I admire anyone who gets up on stage of any ability and puts everything they have into it, but here is a short list from the very long list of some of my favourites:

Steven Drozd & Kliph Scurlock(Flaming Lips), Brendan Canty (Fugazi/Bob Mould), Rich Andrew (Black Cab), Adam Newey (The Fauves), Lindy Morrison (Go-Betweens), Georgia Hubley (Yo La Tengo), Thomas Wydler (Nick Cave/Die Haut), Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth), Steve West,Bob Nostanovich & Gary Young (Pavement), Jaki Liebezeit (Can), David Lovering (Pixies), Klaus Dinger (Neu!), George Hurley (Minutemen/Firehose), Mimi Parker (Low), Mac McNeilly (The Jesus Lizard), Mark Price (Archers Of Loaf), Jez (Swervedriver), Stephen Morris(Joy Division/New Order), Billy Ficca (Television), Topper Headon (The Clash), Kenny Jones (Small Faces/The Faces), Dennis Thompson (MC5), anyone who played drums/percussion for James Brown, Funkadelic/Parliament, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Coltrane, Miles, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, The Cramps, Motown & Stax house bands, all drummers from the following scenes/era's: 60's-70's Reggae/Ska/Dub/Rocksteady, 70's Punk, 80's Hardcore, New Wave, No-Wave, 40's-70's Jazz, 50's-60's Country, 80's-90's Hip-Hop, Krautrock, 80's-90's Electronic/Dance, 60's Psychedelic, all era's of Messy Garage Scuzz, 50's Rockabilly and of course Ringo,Charlie & Keith. Basically anyone who has made some noise.