 Drums [2005-2006] | |
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- November 11th, 2006 - [My thanks to Joe for his help] In late August, 2005. I had just finished a European tour with another band I was playing in called Amen, and quit upon returning to the US. Gen needed a drummer and just happened to contact a friend of mine named Steve, playing now in a band called river city rebels. It was funny because Steve had replaced me in a local band from New York when I had left to join a band later on to be known as Theo and the Skyscrapers. I hadn't talked to Steve in about a year, and hadn't announced my departure from Amen, but he went out on a limb and told her to contact me anyway, and she did. We talked for a while on the phone and then I flew down and began learning the songs for the fall tour. How would you describe your roles with the band? Drums. How did you first meet the band? When I flew down to meet them after they told me I had the gig. We went out for sushi that night and I drank a lot. Any memorable (more so than usual) events that have stood out the past few tours with the Genitorturers? Last time I played Denver I hit Jello Biafra in the head with one of my drum sticks. He was very excited about it and that made me happy. He rules.. What are some of your musical influences? As drummers: Jaimie Miller (Snot), Shannon Larkin (ex-Amen, current Godsmack), Dave Grohl, Josh Freeze. Bands: Guns and Roses, Nine Inch Nails, and New Order are my favorites of all time. What prompted you to begin playing drums and at what age was it? 4th grade I found out that I could get out of class for a half hour every week if I took up an instrument, so I figured drums was the easiest. Do you play any other musical instruments aside from the drums? Nope, wish I knew how to play piano though. What other bands have you been involved with prior to the Genitorturers? Theo and the Skyscrapers, and Amen are the most notable ones. How did you first meet Combichrist and what has it been like playing for them on their recent North American tour with KMFDM? I met Andy last year in the fall when I did my first tour with Gen. Andy was opening up for us, which was funny because many shows he drew more than we did. I loved the music, but at that point it was just him on stage with a dj. I'm not a club kid, so I was getting bored with the show after like 15 minutes, and I kept suggesting getting a live drummer, so he finally called me up and asked me if I wanted to do it. and I said yes. At first it was only for the KMFDM tour, but after playing ONCE we all knew it was to be a permanent thing. The KMFDM tour was just absolutely amazing. It was refreshing to be working on such a professional level with so many great people, who are now our good friends. A lot of tears were shed when that tour ended. Are you involved in any side projects / other creative endeavors? I have a band called Evacuation Plan, with Piggy D. from Rob Zombie singing. It's more of a rock and roll kinda gig. We recorded some drum tracks and played a few shows; no word on when we'll have time to get back together though... and I'm also very excited to be working things out to be playing a few shows with a band that I was very fond of when I was younger, but nothing is set in stone yet so I'd rather not speak of it. What are your favorite 3 venues to play at? Oh wow... Arena in Austria is very cool. It's this cool anarchist commune thing, they have an outdoor stage and an indoor stage, and an awesome bar and a band apartment - very welcoming people. I opened up for the Misfits there with Amen so that was a great show. We also played this boat in Hungary, which is one of my favorite places in the world, and it is on the river between buda and pest. That show was with Boy Sets Fire, an awesome band, and after the show we all went to some outdoor club across the street where it was like a quarter to get in and I danced to Vanilla Ice. And I would have to say CBGB's in NYC. What type of venues do you prefer playing? It's funny, the nice, really big ones when you walk in and are like "YEA THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT", tend to have dickhead security people and all the fuckin' rules, and they usually prove to be the weaker shows... It's usually the smaller places where you walk in and you are stressed about how you're gonna fit all your shit on stage. Those shows always turn out to be the best, I feel like when everyone feels like their playing a shithole they put on their game face cause they don't want it to suck, and everyone has a better show. What reactions do you generally get from people before and after shows? I dress like a fag so a lot of the time people don't recognize me... a few weeks ago I had to kinda push my way through a line to get into a venue in Buffalo for a sold out show, and I was wearing a pink princess shirt and a pink hat annd was carrying a pink bag, and all these people were like, "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS DOUCHE DOING AT THIS SHOW, WHAT A FAG". I heard all these remarks as I was walking by and then towards the front of the line someone recognized me and asked for my autograph and all these peoople were like, "WHO ARE YOU! WHO IS THAT!!!". That was funny to me. What is your favorite food and drink (of any nature)? Italian food and whiskey (definitely not tex-mex, right Anthony!). [Editor's Note - It does make for an interesting night though hehe] What is your preference for clothing and footwear, both on and off stage? On stage I play in just socks, and off stage I've been wearing sketchers for the past 5 years but not really on purpose. They are such shitty shoes they always fall apart after 4 or 5 months and I've been able to bring them into a store after that time and get a new pair for free... ever since 2001! ha. What are some of your interests outside of music? I haven't really had much downtime in the past 2 years, but I just got a girl who i'm really into, never felt like this before in my life. I'm away from her right now and it sucks. We're getting a place next month so that'll occupy a bit of my time when I get home. I also love pitbulls for some reason, but had to give 2 of them up about a year ago. What are your thoughts on combining music and visuals in a performance? I believe that it's important to be a visual performer as much as, if not more than being a technical performer. I feel like technical perforrmers translate well mostly to just musicians, but visual performers who have good energy translate to anyone in a crowd watching, regaurdless of their lack of musical knowledge. Do you have a personal message you would like to share? Don't have dreams, set goals and reach them. Fuck back up plans, like college. You only live once so be happy all day every day. And drink whiskey. | |
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