Who's your drumming influence?

[zafrothunder]

mine is dave grohl. If i never heard Nirvana, then I would never have got on a drum set.

I knew I could play their songs on a drumset before ever even being on one. It just sounded so easy, but so fun, like this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SnvejVyL2s

they play a little warmup before actually starting...

plus he never had a lesson and learned by hitting random stuff like me lol. Lessons are expensive as hell!

what about you guys?

or is this in the wrong section?

[Skulmoski]

"he never had a lesson and learned by hitting random stuff" Yes, that is apparent.

I will be practicing congas this morning, so today, my drumming influence is Daniel Sadownick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRn0s6h33zg&feature=related and
David La Mole Ortiz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-00lblDB3GA

Tonight, when my wife and daughter are sleeping and I will be playing my tar, my drumming influences will be Glen Valez and Layne Redmond:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTaehZN2xL4&feature=related

Yesterday, my drumming influences were John Bonham, Terry Bozzio and Richie Hayward.

GJS

[Volentry]

Scott Phillips, The Rev, Shannon Lucas, Mike Portnoy.

:D

[joshisaces]

I have to say....... Matt Greiner or Thomas Prigden. I found that lately the stuff I play has all sounded like what they would play.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

plus he never had a lesson and learned by hitting random stuff like me lol. Lessons are expensive as hell!

What's your source?

If you think that you can be a good drummer without any sort of tuition, then you really will have to be rather talented. Dave Grohl is a good drummer - one of my favourites in many ways as well, but to write off lessons 'in general' because he apparently never had any is not a particularly clever thing to do. It could be that he was an exception to a rule. And I highly doubt he was ever 'hitting random stuff'. I hit random stuff and I learn nothing.

[MichaelB]

I would have to say John Otto from LimpBizkit. I love the bouncy beats on chocolate starfish. Other influences have been RHCP's Chad Smith and DMB's Carter Beauford.

[zafrothunder]

What's your source?

If you think that you can be a good drummer without any sort of tuition, then you really will have to be rather talented. Dave Grohl is a good drummer - one of my favourites in many ways as well, but to write off lessons 'in general' because he apparently never had any is not a particularly clever thing to do. It could be that he was an exception to a rule. And I highly doubt he was ever 'hitting random stuff'. I hit random stuff and I learn nothing.

lol i dont know, i just play a lot and i've never had any lessons. I'll practice different techniques and stuff, but I'll just do them on my own. Like, if I am not near a set, I'll take two drumstick-like things and start practicing.

i dont write off lessons just because dave grohl never had them. they are really expensive and if i get to a point where i feel like i need them, then i'll probably take them

[Pachikara-Tharakan]

mine is Keith Moon, I never had lessons or a teacher, so did Keith, no rules, just expressing myself, there will be some folks in this world who would appreciate this, I know.

However, I cant even do a fraction of what Keith did, I am now copying the simple playing of Charley Watts, again, no lessons, dont know how to read music, both Charley and Keith are my heroes.

Lessons or teachers are expensive.

I never buy any of the DVD's that todays drummers put out, cause i just wanted to develop something my own way.

My policy is, if it sounds good to you , there will be one or more persons in this world who like your drumming.

My dream is to form a band with folks who have the attitudes of Pete Townshend, John Enwhistle and Roger Daltrey who appreciates overdrumming..........and never get fired.

I think every rock song has a Keith Moon version of drumming and no one has ever found that out so far, because of rules, view towards overdrumming, etc.. etc...etc...
Keith was unique.

[zafrothunder]

mine is Keith Moon, I never had lessons or a teacher, so did Keith, no rules, just expressing myself, there will be some folks in this world who would appreciate this, I know.

However, I cant even do a fraction of what Keith did, I am now copying the simple playing of Charley Watts, again, no lessons, dont know how to read music, both Charley and Keith are my heroes.

Lessons or teachers are expensive.

I never buy any of the DVD's that todays drummers put out, cause i just wanted to develop something my own way.

My policy is, if it sounds good to you , there will be one or more persons in this world who like your drumming.

My dream is to form a band with folks who have the attitudes of Pete Townshend, John Enwhistle and Roger Daltrey who appreciates overdrumming..........and never get fired.

