Questions from The Panic Asylum
Q: Early years?
(oldschool)
Stephen: At 8 years old I saw the Benny Goodman story on t.v. The drummer, Gene Krupa, stole the show. As soon as they showed him playing a drum solo ( panning to feet tapping and people smiling ) I knew what my future was going to be. I wanted to play the drums and make people feel that energy, that excitement and put rhythm into the atmosphere. That was 30 years ago and I am still chasing that dream.
Q: Study of rhythms/How much do you study?
(oldschool)
Stephen: I always keep my mind open to new sounds, rhythms and fresh ways to approach the instrument. Traditional rhythms and patterns are constantly rolling through me, but I am more interested in my HOMEGROWN sound. Taking ideas, even if they are inspired by other drummers or drum machines (hip-hop, techno, drum & bass etc.) and making it my own. Using the information around, be it books, records, events, or other musicians, to find the original sound inside me. So, to answer your question... I am constantly absorbing and learning about music and rhythm.
Q: Clinics / physically disabled / any more plans to continue these? (oldschool)
Stephen: I do have clinics booked this year. I just released a DVD "A Drummer's Life" Which takes a look at my approach to the drum set. I will be doing clinics to support the DVD and the ideas behind it. I am also working on drum circles this summer with camps that work with the physically challenged. I will never stop doing these events. The world of music has so many ways of healing and
teaching. It is awesome to be part of that.
Q: Would Marc be proud of TPC? I lost a Bro to the same condition, and I often think that he's here with me, encouraging me, calling bullshit when he needs to. Do you have those same feelings?
(oldschool)
Stephen: I am sorry about your brother. Yes, Marc would be very proud and also a big fan of TPC. He loved to see me bash the drums. I am sure he is digging the fact that Dave and I are still playing together. Music was so important to Marc, he woke to it and fell asleep with it. He still guides me, he is always with me. He was responsible for the direction of my music. I miss Marc!! Thank you for asking such a thoughtful question.
Q: Can you list all the percussion instruments that you have
actually made and own?
(oldschool)
Stephen: Tympani, steel drum, african slit drum, talking drum, dumbeck, djembe, bongos, congas, tabla, gongs, auklung, marimba, bata etc.etc. My house is filled with things to hit and play with. It never ends.
Q: Perkana Percussion-still an active situation?
(oldschool)
Stephen: Yes. Latin Percussion (L.P.) Is now going to manufacture the GO-JO bags for me. The GO-JO bag is a shaker instrument with a velcro strap attached for your hand or wrist. This deal made with L.P. is going to take the Perkana Percussion name out of the loop. You will
start seeing the products under the L.P. umbrella this year. The bag is also being used for music therapy sessions.
Q: Any professional training or self taught? (stardreme)
Stephen: I took lessons from Jim Engle for five year and from Joel Gallent for four years as well as being in the Notre Dame Marching Band for three years. Everything after that was self taught. The lessons taught me about technique and control. The marching band taught me about work ethics, discipline and playing with other musicians. The years after that, helped me find my own sound.
Q: Do you prefer the intimacy of a small venue or the large stadium setting?
(stardreme)
Stephen: There is something fantastic about both actually. The small venue takes all the energy and compresses it, leaving you
saturated and drenched with a personal experience . The larger room
spreads it, reaching more people but not as directly. A little
diluted as far as the personal experience but a much larger feeling
of spreading positive energy.
Q: Which performer would you perform with if given a chance - past or present? (stardreme)
Stephen: Neil Diamond and Led Zeppelin
Q: Do you support a particular charity?
(stardreme)
Stephen: My father has M.S. and my brother died from Cardio Myopathy.
Q: What do you do for down time? Hobbies?
(stardreme)
Stephen: Paint, draw, bike, hike, fence, cook, play more music. Relax, watch movies.
Q: What kind of things do you collect?
(stardreme)
Stephen: Hot sauces, unusual percussion, art by Dali.
Q: Do you have an instrument that was given to them from another
artist that they cherish?
(stardreme)
Stephen: A talking drum that was given to me by Aerosmith. You can hear it on the bridge in the TPC song "Bloody Mary".
Q: What was the funniest thing that ever happened to you on
stage?
(stardreme)
Stephen: Playing "Back In Black” for 15 minutes with Camp Freddy and
Tone Loc on vocals. Most embarrassing moment? Shrinkage. But,
still very respectable.
Q: If you had to make a career change, what would you do?
(stardreme)
Stephen: Be a chef.
Q: What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time?
(stardreme)
Stephen: Making music. Being a father. 10 Years time? Hanging in Hawaii. Making music. Being a father.
Q: Is there a song that you are most proud of. or even one you are
writing that you can't wait to record?
(helena)
My proudest moment musically is coming this Fall.
