Interview: Andrew Scott of Sloan

Posted By on Dec 29, 2009

You know, being from Canada is a funny thing. I grew up in Windsor, Ontario, right across the boarder from Detroit. When I was a kid, I didn’t even know that America was a seperate country. My best friend John’s parents worked in Detroit and I remember one day when they were talking about crossing the border each day to go to work, and how the customs officials were getting tougher. I thought “What the hell? Customs? Is America a different country??? I thought The Beatles already conquered America?” I was totally confused. So, in a vain attempt to conquer the world myself, I moved to “The States” to be a “Rock-Starr, like Ringo Starr, get it?) This concept of conquering America is not new for aspiring musicians. But as I age, it seems more and more misguided a goal. How about making great music? How about having an enduring career? How about doing something you believe in? I think I was hoodwinked by the alure of KISS Alive! Damn you Gene Simmons. But not Sloan. Sure, they had theire big American hit song with Underwhelmed. But then they got called “The Nirvana of The North”. An underwhelming title in itself. I won’t pretend to know all about what they went through or what decisions they made. Or if they ever fought about “moving to The States to become Rock-Starrs” But one thing is obvious…. They decided to continue on and make great music they were proud of. If you’re a “typical american” (that’s what they call us up in Canada) Then you may not even know who Sloan are. Urgh. Here’s a video for the un-informed. Plus, this song has a line about living in Canada 🙂 So it is with this confused background that I sat down with Sloan drummer Andrew Scott. Sloan are one of my favorite bands and this is one of the best drummers you may have never heard of. My love for Power Pop songcraft is obvious and, first and foremost Sloan write great songs. Great harmonies and every guy in the band writes. The reason I think this band is so important is a) they write great songs b) they’re super tight and super pro live. But there’s a secret weapon in Andrew Scott and here’s why; He makes the case for the “Keith Moon Factor” If you’re a drummer and you love Keith Moon, you know that he is the ultimate “outside the box” drummer. He doesn’t play a hi-hat. He pretty much solos all the time. Listen to I can See For Miles if you don’t know what I’m talking...

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Interview: Murph of Dinosaur Jr

Posted By on Dec 28, 2009

I cant speak for all drummers, but i can speak for myself and that myself speaking would secretly love to have the skill to front a band and shred on guitar. I did start playing drums at an early age, but spent equal time in front of the mirror with a tennis racket playing sweet Van Halen (Eddie) riffs and dreaming of being a guitar god. I play in a Zeppelin band and worship Page. This secret guitar god worship was continued in the 90’s when I discovered Dinosaur Jr. In the world of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, the angst filled world of grunge threw away guitar solos and traded them in for the punk rock ethic of  DIY and anti establishment, especially (Eddie)Van Halen. For me, Dinosaur Jr (and the grunge era)  filled my Van Halen (Eddie) void and added something else to it. The idea that you COULD do it yourself. This was added to by the fact that I thought I could sing better than J. Mascis. I love J’s vocals for the emotion they communicate (the main job of the vocal), but I think we’d all agree he’s not shooting for Freddie Mercury(who I also thought I was better than. sic.) SOOOO, the thought of interviewing Murph was a bit of a mystery. It’s no secret that I get a bit goofy when I do these interviews. I totally respect anyone who has the balls to make a career in music. So, I try to respect the person I’m interviewing with intelligent questions relative to the persons’ place in the world and the band they’re in. This made Murph a special case in my mind. And his take on his role in the band and as a drummer held great lessons for anyone. For those of you who don’t know, Dinosaur Jr guitar god J. Mascis is also a drummer (He plays drums in stoner metal band Witch) . And through the history of the band, wrote (and sometimes played) the drum parts in many of their songs. Through my years of being a fan of this band, I honestly (and regretibly) considered them ” The J. Mascis band” And I don’t think I’m the only one. I looked through a bunch of articles on the band and most of them are slanted to the idea that “it’s J and some side guys”  Or J and Lou Barlow (who left the band to form Sebadoh, but reunited with the original line up in 2005) and an drummer named Murph. My fear was that this observation on mine may offend my guest. But when you talk to someone about themself...

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Interview: Bun E Carlos of Cheap Trick

Posted By on Nov 8, 2009

  The Best Drummer In The World on Bun E. Carlos   One of the first records I ever paid my own money for was Cheap Trick “At Budokan. I still listen to it whenever I want to remember why I started playing music. The excitement of the crowd, the best songs, and the interplay between the band, heaven! (Tonight) A few years ago I was in a Chicago band called Woolworthy, and we loved Cheap Trick. One day we jammed this song that was a total Cheap Trick hit. The singer, Rudy came up with a lyric, and the song was christened “The Spirit of Bun E” When we finished the CD, Sweet Second Place, Bun E was DJ’ing at Lounge AX and Rudy and I went down to give Bun a copy of the CD. We told him about “The Spirit of Bun E.” and I admitted to him that I stole every lick he ever played to complete the song. He took it home and listened to it. A few months later Rudy and I ran into Bun E. at a Guided By Voices after show party and he said that the band loved the song and they thought it was the best Cheap Trick tribute song that anyone had done. Needless to say Rudy and I were floored.  A few weeks ago I ran into Bun E. and he agreed to do an interview for www.TheBestDrummerInTheWorld.com Bun E. Carlos Interview: TheBestDrummerInTheWorld (TBDITW): “First of all can you give us the latest on what’s happening in the land of Cheap Trick.” Bun E.: “We’re touring all summer.” TBDITW: “Besides Ian, who do you consider are the best drummers in the world?” Bun E.: “My mom’s a pretty good drummer.” TBDITW: “Why? Bun E.: “Because she’s my mom.” TBDITW: “Oh, right” TBDITW: “What qualities do you feel make a drummer a great drummer?” Bun E.: “A great drummer doesn’t make mistakes” TBDITW: “I made one mistake, once” TBDITW: “As one of the few drummers who have made consistently great music over a long career, what do you feel is the most important factor in playing with other musicians?” Bun E.: “Less is more. Serve the song.” TBDITW: “ I knew that’s what you’d say, ‘cause that’s what you DO!” TBDITW: “If I were to die tomorrow, what drummers around do you feel could replace me as the best? Bun E.: “My mother, or, myself, if the pay was good. TBDITW: “The pay sucks, I’m under appreciated” Thanks for playing along, Bun E. As a note I also gave Bun a copy of the latest CD from Textbook...

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