I think every rock song has a Keith Moon version of drumming and no one has ever found that out so far, because of rules, view towards overdrumming, etc.. etc...etc...
Keith was unique.

yeah he was awesome. Seemed like he was always drugged up because he went so fast and crazy lol

Im not saying lessons are stupid and pointless, im just saying they arent for me, and the fact that my favorite drummer didnt take them inspired me

[Drumsword]

I have a long list of influences:

My brother was my first one, excellent drummer.

Frankie Banali- Quiet riot, wasp, freakshow

Ken Mary-Fifth Angel, Alice cooper, Ken Tamplin

Tommy Aldridge- Whitesnake, ozzy osbourne

Neil Peart-Rush

Dave Weckl
Vinnie Couliautta
Terry Bozzio
Tommy Lee
Tony Thompson
Thomas Lang

[Stripchase]

I have been majorly influenced by Ray Luzier. I just love it when a drummer can hit hard and still be a good techincal drummer. He has the chops and the showmanship. Can't really understand why he ended up with a band like Korn ... maybe for the $$$ but it does offer him a chance to do some off the wall stuff and play in fornt of huge crowds. I just think he would be better suited for something different.

[Meat the beat]

My early influences were Steve Smith, Phil Collins, Pete Kircher (!) later I got into Bonzo, Moon, Jason Bonham, Gregg Bissonette, Anton Fig, just a few!!

[SharkyBait911]

Steve White is my main influnece, i saw him playing with chad smith and he played him off the stage !!!!

[king fail]

When I think of influences, to me that means people who have changed the way I play or look at my instrument - so....

Blockhead
John Coltrane
Venetian Snares
Timbaland
Squarepusher
RJD2
Sh*tmat
Acrnym

and then of course the drummers.....

Jojo Mayer
Chris "Daddy" Dave
Steve Jordan
Dafnis Prieto
Tony Williams
Benny Greb
John Bonham
Gerald Heyward
Antonio Sanchez
Steve Gadd
Teddy Campbell
Jack Dejohnette
Thomas Pridgen
Vinnie Colaiuta
Eric Moore II
Peter Erskine
Ronald Bruner Jr.

That's all I can think of. Plenty more guys I like, but these chaps have given me a new perspective on the instrument(s), and/or changed the way I play.

[Sable]

i dont write off lessons just because dave grohl never had them. they are really expensive and if i get to a point where i feel like i need them, then i'll probably take them

I hope you get to that point soon. If not, you may end up having to spend a lot of time and energy correcting bad habits.

Instead of trying to afford weekly lessons, why not find a teacher willing to meet with you maybe once a month? Back in my college days, my friends would buy me a lesson with a pro for Christmas or birthdays. It's really affordable when it's split among a few people (and especially when it's free!).

[zafrothunder]

I hope you get to that point soon. If not, you may end up having to spend a lot of time and energy correcting bad habits.

Instead of trying to afford weekly lessons, why not find a teacher willing to meet with you maybe once a month? Back in my college days, my friends would buy me a lesson with a pro for Christmas or birthdays. It's really affordable when it's split among a few people (and especially when it's free!).

that seems like a good idea, but i dont have anyone to split it with. No one is going to want to just hand me their money just so i can get one lesson a month.

over the past few months, I have been improving a lot on my own. I go mostly by listening to songs and different artists, and if I "hear" a drum technique that I want to try to learn, I spend all my time perfecting that particular skill until I have it down.

it probably seems stupid, but its free and allows me to develop my own kind of style.

I gradually grew out of most of my bad habits, but sometimes I'll just lose a drumstick. Like, im playing, and then a drumstick will just fly out of my hand. It usually happens after I get sweaty...so maybe i should turn it down a notch...

[Matt]

When I started playing set in junior high school, it was me and the few other drummers in jazz band. I also learned some things from my dad, who played in his highschool drumline. Then, I used to always play along to every track on a tape my mom had copied of Audio Adrenaline's Underdog album. Their drummer's name was Ben Cissell, and I tried to do everything I heard.

Then, I became a big Creed fan and tried to copy everything Scott Phillips did. I think it's really cool that he already got mentioned by someone else in the third post. (I also copied a lot of the guitar parts, as well as learned them on piano.)

