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""Listen to your favorite drummers and then take what they do to the next level, thus creating your own style!"" |
SCOTT TRAVIS- THE POWER BEHIND THE PRIEST!
Drummer Scott Travis is currently on the road with metal's finest - Judas Priest. The band is performing on the main stage of Ozzfest and the word on the street is that Scott and JP are stealing the show! From his time with Racer-X to the present, Scott constantly pushes the boundary of drumming. Check out what Scott had to say in this exclusive FPE interview.
What are the not often spoken about down-sides of being a full time musician?
"It's hard to find any real downsides of being a full time musician! I like to travel and I like hotel rooms. If you want to be a professional musician, then this is what it's about. If you're fortunate enough to get paid for playing music...I find it hard to complain about it. The only possible downside to this lifestyle would be if you have young children at home. I assume that would be kind of a drag to not be there."
What is it like when you get a major gig like with Judas Priest, and you find that the band members are not at all like the public thinks they are?
"You mean the fact that some of the guys love to shop at Wal-Mart!? Yeah, I guess that could be kind of a culture shock, but we all have our own idiosyncrasies."
What drum set are you playing?
"Tama Starclassics and Paiste cymbals."
 What heads are you using?
"Genera EQ2's."
What do you like best about Evans drumheads?
"Their consistency."
Do you record to a click?
"Most of the time, yes. It just depends on the song and the group. With Priest, the drums are recorded near the end of the process, so a click is necessary. With Racer-X, we record more traditionally as a band. Sometimes though, a song (or just a part of a song) doesn't feel right with the click and therefore we take it (the click) out."
Which drummer inspires you most?
"In no particular order: Alex Van Halen, Neil Peart, John Bonham, Tommy Aldridge, Ian Paice and Jeff Martin."
Did you study formally?
"No." What advice do you have for drummers who are trying to develop chops like yours?
"Just listen to your favorite drummers and then try and take what they do to the next level, thus creating your own style!"
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