THUNDERSTICKS INTERVIEW WITH MEL FROM DRUM STATION!!
WAS ABLE TO DO A INTERVIEW WITH DRUM STATION, WHICH IS A SITE ON MYSPACE THAT IS DEDICATED TO THE DRUMMERS OF AMERICA, ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN MY DRUMMING CAREER!! MELODY WREN WAS ABLE TO SHOOT ME SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE WENT ON IN MY CAREER IN A Q AND A INTERVIEW!!BE SURE TO KEEP UP WITH MELODY AND HER MYSPACE PAGE CALLED, "DRUM STATION" AT THE LINK HERE BELOW:
http://myspace.com/melconga
IT IS ALSO IN THE WORKS TO HAVE A PERSONAL SIT DOWN INTERVIEW WITH SICK DRUMMER MAGAZINE ABOUT WHAT I HAVE IN STORE FOR 2009 AS WELL A FEW OTHERS AT VARIOUS TIMES THIS YEARS AS WHEN I START TO TOUR!! SO ENJOY, AND BE PREPARED FOR SOME INTERESTING STUFF!!
--THUNDERSTICKS
The Drummer Station Interviews!!!
Today's Interview is with...THUNDERSTICKS!A touring drummer looking for a new GIG!!
Scroll down & check him out!
1. When did you first get into the drums?
I first got into drums back when i was around 6 years old!! My mom was a country type singer and played guitar!! I would go and grab some pots and pans, or just anything that made noise and jammed with her!! It made it quite difficult for her to find time to practice for herself!! It took a few of those jam sessions with her til i got my first kit at age 13!!
2. Tell me about your first gig...
Interesting question!! A gig that i was actually getting paid for was a gig back when i was around 9 or 10 years old!! Got a few kids from the neighborhood and we would make cut-out guitars out of cardboard and drums from boxes and just kind of air jammed to the songs from bands like Queen, Billy Squire, Styx, back on the record player in the basement!! YES, ON THE PHONOGRAPH!! We would charge a nickel a person and rock them out at least once a week!!
3. How do you get ready for a show?
Getting ready for a show is an important question!! Being that i have a drum tech guy most of the time, i am able to relax for the show and prepare for the nights gig!! Conversating with those of my group to better understand what we are going to collectively do that night is key! Of course i am just not always sitting back there behind the kit as i like to give the crowd some entertainment from myself too, as i like to rise from the kit and work the crowd as well!! This could be anything from trying to get the crowd into the band, or grab a mic after a drum solo!! Been known to throw and hand jerry beads out!! lol!!
4. Have you always been a thrash metal drummer?
I have always been a thrash drummer that is able to experience other styles as well!! I have played in blues bands, cover bands, and jam bands of all kinds!! I guess i started to explore more as i got older!! I feel it is not going to hurt you any by knowing other aspects of drumming like playing top 40 to death metal!! Just have been able to keep an open mind and have had some recording experiences of music other than the style of thrash that i am known to play!! But buy far, this style is what i most prefer!!
5. Who influences your drumming?
There is only one THUNDERSTICKS, and i believe i have my own drumming style!! Some of the guys that have influenced me are:
DAN ERLANDSSON--ARCH ENEMY--PAUL BOSTAPH--TESTAMENT--MIKE WRENGREN--DISTURBED--JASON BITTNER--SHADOWS FALL--SHANNON LARKIN--GODSMACK/ANOTHER ANIMAL--TOM HUNTING--EXODUS AND A FEW OTHER NOTABLES ARE-- VAN WILLIAMS--NEVERMORE-- MIKKI DEE--KING DIAMOND/MOTORHEAD---DAVE LOMBARDO--GRIP INC/TESTAMENT/SLAYER--AND SCOTT TRAVIS--JUDAS PRIEST/FIGHT--
As you can tell, quite a diverse group of guys as there are some chicks out there that kick some ass as well!! I do have to say chicks playing drums well is a awesome thing to see as well as any instrument in music!
6. Do you play any other instruments?
I have been know to make some noise as some of my past and present bandmates have said over time!! Being able to expess your emotion through another instrument I think it just adds a different demension to your musical ideas really!! You are able to see things at a different level and a different speed so to speak!! I have been known to play guitar, bass, sing, as well as wrote some lyrics for songs!! I wrote all the lyrics for my group PANIC EFFECT over the years!! The real truth to the matter is being able to contribute in ways other than your drumming skills could provide a element of surprize more so than noise as i have been told over time!!
7. What are some of your other interests besides drumming?
When i am able to look outside of drumming and the music, i like to go camping with my kids, attend concerts, ride motorcycles, fishing, watching sports!! I like to add i am an all chicago sports team fan!! the BEARS RULE!
8. If you could form a dream band ....who?
A dream band?? Wow, this is a hard question to answer!! Answer this wrong and i could be out of a good gig!! lol!! I would have to say without a doubt that there is a local band out in the IL. area in the midwest area that i was a part of in my youth and was a drum tech for about 10 years before i was well on my way to being a drummer is a band called--WRATH!! They are still jamming today with the same attitude they had back when i was their drum tech at 16 years old!! I have been able to play some local shows with them since i have moved on, but those guys to this day, are still great friends!! I have always wondered what i would have sounded like playing drums for them!!
