I was a ranked competitive black belt for many years. I studied Shotokan under Toyotora Miyazaki - old school style, and I ended up teaching the same style for a few years to both kids and adults before I took off on a serious chase of my musical dreams.
Musicians and music-lovers alike. ..
I endorse the best musical equipment in the world. Check out my custom DW drumset. It's the only one of its kind in the world and the amazing Louie G., artist extraordinaire at DW, worked the ideas out of my head and onto my kit for a truly unique set that is very personal to me while being flat out fucking cool. In addition to DW, I endorse Sabian (where the entire staff ROCKS!), Evans Heads, Vater sticks, RhythmTech, Quick Sticks and Humes and Berg road cases. I have been with just about all of my companies for years and years. It's because I believe in the products they make and I'm proud to have my name associated with them.
The Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, Rat Race, Crash, The Wedding Crashers (b.t.w. - that other movie with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston? One of the worst movies I've ever seen in my life. I want my money back. It was not a comedy. It was depressing.)
Survivor, CSI, okay, I admit it - Grey's Anatomy, Smith, Boston Legal and all the fighting shows on Spike, MSG, FX, etc., - most likely if it involves two people punching and kicking each other in the head, I'll give it a look.
Tell Me Where it Hurts, by Tina Pryor - oh that's right, that's my wife and I'm featured extensively in the book. It's good. You should read it too.Come Fly With Me, by Tina Pryor - well, technically that's a screenplay, but I did read it.
Some of my favorite drummers are Mike Portnoy, Keith Moon, Carmine Appice, and some of these guys in the really young bands are freaking awesome. They keep raising the bar higher and higher.