Central Iowa Band Listings & Music Scene
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PAUL THOMPSON - Drums
Now Playin with Alister Hag & Shannon Curfman
| 1. Paul , Alister Hag how did it come about ? Story with the Name ? Who’s in the Band ? Alister Hag came about a little over a year ago when I was working with a guitarist out of Michigan on a theme song for the TV show Exterminators. Long story short, we needed a vocalist to lay down the track, preferably someone with a powerful Metal voice and that is when we contacted Aaron Peltz who was the vocalist for On a Pale Horse. My brother Wade and I had talked of putting something together for years with Aaron since we worked so well together and had a ball on the Thunderbolt Gasoline project we did back in 2004. The name is just a overall statement of the bands general vibe we wanted something edgy sounding and Alister Hag fit the bill. The lineup of the band is Ryan Braaksma lead guitar/vocals, Aaron Peltz lead vocals/guitar, Wade Thompson bass/vocals and myself. . |
Paul Thompson  of Alister Hag & Shannon Curfman |
| 2. What can we look for in 2011 from Alister Hag ? 2011 expect an ass kicking Hard Rock/Metal album from the band and a great deal of touring. The band is targeting European markets, so we expect to do most of our shows over the pond however we do have some local things on the horizon starting with our first official show at The Bombay Bicycle Club on Friday January 21st. 3. You have been in several notable bands - can you name them all ? Who have you recorded with ? Let me see if I can name them all. My first band that I started was with my best friend Kevin Miles we called ourselves the Solar Carrots and we had our first song, Yellow Telephones. This would have been about October of 1983. After that I had a band called Skumm and that band actually built a stage in my bedroom in Ankeny with a backdrop and we used my bunk bed as a top tier to the stage and the aluminum ladders as walkways, God my parents were tolerant of my condition! Let's see.....I will try to stay on course with the question: Rigormortis, Evil B and the Pancake Revival, Nuremburg, Lifeforce, Filthy Wilma, Bad Blood, Hot Saki, Todd Duane, Taz Band, Stone Fish, Tyler Thompson Band, Junk Poet, The Coup de Grace, Coma, Thunderbolt Gasoline, To My Surprise, Kentucky Fried Mullet, The Farmer Tan Funk Band, Blues on Grand House Band, Jeff Banks Band, Dorothy Hecht and the Rubber Tramps, The Kannibals, Shannon Curfman and Alister Hag. I think that should about do it!! I have recorded with hundreds of bands over the years in LA, Kansas City and Minneapolis. I will not even try to recall and bore you with all of these sessions ....mostly demos or just on a track or two |
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4.When did you start play drums ? 5.What’s your background with formal training and education ? My formal education with drum kit and percussion goes back to the 5th grade. I was told by the band teacher that I would probably not be a drummer and to drop band. If my memory serves me correctly it was only because I did not know how to read music. Seems to me that was his job to teach me how? I mean, I was 9 or 10 years old! My life is pretty busy with teaching drums and guitar. |
 Alister Hag - (Left -to Right) Ryan Braaksma , Paul Thompson, Aaron Peltz & Wade Thompson |
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Paul Explains the "Inverted Paradiddle" .. then kicks it's butt |
7. How did the work with the Drummer Connection come about ? What else can aspiring percussionist look to see form you there. (Video to Left ) I got hooked up with Drummer Connection while I was attending a Paiste cymbals artist party at the 2008 NAMM. 8. Any favorite drum kits, cymbals and accessories ? 8. My favorite drums are GMS drums, which I endorse. I have a Pearl maple kit that I bought from Yngwie's drummer Anders Johansson that I really like. I also love to collect old Gretsch drums. My cymbal of choice has always been Paiste, with whom I also have an endorsement deal with. That company is stellar and they are like family to me. |
9 . Recording for young drummers ( and bands) is always a big concern, what advice would you have for drummers working in a studio environment ? My advice to drummers in the studio is that they know their craft, keep good time, have decent gear that is in good condition, new drumheads and a reasonable knowledge of tuning. The last two are very important because they can make or break the whole experience for the engineer or producer and if you are a freelance artist, those are the people who usually hire you. so make it as easy as possible and don't waste time! |
 Paul Playing with Shannon Curfman |
 Tyler Thompson Band |
11.What are some of your favorite gigs to date ? I don't have a favorite gig that comes to mind. Tyler Thompson did a tour of Germany in 2004 that was just amazing. One night we played this amazing dungeon in Bavaria, the place was built in the 1600's. |
13. Who were your favorites bands and musical influences over the years? My favorite bands growing up were Kiss, The Police, Van Halen, My biggest influences have been my parents who taught me to follow my heart and never give up on my dreams. Life is short what are you gonna do with your time?. I have done a hand full of live TV appearances and I must say, I really enjoy them. |
 Van Halen - Diver Down Tour  Paul had the pleasure of working with Prince in the studio |
The best concert I have ever seen was Van Halen on Diver Down. August 4th 1982 at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium.
The times most memorable to me. When I knew that I was doing something really special, or that you might define as a rock star moment. were when, I worked with Prince in the studio those couple of years from 94-96. |
The best part about being a musician in Iowa is that you can make a pretty comfortable living doing it. If you can hustle a bit, you can gig with some really talented people. Des Moines has some really good players and I feel fortunate to have played with most of them. 20. Skateboarding , Bicycling you seem to have a passion for many activities - how have these helped you throughout the years ? I love to bicycle it is like church to me. It helps me quiet my mind and slow down mentally. I grew up Skateboarding, mostly old school style street skating. I used to ride ramps and an occasional pool. |
 Paul - Hy Vee Triathlon Finnish 2007 |
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Thank You Paul ...You totally Rock ! |