9. Tell me some highlights in your drumming career....
Some highlights of my career are that i have been able to continue and play drums for all this years without the problems unlike some good friends of mine!! Some of my friends have lost their lives or got carpal tunnel sydrome at some point in their careers, some have not had the opportunites like myself to be able to do this more than others!! That i am humble for having family, friends, and my fans today backing me up in my dream to do this fulll time!! Lets face it, this is not as easy as some make it look!
10. Would you do anything differently for your career?
Having fun at what i do and changing it, you never know?? i think the right answer to this question is no!! I say this only because the experience within itself has a been a trip from day one that i can remember!! i always told myself if i was not in control with my career and was not able to do things on my own terms, than it was time to walk away!! That is a great thing because my choices are my choices and no one elses!! I continue to make my rules and fly with the NEW and the OLD times the best that i can keep up with!! There are bands coming out of the woodwork compared to when i first started!! I have been able to do this by myself and the help of some great musicians as well as some great friends and fans!!
11. Ever take any lessons?
Proud to say that i am a self taught drummer of 24 years!! Musical life was going so fast that i feel i was learning my style!! Did not want to sound like everyone because they were the best!! I want to be the best at what i do, so i taught myself!! There were some drum mentors along the way that influenced me early in drumming that i speak with still today!! i guess i have come up with a formula that works for me and the music i represent!!
12. What's your favorite thing about drumming?
My favorite thing about drumming is the endless dimensions that you can find!! It's just like any other instrument, the more hard work you put into it, the more you will get out of it! Another is, you want to play every gig and practice better than the last one!! I find that i play just as hard as if there are 100 people or 1,000 people!! I have noticed some musicians don't play as hard and it is written on your face and the way you play!! So i guess the mental aspect in the field of drumming is what i crave!!
13. Anything you'd like to say to new drummers out there?
Some of the things that i would like to add for those young musicians and drummers out there is if it is your dream, then go live it!! I am, and will prove to everyone out there that the harder you give it day in and day out, you will get results!! I have seen it teaching my students, not only did i teach myself drums, but you have got to want it just as bad as the next person!! Sure, there are going to be better drummers than you out there, and don't ever think there isn't!! You will once get showed up by a drummer better than you and all you can do is to live to fight another day!! Learn from it, focus on what you need to do, you will run into that person again, and when you do, you just might have them gaining notice of what you are able to do!! Drumming is as complexed as you want to make it, just don't let it get the better of you!!
YOU MAY ALSO FIND THUNDERSTICKS AT THESE LINKS AVAILABLE:
http://myspace.com/paniceffect
http://youtube.com/thundersticksinc
http://twitter.com/thudersticks1
http://myspace.com/paniceffectrocks
http://youtube.com/paniceffect1
http://twitter.com/panic_effect
http://myspace.com/melconga
IT IS ALSO IN THE WORKS TO HAVE A PERSONAL SIT DOWN INTERVIEW WITH SICK DRUMMER MAGAZINE ABOUT WHAT I HAVE IN STORE FOR 2009 AS WELL A FEW OTHERS AT VARIOUS TIMES THIS YEARS AS WHEN I START TO TOUR!! SO ENJOY, AND BE PREPARED FOR SOME INTERESTING STUFF!!
--THUNDERSTICKS
The Drummer Station Interviews!!!
Today's Interview is with...THUNDERSTICKS!A touring drummer looking for a new GIG!!
Scroll down & check him out!
1. When did you first get into the drums?
I first got into drums back when i was around 6 years old!! My mom was a country type singer and played guitar!! I would go and grab some pots and pans, or just anything that made noise and jammed with her!! It made it quite difficult for her to find time to practice for herself!! It took a few of those jam sessions with her til i got my first kit at age 13!!
2. Tell me about your first gig...
Interesting question!! A gig that i was actually getting paid for was a gig back when i was around 9 or 10 years old!! Got a few kids from the neighborhood and we would make cut-out guitars out of cardboard and drums from boxes and just kind of air jammed to the songs from bands like Queen, Billy Squire, Styx, back on the record player in the basement!! YES, ON THE PHONOGRAPH!! We would charge a nickel a person and rock them out at least once a week!!
3. How do you get ready for a show?
Getting ready for a show is an important question!! Being that i have a drum tech guy most of the time, i am able to relax for the show and prepare for the nights gig!! Conversating with those of my group to better understand what we are going to collectively do that night is key! Of course i am just not always sitting back there behind the kit as i like to give the crowd some entertainment from myself too, as i like to rise from the kit and work the crowd as well!! This could be anything from trying to get the crowd into the band, or grab a mic after a drum solo!! Been known to throw and hand jerry beads out!! lol!!
4. Have you always been a thrash metal drummer?
I have always been a thrash drummer that is able to experience other styles as well!! I have played in blues bands, cover bands, and jam bands of all kinds!! I guess i started to explore more as i got older!! I feel it is not going to hurt you any by knowing other aspects of drumming like playing top 40 to death metal!! Just have been able to keep an open mind and have had some recording experiences of music other than the style of thrash that i am known to play!! But buy far, this style is what i most prefer!!
