Double Hitter

sobelsutterHalloween Night Of Fear 2011, UK. Smell my feet.

Hot Poolside Action
Unlike most poolside videos filmed in the San Fernando Valley, the only money shot here was the $8 on Starbucks. And the only fluffing going on was of hair. Good thing. Hollywood Drum recently got Glen Sobel and Jason Sutter–both hot-off summer tours–together by Sutter’s backyard pool, called “action” and let the camera roll.

A Coming Together
Sutter, who previously played for Smashmouth, Chris Cornell, and Foreigner, spent his summer out with seminal 70s glam-rockers, New York Dolls. Sobel was just home from his first tour with another 70s icon, Alice Cooper. Both bands towered early in the era’s music and culture landscape, and continue to cast long shadows of influence. The subterranean, trans-everything basement art-punk of the Dolls, and the subversive, counter-everything theatrical shock-metal of Alice Cooper were archetypes for emerging genres. Urban rock clubs and mid-western arenas would be changed forever. Generation gaps and parental dismay, however, would remain as always.

The connection is more than theoretical. Cooper and the Dolls have teamed for a week-long Halloween Night Of Fear Tour in the UK. Spooky. And Sassy. It was only right that Sutter and Sobel would also team for an hour-long Early Afternoon Of Hot Poolside Discourse in the L.A. Valley. Sassy. And Spooky.

We present the result here. Two busy L.A. rock drummers talking about their summers, drums and drumming, 70s rock n roll, and sharing a candid perspective of life on the road. Have a look. You know you wanna.

Steve Krugman

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Hittin’: Animal @ The Tonight Show

Animal & Danimal

Legend
A rumpled clump of orange and red felt and feathers lay half-covered in clear plastic upon a newly custom-built drum riser in NBC Burbank Studio 11. Celebrities rarely live up to their larger-than-life personas in person, and this seemed no exception. One of rock and roll’s most iconic and illustrious drummers was barely noticeable amidst the buzzing pre-production activity on The Tonight Show set. But it was still early by traditional rock star standards.

On cue, the furry heap magically arose, opened wide manic eyes, took-in the scene around him and slowly muttered, “Aaaaah!…rough night”—instantly assuming the center of attention. Animal had awakened. And I was in the presence of a legend.

A History
Animal, traveling with a certain Miss Piggy (who happens to share a remarkably similar speaking…er, yelling…voice), was on set to sit-in with OK Go on the band’s version of “The Muppet Show Theme” off the just-released The Green Album—featuring classic Muppet songs re-imagined and performed by contemporary artists. His performance would involve dual-drumming duties and obligatory “battle” with founding member Dan Konopka. The two drummers have a history.

It’s unclear exactly how it happened or who challenged whom, but at last year’s Webby Awards show, Animal and “Danimal” became entangled in a no-holds-barred staring contest that concluded with Dan acquiescing to be Animal’s personal roadie for a year. All I can say about that is when I arrived on stage, Animal’s six-piece tequila-sunrise drumset had already been fully set-up and Dan had a very early call time. And, of course, Animal was fast asleep on his riser.

Beat Drums!!!
Shortly after awaking and shaking-off the night before, Animal was behind those drums, stage left of Dan, in full-force and ready for sound check and camera blocking. A real pro. Never having heard the arrangement and without so much as a paradiddle warm-up, he ripped into the song and a solo-spot that was so dense, fast, and precise in execution it left the skeptical in the room scanning for the Pro Tools rig and scrutinizing every blurred stoke for authenticity. But those of us familiar with his dizzying technique knew better. All Dan could do was smile, shake his head and hold on. Hold on and lock in. They sounded seamless together. Unlike that staring contest, this clearly appeared to be all in good fun.

Off The Chain
Animal and his “people” tend to keep a pretty short leash (short and chain-linked) on public appearances and publicity outside of official Muppet business. As far as I can tell, he has only been interviewed once in his career. And that was by Kermit…THE Frog—not exactly objective press. So, we were stunned and thrilled to receive word that Animal had agreed to Hollywood Drum’s request for a backstage video interview. We think the idea of speaking with a drummer, to drummers, about drums appealed to his…sensibilities. Shortly after initial show taping began, Animal sat down with Dan for a chat.

Nuance?
My intial thought after watching the resulting interview—aside from wanting more—was just how fitting Animal’s portrait of a drummer (not simply a monosyllabic rock drummer) is in many ways. There is the energy and physicality to be certain. The off-beat, eccentric side. The sharp and easy-to-laugh humor. The commitment and dedication without taking things too seriously—work is play after all. And most strikingly, the caring, sensitive, open and giving side—the still depth beneath the active surface. Animal is happy to shout out his influences, fondness for women, and proclivity for all things loud, just before demurring to Dan’s news of his soon-arriving baby boy—sentimentally, quietly cooing things like, “Little baby? Awwww…lit-tle boy…awwww…” and granting Dan time-off from his roadie duties.

Then, “Go get drums! Now!!!”

Watch our exclusive video interview with Animal. NOW!!!

Krugman & Animal

Steve Krugman

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