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Musical Influences
For many years, if not most of my life, music has influence my way of life. It has shaped the way I think and do. Ever since taking up drumming, I have been influenced by numerous bands and musicians for whom I look up to and listen to intensely. Usually not in what these bands/musicians say and do, but in the styles that they project. For me, style has always been a big factor in creating music. I tend to be a discriminating pallet for certain sounds, styles and generally the overall feel to the music at hand. I believe that to create good music, the song has to have a certain feel or mood. The song must be exciting not only for myself, but for the listener themselves. If the mood or feel is not right, it just blows everything that you're trying to go for, period! For some, adding alot may be the answer. For some others, "less is more". For which ever path I take (usually the more logical approach after listening and disecting a song), I try to make the song tasteful in whatever mood or feel the song calls for.
Whenever I come to a "blocking point", I usually rely on the "teachings" the these bands project. Generally, what style should I approach the song with. Should I add more or should I take the lesser approach in order to reflect the "less is more" addage? Whatever the case, I usually take a logical yet critical look in to each part of a song. The same goes for this whenever I listen to a particular band. I know this sounds boring and crazy, but by doing this, I can enjoy the finer points to a song and understand the style more fluently. Hopfully by doing this, I can better myself by incorporating this to my own style and not seem like a "taught robot". In other words, to (for the lack of a better word or phrase) create my own style that is unique in itself.
Below, I have included a list of musical influences and their website links that I feel best represents myself and the bands that I have come to enjoy and love over the years. I hope these bands will help you understand from which point that I come from.
Along with these links I have added a few extra items that may help you in finding what you need as both a musician and as a music fan. --Rob
AC/DC-- Anacrusis-- Anthrax-- Black Sabbath-- Death Angel/The Organization-- Deep Purple-- Dream Theater-- Echolyn-- Helloween-- Iron Maiden-- Kings-X-- KMFDM-- Living Colour-- Megadeth-- Metallica-- Pantera-- Rainbow-- Rush-- Testament-- Triumph-- Van Halen-- Whitesnake (David Coverdale)
Who hasn't ever gone to a party, turned on a radio or just go anywhere without ever hearing this band?!? AC/DC is the ultimate party band (in my own opinion)! With the combo of Angus Young and his bro, Malcolm on guitars, various drummer's "4-on-the-floor" style and the screechings of either the late Bon Scott or the current, Brian Johnson, AC/DC has just rocked through the decades without ever stopping. Granted that their music almost always sounds the same, but it's the integrity and fun that counts.
For me, just practicing to AC/DC songs is a great release and great way to keep my time keeping skills up. Also, bring a 6-pack of beer and put on these guys and you have an instant party...hands down!
A very weird metal band indeed. This band, progressive in its own right, was introduced to me through a friend of mine. Their weird mix of complicated, high-end guitars, complex bass work and thrashy drums really caught my ear. Though I only have two of their albums, their second major release album, "Scream and Whispers", is truely an album to be reckoned with. It kinda gives one a different look at the "dark side" of progressive metal.
They are the law! Caught in a mosh! This 80's thrash metal band is considered one of the "fathers" of modern day thrash metal. Drummer/songwriter, Charlie Benante influenced me greatly when it comes to double bassdrumming. Vocally, former singer, Joey Beladonna influence my style of singing almost to where it's at today. A very fun band to listen to on most of their earlier albums such as, "Spreading the Disease", "Among the Living" and "State of Euphoria". Nowadays, Anthrax has gotten a bit more serious and bit more "out there" with such recent albums like, "Sound of White Noise" and "Stomp 422".
The godfathers of modern day metal! Who hasn't been influenced by this band??? They set the standard back in the 70's along side such bands as Deep Purple and Led Zepplin. This was also the band that got Ozzy Osbourne started on his mighty career. Their combo of heavy drop-chord laiden guitars and slamming bass work is just a virtual festival for metal lovers.
OFFICIAL BLACK SABBATH WEBSITE
It's sad to say that this band is gone, but when they were around in the late 80's-early 90's they were considered the "RUSH" of thrash metal. Their best work is on the album, "ACT-III". Blindly fast and intricate in all counts, but they can be soulful if not funky in certain sections. Their singer, Mark Osegueda, sounds very similar to Anthrax's Joey Belladonna (with the exception of their earlier albums). Of course, this became a strong influence to me.
When the band decided to can Osegueda and rename themselves, The Organization (named after a song of the same name on D.A.: "ACT-III"), the band took and more commercial direction which eventually lead to the band's downfall.
