Gavin Harrison here!

[ItalianRicky]

Hi Gavin!!!
Everything is OK?
I've just readed that you're in Italy in november, especially in Padova (my city!!!! °_°) 7\11!!!
there's just the possibility of meet you?thanks a lot, however, i'm very happy to see (and hear) you behind the drums again!!!
PT are the best band ever...and they have the best drummer worldwide!

i'll edit this post to show you my last bricolage opera...a tingle cups holder!It isn't wonderful and super professional like yours...but it seems to work!
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/230/24042009258.jpg

what do you think?

Cheers from Italy!

[fromyesterday]

Who's ready for the new OSI album 'Blood' to hit the stores?

Preview clips on the website sound nice to my ears already!

[Fox622003]

Hey Gavin, hope everything's going good.
I wanted to ask about the playing behind the beat thing you've mentioned a couple of times. In my band, while after a minute or so the rest of the band stops following me and we start playing together, they'd still try to keep up with me if I raised the tempo or lowered it, so I don't see how it would work in this setting (unless I didn't get the concept right!). I mean, does the drummer need to play independantly from the others tempo wise? as in not having them follow him for this to work?
And why do you still use the DW drop clutch, don't you use a Cobra Clutch now?
About the BeatNik, how does it work for you, is it worth it getting it?
Oh and by the way, I read about your influences and was surprised to not see Peter Erskine in there! I mean, while both of you are very different players all in all, you share that great touch with the instrument so that's why I expected to see him there.
All the best and hope they aren't too many questions!

Fox.

[Swiss Matthias]

Fox, while I don't know exactly what you are talking about, I suppose it must be about metric modulations or some rhythmic illusions like that, as Gavin calls them.
You don't play independent tempos from each other, but you group existing subdivisions differently to get the impression of another tempo, another pulse.
If your band doesn't keep up with that, that would surely be the definite clue for you to stop doing it with them;)!
It should be about the music, about tension and release, not about some kind of technical artistry like "who can follow me with this", IMO.

[Fox622003]

Originally Posted by Swiss Matthias

Fox, while I don't know exactly what you are talking about, I suppose it must be about metric modulations or some rhythmic illusions like that, as Gavin calls them.
You don't play independent tempos from each other, but you group existing subdivisions differently to get the impression of another tempo, another pulse.
If your band doesn't keep up with that, that would surely be the definite clue for you to stop doing it with them;)!
It should be about the music, about tension and release, not about some kind of technical artistry like "who can follow me with this", IMO.

No, no, I was talking about playing behind (like Gavin usually does) or ahead of the beat. It's not about what you play, but how you play it, in perfect synch with a metronome is not necessarily the best/only way to play something.

Fox.

[ItalianRicky]

Originally Posted by Fox622003

Hey Gavin, hope everything's going good.
I wanted to ask about the playing behind the beat thing you've mentioned a couple of times. In my band, while after a minute or so the rest of the band stops following me and we start playing together, they'd still try to keep up with me if I raised the tempo or lowered it, so I don't see how it would work in this setting (unless I didn't get the concept right!). I mean, does the drummer need to play independantly from the others tempo wise? as in not having them follow him for this to work?
And why do you still use the DW drop clutch, don't you use a Cobra Clutch now?
Oh and by the way, I read about your influences and was surprised to not see Peter Erskine in there! I mean, while both of you are very different players all in all, you share that great touch with the instrument so that's why I expected to see him there.

All the best, Fox.

the dw drop clutch make your top hihat cymbal to fall on the bottom.but you have a opened hihat sound when you play it.The cobra clutch is useful because it work directly on your hihat pedal, and you can keep it closed without a feet on it.The cobra clutch keep the foot pression on the pedal.

[Swiss Matthias]

Ah I see. Sorry...
You mean to get a laid back feeling of the band then? If you do that and the rest of your band follows you that must mean you're getting a bit slower, which is not good:)!

[stikzNskinz]

Hey Gavin! Glad to know that you're busy with the new music, September can't come soon enough for me. I'll be grabbing the new PT release then motorcycling from Atlanta to Chicago to catch PT at the Vic on Sept. 22nd. The adventure doesn't end there though; in October, I'm flying over to catch your show at Colston Hall in Bristol. It'll be my first trip to England and I couldn't think of a better reason to finally come. Despite all of that, I had really hoped PT would make it to Atlanta, or nearby, this tour so I could see the band without having to be on the road myself. I'm sure you're not actively involved in bookings, but I'm wondering if you have any information about possible plans to book shows in the southeastern U.S.

