Drummaster 11011

I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia and have been a musician for as long as I can remember. Growing up as an 80's rock kid, I was influenced by bands such as AC/DC, ZZ Top, Billy Idol, Motley Crue and Van Halen. My love for drums came from realising that my toy xylophone just didn't sound right so I moved on to pots and pans, tables, chairs, boxes, pets, people, basically anything that would make a sound.

I started lessons when I was 5 and then played at friends' houses, music stores and school whenever I could for the next few years. I got my first kit at the age of 12, thanks to my Dad for putting in the overtime to pay for it, and have been drumming everyday since.

I use a combination of Zildjian cymbals, Tama bass drums and pedals and Pearl snares and tom-toms. I use Vic Firth 5a Hickory sticks as I like the resonance and the flexibility of this wood.

My drumming influences are Buddy Rich, Morgan Rose from Sevendust, The Rev from Avenged Sevenfold and Vinnie Paul from Pantera & Hellyeah.

I am a massive Metal and Rock fan but I am not a music-bigot and I consider myself to be fairly open-minded when it comes to appreciating the tempo and rhythms that can come from other genres. I listen to some Hip-Hop, Jazz, Pop-Rock, Pop and, to a lesser degree, some Dubstep (moreso out of curious fascination than actual appeal).

I will listen to anything with a beat as long as it isn't a 14-year-old singing about heartbreak and hardship.

I have a wife and a beautiful 3-year-old daughter who are my everything. I see life as what you make of it. The world has gone soft and I think that people are becoming way too self-obsessed (says the guy with his own webpage). I wish we could go back to the old days where hard work was rewarded and the rewards were actually justified by the effort you put in.

In my eyes, life should be viewed in the following priority order:

1. Family

2. Music

3. Work

4. Everything else

If I could give you any advice about drumming, it would be this: There are many different ways to play the drums. That is the great thing about being a drummer. You control how hard you hit them. You control how fast you hit them. You control in what order you hit them. Make your life the same. Take control.