Next, in highschool, my drumline teacher loaned me videos of guys like Virgil Donati, Dennis Chambers with Tony Royster (the Common Ground tape), Steve Gadd, and Buddy Rich. I was mostly blown away by Dennis Chambers and Tony Royster. After that, he gave me a copy of a Led Zeppelin, Phish, and Count Basie CD, and I mostly learned the stuff off the Led Zeppelin CD. Later in highschool, someone introduced me to Dream Theater, and I tried to learn a lot of Portnoy stuff.

Nowadays, I am influenced by everyone, and it would be impossible to count them all. I try to pick stuff out of by tons of drummers listed right here on this site, as well as any cool stuff I come along browsing YouTube. Some of you guys have even been an influence at this point.

[skaman]

Interesting. If I had never heard Nirvana i woldnt be playing music at all. So I started with guitar and sing along some of their songs at age 16. I played guitar till age 23, then I switched to drums couse we couldn't find drummer for the band. Now for 5 years I've been in love with this instrument.

My first hero on drums is: Dave Weckl, I saw him play and I must say that I didn't see anything near his performence and magic he creates on drums. This was stunning experience that will stay inside my soul for life. And i love Chick Corea Electric band, who's drummer is Dave Weckl. I also saw Dennis Chambers with Santana and I love this guy, but unfortunately he could't show all he's got, because it was of course all about Santana. I also love my teacher Bruno Domiter, Antonio Sanches, Ignacio Beroa, Horacio Hernandez, Simon Philips, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Portnoy, Bill Stevart...

[zafrothunder]

Interesting. If I had never heard Nirvana i woldnt be playing music at all. So I started with guitar and sing along some of their songs at age 16. I played guitar till age 23, then I switched to drums couse we couldn't find drummer for the band. Now for 5 years I've been in love with this instrument.

My first hero on drums is: Dave Weckl, I saw him play and I must say that I didn't see anything near his performence and magic he creates on drums. This was stunning experience that will stay inside my soul for life. And i love Chick Corea Electric band, who's drummer is Dave Weckl. I also saw Dennis Chambers with Santana and I love this guy, but unfortunately he could't show all he's got, because it was of course all about Santana. I also love my teacher Bruno Domiter, Antonio Sanches, Ignacio Beroa, Horacio Hernandez, Simon Philips, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Portnoy, Bill Stevart...

i got into music before i heard nirvana. I play the piano and saxophone, but my favorite is definitely the drums...Still dont know how to read music...but thats fine, because I'm not in like an orchestra or something

[zephead19]

I have to say John Bonham and Led Zeppelin. If it was not wanting to learn how to play songs like Moby Dick and the drums to Whole Lotta Love, Black Dog etc. I would have never started playing drums. My desire to want to play like Bonzo was why I started drumming.

[zafrothunder]

"he never had a lesson and learned by hitting random stuff" Yes, that is apparent.

LOL i didnt catch that before. I guess you can tell...If you make enough noise, no one can hear you mess up! Thats my philosophy toward drumming

[Friddle Bill]

I got a bunch, but I would have to go with Jason Rullo (Symphony X) and Gene Hoglan (Strapping young lad and a whole bunch of stuff) as my two biggest influences.

[con struct]

My main drumming influences, and there are more than a few, are the local drummers that I got to see play all the time and eventually got to know and hang out with. Nobody anyone would have heard of, I wouldn't think, but all that one-on-one interaction with these really fine drummers made the biggest impact on my playing.

[bermuda]

I too have a long list of drummers and bands who influenced me, it would be impossible to say that only one was responsible for the way I play, or even my wanting to play drums in the first place.

My earliest influences were Ringo and Gene Krupa. By the late '60s I had come to appreciate Ginger Baker, Dino Danelli, and by way of many artists and groups, Hal Blaine and his British counterpart, Bobby Graham. I always liked Zappa's and Tull's drummers, and by the '80s was admiring Pete Thomas, Clem Burke, Larry Mullen Jr., etc. Other studio players like Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon and Russ Kunkel influenced me as well.

There are a ton of great drummers who have emerged lately, and not to take anything away from them, but few are doing anything really new or particularly useful to me. Almost everything they - and I - have been doing has been culled from the masters of a few decades ago.

An obvious exception would be the heroes of speed metal, Charlie Benante, et al, but that's a genre I've never been requested to play!

Bermuda

[Ian Williams]

Many drummers influence myself. Beginning with my Uncle, who passed away long time ago.
Bill Ward, Carmine Appice, Cozy Powell, Ian Paice, John Bonham, Clive Burr and Ivan de Prume, are my roots. Furthermore, I am self-taught and still learning new things everyday.

