Dave Weckl : interview !
Interview prepared by the "Toile des batteurs" Team !
In July, Dave Weckl's latest album'Multiplicity 'was released, however you may have noticed that it is still difficult to find it in France.
Fortunately for you we managed to get an interview with the drum master as he kindly agreed to answer our questions via emails .
Enjoy it !
SuperWeckl by Superelien © latoiledesbatteurs.com
Tob : First, I want to thank you for reading those lines. “latoiledesbatteurs.com” is a brand new website for French speaking drummers that’s been on line since last January. Let me tell you it’s an honour for our team to have some words from you. I’d like to apologize for my poor English too.
Can you tell us how you discovered your favourite instrument. How old were you ?
DW : I was about 7…. It was after a brief exploration with the guitar…. My neighbor played drums, and showed me some things….. I began beating on boxes on my bed….my dad saw the interest and got me a very inexpensive drum set…..I really don’t know WHY I wanted to play the drums though.. it was as if they found me, not the other way around.
Tob :
To reach such a high level of skill, you must have trained a lot : when you started learning, how many hours a day did you spend behind your drumkit ? What about now? Do you still work as much as before ?
DW : I spent MANY hours practicing when I was young. It varied with the age and time of year, but it was always a good amount of time, usually as much as possible around school obligations. Now there are many other things in life that are a priority as well as the drums, but I do practice as much as possible. It is also important to get away from it for brief periods, so that fresh approaches can be taken when coming back. Not TOO Long of course…
Tob :
When you have time to give some private drum lessons, which are the points you most insist on ?
DW :FOUNDATION, FOUNDATION, FOUNDATION….. In every aspect… I teach an approach concept, not really how to play things… a drummer must be at one with the instrument… there are many fundamental aspects that must be accomplished for this to happen, from technical ability, to understanding the physics of drumming, and learning how to set up a kit to accommodate the individual.
Tob :
In your opinion, what is a good drummer, which are the qualities needed to become a good drummer ?
DW : Good confident time feel, sensitivity to a given musical situation to play dynamically correct, and the ability to be flexible and adapt to a situation immediately… to have a broad understanding of many styles and total command over the instrument, and the ability to make correct choices in the way the instrument sounds…cymbals, drums, heads, tuning, for a given situation.
Tob :
Many musicians consider you as a sort of “alien”. What is your secret ?
DW :
Not sure how to respond to that one…it’s all about making good sounding/feeling music, and communicating emotion….. no secrets…
Tob : Technically, what is your approach of mixing drums and percussions ?
DW : Just to broaden the sound canvas.. I’m not really into trying to play exactly the correct parts a percussionist would play, just to give a ‘standard’ drum groove a bit of flavor with the added sounds.
Tob :
For the last past years, you have been involved a lot in the recording and mixing process. What can you say about that ? For example, do you still use analog mixing or do you rather use computers ?
DW : Well, again, not sure of the question… Everything I do is ANALOG based, meaning it all starts with the acoustic drums sounding good in the first place. The idea is to capture that sound. I’ve tried many ways of doing that in my own studio. I have now settled on Shure mics, Pro Tools and a MAC computer, with some nice mic pre’s for recording. I have recently (on my new CD MULTIPLICITY for example) started to mix analog in a sense, by summing out of pro tools to a two track mastering deck. But, the digital/computer domain is where the tracks live. It is much easier for editing and mixing and total recall… I only use plug ins for processing, no out board gear at all for the mixing stage.
Tob : On stage, you are playing on a Yamaha Oak Custom. Why this choice ? Are you playing the same drum at home or in the studio ?
DW : Well, maybe when you saw me it was OAK custom. I usually play either Maple or Birch…. At home in my studio is a Birch Absolute kit that never moves, it is always ready to record. I have an old Maple Custom Vintage kit that remains my touring kit live for the most part in the USA. Sometimes in EU or Asia I am subject to what is available from Yamaha at the time. I also wanted to try the Oak set, but I have decided I like the other woods better.
Tob : Can you tell us what was your involvement in the conception of your Yamaha snare Drums ? What was important to you ?
DW : Sound and response. It is the reason for the two strainers, which really make it custom. I could never get a single strainer drum to respond the way I wanted for all sounds, it was etiher too choked or too loose. With two strainers, one loose and one tight, I get the best of both worlds at THE SAME TIME.
Tob :
What about the conception of the Sabian HHX Evolution cymbals ?
DW : HHX EVOLUTION, was to create a cymbal that breathes, gives, has hi fidelity sound, and invites you to play them, meaning NO resistance when you hit them. Also to create a very consistent cymbal. What you get is what I get….every time. We are also working on a new acoustic cymbal line called LEGACY, which should debut at NAMM in Anaheim CA this coming January.
Tob : Your new album is called Multiplicity, according to you,what makes it different from your previous albums ?
DW :It was made in the year 2005. That makes me 45, with everything in my life the way it was at the time of composition of the songs. That alone makes it DIFFERENT from previous albums, and probably all I want to say on the matter…
Tob : Your album "Rhythm of the soul" sounded a bit more rock, with great parts performed by the guitarist Buzz Feiten. Why have you changed direction ?
DW : It was made in the year 1997. That made me 37, with everything in my life the way it was at the time of composition of the songs. That was what I was hearing then...
Tob : Can you tell us something about your meeting with Walfredo Reyes Senior ?
DW : I know his sons, Danny and Walfredo Jr… Walf Sr. is a great man, very knowledgeable of many rhythms, especially from his Cuban roots. We had a great time making the videos we made together, and I learned a lot.
Tob : Do you know any French drummers ? Who are the ones that impress you the most ?
DW : Dede Ceccarelli…I absolutely LOVE the way he plays… great person as well……I am sure there are others, but my brain is dead at the moment, forgive me…
Tob :
What do you enjoy listening to at the moment ?
DW : Gavin DeGraw…He is a young pop star here in the states that is the REAL DEAL for a change.. good songs, brilliant singer, talented kid… great band too… go see them live if you can… Rodney Howard is the drummer, and he kicks ASS…
Tob : What are your current and future projects ? Is there a new project with Chick Corea going on, electric or acoustic ?
DW :My band continues to be my focus and full time job… I am sure there will be future things with Chick, but no idea when. I have some dates with Mike Stern in the near future, but many things with my band. I also have clinic commitments with Sabian and Yamaha, and recording projects for other artiists here at home.
Tob : Your training CD « in-session drum’ de Rhythm of the soul » has been a real success, are you going to make other CDs like this one ?
DW : Yes the plan is to do more like that one with some of my other recordings, at least for the drums..I just need to find the time to do it !
Tob : When can French people expect to see Dave Weckl Band in France ? Only in Paris or maybe in another place in France ?
DW : We will come back to EU in the spring of 2006, so keep and eye on my web site on the HOME page, then go to WHAT’S NEW-> TOURS AND CLINICS… I hope we come to France as well as other cities throughout Europe.
Tob : And now, the traditional question of “La toile des Batteurs” : if you had to go and have a drink with someone dead or alive : who would it be and why ?
DW : HMMMM that’s a good one… I could go a lot of different directions here… I’d actually have to say TWO people at the same time…one is alive, and one is not…. The two were friends though, and to be part of a hang with them would have been awesome. I’m speaking of Freddie Gruber and Buddy Rich… I’ve spent enough time with Freddie to almost feel like I HAVE been there with him and Buddy many times….but to actually do it would be an incredible experience.
Tob : Thank you for spending a little bit of time for us, it was really an honour for all our team !
DW : My pleasure … all the best !
Dave Weckl