It's not just for myself that I ask. You see, my thirteen year old daughter, an aspiring and inspired musician herself, is completely hooked on PT and finds you all to be amazing musicians and composers. Her enthusiasm for PT is infectious, as she has gotten a few of her friends interested in your work, as well. I can only imagine that the thought of thirteen year old fans "getting it" has to be somewhat encouraging for you, given the underlying theme to FOABP. She was really disappointed when no local area show was scheduled because I'd promised to bring her to see you when you came around this tour. Although she's seen many shows with me already; Rush, U2, Sisters of Mercy, Aerosmith, Lucinda Williams, plus many more, PT is THE show for her! So we're keeping hope alive that some more dates will be scheduled and they'll be in our neck of the woods.

Alright, I'm going to have to stop here and get back downstairs to my kit and Rhythmic Visions. Great DVD btw, Horizons is next. Keep up the good work.

[trysthedrummer]

Originally Posted by fromyesterday

Who's ready for the new OSI album 'Blood' to hit the stores?

Preview clips on the website sound nice to my ears already!

I got it through the letterbox from Burning Shed today!! Of course, excellent production and the drumming, well, bloody brilliant really as always. Lots of similar sounds used from the previous two albums, and some more power-rock type riffs on the guitars.

I won't say no more, -enjoy!

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,,

I was impressed with your guitar skills on Circles. How long have you been playing guitar? Also, did you find that recording/producing/mixing Circles to be easier with your and Ric in complete control of the entire process? Still working on figuring out those tricky time signatures for Scar, Break, Last Call and Beyond the A.

Cheers

Eric

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi miha

Hey Gavin, over the years did you develop any tinnitus & hearing loss? Is there anything you can do to protect the ears 100%?

I've probably lost some of my high frequencies (that goes with age anyway) but I don't have tinnitus. I can feel my ears starting to ring quite quickly these days - so I almost never play the drums without headphones. At home I have the studio and I'm listening to all the mics (plus a bit of reverb) so it's very comfortable - but I try not to crank up the volume too much. On stage I use IEM (in ear monitors) and I noticed from the first night I started with them that my ears weren't not badly ringing after a show. Unfortunately I did do at least 20 years of loud shows before I got them - so there may be some long term damage in there already. I know how strange and unenjoyably it can be to wear normal ear plugs on stage - I was lucky that when I started with IEM I was already in a band that were 'mic'd up' and had a monitor desk - my early experiences of playing live were usually without mics and certainly no monitors for the drummer.

Hi SantBanks,

But as connecting to the FOH is concerned, I was wondering what you send out to them? Just a stereo mix output of the backingtrack (with or without effects?) or do you send a multitrack output?

I just send them a stereo mix (with effects).

Hi ItalianRicky

i'll edit this post to show you my last bricolage opera...a tingle cups holder!It isn't wonderful and super professional like yours...but it seems to work!
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/230/24042009258.jpg

Looks really good - you might want to try hi hat size felts on those cymbals because they are so small. I've been doing this recently and it does really help.

Hi Fox622003

I wanted to ask about the playing behind the beat thing you've mentioned a couple of times. In my band, while after a minute or so the rest of the band stops following me and we start playing together, they'd still try to keep up with me if I raised the tempo or lowered it, so I don't see how it would work in this setting (unless I didn't get the concept right!). I mean, does the drummer need to play independantly from the others tempo wise? as in not having them follow him for this to work?

It's more of an attitude really - and you don't need to slow down to get it. You can try it when you play to a click to see if you can play slightly (and I mean a few milliseconds) behind it. Of course that sounds like a strange concept - because it's really just a subtle feeling. In terms of playing to a click - most people have a default place that they feel comfortable to play. I just try to play on the back edge of it. It's the difference when you listen to Jeff Porcaro - or Stewart Copeland. Both are correct - but JP tends to sound 'laid back' and relaxed with the time - and SC sounds excited and edgy. I think if you spend a long time listening to laid back players you'll start to 'hear it' - and then when you analyze your own playing you may hear that it doesn't feel the same as the drummers you've been listening to. That's what happened in my case anyway.