[wolfmoon]

I too have a long list of drummers and bands who influenced me, it would be impossible to say that only one was responsible for the way I play, or even my wanting to play drums in the first place.

My earliest influences were Ringo and Gene Krupa. By the late '60s I had come to appreciate Ginger Baker, Dino Danelli, and by way of many artists and groups, Hal Blaine and his British counterpart, Bobby Graham. I always liked Zappa's and Tull's drummers, and by the '80s was admiring Pete Thomas, Clem Burke, Larry Mullen Jr., etc. Other studio players like Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon and Russ Kunkel influenced me as well.

There are a ton of great drummers who have emerged lately, and not to take anything away from them, but few are doing anything really new or particularly useful to me. Almost everything they - and I - have been doing has been culled from the masters of a few decades ago.

An obvious exception would be the heroes of speed metal, Charlie Benante, et al, but that's a genre I've never been requested to play!

Bermuda


Just a curious question... If you were asked to play in a metal situation would you do it ?

[MatchedAndNumbered]

Cats like John Bonham, Steve Gadd and Stanton Moore really are the anchors of my influences while other artists like Glenn Kotche, David Garibaldi, Keith Carlock, Steve Smith, and John 'JR' Robinson rotate in importance depending on what I'm practicing.
Currently, the rotation is on Jojo Mayer and Benny Greb because I'm working on their lessons.

[razorx]

My father (wolfmoon) is by far my biggest influence.I love sitting right next to him when he plays. I've picked up so much from him over the years. Thanks :)

[stabmasterarson]

Gene Hoglan, Dave Lombardo, Frost from Satyricon, Pete Sandoval, George Kollias, Bill Ward

[bermuda]

Just a curious question... If you were asked to play in a metal situation would you do it ?

Speed metal - no, I would recommend they get someone with good feet. But classic metal, sure, it's all pretty straight ahead.

Bermuda

[Pollyanna]

I admire most pro drummers but these are the ones who have probably influenced me most:

Ringo - he shows how you can be part of a great band sound with modest technique by using distinctive patterns that are purpose-built for various song parts (also Chris Franz who's had a great career for someone who's been decribed as having all the flair of white bread :-D

Bonzo - for his dotted triplets and use of grace notes

Jim Hodder - to me he's like a jazzy version of Ringo (grace notes again)

Ginger - Africanisation (also Sol Amarfio from Osibisa)

Bill Bruford - inspires me to consider the non-obvious

Paul Hester and Victor DeLorenzo - show how you can be part of a satisfying band sound with the most basic of setups

Larry Tolfree - for his tasty, clean jazz drumming on Jumpin' Jive - so well organised!

[jwildman]

O man I've had so many. It seems like every new drummer I hear becomes a part of my playing. Theres Carter Beauford Sean Kinney The Rev Travis Barker the drummer from the offspring Mitch Mitchells Phil Collins. And even some drummers from youtube like scheyjosh 11111phil11111 or mike johnston.

[Snowflake]

Bonham, Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich, The Rev, Shannon Larkin (godsmack), Buddy Rich, Krupa, Jason Bittner, Jason Costa, Shawn Drover, Nick Menza, Paul Bostaph (though i value Lombardo much more highly), Alex Van Halen (gotta love Hot For Teacher), Carmine Appice, Vinnie Appice, Vinnie Paul, Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart. Just off the top of my head.

Edit: Notice that travis barker and joey jordison are absent from the list.

[zafrothunder]

Bonham, Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich, The Rev, Shannon Larkin (godsmack), Buddy Rich, Krupa, Jason Bittner, Jason Costa, Shawn Drover, Nick Menza, Paul Bostaph (though i value Lombardo much more highly), Alex Van Halen (gotta love Hot For Teacher), Carmine Appice, Vinnie Appice, Vinnie Paul, Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart. Just off the top of my head.

Edit: Notice that travis barker and joey jordison are absent from the list.

yeah, i dont like travis barker or joey jordison either...

[michael drums]

To resemble a broken record...


Rich
Bonham
Cobham
Peart
Colaiuta
Smith(Steve)
Greb
Phillips(Simon & Scott)
Mayer
Weckl
Gadd


to name a few...

