When I Get Mad, I Play My Drums

Another goal of mine in 2006 is to become a really good drummer. I have the passion, and the musical brain (in terms of knowing what I need to play), I just need to develop the technical facility to implement it.

I'm also working at developing my own personal sound. I have several favorite drummers whose technique and sounds I adore, from the breathtaking restraint and rimshot subtelty of Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson, Earthworks), to the crisp snap, air and resonance of Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix) to the frenzied drummer-as-lead-instrument insanity of Keef Moon, to the classic tea-towel draped snare of Ringo. There's a bizarre recording logic that says you should dampen the sound until its dead, then add reverb and other processing at the mixing stage to bring it alive. My friend Justice and I are working on developing our own recording technique. He's particularly become enthralled as of late with the kit sound of 60s Motown records. I know what he means. For a long time, I've been enamored of the signature Motown drum fills. I'm sneaking in musical homages in my drum patters.

Here's to 2006. I hope it's a great one.