Ok,...so, I switched to Evans heads about 5 years ago after using Remo for the previous 25+.
I Totally Love Them!
I had just always played Remo because they were the heads to use back in the day. They stood up to a good beating and sounded fine. Plus, a bunch of my guys used them so I was all in!
Buy, I've got to say, the Evans brought my drums to life in a way that I had never heard them. Obviously, I get nothing from Evans to say this and I don't have an axe to grind with Remo. I'm just saying to you guys if you've gotten comfortable with a brand or product, it's not so terrible to give your ears a taste of something new. I could jump ship from Evans tomorrow but I doubt it. I've given up on brand loyalty. If it sounds great and lasts, I'm into it.
What do you guys play and why? I'd love to hear and try some new stuff if I hear enough good things about something.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Question: Who are your influences? How did you get started?
My playing has been called a mix of Tommy Lee, Alex Van Halen and Terry Bozzio. I'm totally stoked about that because all those guys have had a huge influence on my playing over the years, especially in the beginning.
The first albums I ever bought were: Rainbow-Straight Between the Eyes, Van Halen-II, Def Leppard-High and Dry, AC/DC-Highway to Hell and Black Sabbath-Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath.
All of these albums/drummers had an influence on my style and the way I developed. The deep groove of Phil Rudd, the quiet mastery of Alex Van Halen, Bobby Rondinelli's driving presence and, of course, the power and freedom displayed by Bill Ward.
I had begun playing along with the radio on some boxes I had set up in my closet. My mom wasn't ready to buy me drums because she wanted to be sure I had a genuine interst in it and that it wasn't just a faze. I'm sure she wished it Was just a faze because it became Everything to me in just the first couple of years. I am self taught and she had to listen to me suck for about 3 years.
After showing enough of a passion for it and sticking with it like I did, she finally agreed that I could get some drums. One problem...I had to pay for them. Ugh! I don't need to tell you, drums are an expensive hobby! But, I mowed lawns, did chores and washed cars until I saved up enough money to buy the first set of real drums that I ever set my eyes on. It was a mix of Ludwig and Slingerland with some crappy cymbals and the worst collection of hardware I've ever come across in my life! I didn't know it then and, I wouldn't have cared anyway. I was in heaven!
I started buying records (above) and learning by ear, mimicing everything I heard these guys doing. Obviously, I had a lot to learn but I drummed every minute of every day on anything that was near me. My legs, the arm of the couch, the floor, my bed and, when I was allowed my new, crappy kit!
I wouldn't change a thing!
I plan to post some songs on this blog. I have recording going back to 1985, I think.
Stay tuned and, thanks for reading!
The first albums I ever bought were: Rainbow-Straight Between the Eyes, Van Halen-II, Def Leppard-High and Dry, AC/DC-Highway to Hell and Black Sabbath-Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath.
All of these albums/drummers had an influence on my style and the way I developed. The deep groove of Phil Rudd, the quiet mastery of Alex Van Halen, Bobby Rondinelli's driving presence and, of course, the power and freedom displayed by Bill Ward.
I had begun playing along with the radio on some boxes I had set up in my closet. My mom wasn't ready to buy me drums because she wanted to be sure I had a genuine interst in it and that it wasn't just a faze. I'm sure she wished it Was just a faze because it became Everything to me in just the first couple of years. I am self taught and she had to listen to me suck for about 3 years.
After showing enough of a passion for it and sticking with it like I did, she finally agreed that I could get some drums. One problem...I had to pay for them. Ugh! I don't need to tell you, drums are an expensive hobby! But, I mowed lawns, did chores and washed cars until I saved up enough money to buy the first set of real drums that I ever set my eyes on. It was a mix of Ludwig and Slingerland with some crappy cymbals and the worst collection of hardware I've ever come across in my life! I didn't know it then and, I wouldn't have cared anyway. I was in heaven!
I started buying records (above) and learning by ear, mimicing everything I heard these guys doing. Obviously, I had a lot to learn but I drummed every minute of every day on anything that was near me. My legs, the arm of the couch, the floor, my bed and, when I was allowed my new, crappy kit!
I wouldn't change a thing!
I plan to post some songs on this blog. I have recording going back to 1985, I think.
Stay tuned and, thanks for reading!
Who am I and What am I doing here? Intro Post...Welcome!
Hey Folks,
My name is Jef Kirchmaier and I've been playing the drums since 1980. For some of you, that sounds like a long time and, well, maybe it is. I've never loved doing anything as much as playing the drums. It has been the only constant in my life since I started.
I think I began playing to deal with my parents divorce. Easy to say now but that had nothing to do with Anything when I started! I had originally wanted to play guitar. I had just bought Van Halen II and hearing Eddie play, like so many others, made me want to...until I realized I had No Idea what the hell he was doing!! Alex, on the other hand, made sense to me. I could hear the different drums and cymbals...I Knew what his hands and feet were doing instictively! It was an Awesome revelation! It changed my life and chartered the course for me from that day forward.
My biggest influences have been varied and powerful throughout my drumming career: Alex Van Halen, Tommy Lee, Cozy Powell, Charlie Benante, Lars Ulrich, John Wright (Nomeansno), Terry Bozzio, Tim "Herb" Alexander, Reed Mullen and So many more. I will mention people as they come up in other posts.
I decided to write this Drum Blog as a way to connect with other drummers and musicians and as a way to stay active in the drumming community. I don't play as much as I used to or as much as I'd like to. I guess I'm hoping to fill a little bit of the void of not playing in a band, interacting with musicians, talking about music, gear, saring ideas, etc...
I play a Pork Pie kit, Ludwig Black Beauty snare, Tama Iron Cobra double pedal, Paiste, Sabien, Meinl cymbals, Pro-Mark sticks and Evans heads.
So, if you're a musician of any kind, no matter what genre, age or anything else, hang out, post your comments, questions, listening habits or suggestions below and follow me if you'd like. Thanks!
My name is Jef Kirchmaier and I've been playing the drums since 1980. For some of you, that sounds like a long time and, well, maybe it is. I've never loved doing anything as much as playing the drums. It has been the only constant in my life since I started.
I think I began playing to deal with my parents divorce. Easy to say now but that had nothing to do with Anything when I started! I had originally wanted to play guitar. I had just bought Van Halen II and hearing Eddie play, like so many others, made me want to...until I realized I had No Idea what the hell he was doing!! Alex, on the other hand, made sense to me. I could hear the different drums and cymbals...I Knew what his hands and feet were doing instictively! It was an Awesome revelation! It changed my life and chartered the course for me from that day forward.
My biggest influences have been varied and powerful throughout my drumming career: Alex Van Halen, Tommy Lee, Cozy Powell, Charlie Benante, Lars Ulrich, John Wright (Nomeansno), Terry Bozzio, Tim "Herb" Alexander, Reed Mullen and So many more. I will mention people as they come up in other posts.
I decided to write this Drum Blog as a way to connect with other drummers and musicians and as a way to stay active in the drumming community. I don't play as much as I used to or as much as I'd like to. I guess I'm hoping to fill a little bit of the void of not playing in a band, interacting with musicians, talking about music, gear, saring ideas, etc...
I play a Pork Pie kit, Ludwig Black Beauty snare, Tama Iron Cobra double pedal, Paiste, Sabien, Meinl cymbals, Pro-Mark sticks and Evans heads.
So, if you're a musician of any kind, no matter what genre, age or anything else, hang out, post your comments, questions, listening habits or suggestions below and follow me if you'd like. Thanks!
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