AGAIN!

[Toza]

Steve Gadd, Jojo Mayer, Thomas Lang, Benny Greb, Gavin Harison .

[brady]

I'm a huge fan of drummers who play to serve the song, not to show off technique although they may tons of it. They just choose the perfect moment to display it.

Drummers like Ringo, John Bonham, Kenny Aronoff, Charlie Watts, Stan Lynch, Mick Fleetwood, Chris Layton and Ryan Hoyle to name a few.

[zafrothunder]

I'm a huge fan of drummers who play to serve the song, not to show off technique although they may tons of it. They just choose the perfect moment to display it.

Drummers like Ringo, John Bonham, Kenny Aronoff, Charlie Watts, Stan Lynch, Mick Fleetwood, Chris Layton and Ryan Hoyle to name a few.

Yeah, I agree. Thats why I love grunge. A lot of times, the songs are so easy, but so catchy and fun to play.

Have you guys ever heard "No Excuses" by Alice in Chains?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz8ctHV3nwA

Thats one of those songs that I never get sick of playing on drums. I dont have all the equipment that goes into it, so I have to improvise a little lol

[jacol]

Travis Barker got me into the drums, when i saw how fast he was and how cool it sounded with blink 182 I joined a band and people are all saying, "ohh Travis Barker sucks" "Hes not the best drummer" I know hes not the best but im getting tired of people saying that kinda stuff.

[Anchein Vouivra]

My earliest influences were Jimmy Chamberlin and Jonathan Norton aka "Butch" from Eels. Then came a real passion for Ian Paice, Cozy Powell, Michael Giles and Billy Cobham. But the man that had the style I regarded tried to imitated the most was Tim Alexander.

Other drummers that had some impact on my way seeing how drums could be used are:

Thomas Haake
Chris "Daddy" Dave
Gene Lake
Danny Carey
Joey Baron
Earl Hudson
Dave Grohl
Jaki Liebezeit
Andrew Small
Dale Crover
...
...

I listen a lot to electronic music actually. It opens myself to a lot of new rythm experiments in infinite possible ways, I find it challenging.

[zafrothunder]

My earliest influences were Jimmy Chamberlin and Jonathan Norton aka "Butch" from Eels. Then came a real passion for Ian Paice, Cozy Powell, Michael Giles and Billy Cobham. But the man that had the style I regarded tried to imitated the most was Tim Alexander.

Other drummers that had some impact on my way seeing how drums could be used are:

Thomas Haake
Chris "Daddy" Dave
Gene Lake
Danny Carey
Joey Baron
Earl Hudson
Dave Grohl
Jaki Liebezeit
Andrew Small
Dale Crover
...
...

I listen a lot to electronic music actually. It opens myself to a lot of new rythm experiments in infinite possible ways, I find it challenging.

yeah, ian paice is awesome! He and chad smith did like a drum off a while back

[Just Another Drummer]

Todd Sucherman
Gavin Harrison
Stanton Moore
Neil Peart
Dave Weckl
Jack DeJohnette
Carmine Appice
Joe Morello
Gary Husband

[Abhishek]

The guy that got me into drumming was Chad Smith. Watching just made we want to become a drummer. The power, the feel, the groove. Unmatched

[SPB]

Derek Roddy and Marco Minnemann all day.

[paradiddler]

Bonham, Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich, The Rev, Shannon Larkin (godsmack), Buddy Rich, Krupa, Jason Bittner, Jason Costa, Shawn Drover, Nick Menza, Paul Bostaph (though i value Lombardo much more highly), Alex Van Halen (gotta love Hot For Teacher), Carmine Appice, Vinnie Appice, Vinnie Paul, Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart. Just off the top of my head.

Edit: Notice that travis barker and joey jordison are absent from the list.

Hi Snowflake.

Just a note on Alex Van Halen. He's one of my bigger influences, for sure. But I think his best song (or right there at the top) is "Girl Gone Bad". I think I'll cover that someday - just awesome. Then again, I think 1984 is Alex's best album.

By the way, Neil Peart is my greatest drumming influence. I call that my 'reference' drummer. I wrote an article on my site about such drummers:

The Reference Drummer (http://theparadiddler.com/2008/08/27/the-reference-drummer/)

Other influences: Alan White, Steve Smith, Bill Bruford, Peter Criss

[JENGLISH817]

Bonham
Portnoy
Peart
Dolmayan
Arnoff
Gadd
Starr
Shannon Larkin

Both Barker and Jordison are good drummers, but fast and loud isnt always the key to great drumming.

