DRUMlive - Live Performances and Experiences
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Tiny Bubz tours Memphis Drum Shop during his day off on Tour
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ME and Tiny Bubz at BONZO BASH
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New KORN CD out 10-21-16 - Watch the interview with Ray Luzier and Abel Vallejo below to find out how to win a copy! KORN is on tour now....more info on KORN.com...you can also pre-order the CD now!!!
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CHEAP TRICK on Tour this Summer with Joan Jett and Heart
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If you can recognize Daxx Nielsen finding his seat at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game you have a good chance of getting a photo pass for a Cheap Trick concert. First, have a friend play you 'Live at Budokan' in the 70's, convince said friend to sell you his drum set. Play along to Cheap Trick records, go to several Cheap Trick concerts, buy more of their records, learn all those songs; then recognize Daxx Nielsen - my plan worked to perfection as evidenced by my pics below. Ok, there was no plan - who ever gets that opportunity? The old motto in the wrestling room stated 'Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.' Well I feel pretty damn lucky. Thanks to Daxx for being so cool and hooking me up for a truly memorable experience. If you shoot somebody in concert, especially if you're a fan, it's difficult to concentrate on the task at hand but also a bonus to feel the vibe of the music and try to capture the energy on stage. I suppose the photos are my tribute and congratulatory image capture on their celebratory Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Tour. I was happy to see Bun E. Carlos at the Hall of Fame Induction although he no longer tours with Cheap Trick. That's a pretty iconic drum throne and I know I wouldn't feel very comfortable on it but Daxx owned it with his own bits of flare and style. A band truly is only as good as the drummer and the sound was phenomenal. I wanted to record some of the audio but honored my photo pass and left the Zoom camera in the bag. I did, however, cherish those few fleeting moments where Cheap Trick is on stage relative to the majority of my life where they are simply not there. I said to Rick Nielsen backstage 'I saw your guitar in Nashville' and he said 'I've been there'. Later, I thought to myself 'I know a lot of places you've been Rick.....at the Budokan cause I heard the recording, on other recordings in my basement when I was teaching myself how to play rock and roll for the first time, at several concerts over the decades and today a few feet away when I got to photograph you and the guitar with 'Cheap Trick Hall of Fame' on the fretboard. Cheap Trick is a huge influence on my musical life. It was so great to seem them and experience the band live again as they continue to tour and record. Cheap Trick never rested on their laurels. A bunch of working class guys who started out in a bowling alley in Rockford, IL continue to bowl over audiences whenever they play......truly one of America's greatest Rock Bands.
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SAMMY HAGAR and The CIRCLE
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Gunner Kal got some great pics of Sammy Hagar and The Circle (Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, Vic Johnson) in Arizona this summer. Click pic for tix. Enjoy the slideshow below.
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One-Eyed Doll out now on the Visions Tour....more info at oneeyeddoll.com
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TESLA - A Great American Rock Band
Troy Luccketta - TESLA
I saw TESLA for the first time in the Spring of 2015. They're one of those bands that are simply good. No frills but plenty of thrills. Practically any rock music fan could walk into their show without knowing the material and enjoy their show. Surprisingly, you realize how much you know their music when you see them live.
Would I go to see them live again?....Absolutely! If you like live music played well by musicians, you'll love TESLA. Even cooler still is how great the guys are. I've met Dave Rude briefly and Troy Luccketta a couple times. You can see how generous and considerate Troy is in our interview below. I literally caught him minutes before his performance in St. Louis, MO. Who would walk over to the Hotel next to the venue just before the show to accommodate our desire to get a quick interview?....Troy Luccketta, that's who. Thanks Troy....Keep Rockin'
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URGE OVERKILL - HALLOWEEN NIGHT - 2015
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CATHOUSE LIVE photos by Gunner Kal
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| Keith St. John - Rudy Sarzo - Tracii Guns |
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CATHOUSE LIVE in Irvine Meadows pays homage to the Glory Days of the Sunset Strip
Troy Patrick Farrell - Enuff Znuff
Some thirty years ago the Sunset Strip in Hollywood was the epicenter of the Music Universe launching the careers of Guns 'N Roses, Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, Poison, Cinderella, etc. Many of the 'hair bands' played up and down the strip, which is being redeveloped for condominiums and hotels. Some of the Clubs like the Whisky-A-Go-Go and the ROXY remaim but much has been lost, like the House of Blues and Riki Rachtman's CATHOUSE. In a celebration of those times, Rachtman produced CATHOUSE LIVE and brought many of the bands back together on August 15, 2015 at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater. A large and enthusiastic international crowd witnessed much of the hair, chops and bravado remained the same. A great show by some great artists playing great music - the kind of event that makes memories for a lifetime, hopefully memories that may be rekindled more often by more great events such as CATHOUSE LIVE.
