Hi, it's me here...Michel! Welcome to my myspace corner! This page is dedicated to my musical heroes and friends. In addition I would like to present you my own little contribution to music world. I know it is small but making music is not my main profession...it's my passion since I was born but I earn my daily bread in a much simpler way...as a Vet Surgeon. Being a musician is difficult at times cause I think that being creative is something that can't be asked for on command. Good music can be written only without pressure. That is the reason why there is a lot of CRAP on the musical market!Pressure caused by the business. We all need sometimes a break from being "creative". It can't come on external command. My artistic break lasts now for the last 4 years. I am a music lover but I need a rest, better, my ears need rest! Sometimes silence is golden! I used this time in order to gather energy for new upcoming projects and my drumming! Anyway, let me tell you about my past so far:
1. Musical background:
We all start alike...with carton boxes and Mummys pots in the kitchen...Then came the first school band and yes, we started with the usual stuff: Clapton, Deep Purple, AC/DC, Stones...I believe all Bands start with those kind of songs! Later AC/CD and Iron Maiden Songs were added to the repertoire of my highschool band. This kind of music really taught me how to hit the drumskins properly and hard. After Highschool and serving the Army I landed in the Jazz and Latin Section. Tricky, but it was fun. I discovered drummers like Pete Erskine, Dave Weckl (Michel Camilos "Why Not?" record is a milestone!), Omar Hakim (Miles Davis Band), William Kennedy and Ricky Lawson (Yellowjackets), Buddy Rich, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, Charly Antolini...all are fantastic drummers. But honestly, my heart belongs to Rock Music! My last Band "Cherry Bomb" was playing a mixture of all kinds of styles and covered some songs by The Tubes, Mr.Mister, Bryan Adams, Eddie Money, even Van Halen. Comes with age, my style is more "laid back" now: Fusion, Electronica with percussive influences characterize my style. I was also always a big lover of Ethno music: I started getting interested in Arabic/Rai Music back in the early 80's. Love that music alot. My last adventure is so far the Darbukka...what a great and simple looking instrument. Listening and talking to Masters like Hozzam Ramzy (Peter Gabriel, Plant/Page) will open ones eyes how complex and difficult that instrument from the desert really is.2. EX-Setup Drums:
Drumset: Pearl MLX, free floating brass snare
Skins: Pinstripe (top) and clear ambassador (bottom). But best are Evans heads, especially for the snare (Fibreskins rock!)
Cymbals: Tosco Crash, UFIP Ride, China-Cymbal Wuhan, 13" Hihat by Paiste 2002, Sabian Splash
Sticks: Vic Firth American Rock 5 A and 5A by Calato. I love Hickory wood sticks.
Pedals: DW 5000
Hardware mounted on Pearl Porcaro-RackNext Setup will be by DW or Ayotte and Zildjian!3. Learning:
By Doing and listening....you only need an ipod/CD player/Walkman! Either you have the basic rhythm in you or you will never handle it... at least not in a band! Practicing is one thing...make the drums sound groovy another one, see Ringo, Charlie Watts and Jim Keltner! Keep it to the point, keep it straight and groovy. If it is done right it is more difficult than a drumsolo. I never was keen on playing solos anyway. I believe that a drummer needs a very good ear for music, needs understanding for the structure and dramaturgy of the songs, for its feelings and ambience. He needs to understand the songs most of all musicians besides the bass players....we drummers are underestimated when it comes to music and music theory! Can you imagine rock/pop Music without drums? We are essential, yes we are important to the bands, to the tunes. Or did anyone ever see someone dancing to the guitar sound only? Sorry guys....had to be said.4. Main Influences and Style (list is continuosly growing):
Ringo Starr, Prairie Prince (The Tubes), Jim Keltner (Travelling Wilburrys, George Harrison etc., what a GROOVY man), Alan White (YES), Steve Smith (Journey), Jeff Porcaro (Toto), John Bonham (Led Zep), Mickey Curry (Hall & Oates, Bryan Adams), Buddy Rich (himself), Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl (Michel Camilo/Chick Corea), Bob Siebenberg (Supertramp), Manu Katche (Peter Gabriel), Larry Londin (Studio Artist, Journey, RIP), Mel Gaynor (Simple Minds), Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting etc.), Omar Hakim, Pat Mastelotto (Mr. Mister), John Molo (Bruce Hornsby), Phil Rudd (AC/DC), Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience), Steve Jordan (Keith Richards), Joey Kramer (Aerosmith), Max Weinberg (Bruce Springsteen) and Mike Baird (Journey).5. Likes:
Groovy Drumming!!!6. Other Musical Likes:
I am addicted to the sound of the Bass guitar (the deeper the better). I love the Art of Bass players like Gail-Anne Dorsey, Marcus Miller, Bill Laswell, Tony Levine, Nathan East. But also guitarists like Trevor Rabin, Nile Rodgers, Keith Richards, Jimmy Hendrix, George Harrison etc.7. Musical Dislikes:
Nothing really...listen all kinds of music. Well, ok, Techno is not my cup of tea.8. Fave Bands:
Beatles, Tom Petty, The Black Crowes, Peter Gabriel, Bruce Hornsby, Dave Matthews, Julian Lennon, Byrds, Stones, YES, Alanis Morrisette, Def Leppard, Toto, Kate Bush, AC/CD, The Tubes, Jimi Hendrix, Journey, John Cougar Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Nickelback, Hall&Oates, Hakim, Diana Haddad, Miles Davis, Zucchero, Brian Setzer and (I could go on and on) many many many more.....9. New Experiences:
Still learning the Darbukka (Doumbek)....It is such a nice instrument with that crispy sound...I just love it as much as I love arabic music!!!!10. Studio Recordings:
Studio works with Cherry Bomb; Studio Drums/Percussion on the CD "Massafat" by Azzddine feat. Bill Laswell on Bass. It reached Number 4 on the European World Music Charts (see Blog!)! A BIG Thanks to Pat Jabbar of Barbarity Records! Shukran and God Bless! Hope to make more records with you, Insh'allah!11. Favourite Records which I would take to the lonely island
Big Generator "YES"
Inside Outside "The Tubes"
Revolver "The Beatles"
Zuc & Friends "Zucchero"
Photograph Smile "Julian Lennon"
Brainwashed "George Harrison"
Piano trail "Bruce Hornsby"
Silver Side up "Nickelback"
Are u experienced "Jimi Hendrix"
etc.12. Other activities
Painting
Sculpturing
Gardening
Cooking
Riding my motorcycle
Soccer
Sudoku!!!- Check Azzddine on myspace: www.myspace.com/azzddine
