Twentyish Drummer Questions Volume Forty-Seven: Ben Ricketts!
Drum interview!
1. How long have you been a drummer?
I have been drumming going on 15 years.
2. When/why did you decide to be a drummer?
My dad played the guitar. He was a shredder. I started playing with him. I've been beating on things since I was a kid.
3. What kind of set did you play?
I am doing a project kit. It started as a Tama Starclassic 3-piece. I have removed the wraps, and sanded it down. I'm going to put polyurethane on it. It is going to be SICK.
4. What album(s) did you learn to drum to? If not an album, with whom? Or did you just bang it out?
Metallica - Kill 'Em All
Megadeth - Rust In Peace
(Old) Kiss
5. When you started out, did you buy so many accessories?
Oh my god, so many! I thought I had to have it all. Cowbells, china, shit. Everything. Turns out, I didn't need any of it.
6. Single or double?
Single always!
7. Stick size/type?
5a Promarks for going on 8 or so years.
8. Nylon tips, or wood?
Nylon. I like the way it sounds when I ping on the ride.
9. What brand of heads do you prefer?
Remo Ambassador. I have been experimenting with heads. The only thing I'm sure of is that Aquarian sucks!
10. What is your favorite cymbal ever?
They were these Zildjian 60s Jazz hats. That's all I know about them. Oh, and any ride over 22".
11. What are your thoughts on china cymbals?
NO.
12. How about splashes?
Also unnecessary, but they sound nice if you use them right.
13. Where did you get your gear from?
Guitar Center, before they went to shit. Nowadays, any mom and pop vintage shop.
14. How do you feel about the statement “any drummer with more than a four piece set is an asshole?”
I strongly disagree. Play whatever you want!!! I just don't need it...
15. What bands have you been in/are you in? Would you mind listing out a bandography for us?
The Messengers
Fucked for Life
The New Void
Bad Channels
...a handful of punk bands...
16. Where is your best performance located? (This refers to physical media)
Either The Messengers disc that a German label is going to put out, or anything that I did for Fucked for Life.
17. Who are your top three drummers now?
Dave Grohl - Songs for the Deaf (QOTSA)
J. Mascis - Witch
Nick Menza - Megadeth - Rust in Peace
18. Who were your initial top three drummers?
Eric Carr/ Peter Criss - Kiss
Brendan Trache/Brandon Farrell - Municipal Waste
Charlie Williams - Coelecanthe
19. Have you ever actually stopped a cymbal crack?
Yes, the first time I used a drill bit, and that didn't work. The next time I used a dremel. That worked!
20. Do you play any other instruments, or do you feel like a drummer should just concentrate on doing their drummer job well?
I do play guitar and bass, but drums are my forte. If you are good at something, there's no need to waste your life. I am a lot better at guitar than I thought I would be at this juncture, though.
21. How do you feel about that “This drummer is at the wrong gig” video? That shit rules, right?
He's a sick drummer, but dude needs to get a life!
22. What is your signature move?
Really fast quadruplets with no double bass!
23. What cd do you put in just because the drums are amazing?
Waste 'Em All!!! (Brandon kills Dave!)
Songs for the Deaf
Paralyzed
Rust in Peace
24. What would be the most exciting fill in spot for you; the kind where you would puke from excitement before going onstage?
Songs for the Deaf era QOTSA. That, or Black Sabbath.
25. Shoe preference or no shoe?
I like to play either with socks, or barefoot. I get better traction!
26. Fill in the blank:
Best word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming: Aggressive.
Worst word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming: Slow.
Word (phrase) that you are aiming for while drumming: Fast and Jazzy.
Thanks for answering these for me! I enjoyed this interview, as it was face to face. Awesome!