BATTERY DRUM INTERVIEW : ’ David./ Alleyway.

1. What is your name and what band do you play for?

I’m Dave, some people call me David. I’m the drummer for Alleyway.

2. Who made you want to play drums and why?

Actually our guitarist Nick pretty much made me want to play the drums. We’ve been jamming for about 25 years. I started playing the drums, because there weren’t many people playing drums in our area. I was playing guitar before that. One day a dude offered me a drum set for $20. Obviously I took the deal and the rest is history.

  

3. When did you get your first kit?

 Tell us about it.

I was 17 when I got my first kit. I don’t remember what kind. It was blue and sparkling. It was actually pretty nice. I’ve regretted getting rid of it.

4. Were your parents supportive of you and your loud/expensive new habit?

My parents were very supportive. We would jam in my parents garage. The cops would be called. My parents were basically like fuck you these kids are trying to do something on a Sunday afternoon. I also got drum lessions. The first drum teacher I had taught me the Ramones beats. He was an old punker from L.A. that was a stage hand for punk bands like The Nuns, Crime, and even the Sex Pistols when they came through the US back when I was 3. After he quit giving lessions I had a local favorite jazz drummer for a teacher. I really got to incorporate jazz with punk.

5. What drum performance on an album is perfection to you?

  

Every Iron Maiden album. Nick Menza on Rust In Peace and Philthy Animal for Motörhead “Ace Of Spades.” Oh yeah and Thee Hippy Slayer for Poison Idea “Feel The Darkness.”

6. Tell us about your current kit and set up in detail.

My current kit is a stripped down Mapex 4 piece. Very simple and stripped down. Two crashes with a jazz ride cymbal. I’ve really tried to be simple lately and make what you got sounds good. Really test your skills.

7. If you could have a dream kit tell us about it in detail.

  

Simple. I’ll make anything work for me. Playing in punk rock and metal and not making much money, you make things work. When you tour and play other people’s kits you adapt and work with the sounds.

8. Name your top 5 drummers excluding Neil Peart and Mike Portnoy

Top 5 drummers. Stewart Copeland, Clive Burr, Dave Lombardo, Bill Stevenson, and Chuck Biscuits.

9. Do you prefer studio or live?

I love  music in any and every form.

10. Do drummers really get all the chicks and if so how do we convince the guitarist?

  

I’ve been told by various “people” I’m the best looking guy in the band.