And why do you still use the DW drop clutch, don't you use a Cobra Clutch now?

Because they are two different sounds. The Drop Clutch gives you a semi open 'slosh' sound that sometimes I want when playing double bass pedal. The Cobra Clutch can give you a totally tight closed sound (that the drop clutch cannot) and sometimes I need that sound when playing the double pedal.

About the BeatNik, how does it work for you, is it worth it getting it?

Yes I really like it.

Hi stikzNskinz

I'm sure you're not actively involved in bookings, but I'm wondering if you have any information about possible plans to book shows in the southeastern U.S.

We plan to make a much bigger more extensive tour of the US next year - so there's a very good chance we'll be down your way.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

I was impressed with your guitar skills on Circles. How long have you been playing guitar?

A very long time - but always badly. Most of my guitar playing on the album is just picked or tapped rhythmic parts.

Also, did you find that recording/producing/mixing Circles to be easier with your and Ric in complete control of the entire process?

Yes it's great - it's as close to our pure idea as possible.We're both very pleased with how it turned out.

Still working on figuring out those tricky time signatures for Scar, Break, Last Call and Beyond the A.

The good news is that Terry Branam is transcribing the whole of the this new record AND the previous one too - we have a book/DVD project planned for release. All I can tell you for now about "Beyond The 'A" is that it's all in 4/4 but subdivided in unusual ways.

cheers
Gavin

[ItalianRicky]

thanks for the advice.I'll try that solution.
Have a nice day master ! =)

[DTrocks]

Hey!

Do you use your 13" k-hats on the new osi record? I'm conscidering to buy one of those! i love the sound, and the stick defenition.

Great work with osi! Shows that you can be a really hardcore metal drummer aswell! great as always!

cheers!

[miha]

Yep, great drumming & drum sound on the OSI album, congrats. Bass drum notes on the album's last track (Blood)... man, those were very nice and innovative.

[ItalianRicky]

soon i'll post the specs and the list of the material that i used for the building of my cup chimes stand.
I hope that it may be helpful for who want to create his personal cymbal stand.

stay tuned.

[SantiBanks]

Originally Posted by Gavin Harrison

Hi SantBanks,

I just send them a stereo mix (with effects).

Thanks for that information :) I noticed your myspace blogposting with the video from the Modern Drummer fest. That rack where your macbook sits on, is it just some rack/flightcase (for your drums) or do you have it filled with other equipment (and if so, what's in the box)?

[AronMapex]

Hi Gavin,

I've been listening to GH05 and you guys are really awesome. Are you guys by any chance influenced by Allan Holdsworth? Something about your music just reminds me of some of Allan Holdsworths stuff.

[cantstandyourfunk]

www.askgavinharrison.com

Now THAT'S sweet! Thanks so much, yet again. :) Love and light :)

[Ogg]

Hi Gavin, just want to say how much I'm enjoying your playing on the OSI album. I'm figuring out how to play around with the 'Radiologue' groove so much use of headphones, what a great track. I discovered the sweetest bass drum moment between 05:26 and 05:30...wow! Am I correct in thinking that you're continuing with the hi-hat pattern, omitting the snare and simply playing doubles? A true jaw dropping moment. Do you have a favourite from the album?
Loving the 'Christian Brothers' cover, never heard you play so straight but faultless as always. Thank you for the continuing inspiration.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi DTrocks

Do you use your 13" k-hats on the new osi record? I'm conscidering to buy one of those! i love the sound, and the stick defenition.

Yes - and they're great hi hat cymbals

Hi SantiBanks

I noticed your myspace blogposting with the video from the Modern Drummer fest. That rack where your macbook sits on, is it just some rack/flightcase (for your drums) or do you have it filled with other equipment (and if so, what's in the box)?

Ah yes Ric posted that video - it's just a spare flight case that I found backstage - I needed something to put the powerbook on.

Hi AronMapex

I've been listening to GH05 and you guys are really awesome. Are you guys by any chance influenced by Allan Holdsworth?

Thanks - yes we both love Allan Holdsworth.

