My style
I guess I can say it's rooted in equal parts bombastic rock, syncopated funk, jazz/rock fluidity,
and the ability to give songs the foundation and movement they need to flourish. I tend to be spontaneous yet solid, dynamic,
and hopefully, above all, musical. As time goes by, I believe I get better at creating the right part at the right time.
I am pretty versatile and like a lot of different types of music. If you sat me down in a straight ahead
jazz trio, I might struggle. But that jazz touch is never far away in my playing.
For most popular music, the drums come down to the relationship between hi-hat, bass drum, and snare drum.
For me - as the playing clips can attest - I like an aggressive bass drum. I want the bass drum to be the main influence on the groove.
What do I like? And what am I looking for?
I like music that has to do with the musicians and their personalities - substance is everything. Then,
after that, putting on a show and entertaining people is important. Good songs and good singing - imperative. At the
end of the day, people don't care about my drum set, my chops, the pick-ups in your guitar, or any of that. They
want to feel something.
I believe, with good musicians, it's easier (and more fun) to play compelling R&B or "groove-oriented"
music and than it is trying to play "rock." Playing inspiring, original "rock" in my experience is difficult. I'd love to
do it but . . .
For a short-term or recording project - I would love to play balls out rock.
I've played progressive rock/metal, classic rock, jam-band type stuff . . . all great. Love it all. I am
a huge hard rock/metal fan - I grew up on Sabbath and Maiden. But for a long-term project, I would want to be in something
where dynamics and different time feels come into play.
"Indie rock" and that type of mindset turns my stomach, frankly. To me, the whole "alternative" or "indie"
rock thing meant that people were admitting ahead of time that they weren't really good enough to be liked by a lot of people.
No thanks.
Lately, I've been thinking more and more about a vocal-oriented group, featuring several singers. Nothing
turns on an audience more than great singing and emotional content. I'd like to marry that with top flight musicians - keyboards,
bass, drums, and guitar. I'd like to have a group that covers a lot of R&B, pop, rock and roll, space - and can jam. I've
listening to the Band a lot in the past year. Great singers and a great groove, with good tunes. Yes - it's asking a lot.
The bands I strive to emulate are those where each member was an integral, highly recognizable personality.
At the same time, I also enjoy using a "hired gun" session approach where my talents make someone else's music come alive.
Drumming influences
At age 10, I heard Keith Moon on Who's Next -
that got me going. I first saw Buddy Rich at age 12 and was completely mesmerized. I am influenced by a wide variety of music
and players.
Other drummers who have had a major impact on me include all the other old-school British rock greats: Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, John Bonham, Bill Ward, Lee Kerslake, Mitch Mitchell, Ginger Baker, Clive Bunker, Barriemore
Barlow, and more.
More names:
Levon Helm, Alex Van Halen, John Molo, Vinny Appice, Simon Phillips, Tommy Aldridge, Phil Rudd, Dave Weckl,
Tony Williams, Steve Gadd, Nicko McBrain, Carter Beauford, Garey Williams, Stewart Copeland, Bill Kreutzmann/Mickey Hart,
Neil Peart – the list goes on forever.
