What piece of equipment do you have to show us today?
My best friend/worst enemy – my Custom Gas drum kit, which I love dearly, but also beat the shit out of.
How did you come across this particular item?
I first discovered Gas drums after having a hit of the house tubs at the Hot House studio, where we recorded our second record Bad Blood. It was the first acrylic kit that I ever played and they sounded mean. Safe to say, I was very stoked and pretty much knew then and there that I wanted one for myself. I soon afterwards found myself in a brief conversation with my friend the metro gnome/master of speed, Gordy Forman (drummer of Frenzal Rhomb/Mindsnare) who owns a Gas snare. If you’ve ever heard his snare live, you know how cracking it is. He told me they were crafted by one guy in Melbourne. Scott Green then came into my world and I have to say, I owe him the world. He built my drums in a month or two, custom to my desired sizes and at a very good price. He is a legend.
What is it that you like so much about it?
They are deep, big, heavy-duty drums that sound absolutely massive. They are mine, the exact way I want them to feel.
How do you use it, and how has it shaped the way you write music?
It’s used the way every drum kit is used, but I can honestly say that I play drums/ write music with more passion and precision since owning it. I’ve become so much more aware of tuning and which heads to use (I back Evans heads FYI) and am just far more stoked to have a jam thinking I sound more like John Bonham.
Any other interesting points/stories about it?
Stevie climbs over it all the time even when I tell him not to. I’ve sweated, bled, spat, spewed and almost passed out on it on plenty of tours. It forgives and forgets and always sounds good, supposing I give it a bit of love and attention regularly.
Tell us a little bit about what you have coming up?
We will be heading out on the ‘Destroy The Evidence’ Single Tour!
To keep up-to-date with the latest from CLOWNS, head to clownsband.bandcamp.com.