Hi Ogg

I'm figuring out how to play around with the 'Radiologue' groove so much use of headphones, what a great track. I discovered the sweetest bass drum moment between 05:26 and 05:30...wow! Am I correct in thinking that you're continuing with the hi-hat pattern, omitting the snare and simply playing doubles? A true jaw dropping moment.

Thanks - that moment is three notes on the bass in between the hi hat.

Do you have a favourite from the album?

I like all of the album I guess "The Escape Artist" and "False Start" were great fun to play.

Cheers
Gavin

[MaidenFanSte]

Originally Posted by Gavin Harrison

I like all of the album I guess "The Escape Artist" and "False Start" were great fun to play.

2:09 - 2:26 of "False Start" is pure genius!

[Abhishek]

Hi Gavin!

Been a long time admirer of PT, and I've only just started on your book, Rhythmic Illusions.

Wanted to ask, the part before the main chorus, in 'Open Car', is that a very basic Illusion, or just displacing the back one note ahead?

[NeuroAxis]

Originally Posted by Abhishek

Hi Gavin!

Been a long time admirer of PT, and I've only just started on your book, Rhythmic Illusions.

Wanted to ask, the part before the main chorus, in 'Open Car', is that a very basic Illusion, or just displacing the back one note ahead?

Gavin could probably explain this a lot better than I could, but I spent years obsessing over every note in Deadwing.

Are you talking about the main riff, where the vocal pattern matches the rhythm of the guitar pattern?

If so, the way I hear that part is as in 17/8, or one grouop of 9/8 followed by one group of 8/8. Because it is an odd number of beats to the bar, when he plays the basic 4/4 rock pattern--with the kick on 1 and the snare on 3--after the group of 9 the pattern would displace and the kick would land on 2 and the snare on 4. To avoid this, he displaces the rhythm at the start of the group of 8 to keep the kick and snare notes in the same position that they are in during the group of 9.

Hope this helps...

[Dont Taze Me Bro]

Hey Gavin!!

This is so cool, I found out about you and Porcupine Tree in January and now I(hopefully) get to talk to the man himself! First of all I have to ask, are you guys planning on adding on Arizona or Las Vegas dates over in the U.S. to your 2009 bill? I would love nothing more than to see PT live but can't afford the drive to California, which is the next closest show to us.

I would like to say that I have the utmost respect for you and the guys in PT, your music has been nothing but pure inspiration for my drumming. You have tasteful chops that you never wear out, I love the variation you use, a strong groove, and a flawless knowledge of time signatures . In Arriving Somewhere Live you guys were absolutely amazing, I especially love Hatesong, you guys are all in complete control of that song, it blows me away how awesome it sounds live!

I see you as a drumming pioneer and innovator, and I hope to see you play near me soon! Me and my friends have spread the word about PT so I'm hoping you'll eventually have a bigger following down here.

Edit: Your work with 05ric blows me away too, I considered my mind blown after listening to Unsettled and the mid section of Okay.. I love it!

Another thing, I know you've probably been asked this plenty of times, whats the word on the new PT album? Can you give us a hint of what it may sound like and if you would, a potential release date?

Thanks for your time man!

Steven

[Tolo]

Hi Gavin,

I would really pay to see you play Microburst Alert.....mindblowing, I hope you will use it in one of your clinics and someone post the video.....:-)

Ciao
Andrea

[zephead19]

Hi Gavin,

First of all I would like to say you are a mind blowing drummer. You truly are an inspiration for me to practice drumming more. I have one question on 19 days what is the splash mounted above your middle rack tom? and would you recommend it for more a rock style setting?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Abhishek

Wanted to ask, the part before the main chorus, in 'Open Car', is that a very basic Illusion, or just displacing the back one note ahead?

Yes NeuroAxis is correct it's 17/8 but I try to disguise it to sound and feel like 4/4.

Hi Dont Taze Me Bro

First of all I have to ask, are you guys planning on adding on Arizona or Las Vegas dates over in the U.S. to your 2009 bill?

I'm pretty sure that we're not - but we will be back early next year for a much more extensive tour of the US - so there's a good chance we will play closer to where you live.

Another thing, I know you've probably been asked this plenty of times, whats the word on the new PT album? Can you give us a hint of what it may sound like and if you would, a potential release date?

