The wise Among uS
Neil Sanderson Three Days Grace
The piano was Neil Sanderson ’ s gateway to the wide world of music that he ’ s still exploring today , as evidenced by the new ground covered on Three Days Grace ’ s fifth studio album , 2015 ’ s Human . He ’ s also currently working on a project with Lukas Rossi of Rock Star : Supernova fame .
CM : If you look back over your career , from the Groundswell days until now , how has your approach to drumming changed or evolved ?
NS : I was 14 when Groundswell started . At that time , all I wanted to do was bash and headbang ! It was when I got a little older that I began to understand how marching rudiments could be applied to rock drumming . That changed everything . All of a sudden , I realized that hand speed , particularly when soloing , could be exponentially increased by combining and modifying rudiments and incorporating your feet into the patterns . Also , after having some studio experience , I began to hit my drums differently than my cymbals and hats . I think the harder you hit a wooden drum , the better it sounds ; how ever , I ’ m pretty sensitive on cymbals and hats . I think they can overpower , or sound choked if you try to kill them , and I ’ m not a huge fan of a “ sloshy ” hi-hat sound .
CM : You began playing the piano at a very young age . Why did the transition to drumming seem like natural move for you ?
NS : Piano gave me a solid base for connecting the dots between rhythm , melody , and musical theory . I actually do a lot of 3DG songwriting on piano . As a kid , the moment I sat down at the drums , I knew it was right for me . I was pretty hyper back then and the drums suddenly gave me an outlet to expel all the physical energy . I still rely on that to this day .
CM : Three Days Grace ’ s self-titled debut was released nearly 13 years ago . How do you approach that
S material when you per form it now ?
NS : We just came off of a three-month tour in the U . S . and I can honestly say that each and every show just naturally brings a whole new experience and dynamic for the band and the fans . We ’ re in the unique position where we ’ ve been around long enough that fans from the early days bring their kids out to the show , who are discovering Three Days Grace for the first time and having Matt Walst as our frontman definitely brings a rejuvenated energy to the band that fans have really enjoyed .
CM : Besides a few notable names , open-handed drumming is still a unique style in the world of hard rock drumming . How did you come to use the open-handed approach and how does it alter your perspective of the kit or open up differ ent ways to play it ?
NS : I just personally never liked the feeling of crossing my arms ; it always felt inhibitive to me . Also , I believe that landing the back beat right in pocket is the most important thing for a groove , [ Led Zeppelin ’ s John ] Bonham being the king of that . So I always felt the need to play the snare with my strong arm . I love to study other drummers ’ techniques , and so sometimes I need to flip it upside down in my mind to understand exactly what they ’ re doing , but I don ’ t always lead with my left when doing fills . Some of the rudimen tary stuff I do play as a right handed-drummer , then switch back to open-handed when playing time . The only real difference in my set-up is that my ride is on the left .
THE GEAR
Yamaha Silver Sparkle Absolute Hybrid Maple Kit
• 22-in . Kick
• 16-in . Floor Tom
• 14-in . Floor Tom
• 12-in . Tom
• 10-in . Tom Yamaha 14 x 6.5-in . Silver Sparkle Snare Yamaha DTX-MULTI 12 Percussion Pad Sabian Cymbals
• 21-in . HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride
• 20-in . HHX China
• 20-in . HHX Stage Crash
• 20-in . AAX X-plosion Crash
• 19-in . Artisan Crash
• 19-in . AAX X-plosion China
• 19-in . HHX X-plosion Crash
• 15-in . AA Medium Hi-Hats
• 10-in . HHX Evolution Splash Vic Firth 1A Sticks Remo Heads
Tyler Stewart Barenaked Ladies
Tyler Stewart , the enthusiastic , high-energy , and humble drummer for one of Canada ’ s most beloved bands , shares some of his wisdom and passion with us . The band is still in top form , having released their 11 th studio album , Silverball , back in June 2015 .
Photo : Matt Barnes
[ 54 ] • CANADIAN MUSICIAN