"Smoke on the water!" That song has gained this band more royalties than anything else they've ever done. Who didn't get lost in their powerful shows? Who didn't want to see Ritchie Blackmore destroy his guitar during one of his blistering show-off solos? Many are familiar with the classic line-up of: Ritchie Blackmore- guitar, Jon Lord- Organ/keyboards, Ian Paice- drums, Roger Glover- bass and Ian Gillian- vocals. Deep Purple became one of top groups in the 70's which such songs as, "Speed King", "Black Night", "Smoke on the Water", "Burn", "Stormbringer" and "Love Child". The one down side to D.P. is the fact that the band, though it was always strong musically, could never keep the same members. Till this day, Deep Purple is ever changing. It was also because of D.P. that brought to fame, singer, David Coverdale (my favorite DP singer) who was a virtual unknown in 1974.
Deep Purple has always put out good music no matter what style. Whether it's pop-rock, heavy blues, funk or just plain hard rock, D.P. has always been a heavy contender in the music business with the music virtuosity that it carries. Also, D.P. has given birth to numurous split-off bands such as: Rainbow, Whitesnake, The Gillian Band, and Ashton-Paice & Lord to name a few.
A few recommended albums to check out:
"In Rock", "Machine Head", "Made in Japan" (live), "Burn", "Stormbringer", "Perfect Strangers", "Slaves and Masters" and "The Battle Rages On"
DREAM
THEATER
When I first heard this band, I thought it was too good to be true! These guys are the "RUSH for the 90's and beyond". This Long Island, NY based group has managed to cull together some of THE most progressively trained musicians and songs together to make Dream Theater one of THE top progressive groups since RUSH. Drummer, Mike Portnoy puts together some of thoughest poly-rhythms there are today. Both hard and heavy, DT can also be quite sintilating and beautiful. the lyrics are colorful and imaginative not to mention, sung beautifully by their current singer, James LaBrie. John Patrucci is a madman on the guitar, John Myung is fluid on bass and both former keyboardist, Kevin Moore and current keyboardist, Derrick Sherinnian are cool, calm and collective. CHECK THIS BAND OUT!!!
OFFICIAL DREAM THEATER WEBSITE
There isn't much I can say about this band. The ONLY thing I can say is this: Get their album, "As The World" and you'll know why they are an influence to me. 'Nuff said.
Welcome to "Future World"! In my own opinion, Helloween is basically, Iron Maiden on speed metal. This German band has had a huge influence on me in the past both musically and vocally. Like their british counterparts, Helloween both uses dual guitar harmonies, excellent drumming and mystical lyrics. The only difference between Maiden and Helloween is that Helloween's songs tend to have a very humorous side to them. It all depend on how you look at the songs individually. Some have a serious political/social message to them, while others have a more playful taste. Definately worth checking out!
IRON
MAIDEN
Of all the influential bands that I've listened to over the years, Iron Maiden has to be one of THE most. The combo of bass-god, Steve "'Arry" Harris's basslines and lyrics along with the dual guitar work of Dave Murray and Co. mixed with the wicked trapworks of drummer, Nicko McBrain and the vocal prowness of former singer, Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden WAS metal. They were the metal gods of the 80's rising from the ranks of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement. They nearly single-handedly set the pace of the metal world selling out venues of all sizes and cultures world wide. Till this day they still do. Well known for their extreme, lavish stage sets and extensive lighting effects, Iron Maiden took a turn for the more simple grass roots style for a few years in the early 90's. Rumor has it that I.M. will go back to the big stage sets for the upcoming world tour in '98.
UP THE IRONS!!!
This band was more of a vocal influence that anything else. Three guys singing together sounding like a gospel choir. It's a beautiful thing. King's X is a progressive power trio in it's own right. Starting out as a much more poppy sounding band, King's X has matured into a powerhouse metal band that won't forget its roots. Just check out their album, "Dogman" and you'll see what I mean.
"Musik ist macht!" I have alot of fun with this techno-metal band. And NO, the name DOES NOT stand for "Kill Mother F***ing DePeche Mode". It's an anogram (I think) for their name in German (for which I cannot spell since I don't know German). KMFDM combines hard riffing guitars, sequenced keyboards and cool vocals with pounding techno backbeats. To get an idea of this band, check out their albums: "Angst" and "Xtort". They will either nail you to the wall or make you dance like crazy. It's your choice!
Whenever I listen to Will Calhoun on drums, I just can't help but sit and listen. The guy just rocks on drums! Just listen to their "Vivid" and "Stain" albums and you'll see why...