I think it will be released around September time...but I can't describe what it sounds like.

Hi zephead19

I have one question on 19 days what is the splash mounted above your middle rack tom? and would you recommend it for more a rock style setting?

If you're talking about the film from my DVD - it's a Zildjian EFX 8" and it's very versatile - and I've used in many a rock setting too.

cheers
Gavin

[Muck]

Hi Gavin,

i love your drumming very much but haven't seen you live on stage yet. Maybe there will be an opportunity. Please allow me to ask you one question on behalf of a Porcupine Tree-Fan Group in a German social network community: We heard Porcupine Tree will be on tour in Germany in late 2009. Do you know when the complete schedule is ready? Some fans got first informations and some fear that in the surrounding of Cologne and Frankfurt won't be any concerts.
Can you give further information to that? (Please excuse our impatience ... ;-) )

Thank you very much for your time, your answer and most of all for your very great kind of drumming, which is absolutely inspiring. You are great!!

Greetings from Germany
Muck

[jez-]

Hi

Do you know who will be the supporting band in your upcoming Porcupine Tree gig in Helsinki, Finland? Thanks.

[Goran Lizdek]

Hey Gavin,

well first of all, just to let you that you have a fan in Sarajevo :)

Now, I have one question - if you could be so kind to tell me which snare drums did you use on these three songs (on their studio albums respectively):

1. The Start of Something Beautiful
2. Fear of a Blank Planet
3. Nil Recurring

Looking forward to next PT album!

Thanks

[daniele]

Hi Gavin,

Have you ever considered to use different heads on the toms? In studio too.I have thought this because sometimes i have little problem,like a very different sustain, for example...thank you!
P.S. I have listen the OSI album,and in "Terminal" your performance is fantastic!!!!! Very musical,expressive and fascinating,you're the usual genius..;)

[AndrewL]

Hey Gavin,

The drumming on Blood is amazing. One of the biggest standouts in the album for me was the time changes (or polyrythms?) about 2 minutes into False Start. I was wondering how that drum part came to be, from the fill to where it later speeds up. Jamming? Pre-concieved concepts? And what was it like playing in a much harder, more metal band than Porcupine Tree?

Can't wait to see you in Toronto this September, it'll be one of the best birthdays I could ask for!

[Trains']

Hey Gavin,

i have 2 questions for you.

1. Can you watch yourself playing? Like for reasons of tech. improvement or boredom? ;-)
2. I guess you've been to a lot of very different sounding studios, so i'd like to know what you think how big is the effect on your drumsound and for your playing ( dynamics? ).

Thank you very much!

B.

[Fox622003]

Hey Gavin, recently I've noticed there are days I don't feel I sound tight at all, and others I feel I sound way better, has this happened to you in the past? or even still happens? how do you cope with it? because it's been really annoying not to be able to really perform, and because of no apparent reason at all, the days seem randomly picked!
Thanks a lot.

Fox.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Muck

We heard Porcupine Tree will be on tour in Germany in late 2009. Do you know when the complete schedule is ready?

I don't know when the complete schedule is ready - the first place that any announcements are made is www.porcupinetree.com

Hi jez-

Do you know who will be the supporting band in your upcoming Porcupine Tree gig in Helsinki, Finland?

Yes we do have a support band - but I don't think it has been announced yet. Check our website above for the latest info.

Hi Goran Lizdek

Now, I have one question - if you could be so kind to tell me which snare drums did you use on these three songs (on their studio albums respectively):
1. The Start of Something Beautiful
2. Fear of a Blank Planet
3. Nil Recurring

On all of these songs it would be my old 1982 Yamaha RC 9000 14x5 - but as I've said before it's not all about the drum itself - there are many other factors that you're hearing as well. This is just a drum that I know very well and I'm very comfortable playing.

Hi daniele

Have you ever considered to use different heads on the toms? In studio too.

I've been using Remo coated Emperors on the toms since 1995. I haven't felt the need to change them as I'm very happy with the sound (live and in the studio).

Hi AndrewL

The drumming on Blood is amazing. One of the biggest standouts in the album for me was the time changes (or polyrythms?) about 2 minutes into False Start. I was wondering how that drum part came to be, from the fill to where it later speeds up. Jamming? Pre-concieved concepts? And what was it like playing in a much harder, more metal band than Porcupine Tree?

