You started playing professionally in your father's band. Was there ever an added element of
pressure on you to impress or please your father, musically?
There was a constant pressure of reading the charts correctly and playing the best I could at every gig. He
was a perfectionist and never gave me any leeway. He expected the same from me as he did a 30-year-old
musician.
You utilized double-bass drumming back in the early 70's. Do you consider yourself a pioneer of
this technique?
In certain respects yes. I took what I picked up from other players and made it mine and I guess other
players have taken it even further. I think one of the elements I approached was groove playing with 2 kicks
and I really concentrated on time and feel so one wouldn't necessarily think I was playing 2 kicks at times.
What drummer, other than yourself, do you consider to be exceptional at the double-bass
technique?
I think there are many players nowadays who have a far better technique than I on double kicks. Terry
Bozzio, Virgil Donati, Marco Minneman come to mind immediately.
Are there any projects in your impressive musical recording history which you consider to be
your "shining moments"?
There are many and for different reasons. The Vantage Point CD is something very special as I have never
recorded that style before seriously. Both Tambu and Mindfields (Toto), Warrior Rock (Toyah), There &
Back (Jeff Beck), Rocks, Pebbles & Sand (Stanley Clarke), Toss The Feathers (The Corrs). I am sure
there are more but I can't think of any right now.
Are there any you regret?
Not that I remember.
You've recorded with such a broad range of artists from different musical genres and gave stellar
performances on each. What style of music do you prefer to play, if any?
All I know is that I get bored playing the same style consistently. I need the change of musical
environments. I also need challenges too -musically speaking.
Musically, what was you favorite decade?
Probably when I was growing up, getting stoned and listening to early fusion and Jimi Hendrix.
If you could create and produce the "perfect band"?, who are some of the musicians you would
recruit?
There are so many great players it depends upon what style of music. I think I managed to put a couple of
great bands together for my solo projects. Anthony Jackson, Andy Timmons, Jeff Babko, Wendell Brooks
and Ray Russell.Also the new band I have with Steve Lukather, Jeff Babko and Melvin Lee Davis is pretty
spectacular.
Is there any particular song or moment on the new Derek Sherinian effort,"Inertia", that you
consider to be exceptional?
Yes - for many different reasons. "Mata Hari" I guess sticks out compositionally.
Any interesting or funny occurrences in the studio?
There are always funny moments but they are very "inside" - typical studio humor. Coming up with titles for
tunes can be funny.
Are the kits you play strictly made of one type of wood, or do you
utilize different types and and thickness to achieve certain tones?
All my kits are basically the same shell - Tama Starclassic Maple. I have
different snare drums I use depending on the song.
On your "Gladiator" and "Pageant" signature snares for TAMA, were
you given total reign, as far as design, or did they give you
guidelines to stay within?
There were guidelines in as much as they have to be able to manufacture
the drums within certain constraints. Mostly common sense rules and
actually as with anything it is better to design around a proven formula. Even high-tech racing cars adhere
to a standard basis in the formula they are competing in.
What drummer(s) really blew you away or inspired you in your younger years?
Buddy Rich and Billy Cobham.
What drummer(s) impresses you now?
Too many to list here - however I must mention Tony Williams.
Do you feel prog-rock has become a little more popular in the last few years?
I don't know what is popular these days - it seems there is so much to choose from - and I don't just mean
styles of music - in all media and entertainment.
Are there any prog bands, past or present, that you would recommend to fans?
I would tend to recommend the older bands just because that's where it all came from - and I would
mention Yes, Gentle Giant, ELP, King Crimson and of course 801 which I was part of but short-lived.
On the new "Inertia" album, how much of the creative process were you a part of?
Quite a lot - both in the composition and sound. It's pretty equal between Derek and I.
Was there ever a particular bassist or bassists that you clicked with, musically?
A few actually - Anthony Jackson, Mike Porcaro, Stanley Clarke, Jimmy Johnson, Jack Bruce, Tom
Kennedy to name a few.
What was you biggest challenge as a drummer?
Everything is a challenge but the ones I remember are: Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat show in
London in '73 with two hours rehearsal, the ARMS concert at the Albert Hall with Jimmy Page with one
run-through and the Al Di Meola tour in '82 with three days rehearsal.
What was your scariest moment, if any, on stage?
A Toto show in East Germany in '96 when one of the lighting towers fell over on stage - missing Luke and
Mike by one inch. If I had been set up stage center it would have been much worse!
Although I consider you to be - Do you consider yourself to be a legend? (You're entitled to brag
here, you've more than earned it. )
You know I don't think about it that much but when I am talking to musicians who grew up listening to
records I have played on, then I guess so. A funny story, but when I met Status Quo after a show of theirs
in Geneva in '84 they kept referring to me as a living legend - pronounced "leg end" - and that was a few
years ago. To me they are legends!
Lastly, if you ever decide to throw away one of your kits, could I have it? :)
I just threw one out!!!!
Copyright © by www.ytsejam.com
Interview conducted by Mike Norse