[jererocker]

mine is neil peart from rush best drummer ever lol

[drum_aruba]

Dave Abbruzzese
Vinnie Colaiuta
Benny Greb

[Cabazon]

My biggest influence would probably be Bernard Purdie--not only because of his drumming, but more of just Bernard Purdie.

[Ethan01]

Max Weinberg was the reason I started to play drums.

[donv]

If all you know of Watts is the Stones then you're missing a drummer with a whole more:

http://drummerworld.com/Sound/charliewattsSavoy.mp3

[Cozmo]

I totally agree with Brady about drummers who serve the song.

My influences (in terms of both getting me excited about playing drums and whose technique I've tried to study) are Gene Krupa, Ringo, Jimmy Cobb, Darren Jessee of Ben Folds Five, and Glenn Kotche of Wilco.

[kuren84]

Chad Smith for me. He has an awesome solidness about his playing.

[R Furb]

My biggest influence among many others is Tim Alexander, I never get tired of listening to his grooves, I don't particularly like the whole emulation thing but I never get tired of trying to play like him.

[MaT]

When I was 7, I watched a Phil Collins concert over and over... but after that, just started listening to music itself and went through many bands (Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Pantera, Megadeth, Metallica, KoRn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot and a looong etc.).

But, when I started listening to Dream Theater, and Mike Portnoy in particular, I REALLY started practicing like hell!

So, Mike Portnoy is my biggest influence but, thanks to him I can add the following drummers that had influenced me as well since then:

Danny Carey
Jose Pasillas
Martin Lopez
Dave Weckl
Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez

I know I'm missing some drummers but, those will cover mostly my style.

[thomas77]

Al Jackson, Levon Helm, Dave Grohl, Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks, Ringo, Brian Blade, Reni, Copeland and the guy from Portishead! Basically anyone who, the minute they start to play you know it is them. Personality Drummers.

[thomas77]

Gadd! I forgot Gadd! How the hell did I do that?

[Xifij.TamaStarclassic]

What about these great drummers ? :

Terry Bozzio
Mike Portnoy
JoJo Mayer
Neil Peart

[Sirwill]

Mr Drums
&
Ellwood

Can you solve the nicknames?

[andSometimesY]

My first was Neil Peart. He got me in to the drums. I then took influence from Jeff Porcaro and Kenny Aronoff without realizing it. Mike Portnoy put a bit more of the time-sig change influence in me and then I fell in unconditional love with Danny Carey from Tool. Since then, I have picked up some tricks from Bonham and I now sound like some evil mix of all of them (though not as good as any one of them).

[beastdrummagirl]

Definetly Carter Beauford, John Bonham, Don Henly, and Stewart Copeland
and of course my dad!!!:)

[thelamb]

Buddy Rich, Abe Cunningham, Steve Gadd, Jojo Mayer, Neil Peart, Phill Collins, David Garibaldi, Terry Bozzio, Jim Chapin, Nick Mason, Chad Wackerman, Tony Royster Jr., Chester Thompson, Carl Palmer, Gene Krupa, Thomas Pridgen, and a lot more

[RogerLudwig]

If I had to pick only one, it would be Billy Kreutzmann, the lesser publicized half of the Rhythm Devils.

[John Galt]

After going through life liking music, but without wishing to partake of the playing, I came to the drums in a rather random fashion. Walking past my local music store, (Pollyanna will know Allans music in Sydney)a flash of sunlight struck a Gretsch lug and caught my eye. Being a magpie, a collector of shiny things, my interest was piqued. The music school there is run by a bloke callled Matt, who, lo, is a drummer. He set the kit a rocking in a number of different styles, and spent a decent hour with me, a complete novice, with absolutely no idea!
Still dont, but I know a bit now to be sure that I know nothing!
Then my addiction started, with input from Gavin Harrison, Steve Gadd, but still cant stand the Steely Dan lyrics, Ringo Starr, (How I disliked the Beatles in my earlier days,)
Tommy Igoe, yep......got the DVD, Stanton Moore.
However, my greatest influence is my drum teacher David Manuel, who knows so much and is totally unassuming. A fine fellow