5. Who influences your drumming?
There is only one THUNDERSTICKS, and i believe i have my own drumming style!! Some of the guys that have influenced me are:
DAN ERLANDSSON--ARCH ENEMY--PAUL BOSTAPH--TESTAMENT--MIKE WRENGREN--DISTURBED--JASON BITTNER--SHADOWS FALL--SHANNON LARKIN--GODSMACK/ANOTHER ANIMAL--TOM HUNTING--EXODUS AND A FEW OTHER NOTABLES ARE-- VAN WILLIAMS--NEVERMORE-- MIKKI DEE--KING DIAMOND/MOTORHEAD---DAVE LOMBARDO--GRIP INC/TESTAMENT/SLAYER--AND SCOTT TRAVIS--JUDAS PRIEST/FIGHT--
As you can tell, quite a diverse group of guys as there are some chicks out there that kick some ass as well!! I do have to say chicks playing drums well is a awesome thing to see as well as any instrument in music!
6. Do you play any other instruments?
I have been know to make some noise as some of my past and present bandmates have said over time!! Being able to expess your emotion through another instrument I think it just adds a different demension to your musical ideas really!! You are able to see things at a different level and a different speed so to speak!! I have been known to play guitar, bass, sing, as well as wrote some lyrics for songs!! I wrote all the lyrics for my group PANIC EFFECT over the years!! The real truth to the matter is being able to contribute in ways other than your drumming skills could provide a element of surprize more so than noise as i have been told over time!!
7. What are some of your other interests besides drumming?
When i am able to look outside of drumming and the music, i like to go camping with my kids, attend concerts, ride motorcycles, fishing, watching sports!! I like to add i am an all chicago sports team fan!! the BEARS RULE!
8. If you could form a dream band ....who?
A dream band?? Wow, this is a hard question to answer!! Answer this wrong and i could be out of a good gig!! lol!! I would have to say without a doubt that there is a local band out in the IL. area in the midwest area that i was a part of in my youth and was a drum tech for about 10 years before i was well on my way to being a drummer is a band called--WRATH!! They are still jamming today with the same attitude they had back when i was their drum tech at 16 years old!! I have been able to play some local shows with them since i have moved on, but those guys to this day, are still great friends!! I have always wondered what i would have sounded like playing drums for them!!
9. Tell me some highlights in your drumming career....
Some highlights of my career are that i have been able to continue and play drums for all this years without the problems unlike some good friends of mine!! Some of my friends have lost their lives or got carpal tunnel sydrome at some point in their careers, some have not had the opportunites like myself to be able to do this more than others!! That i am humble for having family, friends, and my fans today backing me up in my dream to do this fulll time!! Lets face it, this is not as easy as some make it look!
10. Would you do anything differently for your career?
Having fun at what i do and changing it, you never know?? i think the right answer to this question is no!! I say this only because the experience within itself has a been a trip from day one that i can remember!! i always told myself if i was not in control with my career and was not able to do things on my own terms, than it was time to walk away!! That is a great thing because my choices are my choices and no one elses!! I continue to make my rules and fly with the NEW and the OLD times the best that i can keep up with!! There are bands coming out of the woodwork compared to when i first started!! I have been able to do this by myself and the help of some great musicians as well as some great friends and fans!!
11. Ever take any lessons?
Proud to say that i am a self taught drummer of 24 years!! Musical life was going so fast that i feel i was learning my style!! Did not want to sound like everyone because they were the best!! I want to be the best at what i do, so i taught myself!! There were some drum mentors along the way that influenced me early in drumming that i speak with still today!! i guess i have come up with a formula that works for me and the music i represent!!
12. What's your favorite thing about drumming?
My favorite thing about drumming is the endless dimensions that you can find!! It's just like any other instrument, the more hard work you put into it, the more you will get out of it! Another is, you want to play every gig and practice better than the last one!! I find that i play just as hard as if there are 100 people or 1,000 people!! I have noticed some musicians don't play as hard and it is written on your face and the way you play!! So i guess the mental aspect in the field of drumming is what i crave!!
13. Anything you'd like to say to new drummers out there?
Some of the things that i would like to add for those young musicians and drummers out there is if it is your dream, then go live it!! I am, and will prove to everyone out there that the harder you give it day in and day out, you will get results!! I have seen it teaching my students, not only did i teach myself drums, but you have got to want it just as bad as the next person!! Sure, there are going to be better drummers than you out there, and don't ever think there isn't!! You will once get showed up by a drummer better than you and all you can do is to live to fight another day!! Learn from it, focus on what you need to do, you will run into that person again, and when you do, you just might have them gaining notice of what you are able to do!! Drumming is as complexed as you want to make it, just don't let it get the better of you!!
YOU MAY ALSO FIND THUNDERSTICKS AT THESE LINKS AVAILABLE:
http://myspace.com/paniceffect
http://youtube.com/thundersticksinc
http://twitter.com/thudersticks1
http://myspace.com/paniceffectrocks
http://youtube.com/paniceffect1
http://twitter.com/panic_effect
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