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| Pretty Boy Floyd - Cathouse Live |
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| Timmy Russell - Bang Tango - Cathouse Live |
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| Tracii Guns - LA Guns - Cathouse Live |
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| Tom Keifer - Cathouse Live |
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I took Rich Redmond's C.R.A.S.H. Course for Success before the Jason Aldean concert in Peoria, IL 3-27-15. It is a really fun and informative practical application tool to reach your goals in music, business and life. Find out more at crashcourseforsuccess.com.
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Excerpts from Rich Redmond's CRASH Course...
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Buddy Rich's Legacy Continues to Grow
Buddy Rich continues to inspire and set the standard for excellence in drumming over a quarter century after his passing. He recently inspired the film 'Whiplash' which consequently won three Oscars: J.K. Simmons (Best Supporting Actor), Editing and Sound Editing. Through the excellent work of the Buddy Rich Big Band led by Gregg Potter and Cathy Rich his legacy continues to grow as they bring his music to a new generation. A hundred years from now Buddy Rich will probably still be the best drummer the world has ever seen. His legacy is intact...we're so fortunate to have his big band still out there...still Groovin' Hard.
Check out the excellent interview of Gregg Potter and Cathy Rich (below) by Anthony Tiny Biuso of DOYLE...
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There were thousands of Marilyn Manson fans at the sold-out show in St. Louis and Tara Quinn was the first fan interview I got - When I realized I couldn't top it, I packed up my microphone and went home thinking I just struck gold.......
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Quiet Riot - Vixen - Bret Michaels - St. Louis, MO - Spring 2014
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Eric Sardinas reached back into the Blues of yesteryear, plucked a resonator, amplified it and supercharged it with snake venom - a true original that respects tradition. Eric Sardinas - guitar, Levell Price - bass, Bryan Keeling - drums. More info at ericsardinas.co.uk
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Cool New Kit for Alice Cooper Tour Shawn Lowery (Mr. Sawbladehead) and Buddy King teamed up to make the Snakes and Skulls framing Glen Sobel's Kit for the current Alice Cooper tour. Check out the slide show (photos by Shawn Lowery) below to see some of the process. Click the kit pic to visit Sawbladehead Designs page on Facebook. The drum heads were designed by Carin A. Hazmat who often collaborates with Alice Cooper.
photo by Michael Miller
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Kicked off the 2014 Concert Season with Don Felder, Foreigner and STYX on the Soundtrack of Summer Tour. Thanks to Foreigner drummer Chris Frazier for the great seats and the interview below. The Tour is going strong - Check out soundtrackofsummer.com for more info. Every song is a hit!!!
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Kimberly Freeman of One Eyed Doll
One Eyed Doll - In some weird twisted parallel universe where the White Stripes ventured into Hell and emerged with better chops and an enhanced sense of humor and irony - One Eyed Doll entertained and scared me. Well crafted songs with emphasis in all the right places, tempos all over the map without releasing the death grip of Kimberly's guitar; powerful bombastic drumming- simple at times complicated at others, serving the song well. Perhaps the most fun to photograph of any band due to the sheer energy onslaught. They make it seem like Marilyn Manson raises poodles at home. One Eyed Doll is all PIT BULL that's kinda fun to pet, yet leaves little mystery as to the Doll's fate - the other eye was ripped right out!
Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to interview Kimberly Freeman and Junior (Jason Rufus Sewell) of One Eyed Doll but I did get to see the show and it was and early Holiday Gift of a Hard Rock Thrill Ride! I did include their video of 'Commited' below - CRANK THIS ONE UP!
Click Kimberly's picture above for more at oneeyeddoll.com
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| Aronoff, Hagar, Satriani, Anthony |
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Kenny Aronoff has joined Chickenfoot while Chad Smith is out with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Check out Chickenfoot.us for touring and other info. You can still hear Chad on recently released Chickenfoot III. There was no Chickenfoot II following the fine debut. The new album is so good they went right to III, figuring nobody wanted anything to do with chickens and the number two (rhymes with coop). Sammy explains this to Kenny in the photo below and tells him to stop referencing 'two' .
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Kenny Aronoff visits with DRUMline after Chickenfoot show in St. Louis at The Fabulous Fox Theatre
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Review of Chickenfoot Live in Concert
I will expand the review section soon but I couldn't resist a little Chickenfoot opinion. You can't really categorize this music, other than it's great. Even 'Three and a Half Letters' which is Sammy Hagar reading letters and screaming 'I need a job' rocks the house. The basic winning attribute of this group is you have four musicians, notice I did not say famous rock stars or great technical players...which they are. Even 'Supergroup' sounds wrong to me because it doesn't explain the chemistry. Chickenfoot is like concrete...bearing a heavy load but with enough musicianship to balance all that power and avoid cracking. This is not to say the music is stiff, it is fluid and alive... conveying every possible emotion. The only thing better than the new record, Chickenfoot III, is seeing the band live because the Foot demonstrates what music should be before it is recorded, packaged, marketed, sold or downloaded...music should be played. Also, is there a better frontman than Hagar?... embracing the audience; in my case a sea of red, many of whom wore Cardinals shirts a week after a World Series victory...a special night. My only criticism of the band is their encore choice of Hendrix's 'Foxy Lady'. It was good, but after taking the audience to the highest point there was no room at the top. It was like summiting Everest and then breaking out a step ladder. Another Chickenfoot song would have been just fine...fine indeed!
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Kenny Aronoff with Chickenfoot in October 2011 at The Pageant in St. Louis, MO
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KC and the Sunshine Band - Hoosier Park Casino - Superbowl XLVI Kickoff Concert
Fermin Goytisolo- KC and The Sunshine Band
Had a blast with KC and the Sunshine Band
Check out Fermin Goytisolo's custom made LP Rainbow Rig to the left. Fermin is an original band member and one of the true gentlemen in the business.
After meeting drummer Dave Simmons at NAMM 2012, he invited me out to the KC concert the night before Superbowl XLVI. I learned so much from the band and crew and share an excerpted version in the video below.
I will redit the live footage (I had about five cameras going) and post Dave Simmons' complete interview in the next DRUMline.
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OLD 97's - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO January 2012
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| Old 97's - Rhett Miller, Philip Peeples, Ken Bethea and Murry Hammond |
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Interview with drummers at Old 97's show. More about these bands at OLD97s.com, thecaitlinrose.com, wearetheos.com
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Me, Jason Garner (The Polyphonic Spree) and Philip Peeples (Old 97's).
Jason was teching for Old 97's between gigs with his own band The Polyphonic Spree, a 23 piece rock orchestra.
My head looks freakishly large but Jason and Philip were unsure why I lined them up diagonally...so I could take the picture myself!
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Dylan Napier of Caitlin Rose and his John Bonham inspired 26" bass drum.
Caitliun Rose is a singer/Songwriter out of Nashville. More info at thecaitlinrose.com
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John Pedigo and Taylor Young of the O's
I think the O's got their name from the fact that John Pedigo likes to say and mime 'O' a lot. Maybe so many people said, 'Oh, you guys are really good!' they figured why not keep the name people knew.*
What's in a name? Both the Old 97's and the O's use an apostrophe to denote plurality. It traditionally, however, denotes ownership. Neither band, I gather likes spelling (short names) or punctuation and protest ownership via apostrophes. I guess they both decided to own the music and they most certainly do.
