FAQ

In terms of copying them, you're not really covering any songs at all. Why do you call your video's "covers"?

I’ve heard a LOT of opinions about this; a lot of people have a lot of different definitions of the word “cover”. If you see a cover as a perfect replica of the original piece, my renditions are not covers AT ALL. Not even close :) I play a personal interpretation of the songs I cover, I try to stay in context but sometimes even that doesn’t hold me back. I don’t try to compliment the songs, I just FREESTYLE. As some of you know, all my videos are improvised on the spot, I cover songs I like and know (so I already know the structure, learnt by ear) and from there on I just improvise. I guess some would prefer to call it “remixes”, but the people that are bent on being that technical about what my videos are CALLED are really missing the point of playing drums just to have fun :)

How do you go about recording your covers, why don’t you upload more frequently?

I record my covers at the church I go to (The Student Church of Bloemfontein, South Africa). Seeing as I have to set everything up and pack everything up when I’m done, recording the covers takes about 6 or so hours of setting up and getting the audio mix right, aligning the cameras, getting the lighting right (desk lights, they work like a charm) and eventually recording the covers and packing everything up again. As some of you know, each video (from the Tri-Cam Series onwards, thus excluding the Overhead Series) consists of MULTIPLE takes :) I get a playlist of songs I like, songs I would LIKE to cover and songs I can connect to and jam with, with a total length not exceeding 30 minutes. I then que these tracks, back to back and TWICE so that the play time is just under an hour (seeing as I record the covers as one set on one hour DV tapes) I then play through each song once just to get the feel and structure down. After that I start the cameras, start recording onto my PC, and then I play for an hour straight, just improvising as I go along. In the editing and post-production process I choose the best parts from both takes of each song and compile the final version you eventually see on YouTube.

How many people watch your vidz? What does the statistics look like at the moment?

A lot of people watch my videos! :) Hehe, a LOT more than I EVER anticipated. As of this moment, on the 2nd of April 2008, I have total views of over 2,2 million, with daily views of between 20,000 and 30,000. These obviously spike tremendously when I upload new videos, but I’d say those are the averages at the moment. Ok, maybe if I listed the statistics it would be a little clearer ;)

Total Views: just over 2,2 Million.
Daily Views: 20,000 – 30,000
Subscribers: just over 5,000
Most Viewed Video: *Nsync – Pop (can you believe it..)
= 250,000+

How do you remove the original drum tracks from the songs you cover?

I don’t :) I use the ORIGINAL Studio recording from all the songs I cover, except where otherwise stated (just see the “More Info” concerning the individual videos). I mix the recording of my drums in such a way that it’s MUCH more aggressive than the original drums, seeing as I WANT it to overpower the original drums and NOT blend into the track. I do this with very aggressive and over-the-top compression; see “technical details” in the videos’ description for a better explanation.

How do you react to criticism?

I absolutely LOVE informed opinions and constructive criticism. Obviously there are a few people who just rant and say negative stuff to get a reaction, and that’s also OK. (I take it as a compliment if anybody actually takes the time and burn the kilojoules to write a comment and post it.. whether it’s out of jealousy or respect.)

I absolutely thrive on experienced and/or passionate drummers and musicians giving constructive criticism, it only provides information to help better myself in terms of drumming.

That said, I hate being compared to other drummers; and I feel that is something any musical performer can do without. Music was NEVER supposed to be a competition, never supposed to be a sport; each musician is way too unique to be compared to ANY other.

What’s up with your mobile’s display lighting up beside your right foot during your Face Down cover?

That’s a shout-out to one of my friends over here in South Africa :) I messaged her just before I started recording, and I knew she would reply, so I put the mobile where I knew the overhead camera would see it, so that everybody that watches the video and notices it indirectly notices she messaged me. I know it’s meaningless to everybody but me and her, but that’s kind of what it’s about.

I've just started drumming; do you have any tips for beginners? How did you start?

The thing I did when I started, from day ONE when I got my first kit, was playing along to studio recorded music; headphones on, favourite music playing, and just jamming along. This helps an IMMENSE amount with timing (seeing as your MAIN goal as drummer is to keep the time, steadily and solidly. Some would say this is your ONLY goal, complimenting the music comes WAY later on.) Most studio recorded music is recorded onto a click track, so while you are having fun jamming along to your favourite tracks (don’t worry about playing it right, just stay on time and HAVE FUN) you are sharpening timing skills. This also teaches playing by ear, so that later on you can play pretty much any song that exists by just listening to it. I do NOT recommend tabs.. they inhibit playing by ear.

Although playing along to music helped me a LOT, I really started improving when I also started just practicing.. taking a break from the headphones and just jamming on the kit, pretty much just soloing. Get a few exercises on a few techniques, and practice those on the kit until you have them down. As with any new technique, START SLOW :) I do advise taking time for solo practice as well as playing along to music though, the balance between these two will improve your plying greatly.

Also remember with every second you spend behind a drumkit you are getting better, regardless of how long you have been playing, ANY player worth his/her salt will tell you this. Sometimes it might feel like you’ve hit the limit of your potential, but you ALWAYS improve, you ALWAYS become more solid and tighter with every SECOND behind a kit, guaranteed.

