Interview with Randy Black

Randy Black is a studio/session drummer and is born november 17th in Moosejaw Saskatchewan Canada. Randy worked with Annahilator, Bif Naked, Rebellion and his latest project is: with Skew Siskin.

About your drum technique, what's the differences qua technique in the studio and on stage?
My set up depends on what band I'm recording with at the time, but it's usually one of the two following setups. For example set up #1 with Primal Fear (heavy/power metal) I use 2 kicks, 3 rack toms and 2 floor toms. For cymbals I have 2 hi hats, 2 rides, 4 crashes, 2 splashes and 2 chinas. Set up #2 I used recently to record a CD with Skew Siskin (hard rock) and for that session I used a single kick, 2 rack toms and 1 floor tom. For cymbals I had 1 hi hat, 3 crashes 1 ride and 1 china.

Is the setup you have also the same you use in the studio and or when you play live shows?
Yes, in both previous examples I use the same set up.

And which drumsticks do you use. With or without nylon tip?
I'm playing Vic Firth sticks (Anton Fig Signature model) wood tip.

Did you play with both drumsticks and which do you prefer now?
It's funny before I moved to Germany I used only nylon tip for years! But since moving here I've been using only wood tip. I didn't change for any other reason than the sticks I was using at that time (nylon tip) were next to impossible to find in Germany. I guess I would say now that I prefer wood tip. (because the tip never falls off;-)

You started the drums when you were 11 years old? You wanted to play drum all by your self? ( i know that I was not happy when my son told me and his father that he wanted to play drums) whaha I thought first: can you not play guitar orso?
Yes, one day (i think i was 9 or 10) I decided I wanted to play the drums.

Who are your influences/or which drummers are your favorite drummers?
Early influences were, Buddy Rich, Ringo Star, John Bonham, Ian Paise, Neil Peart, Billy Cobham, Keith Moon, Terry Bozzio, Carmine Appice.

Do you give drum clinics too and if so only in Berlin or world wide and can you tell our readers more about the drum clinics/workshops?
Yes, I do workshops in and outside of Germany but it's been only recently that I've done workshops. What I like to do is perform various songs from different bands I've played with trying to keep the songs as diverse as possible (I think too much of one thing gets boring) Then after each song I explain what I think is interesting in each of those songs and show in detail how to play it. In between songs I'll also perform one or two different solos. I'll also take some time to explain what I'm using for equipment.

Do you have any advice for people who start playing the drums or parents who put their kid on drum lessons/school?
Yes, get a good teacher! ask around at local music stores and find someone whose known to give good lessons. A good basic understanding of reading and technique will go a long way in a young drummer's development. Try to make it possible to have a drum kit for the kid to practice on. It doesn't have to be expensive, I just believe it motivates people to practice more often on the real thing! And be patient! it takes a lot of time and hard work to get good results, but the wait is worth it!





Interview: Silvana Breur
Photo's: Hakon Grav