*In the video interview I decoded or discovered most of the band name origins. I forgot to ask the O's so I made something up.
The O's video below is amazing!
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| Ken Bethea |
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| Rhett Miller |
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| Philip Peeples and Murry Hammond |
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| Acacio Carvalho |
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MS: What inspired you to first play the drums?
AC: I was involved with music since an early age. I was 8 when I started to take piano lessons and learn a bit of music theory. The passion for drums came about one year later, when my brother showed me an "Iron Maiden" VHS tape. It was a concert from their 1987 tour with the classic line-up. Nicko McBrain was unbelievably skilled behind those drums and it blew me away right from the start, I couldn't help but keep watching that tape over and over again, and every time I watched it my interest for the drums grew a little more. That was in 1996 and my fascination for the instrument hasn't changed a bit since then.
MS: What was the music scene like where you grew up?
AC: I was fortunate enough to be part of the local scene since an early age. When I was 14 I was playing the clubs around town on a regular basis. Legally, I shouldn't even be allowed in the clubs at that age, but since I was playing things where cool. When I started to play live in Brazil, the music scene was very different than it is now, there were a few more options 12 years ago than when I left the country in 2009. During my first years as a professional musician, I was playing anything and everything, ranging from famous pop cover songs to regional music. So, I had a few more options back then just because of that fact. These days, I'm more focused on getting involved in musical ventures that I can contribute my talents to, rather than just playing for the money or attention.
MS: Are you from a musical family, if so what did they play and how did that influence you?
AC: I don't consider my family a very musical one. I had some music around me all the time as I grew up, my father played the guitar in the house since before I was born, but we don't have any professional musicians in the family. I don't know what prompted my parents to make me go ahead and take piano lessons when I was a kid, but I thank them for that because it completely changed the course of my life. I remember that one of my cousins used to play the drums long before I even get involved with it. We used to hang out and talk about music. His drumset was the first drumset I ever played and it surely helped me have a "real life" sense of what I had seen in video tapes until then.
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MS: When I think of Brazil I don't think of heavy metal, so how did you get into it?
AC: Believe it or not, Brazil is a big heavy metal place. It is not big in the sense that the industry for that genre is very strong...because it's not, but the fans have a passion that is hard to see anywhere else in the world. If you play a live concert in Brazil you will know exactly what I'm talking about. I think that rock has no barriers. You will find people listening to those genres of music anywhere on the planet. I learned that long ago but got the proof after moving from Brazil. Since then I have recorded with bands from many different countries and they all share the same passion and enthusiasm for that kind of music. It is a worldwide thing...you will find it virtually anywhere.
MS: The fact that you play with Divine Disorder and so many others internationally, speaks not only to your talent but to technology which seems to be shrinking the world and making interaction easier. Do you do any remote recording or travel to all the different bands to record?
AC: It really depends on what the band is looking for...and obviously on the budget available for the production. There are no rules there, sometimes the band will feel more comfortable if I go where they are to get the record done, so they can see it happening and give directions. Many other times the band just trusts my work and I get everything done from my own studio. It depends on a lot of things, but the fact that technology has been shrinking the world is a great thing for me. It opens doors that otherwise would be forever closed. I personally work at a relentless pace, so usually I finish the projects way before the deadlines and then I have to wait for feedback and go from there. With the internet the way it is now, I can send files out and get feedback in minutes, so I can get right back to work and finish everything faster than ever before. On top of that, the quality of the work is much higher, because now with the feedback coming faster, I can fix more parts in less time, so the final product is usually superior.
MS: You have a very powerful style, yet one which is very fluent as well. I would say aggressive but with a high level of technique and feel for the groove. It is refreshing in your chosen genre. How do you think you developed that style?
