Fans of Kill II This were shocked by the news earlier this year that Ben Calvert, the young but talented drummer with the band had departed due to professional differences. It was a tense few weeks, but the annoucement of the replacement, Steve Rooney (ex Fister skin man) left us all gagging for a bit more on the man. Recently I had the opportunity to ask the newest member of the Kill II This gang some questions....
How did you hear about the K2T vacancy?
Matt had seen me play with Fister about 18 months ago in a tiny pub near his house. We swapped phone numbers, initially about some support dates with K2T although it never came to anything. Anyway, Steve Braund saw me play with Fister in the Borderline club and came up and introduced himself. I didn't know that Ben had left but when the band were looking for a replacement, Steve reminded Matt about me. Matt called me as a result and the rest fell into place.
How did you find out you were 'the chosen one'?
When we did the first song at the audition Mark and Cas had the biggest cheesiest grins, I sort of knew they were happy, but I didn't officially know until the session was over and Mark said "I think I've heard all I wanted to hear"
How long were you in Fister, and will you miss them?
Well although I try to keep this all out of the limelight, I still sometimes play with Fister. I've been in the band about four years and we are all in other bands together as well. I haven't left and wouldn't really want to as long as it doesn't clash with my other commitments. I am, as well as being in K2T, a pro musician so I have to juggle carefully. K2T is a priority though!!
What surprises you most about K2T?
I don't get surprised anymore about bands and musicians, I'm afraid that I've been there and done that a bit too long to be surprised by stuff. I'm happy about joining the band, and happy is better than surprised, don't you think?
What is your favourite K2T track so far?
I guess it's The Flood because it was the first track I learned for the audition (I only had about four or five days to learn as much as I could) and when I cracked this one I felt the pressure lift and started to really work efficiently. I like them all though, it's hard not to!
What are the good sides and bad sides of being in a band?
Well, the good things are you guys who make it all worth sticking with, the true friends that you make in a world of fake people (the music biz) and the sense of justification you have about playing your instrument well and doing a good show, especially if you have made a lot of sacrifices to get there. Bad things are mostly insecurity about your future, or money. At the end of the day Fuck 'em!
Was there ever any career choice other than music?
Well I'Ve played drums for nearly fourteen years, I reckon this was my only real choice from day one. I have worked in other jobs, but always as a means to an end so I could continue playing. Another career - I'll try and avoid it.
Do you have a girlfriend?
Yes, I live with my lovely Italian goddess, who has stuck by me through four years of stuff. Nuff said.
What do you do for fun apart from drumming?
I still really enjoy playing in a room on my own actually! If I do other things I like to read, cook for friends, drink to excess with mates, sit and drink coffee with other drummers and talk bollox, visit historical places with my girlfriend, lift some weights. I used to do martial arts but I don't like the idea of injuring a hand or foot because of the obvious complications! I'm a quietly sociable animal. I hate to be sat still too long and I need contact with other people to be really happy.
Any advice for budding musicians?
Practice is important but gigging is the real shit. Go out and play as much as you can, meet as many musicians as you can. Just do it. Everyone has to start somewhere, don't ever let anyone make you feel inferior, they are stealing you from you!
| news faq images | ||
|
releases interviews say what? bios |
|
reviews contacts web ring tours |
| mp3s banners links |