How old are you?

I was born on the 23rd of October 1986, so I am 21 years old as of 2007 :)

I heard that in your cover of The Gift from Angels and Airwaves, it's a different version than the one on the CD, where did you get it? I want it; can you send it to me?

I heard AvA’s FUSE performance and they did a few songs a bit differently there, so I used the ending to The Gift from their live show, and seeing as I do audio production I mixed that onto the end of the studio recording, so yes, it is different because it’s a custom audio mix. And no, unfortunately I cannot send it to you or make it available for download, seeing as this violates Copyright laws.

You have a LOT of cameras, your own studio recording equipment, and many different videos with different drum kits, how do you buy all that, HOW RICH ARE YOU??

I play in the church band, so I have access to all their live sound equipment. I use their sound equipment to record the audio, as well as their camera and any and all other cameras I can borrow from my friends :) So no, I am not ridiculously rich, at all. The only equipment I own is my computer and my drumkit.

What microphones and mixer do you use?

See the Equipment section

What sticks do you recommend?

I play with Zildjian 5B Travis Barker Signature Sticks if I can get my hands on them, otherwise any other wood-tipped 5B sticks will do the trick.

Do you currently play in a band; are you involved in anything serious (musically) at the moment?

I do some session work, if I get asked, but I haven’t done that in a while. I am also currently in talks with Daniele Liverani (www.myspace.com/liverani) of possibly going to Italy at the end of this year to record drums for his new record.

I also play in my own band as their full-time drummer; we are called Inslowmotion (formerly known as YY, aka toowise). We just finished recording our debut full length album, which will be released early June. The day of its release, I will upload a full series onto YouTube of our original songs (in my “cover format” you guys are used to) so people can listen to our music and see what kind of drumming I write myself. It’s something very fresh and I’m VERY proud of our material and cannot wait to showcase it to anyone willing to watch and listen :)

It looks like you're recording the videos in a church, is your dad a pastor or something?

I record in a church, yes. As previously stated, I also play for our church band, Helios, so I have access to all the church’s recording equipment.

What do you say at the beginning of the video "Quick Drum solo"?

“Pressure, Pressure!” (Seeing as they pulled out the camera and filmed me on the spot, so I had to improvise..)

It seems like a lot of people have a lot of respect for you, what does it feel like to receive all those positive comments?

It feels unbelievable and I appreciate each and every comment, even the negative ones. I’ve read every comment I have ever received even though it’s hard sometimes because of the amount of comments I receive.

Are you sponsored?

Not even close :) I had some interest from SJC drums (www.sjcdrums.com) but due to the insane shipping rates from America to South Africa that didn’t go through.

I still believe my videos are a brilliant showcase of what any company’s drums and/or cymbals can sound like (because I record everything at studio quality) so I would gladly endorse any company willing to sponsor me.

How long have you been playing?

I started playing in the middle of 2002, a few months before I turned 16; so currently I have been playing for almost 6 years.

I've seen this at the top of all your recent video posts and I was wondering, what does "Laus Deo Semper" mean?

“Laus Deo Semper” means “Praise be to God, always.” And I put it as the first thing you read because it’s the first thing I believe. The first time in my life I picked up drumsticks I could lay down a beat, I was born being able to drum, and that was not something I asked for, it was something I was and am very very blessed with. You can’t shape a diamond if you don’t have one. So.. Laus Deo Semper.

In terms of all the video's you have uploaded, what are your favourites and least favourites?

First off and without ANY doubt, my cover of “Toxicity” is by far my worst work EVER, and I think any drummer worth his salt will agree, tastelessly overplayed :) I’ve thought of taking it down SO many times, will have to re-do it.

I am most proud of my newest video’s from the blister series. I feel they are a LOT tighter and more solid when compared to the older series. Currently my favourite vid of mine is either Face Down, or Tripping Billies. Face Down is just a burst of relentless energy.. A bit overplayed but entertainment personified (I had SO much fun playing that song.) And Tripping Billies is some of my most technical work to date, in terms of weird accents and phrases.

Seeing as The Overhead Series was recorded with all songs being one (very unrehearsed) take, there aren’t many video’s there I am very proud of :) I feel I have to mention Grand Theft Autumn though; it turned out very nicely and is my favourite from The Overhead Series.

Obviously, I feel “Pop” deserves a mention. It’s my most viewed video, most praised and most criticised at the same time. Some people get the point of creative interpretation; other (less musically inclined) people get stuck on the idea that I covered the “gayest song ever.” Even though it could have been a LOT tighter I’m still very proud of that video, it was a cool groove and a nice piece of improvisation.

What was up with the second ride in some of your videos, you barely used it?

I like to experiment with my set-up.. Whether it be trying my cymbals a lot lower or adding an additional ride. I tried the second ride a few times, and even though I loved it I feel I didn’t use it enough to warrant a place in my set-up. In terms of my set-up, I would love to add another splash (or two, perhaps an 8” and a 12”) as well as definitely adding a China cymbal. This will happen as soon as I have enough money to buy them :)

You change snares around a lot as well, what snares do you have, and why do you have a primary and a secondary snare?