AC: I think that my style came from different music genres, not necessarily metal or even rock. There are some skills that are mandatory for certain styles. You won't see anybody other than a metal drummer playing 16th notes on the kicks at 200bpm throughout an entire song for example. I spent most of my musical life taking lessons from different teachers, none of them taught me anything about double bass drumming, blast beats or any specifics like that. So basically, all the "metal" characteristics that you see in my style where self-taught. I had to develop the speed, stamina, precision and all that by myself, with nobody guiding me through the process. That fact by itself already helped me develop an identity of my own. At the same time, my teachers where showing me latin concepts, jazz, improvisation, funk grooves, etc. So I guess my style became a mix of all that. I credit the others styles for making me a fluent metal drummer.
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MS: Do you chart out your parts in the studio? How did you get your education?
AC: Yes, sometimes it's necessary. When I'm working with tight deadlines and the music or drum parts are very complex, I have to chart at least some of what I'm gonna play. A good example was the album that I recorded with the band "Divine Disorder"...the drum parts were particularly complicated. Most of the kicks were played in unison with bass and guitar phrases, so playing those phrases precisely was mandatory. I didn't have much time to practice each song prior to recording, so I charted all the kick lines and followed them through the sessions.
Regarding my education, I started in the music universe already studying in a formal way. I followed that pattern throughout most of my career. I spent about 8 years taking private drum lessons and music theory lessons. When I was 15 I was accepted at the Brasilia School of Music, which is prestigious when it comes to music schools in South America. So my education came mostly from that and also from just playing and diving head first into the music world.
MS: What plans do you have for your career? Drumming or otherwise.
AC: I keep myself as busy as possible all the time, I enjoy doing what I do so I try to do it as much as I can. Right now I'm tracking a few extra songs for some previous albums that I recorded...and getting a few videos done for some of the companies that endorse me. I have a few projects in line for the next few months, but I can't reveal them just yet, you have to wait and see. Other than that I'm always looking forward to the next project, the next musical journey or the next place that music will bring me to. I believe that if I plan too much my life will become boring, so I keep things in a way that I know what I'm doing for the next few months...but at the same time I keep the door open for new and unexpected journeys. That's how I keep the flame lit.
MS: Include any narrative, news or info about yourself that you wish. AC: Thank you for the interest in my work and for the invitation to do the interview. It's always a pleasure to talk about music and share experiences with fellow drummers. I would also like to thank everybody who's been continuously supporting me through the years, and that includes family, fans, friends, endorsers, etc. I would not be able to come this far without that support, so thank you very much everybody! If you want to know more about me and everything that I've been doing, please visit my website www.acaciocarvalho.com
Take care and keep rockin' my friends!!!
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MS: Where do you live in Germany? What is the music scene like there? DM: Hi all, my name is Debora Müller (25) and I live in the southern part of Germany in a city called Karlsruhe which is near Stuttgart, as you may know from MERCEDES or PORSCHE. Germany has not such a big music biz like the US but we do have a lot of great musicians over here. I live in the middle of an area where the drum scene is established. One of Germany´s largest drum stores is in the neighborhood and the Drummercircle – a huge drum school – is right beside my flat. It’s an amazing place to live. To be successful you must be really focused on your goals and willing to go the extra mile for it. You need to stand out of the crowd because there are so many musicians. Today you cannot be a champion in everything but you need to specialize. I have met many great drummers: Steve Gadd, Armin Rühl, Rayan Delling, Phil Maturano…All these outstanding drummers show that it is best to stay grounded. We are all just human beings. Curiously enough, with a woman on the set the level of expectation in the audience initially drops. And yet, you are measured by the standards set by men! Certainly it is not easy for a woman to stand her ground in this business. It is a challenge! On the other hand, it is incredibly interesting and exciting. People pay much more attention to the drummer if “he” is female, because – unfortunately – this is still rather rare. I no longer perceive myself as a “female drummer” because this has become quite normal and I don’t think about it anymore. Then I see people’s faces in the audience before I play and this makes me aware again that I am a female drummer...it simply makes me smile.
