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I have been playing drums since 1983, after watching The Police in concert. Other influences then drew me towards them... XTC, OMD, Japan, The Beatles, Motown, Wall Of Voodoo, The Who & Level 42... then I got to see Allan Holdsworth at Ealing in 1985. Sitting behind the drums was one Gary Husband.
His performance took me to new areas. Since then, I have grown to love the works of not only Allan, but of The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return To Forever, Chick Corea... and let us not forget Gary's own work as well! Gary's involvement in Level 42 after Phil Gould's departure was a very welcome one for me. But - all of this has helped me pave a way for my own playing.
I have performed with the likes of...
The Mystery Guests,
Mike White,
Worldspin/The New Breed,
X2C (an XTC covers band),
Sai & The Band Of Souls,
The Wiltons,
Planet Sunday,
Dive Deep,
Y-Chromo-Boyz... which leads to what I am currently doing now.
I have been working with another XTC covers - no, a tribute, band called The Fuzzy Warblers, having also appeared at the XTC Gathering of 2005 in Swindon, and a smaller Gathering in September 2007.
But, I'm always on the lookout for new ventures.
One that I am proud to be involved with is the band that has risen from the ashes of the then known Lindbergh Babies, which is now called Concrete Dogs - see the friends link below - and has given me a kick up the behind, as it's got my drumming juices flowing again.
It's raw, it's powerful... I can be myself, because the music allows me to do that! It is wonderful to be able to pull out so many styles that I love! Yes, I'm really loving it! From the first rehearsal, there's already the possibility of at least one song, and maybe a couple more... not bad for just 4 hours jamming! Feels like I've never been away from these guys, but it has been nearly probably 13 years! Nice to feel like I've "returned home" - and I want MORE OF IT!... I'm also hoping to do some work with Dan Barrow and Ed Percival (both ex X-sTatiC, a brilliant XTC tribute band - alas no more) on some of their projects.
Currently listening to a lot of XTC, The Police, Level 42, Wall Of Voodoo, Prefab Sprout, Faith No More, Living Colour, Allan Holdsworth, New Musik, Japan, Adam & The Ants, David Bowie, Hall & Oates, Traffic & The Who.
But - enjoy the site...
Love, Peace & Understanding to all of you who have come here,
Sincerely in Music... TC
I've decided to link some vids of my favourite drummers. I'll change it frequently, but these drummers are the ones I find fascinating.
This particular choice of the moment...
Gary Husband, playing with Level 42. This is one of his own compositions for the band, and shows his ambidexterity - the swine! (No offence intended, dear friend!)
And... another featuring Gary, this time from 1986. In Frankfurt, with Allan Holdsworth (with Synthaxe!), Jimmy Johnson & Keys Akagi.
Here's one from a man I really admire. Mel Gaynor. One of my main influences today, he's still the powerhouse of the great band Simple Minds, yet is equally comfortable in other styles. Talking of his style, it's so distinctive, even on the sessions he's done (like Tina Turner's "Simply The Best")... but here he is drumming to one of my favourite Who tracks "Won't Get Fooled Again"...
I remembered this one from a while ago... Toto with the one and only Jeff Porcaro... the shuffle master! Sorely missed. If you love drums, listen to his playing on "Rosanna". Also, check out Boz Scaggs' stuff from "Silk Degrees"... one class act Jeff was, and just had everything "in the pocket". I could go on... but I won't... for now anyway! ;)
Here's one I like... Simon Phillips, drumming for Pete Townshend's "The Deep End", with this live rendition of the superb track from Pete's White City album, "Give Blood". Also check out Dave Gilmour's brilliant guitar work on this, with his use of echo boxes to build his part... not to forget the percussive excellence of Jody Linscott!
Just as Trevor McDonald would say, "And finally..." one for all you air drummers out there (me included!)