"Peace sells, but who's buying?"..."So far...so good...so what..." This was Dave Mustaine's business and this business was good after getting kicked out of Metallica in the band's early days. He built Megadeth along side bassist, Dave "Jr", to form a band built out of blood, sweat and revenge. Megadeth is considered one of "fathers" of modern day thrash metal which used hard slamming mosh anthems such as "Peace Sells", "Holy Wars" and "Rattlehead" to get the "metal is the law" message across. In recent albums, Megadeth has taken a turn for the commercial, selling millions of albums, but leaving behind the speed of yester-year.
MEGADETH OFFICIAL FAN CLUB SITE
I know what you're saying right now..."WHY???" Well, when I first got into heavy metal music, this is what drew me to it! I mean, who wasn't amazed by Cliff Burton's playing style or Lars Ulrich's frenzied drumming??? Who wasn't caught by James Hetfield's machine gun-like riffing or Kirk Hammett's bombarding solos??? I mean, Metallica was the god of metal in the 80's. It was them and only them who played by their own rules and won! Their attack first and drink a beer afterwards and don't bother to ask questions later attitude was something to be reckoned with. They defined what american metal is today by taking a european style and americanizing it! I learned the ropes from listening to these guys who once said that they would never do any of the commercial stuff that ruins bands. Well guess what? They did...they matured and they're STILL kicking ass!!!
Just "walk on home, boy". Take it from a band who just says "No way PUNK" to commercialism that kills bands nowadays. They keep getting heavier and heavier with every album they make. Complete balls to the wall metal. No shit! Their rise to a "Vulgar Display of Power" hasn't been done sitting on their laurels. No, they've rising to the top by constant touring and catering to their fans for what they want...good hard and heavy metal!
As vocalist, Phil Anselmo said on their "101 Proof Live" album, "...heavy music ain't dead!"
This band was formed by Ritchie Blackmore after he left Deep Purple in 1975. He combined himself along with a US band called Elf to make his first solo effort, "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow". The success of this album brought Ritchie back in the music spotlight and also added a new face...Ronnie James Dio. It was through Rainbow that Dio got his name to fame. My style of singing and drumming stemmed from such Rainbow drummers as, Cozy Powell and Bobby Rondenelli and vocalists R.J. Dio, Graham Bonnett and Joe Lynn Turner. The only down side to this band is Blackmore's mood swings that caused constant changes in the band's line-up. At one time, Ritchie even paired up with former Deep Purple bassist, Roger Glover during the early 80's before the both of them went back to reform Deep Purple for a few albums. Since then, Joe Lynn Turner (when not singing for Yngwie Malsteen) worked with Deep Purple for one album and has done a few D.P. tributes and has gone else where. Glover has since remained with D.P. and Ritchie has reformed Rainbow with his current album, "Stranger in Us All". Dio on the other hand, has been with Black Sabbath and continues to do solo work. Ritchie now is currently working on another project called "Blackmore's Night"
Any Rush fan will tell you how much of an influence this on them. For me, it's not just an influence...it's almost a "religious" experience. Listening and watching Neil Peart on drums, Geddy Lee on vocals, bass and keyboards and Alex Lifeson on guitar live can only be compared to seeing the Pope and being blessed by him personally. RUSH is THE progressive band that defined, shaped and lived the term through out the 70's and 80's. Even today in the 90's, Rush won't let up and they still continue to break barriers left and right. Spanning some 25 years and 18+ studio albums, Rush has left a lasting mark on their legions of loyal fans who will defend them to the very end if challenged. At all cost, check out Rush!
I was mainly influenced by this band through my old band, Legion. Our style of playing was cross between Testament and Pantera. Hard hitting guitars, rough vocals and intricate drumming. To get a good idea on how the band is, check out their "Live at the Fillmore" album.
Triumph has to be one of the best bands to come out of Toronto, Canada since RUSH. This power trio came out with glorious vocals, awesome guitar work and powerful uplifting lyrics. Triumph influenced me greatly vocally and lyriclly much like Rush did. You'll have to see for yourself to see what I mean...
This was the band that taught me the basics to heavy rock in my early days of drumming. Check out their albums, "1984" and "OU812". I learned from these two.
One of the two sucessful split-off bands from Deep Purple that strengthened my love for heavy rock and the vocals of David Coverdale. The three best albums to check out are: "Saints and Sinners", "Whitesnake" and "Slip of the Tongue". Enjoy!
Local Richmond, Virginia Bands I know and like...
Local deathmetal band that I'm good friends with. Check out their site created by their guitarist/vocalist: "American" Dave
Heavy metal band from Charlottesville, Virginia that my former band did a show or two with a year back. Their site is run by their guitarist, Scott Andrews
Website created by my longtime friend and former bandmate, Daniel Lee Cousins. His innovations in techno-dance-rock must be heard and shared!!!
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