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MS: What inspired you to play drums? DM: I am fascinated by the various possibilities and sound diversity one can discover time and again. You may think you have discovered everything only to find out you are just at he beginning. There is always something new to find out and that’s why it’s never boring. The sound repertoire is never ending and it moves both body and soul.
MS: You studied international business and law at university - Do you make your living in that field.
DM: Lots of people ask whether I am a professional drummer. The answer is: No, I was never a professional musician and I don’t earn my money doing it. I want to be independent so that I can play whenever I want wherever I want. Anything else would influence my creativity and I wouldn’t be as relaxed as I am now. My motto is: Give always 100% regardless of whether 5 people listen or 5000.
After high school I earned my Bachelor of Law and right afterwards started in the family company in business law. So during the week I earn my money in a normal job to be financially independent. There are a couple of requests for drumming lessons and I think I would be a good teacher... maybe a little strict. (laughs) I think every teacher gives part of their own habits, experiences and skills to the pupil. That’s what fascinates me, but unfortunately my diary has no space for it. Nevertheless playing the drum set is not just a hobby – it’s a calling.
MS: When and why did you learn to play drum set? DM: Everything started with playing piano which I did not want to play anymore. I wanted to do something bigger and stronger which will impress the guys around. :-) So at age 14, I started playing drums – actually pretty late. At first I played at the church service and I am still playing there in a band. My grandfather founded this church which has grown to one of largest churches in Germany. That’s how I got to know about life with God since I was younger through being a musician. The church reaches more than 1 million people all over Europe via TV, web-streaming and the church magazine. So I have a huge audience for drumming as well.
Check out the following websites: missionswerk.de, gebetsnacht.de.
In the beginning I was embarrassed sometimes when people asked me where I play and I answered: 'At a church.' Then one day I realized that this should actually be normal. :-) Even Aaron Spears, Teddy Campbell, Marvin McQuitty and Gerald Heyward started at a church, doing gospel drumming. This seems to be a great start for drummers!
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MS: What was Las
Vegas Drum Camp like?
DM: The main objective of Las Vegas Drum Camp 2010 was to reach for Christ
all those musicians that do not yet know Him and lead those who have chosen to
serve God with their talents to a professional musical maturity. It was really
a privilege to do a workshop at this great Drum Camp. I not only shared
important stuff there but also got inspired by so many outstanding and
fantastic drummers like Anthony King, Carlos Figueroa, Luis Dorioux, Absalom
Ruiz – and of course the initiator of this Drum Camp Carlos Skinfill. This guy
has a vision and a plan as I mentioned above and that is really good. I really
felt at home and accepted as a woman in this business. And to sum it up – Las
Vegas is quite an awesome place to be once in a lifetime.
MS: Tell us some
highlights and what you learned from Master Classes and Workshops.
DM: My motto is: The more difficult the better! I
simply love digging my teeth into something and then persist until I have
mastered it. Everyone can do “easy”. In
my opinion everyone can play “falling on the floor” but real drumming also has
something to do with technique or, as the saying goes, “with passion for the
detail”. I am a technology freak and I don’t mind at all
to focus on technique for hours to practice such rather boring things. For me
it is important sometimes to check my own level and improve my playing through
Master Classes. There I can focus on specific techniques and can sort out
problems individually. I really enjoyed Master Classes of Phil Maturano, Gavin
Harrison, Jost Nickel… There are many great drummers out there
I can learn from.
MS: Tell us anything you wish about
your future goals, drumming or otherwise.
DM: The main goal for this year is definitely a
private one. I am going to marry in the summer and I am looking forward to a
wonderful future with my precious. When it comes to drumming I am now in a
position to teach my skills and experiences especially in rock, gospel and jazz
to other drummers in the area. Besides it just makes me happy to support young
rookies and to see their successful steps. But my message to all drummers out there no
matter which level they are is simple: You can never be perfect but you can be
excellent. Give always your best. Dare
to jump into the cold water and do things you never consider yourself capable
of...This expands your boundaries and gets you amazingly ahead beyond your
expectations.
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| Debora Muller...Keep Punchin' |
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