drums. I have a mixture of some of the other
types of cymbals they make too. I am an artist
with them, so I do honor that relationship. But
they understand in the recording world I may
use cymbals from the other collections I have
from many other makers. It just depends on the
music.
[Alex] What is your all time, favorite snare
drum?
[Julio] I was able to design my own signature
snare drum with DW Drums back in 2002 and
that still is my favorite snare drum although it
is now discontinued. It can only be purchased
directly through DW. It is a Collectors Series
6.5” x 14” vintage brass, natural brass with
matching die cast hoops. It was the only die
cast hoops DW snare available at the time, and
I love die cast hoops!
I’ll use anything to create a sound. A “Garden [Todd] I love to modify, restore, repair, and
[Carl] Hands down, the Yamaha 14” x 7” Weasel” sounds amazing. (laughing) But I create. The idea of bringing a drum back to
brass standard model. It is the one I would haven’t really invented anything. Adapted! Yes! life or repurposing something for the sound it
keep if I had to burn all the others. I can do Just this week my wife, Leann, was going to makes is so inspiring to me. I have modified
almost anything with that snare. throw away a cookie sheet and a round pizza shakers that I’ve used for over 20 years! The
pan. They are now in my percussion case. 1929 Slingerland bass drum that I use in my rig
with Crowder is a piece that I restored 10 years
[Todd] It’s tough to pick just one because all
of my snares have something special about [Alex] Carl, I’m with you on the “Garden ago and I never imagined it would get played
them. The GMS Special Edition 14”x 6” black Weasel”. I got one last year to clear out some as much as it has, nor that it would sound as
over brass custom snare with die-cast hoops is weeds and was amazed at its sound. Let’s good as it does. I used it on the Caedmon’s
my “go to” snare that will do just about anything work up a duo! Like you, I have a myriad of Call album Overdressed as the main kick drum
I need it to do. It always sounds so good and shakers, many of them directly from the cake in my kit. One of my recent finds is an Olympic
feels great to play. decoration section at the grocery store. When Field snare from the 50’s that I found in New
I first started playing percussion live and had a Orleans at a flea market. With a fairly simple
[Alex] Long before companies imported and drummer background, I felt that I was not being cleaning and overhaul, I brought it back to life
then manufactured percussion accessories, used to my potential. I was not using two of my and it has become one of my favorite snares!
percussionists create limbs! So, I designed and made a cowbell stand their own “sounds”. Have you ever invented that attached to a foot pedal. I also created lots [Julio] I would not say that I invented them,
and created any percussion instruments or of sound effects stuff inspired from a visit to but I did collect lots of accessories that were
accessories over the years, and if so, what Disney’s sound effects department many years not meant to be musical instruments, such as
were they? Do you still use them? ago. Some of it was good for studio work only, frying pans, buckets, hunting whistles, bicycle
and some of it was proper to use live. I used metal parts, and even Yakult bottles glued
[Carl] I haven’t made anything really new in the some of this on the track, “Horrendous Disc”. I together with rice and beans inside! And yes, I
percussion world. I have a case full of shakers believe that what a percussionist creates helps still use them all the time!
made from all kinds of things. Vitamin bottles to give the player his or her musical personality. with sand or popcorn or seeds or buckshot… a Hub caps, brake drums, Coke signs, empty [Alex] What is the most interesting or
couple of soda cans filled with stuff… a cookie 5-gallon water bottles, and toys… everything challenging project or performance that you
jar… a Pringles potato chip can etc. I also cut is fair game. have every been a part of and why?
had
to
personally
up cymbals sometimes and see what happens.
November 2019
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