Thanks. I think I remember Jim asking me to do something 'creative' over that guitar riff - and I had an idea to play that polyrhythm. I worked it out so that 2/3 of the way through it seamlessly turned into a straight 4/4 beat. There's no speeding up - that's just part of the illusion - it's all in the same 4/4 tempo from start to end. It was good fun to play harder stuff - but I've never played it live so I don't know how strenuous that would be.

Hi Trains'

1. Can you watch yourself playing? Like for reasons of tech. improvement or boredom?

I don't quite understand your question - do you mean: 'can I bear to watch myself playing?' or 'do I have the facility to watch myself playing'?

2. I guess you've been to a lot of very different sounding studios, so i'd like to know what you think how big is the effect on your drumsound and for your playing ( dynamics? ).

The sound of the room is VERY important - it would effect the way that I play for sure. Some rooms can make you feel inspired - and others make it feel like a real struggle.

Hi Fox622003

Hey Gavin, recently I've noticed there are days I don't feel I sound tight at all, and others I feel I sound way better, has this happened to you in the past? or even still happens? how do you cope with it?

To play consistently from gig to gig is one of the hardest things to do - because some days you really don't feel like playing - sometimes you don't sleep well - or eat well - or you have flu - or food poisoning - or the sound in the room is very different to what you like - or it's too hot - or the lights are annoying you - or someone in the front row is smoking a massive joint...there's a million reasons why you might not feel good (and by the way I've had all those things and more on nearly every tour I've done) - but you have to remember that the folks who came to see you play - are not aware of that - so you must strive to put those things out of your mind and really concentrate on the songs.

cheers

Gavin

[Trains']

Hey,

Sorry "bear" is the right word.. i ment if you sometimes watch your own dvds or setup a camera while playing live .

Greetings

[mp3guy]

Hi Gavin,

I've had a long time interest in syncopation and rhythmic illusions in general, and I've spent some time studying your books and the work of other drummers like Tomas Haake. I was wondering what do you think of bands like Meshuggah, that take concepts like syncopation to such extremes?

Also, could you take a quick listen to a short syncopated piece I've written for one of my projects and tell me what you think of it? It's straight 4/4 but I try to make it interesting, I improvised the whole part. It was recorded on my electric kit which ran midi through Toontrack's Drumkit From Hell (Though for some reason this clip export has a few blips);

http://members.upc.ie/rachel.whelan/project.mp3

[daniele]

Hi Gavin,

Sorry,i don't have write well. I intended: What do you think (in your experience) of the idea to use different head on every tom? For example if i use pinstripe on the small tom and emperor on the floor tom in the same drumset for to attempt improved the "sound homogeneity"? I don't have tried again..

[Gunnarsen]

hi gavin,

what do you do, if the audience is clapping the pulse but speeds it up? do go along with it a little or do you strictly try to keep your tempo steady?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Trains'

Sorry "bear" is the right word.. i ment if you sometimes watch your own dvds or setup a camera while playing live .

Yes it can be quite educational to see yourself playing - I don't love watching myself play (because I usually make too many bad faces).

Hi mp3guy

I've had a long time interest in syncopation and rhythmic illusions in general, and I've spent some time studying your books and the work of other drummers like Tomas Haake. I was wondering what do you think of bands like Meshuggah, that take concepts like syncopation to such extremes?

I love Meshuggah - and I love their rhythmic approach - it's some of the most interesting rhythmic designing I've ever heard.

Hi daniele

Sorry,i don't have write well. I intended: What do you think (in your experience) of the idea to use different head on every tom? For example if i use pinstripe on the small tom and emperor on the floor tom in the same drumset for to attempt improved the "sound homogeneity"?

I don't think I would try different heads on different toms if you're attempting to get a nice balanced tone from one to another. I have played on rented drumsets that have had that and to my ears it didn't make sense.

Hi Gunnarsen

what do you do, if the audience is clapping the pulse but speeds it up? do go along with it a little or do you strictly try to keep your tempo steady?

That is a tough situation and one that I've been in many times. For some reason Finland has it the worst - and I don't know why. Maybe they're just excited - but to have a whole audience speed up whilst you fight against them is very hard.

cheers
Gavin