Twentyish Drummer Questions Volume Thirty-Five: Alex Kerns!
1. How long have you been a drummer?
2. When/why did you decide to be a drummer?
- I started playing drums in high school, probably around the age of 16. I was playing guitar in a band and the drummer would keep his kit set up at my house and I played it from time to time. I didn't take it too seriously because I didn't really think I'd ever play drums in a band. I more so was just trying to learn basic beats so I could make demos on my 4-track to help structure the songs. I really started playing drums seriously when Sheena and I decided to form Lemuria which was in 2004. So It's been almost 9 years that I have been playing drums, and about 13 years since I touched a kit and had a seed of the idea of playing drums.
3. What kind of set do you play?
- Right now I play an SJC custom kit that I had made. It's a hybrid of oak wood and acrylic. I was very adamant about having the kit made with Oak because prior to this kit I was playing a Yamaha Oak Custom. I really like the low warm sound of an oak kit. It's actually one of the lesser common woods that kits are made out of, which baffles me.
4. What album(s) did you learn to drum to? If not an album, with whom? Or did you just bang it out?
-I just banged it out for sure. I remember when I was first learning I didn't have a power amp to get any audio to come through headphones loud enough for me to play through. But some of my biggest influences have been Stewart Copeland from the Police and Sebastian from Trans Am. I also enjoy the endurance of live Ramones albums and The Marked Men. When I started getting serious about being a drummer I started learning from a guy named Scott Calandra who deals a lot with linear beats and latin styles.
5. When you started out, did you buy so many accessories?
- I've always kept it pretty minimal. Even some of things that you would aren't even too excessive like stick holders that mount to your stands...I don't use. I like my sticks to rest between the lugs on top of my bass drum.
6. Single or double?
- Always single. I'm always working my left foot with my high hat pedal and when I need to do something that sounds like a double I usually figure something out to work between the floor tom and my kick.
7. Stick size/type?
8. Nylon tips, or wood?
- I use Vic Firth 2B wood tip sticks. They are pretty heavy and it took me a little while to warm up to them but they really crack and especially make a difference in the studio.
9. What brand of heads do you prefer?
- I really like Remo. I use the coated Ambassadors for live snare and coated Control Sound for studio.
10. What is your favorite cymbal ever?
- Lately I've been into the Zildjian K crashes. But that's not that interesting of me, I realize.
11. What are your thoughts on china cymbals?
- They have their place, but I don't really see it working out well with Lemuria.
12. How about splashes?
- They're nice sometimes, I just don't have one. I could see maybe working one into a Lemuria song somewhere, but I really don't want to have to set one up every time we play to just use once.
13. Where do you get your gear from?
- Buffalo Drum Outlet. They're the best. All drums, that's all they sell. The owner is the guy who opens and closes the place everyday. He always has a good attitude and is a huge contributor to the Buffalo community in a lot of ways.
14. How do you feel about the statement “any drummer with more than a four piece set is an asshole?”
- Well, to whoever says that I'm happy I don't fall into the asshole category! But I don't think it's that true. If a band is going to use a double kick pedal, I like to see them use two bass drums because I think it makes a big difference for bands who play speed metal or anything of that nature. One of the main reason I don't like double kicks is that I don't think the kick drum can get its full breath with each hit. That's why a lot of bands have to use triggers on their kit who play double bass. Which is something I don't like to see. I enjoy the organic element of being a drummer.
15. I know you are in Lemuria, what other bands have you drummed for?
- This is the only band I have ever drummed for. I've messed around and had some one off shows with bands when I was younger that didn't really have band names. I've played guitar in bands like The Young Ones, Lieutenant and a few others. I also sang in a hardcore band called Still Ill.
16. Where is your best performance located? (This refers to physical media)...I really love the newest 7" we released called Varoom Allure. But when our new album that we are currently recording right now comes out that will be the best performance. I'm constantly working on my drumming and always strive to be a better musician with each release.
17. Who are your top three drummers now?
- Sebastian Thomson, Manu Katche and Mark Brzezicki
18. Who were your initial top three drummers?
- Stewart Copeland, Bill Stevenson and Sebastian Thomson
19. Have you ever actually stopped a cymbal crack?
- Not really. I know it can be done though.
20. Do you play any other instruments, or do you feel like a drummer should just concentrate on doing their drummer job well?
- I also play guitar, bass (like a guitar player) and trombone. I think learning other instruments will help you become a better drummer. A lot of my comprehension and beats I've applied to songs have been based around understanding the rhythm that is being strummed on the guitar.
21. How do you feel about that “This drummer is at the wrong gig” video? That shit rules, right?
- Let me go watch it right now because I have never seen it...I take that back, I have seen these videos before. He is awesome! He was also in The Office for an episode recently. Very impressive drummer and I like when people think outside the box, even if it's for ridiculous showmanship. I especially impressed with his consistency in volume with his hits while doing the moves he's doing.
22. What is your signature move?
- I guess would be some of the cymbal mutes that don't occur immediately after the hits. At least, that's what I notice people air drum the most when I play, haha. I also really enjoy clapping hi-hats with my heel. But I wouldn't really say that's a signature move, just something that not a lot of people apply to our genre of music.
23. What cd do you put in just because the drums are amazing?
- Trans Am "Futureworld"
24. What would be the most exciting fill in spot for you; the kind where you would puke from excitement before going onstage?
- If Stewart Copeland broke his leg and asked me to fill in for The Police. Although, I would probably get pretty embarrassed having to sit behind Sting's stage banter.
25. Fill in the blank:
Best word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming: "Majestic"
Worst word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming: "Ouch"
Word (phrase) that you are aiming for while drumming: "Yowee"
26. What was your favorite show that you've played?
- Pretty much every year we play The Fest in Gainesville, Florida is my favorite show.
27. The first time I heard your voice, I attributed it to Jason Draper, and then when I saw you play I was a little embarrassed. It was you all along! How do you feel about that story?
- Story of my life. I think people don't think that as often now that he's not in the band anymore but the voice is still there though. So it's become an expired confusion.
28. How do you feel about Haley from Paramore wearing your band's shirt? That must be awesome! Do you just love them?
- It's very cool, they're a very awesome band. I hope I get to see them play someday with Josh Freese on drums.
29. What is Lemuria's writing process like?
- Every song has a little different of an approach. Some songs I demo all the instruments and vocal melodies and present to the band, and some songs Sheena sends her guitar riffs and melodies my way and I work around them. Then we all get together to spring the sugar and cherry on top in the same room.
30. Nice!
- Thanks for the interview!
Man, this was an excellent read. Many thanks for completing the mission!