Having two snares is something I have a difficulty NOT having. It just gives SO much more diversity across the set to have two completely different snares. Generally my main snare has a deep and fat sound, more of a metal and hard rock orientated sound; whereas my secondary snare is tuned very high and with a very short note, more of a punk and hip-hop orientated sound. Please see the Equipment page for more info about specifically what snares I use.

How many hours do you practice a day?

I don’t get to practice at all anymore :( When I started out while I was still in school, I practiced for easily 2 hours each and every day, which improved my learning curve a LOT. After school when I went to college (2005), I never got any time to practice anymore, which I really regret. I have no place to set-up my drums and be able to practice when I want to. Currently, as I am typing this, I haven’t touched a drum kit since a few weeks ago.

Concerning your bass drum usage, do you play heel up or down? And how do you do that fast double-stroke?

I play heel up.

I don’t use the heel-toe for my right foot, although I would really like to experiment with it when I get a doublebass pedal. Concerning my technique: I apply one note, (sort of a tap on the pedal) and then shove my foot down as fast as I can for the second accented note; it’s a variation of the Moeller technique used on the hands. Contrary to what a lot of people are thinking, it’s NOT triplets or quadruplets. I ‘fake’ the triplet/quadruplet sound by always play the double stroke on the bassdrum just before an accent on another drum/cymbal. I also use this technique a lot in between tom fills and such; this gives the illusion of a lot more strokes than what is actually played.

Do you own a doublebass pedal? Do you want one?

No, I don’t own a doublebass pedal. I’ve wondered about getting one for a VERY long time, and I’ve switched between choosing to get one and choosing not to get one just as many times. I feel I am quite an above-average single-pedal player, and that’s just because I got to practice each and every day when I started.. and since I can’t practice anymore, I feel I’d only be an average doublebass player. I know that is quite a cowardly way of reasoning.. but that’s just how I think. Luckily Daniele Liverani, the guy with whom I am planned to record an album with at the end of the year would like some doublebass in some of his songs, so he is sending me a DW4000 doublebass pedal sometime in the net couple of weeks, so I guess I’ll be joining the ranks of the double-bass players :) I actually look forward to experimenting with the heel-toe technique.

Can you help me with tuning of my drum kit?

Tuning a kit is a VERY subjective process. It differs from kit to kit, from drum to drum, from head to head. I have my ways of tuning a kit, and explaining them will not help you tune your kit as much as you think. There are virtually endless resources on the internet in terms of kit tuning, I can recommend reading up on as many techniques as you can, this will be very valuable for your tuning skills.

The one most important pointer I can give, is to CHOOSE what you want your drums to sound like. Choose a bassdrum sound (moderately deep and loose, like for jazz? Fat, deep and with lots of attack, like for rock?), choose a snare sound (way too many adjectives.. a snare sound is as selective and subjective as personal taste) and choose a tom sound (short note, deep? Lots of resonance, prominent?). If you’ve chosen what sound you’d like, you’ll achieve a satisfactory sound much quicker, with the help of the right heads and the right tuning methods.

Another thing; forget about getting the drums sound you hear in studio recorded material. Most if not all recorded material are treated in some way, close-vicinity micing and ample other reasons change the LIVE sound to the STUDIO sound.

What drummers/music inspires you most?

Travis Barker
I’d say for probably the first 2 or 3 moths of my playing I played mostly Blink-182 songs.. Say what you will about Travis, in terms of musical accompaniment he is one of the most creative drummers on the scene today.

Mike Portnoy
Big influence of mine, I realised only in the later stages of my playing that even though I never deliberately tried copying him, I have a very similar style to Mike’s.

Tony Royster Jr.
What a drummer. I’ve been a big fan ever since I saw the famous 12-year old solo. He has unlimited amounts of style and when he grooves I can just feel him enjoying it.

Carter Beauford
Anybody that has listened to 30 seconds of Carter’s drumming knows what an immense drummer he is. I haven’t heard many drummers that can groove like Carter can, and the way he moves so seamlessly around the set; huge inspiration of mine.

What are your favourite bands?

My favourite South African band (by NO contest) is Straatligkinders. They are Afrikaans and they are absolutely brilliant, check out their MySpace: www.myspace.com/straatligkinders

In terms of international music there are WAY too many bands to be able to list them all here.. My favourite band is Angels and Airwaves (never actually ask me about them, I will speak for hours on end and become very lyrical and poetic in the process.. :) I just love the anthemic approach of their music, it’s epic in the true sense of the word.)

Other bands I feel is worth mentioning are:
Switchfoot
Fightstar
Hillsong United
(+44)
Taking Back Sunday
Breaking Benjamin
Chevelle
Biffy Clyro
Mat Kearney
Matchbook Romance
Blink-182 (RIP)
30 Seconds to Mars
Sherwood
Seven Places
Incubus
Dashboard Confessional
Story of the Year
Our Lady Peace
Avenged Sevenfold
Jimmy Eat World
Death Cab for Cutie
Boxcar Racer
Dream Theatre
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Anberlin

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