MCMARTYP'S DRUM SITE

A software developer by day, a drummer or glider pilot the rest of the time. Started playing in '84, turned professional in '92 after attending MI, stopped playing in '97 and got a real job, started again in '05. Now play in a classic rock covers band trying hopelessly to get my former glory back.

UK-built 1992 Yamaha 9000 in very rare Cobalt Blue lacquer. It's a nine-piece kit consisting of 8x8, 10x10, 12x10, 13x11, 14x12, 16x16, 18x16 and 22x16 shells. Yes they're unfashionable power sizes but they still make a noise when you hit them. I only gig with the 8, 10, 14 and 16 toms. The rest seem to gather dust but I'll make a be-bop kit out of the rest at some point. Snares consist of a 1964 Ludwig 400, Yamaha 14x6 brass, hand-made and signed (by me) Premier XPK 14x5 and a Pearl 13x3 brass piccolo. Cymbals are Zildjian 20" Rock Ride, 14" New Beat hats, 10" A Splash, 16" A Crash, 17" A Custom Crash, 14" Oriental China Trash, a Paiste 2002 10" Splash and an 8" Sabian Rockatagon mounted on the hi-hat for a laugh. All held together by tons of Yamaha hardware, DW5000 double kick pedal, Roc 'N' Soc stool and LeBlond/Protection Racket cases to keep the nasties out.

Most drummers, to me, are inspirations. My only true influences that I recall are Alex Van Halen and Mel Gaynor whom I started out my drumming career listening to and slavishly copying. I've listened to and admire countless other drummers all who no doubt I've nicked things from but are too numerous to remember let alone list. Neal Peart, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Portnoy, Phil Collins spring to mind. There are many, many others. Which causes a problem: I sound like me. That may sound pretentious but you probably haven't heard my playing...

The Mistreated

The covers band I play in.

I currently play in a classic rock covers band called 'The Mistreated'. Basically anything from Led Zepplin through to Muse (!) via Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, The Osmonds, Ozzy Osbourne and Thunder...

A different drum kit. Maybe a DW or Spaun. I love my 9000 but I want a change of scenery. I also want a set of cymbals that never show fingerprints.