Q: Is it sometimes hard to get the song exactly how you hear it in
your head?
(helena)
Stephen: The chase never ends to make art perfect. Life is
not, so the pursuit of it in your art is the thrill.
Q: What would you like the fans including me to say after they
hear the album?
(helena)
Stephen: Let's listen to it again!! Louder!!
Q: Is there a song that one of you wrote or want to sing that you
had to convince the others because they weren't crazy about it and
it turned out good anyway?
(jasmin5184)
Stephen: A song can be played in so many different ways,as long as it reaches it's potential, I am happy.
Q: Do you get into arguments over what songs to use. Who usually
wins?
(jasmin5184)
Stephen: We discuss..... then bitch about it later. We all win in the end.
Q: What would your 'imaginary' tour rider look like, what items do you
HAVE to have backstage?
(jezebel)
Stephen: Air Hockey, Ping- Pong, drum-set, B-12 shots and friends.
Q: Your dream session musicians?
(jezebel)
Stephen: Pink Floyd in the 70's.
Q: Your first thought upon waking up?
(jezebel)
Stephen: To look outside.
Q: From the actor's studio interviews - what is your favorite curse
word?
(jezebel)
Stephen: FUCK!!!
Q: What sustains you in the empty moments / what brings you back to your center / spiritually speaking?
(sexsinger)
Stephen: laughter / my body in motion / silence
Q: If you could live one day in someone else's shoes, who would it
be and why?
(RecklessPrincess)
Stephen: The Prime Minister of Canada. To make laws that FORBID SEAL HUNTS. Also, my wife. So I can see myself through someone's eyes that truly knows me.
Q: what albums do you find that you only listen to when you're
stoned?
(MissMaceo)
Stephen: The ones that I've made. Anything by Peter Tosh.
Q: What's been your absolute favorite travel location and/or
story?
Stephen: Australia and New Zealand. I get in a great mood down there. I camped on Phillips Island in Australia. At sunset more than 200 penguins came ashore for a good nights sleep.
Q: In your opinion, what are some of your favorite recorded performances of drums/percussion?
(spencer)
Stephen: Rock: Led Zeppelin - How The West Was Won, The Who - Who's Next, The Beatles - anything, Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power, Peter Gabriel - Security, Steely Dan - anything,
Jazz: John Coltrane - Impressions, Blue Train, Miles Davis - anything with Tony Williams, Ornette Coleman - The Art of the Improvisers, Benny Goodman - Live at Carnegie Hall, Buddy Rich - West Side Story
Percussion: The Big Bang Collection, Babatunde Olatunji - Drums of Passion, Tom Ze - anything
Funk: The Meters - anything, Curtis Mayfield - Super Fly, James Brown - anything
Favorite Junk Foods?
(Denise)
Haagen- Dazs Coffee Ice Cream & Chocolate.
What is the strangest or most unique instrument you have
played?
(Imdead)
Stephen: My wife.
Who has inspired you most in your lifetime (not necessarily in a
musical way, I'm thinking more in terms of, as a human being) and
why?
(Cori)
Stephen: My brother, Marc. He loved life, music and teaching. He would take 25 kids to the zoo, he would play music for them in the classroom, he would teach them about art. While I was on tour with Jane's at 20 years old, he was surrounded by 20 seven year olds. The months before he passed away, he was making positive changes in his life. He died moving up. That is one thing that inspires me still, is knowing he died happy. He was a powerful, funny soul and he has inspired me more than anyone else.
The drummers that inspire me are - Bonham (for his power and pulse), Moon (for his explosive originality). Elvin Jones(for his expressive colors and moods), Zigaboo (for his second line funk), Budgie (for his delicate but tribal approach), Earl Hudson (for his punk attitude), Neil Peart(for his precision), Stuart Copeland (for his feel) Kevin Haskins (for his tasteful use of electronics), Buddy Rich (for his chops), Gene Krupa (for everything) Ringo (for everything else).
Q: Time of day you work/create best?
(crazycurves)
Stephen: In the studio, I like to record during the day. Get drum sounds from 11am - 1pm and then get the rest of the band down there, press record. If we are working on songs, writing parts, editing and playing at a lower volume... anytime, day or night. When it comes to live performance... all the time!
Q: Things that really piss you off?
(crazycurves)
Stephen: Mistreatment of animals. Child abuse. A room without a view. Unfinished songs. Traffic. Pollution.
Q: How would you define the word "success"? (This is not a short
answer. Discuss it.)
(crazycurves)
Stephen: When I lay down to fall asleep. I think about my day, if I was creative, honest, active, good to people, animals and the earth. If I was, then I can have a good night's sleep. That is success. To pull off a new lick on the drum kit. That is success. I believe everyday has a different translation of success.
