I was born in a small log cabin at the top of a snowy mountain in a remote part of Lapland, just down the road from where Santa lives. Or maybe I wasn't. I can't remember.
Anyway, I'm 33, live in the nicer part of London (West to anyone who doesn't know) and have been playing drums since I was about 15. I first became aware/ interested in drums from seeing Rhythm with Nigel Glockler on the cover in about 1986 (November issue if memory serves) and its gone downhill since then.
In the last five years I somehow got into collecting snare drums and now have around 50 I think, although about 6 of those are in bits. I also have 7 kits, one being electronic, about 70 cymbals and more hardware than I can keep track of.
I am currently playing in three bands, 2 of which are covers, and am gigging fairly regularly in the London and surrounding areas. I also do other bits and pieces including depping. On top of that I write for Mike Dolbear.com when I get the time.
|
Kits -
Acoustic :-
1964 Slingerland Gene Krupa kit in Oyster Pink Pearl.....
1970s Hayman 'Big Sound' Kit in Regal Red (26" Kick).....
1989 Premier XPK in Rosewood.....
1995 Premier Genista......
2002 Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute.....
Yamaha Manu Katche Junior HipGig.....
Electronic :-
Roland TD8 brain
DDrum 4 cast pads
Yamaha TP65(x6)
Yamaha bar pad
KAT FatKat trigger pedal
Roland Hihat & CY6 cymbals
Yamaha PCY150S Ride
Roland SPD-S
Roland PC180A MIDI keyboard
Alba 300W monitor
Compaq & Dell Laptops.....
Snares by Dunnett, KD, Montineri, Noble & Cooley, Yamaha, Spaun, Premier, Pearl, Slingerland, Leedy, Tama and about a dozen Ludwigs.....
Cymbals - 50+ Paiste from 4" to 22"
about 10 Zildjian including some 1960's K's and some 1970's A's
5 Wuhans, mainly chinas
1 Zilciler (early Istanbul)...
Assorted bits including Toca mini timbales, 5 roto toms, AKG mics, Behringer mixer, Pearl Cannon toms, Yamaha/ DW/ Tama pedals
|
Since I've been playing - Lars Ulrich, Charlie Benante, Nico McBrain, Terry Williams, Mark Brzezicki, Neil Peart and anyone I've ever seen or heard really.....
More recently - Steve Smith, Steve Gadd, Billy Ward (more than anyone else), Shawn Pelton (another biggie), Carter Beauford, Steve Jordan and my friend Alan Parish from The Hamsters
|
|
Currently two covers bands doing different stuff -
The Cane Toads, a rock covers band and a pop/light rock combo called Slim Pickings. I also play for an originals band on occasion called Gnap with some friends and work as a tech/roadie for The Hamsters.
|
Like, waaayyyy too much to list but I'd have to say a 1920's Black Beauty snare, Ludwig kits in Mod Orange, Pysc Red, Champagne sparkle and a nice old Gretsch round badge kit.
|
|
