DRUMS Vincent Baynard
[ WM ] Tell us about how you got started playing drums ?
[ Vincent Baynard ] I ’ ve got my Dad to thank for my musical upbringing . He ’ s a great player himself , and at a very early age I gravitated toward the things he was into . In all honesty I got started so early that I can ’ t remember a time when I didn ’ t play music . I began as a guitar player first , but it wasn ’ t long until my Dad sat me behind his early 70 ’ s Ludwig Classic Series drum set , taught me a few basic grooves , and the rest as they say …
[ WM ] Who were your main drum influences ?
[ Vincent ] I was mostly raised on 60 ’ s and 70 ’ s rock music , so bands like Grand Funk Railroad , Blue Oyster Cult , The Who , UFO , and Led Zeppelin really informed a lot of my early instincts as a drummer . A little later on in my childhood I discovered a little Canadian band called Rush and , naturally , I became obsessed with The Professor himself , Neil Peart . I would say he ’ s my biggest influence , but that might not be obvious to the casual listener .
A lot of the classic rock drummers I grew up listening to schooled me in how to lay a solid foundation , how to be the rudimentary heartbeat underneath the rest of the band . Peart , however , taught me a lot about composition , how to introduce themes and build upon them throughout the course of a song . His playing style taught me that the drums weren ’ t a foundation only , but that they can be every bit as musical and memorable as your favorite guitar hook or vocal part as long as you know how to find your place within the rest of the band ’ s sound .
[ WM ] Do you drum outside of the church ? Do any session work ?
[ Vincent ] I do . I mostly try to work with artists whose work I really appreciate and am inspired by , so I can be fairly selective at times . At the end of the day , you can scratch out a living by working with any and everyone , but that can also induce creative burnout if you ’ re not careful . My approach isn ’ t for everyone , but so far , I ’ ve found it beneficial .
[ WM ] Thoughts on drum cages ? Are you using sound deflectors ? Are they working well ?
[ Vincent ] I would imagine you ’ d be hard pressed to find a drummer that enjoys them , myself included . In my experience the full-on cages color the drum sound in an unnatural way , but the smaller directional deflectors can be helpful at mitigating cymbal bleed into vocal mics . It ’ s best to work with your sound engineer to find the best solution . I usually advise drummers to learn to play to the room you ’ re in . That could mean a lighter touch on
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