Twentyish Drummer Questions Volume Fifty-Two: Luke McNeill!
(Photo credit unknown?)
1. How long have you been a drummer?- Hmm I think I got my first drum set in the fourth grade? So, fuck, like 23 years.
2. When/why did you decide to be a drummer?- I got a drum set in fourth grade.
3. What kind of set did you play?- It was a used Gretsch set, but I don't think it was any "diamond in the rough" or anything. I think the shells were plastic. Regular 5-piece setup.
4. What album(s) did you learn to drum to? If not an album, with whom? Or did you just bang it out?- I was into Motley Crue and shit like that then, so prolly like the Girls Girls Girls tape. I had a couple lessons, and that taught me the "basic" beat, you know, kick on one and three, snare on two and four. I really think that's all a drummer needs to figure out before just practicing a bunch by themselves, getting a better rhythm and learning how to use the feet and hands together but separate.
5. When you started out, did you buy so many accessories?- Ha. Not really, but the first kit I bought by myself was a double bass kit with like 6 toms! I of course didn't use all of it, but in my mind it was a good deal, because I basically got two 5-piece kits. I used that kit for about 15 years id say. Did multiple tours and records with em (although I only used the kick, snare, and floor tom by the time I was in a touring band). Pearl Exports, motherfuckers could get hit by a train and still be in tune.
6. Single or double?
- Single duh.
7. Stick size/type?
- I use the 5B pro mark oak ones, seem to last a lot longer than hickory for me.
8. Nylon tips, or wood?- Wood
9. What brand of heads do you prefer?- Still just use remo ambassador coated for snare and toms, powerstroke 3 for kick. Ambassadors worked for a million drummers and a million records, mainly because nothing sounds better on a snare.
10. What is your favorite cymbal ever?- That 24" paiste ride that's super washy is a fuckin' dream. I haven't ever bought one though. Mikey Erg had one for a minute, don't know if he still does, but that's definitely the best sounding crash/ride (both the same for my purposes). As far as my fave of my cymbals, I have an 18" armand zildjian crash that's super thin which I bought used and has lasted me about 5 years so far. I definitely think the thinner the better for bouth sound and durability, which doesn't seem like it makes sense, but I think they just have more give, instead of cracking they just wobble.
11. What are your thoughts on china cymbals?- No
12. How about splashes?
- Fuck no
13. Where did you get your gear from?- All over. I got my latest K ride from guitar center just because if I crack it on tour I can get it replaced in any city. I bought my drums piecemeal from CL and my snare I bought from a local place in Southern Illinois.
14. How do you feel about the statement “any drummer with more than a four piece set is an asshole?”- I don't like it, because any drummer with more than a THREE-PIECE set is an asshole.
15. I know that you are in The Copyrights now...what other bands have you been in/are in. Would you mind writing out a bandography for us?- I'm in Copyrights, Hospital Job and Bum Equipment right now, but I play guitar in Hospital Job and Bum Equipment. Previous bands include: Moloko Plus, Waxdolls, Morticians, Near Death Experience, SS bountyhunter, Attitudes. I think that's it?
16. Where is your best performance located? (This refers to physical media)- I don't know? I don't really care about drum performance too much. My favorite drummers are the ones who play solid and don't fuck up a song too much with dumb fills. BUT, I would say the best SOUNDING drums on a record so far would be on the Copyrights/Methadones split we did.
17. Who are your top three drummers now?- Jimmy from Toys that Kill, Mikey Erg, Tre Cool
18. Who were your initial top three drummers?- Prolly Tommy Lee, Lars Ulrich, and the Guns n Roses drummer.
19. Have you ever actually stopped a cymbal crack?- Fuck no! I've tried all the remedies and they just keep on cracking wherever they wanna crack.
20. Do you play any other instruments, or do you feel like a drummer should just concentrate on doing their drummer job well?- Yeah I play guitar and bass and kinda sing and kinda play keyboards. And I think that it really helps a drummer to know how to play guitar and stuff, if only from the standpoint that it makes you more knowledgeable with song structure and theory, like what parts of the song call for what drum parts, and dynamics, etc.
21. How do you feel about that “This drummer is at the wrong gig" video?- I laugh my ass off every time. It's crazy how good his tempo and the consistency of his hits remain even when he's doing all that flashy stuff! Kudos!
22. What is your signature move?- fucking sweating my ass off and switching from eighth notes to quarter notes on the hi hats halfway into songs.
23. What cd do you put in just because the drums are amazing?- None really. Like I said my favorite drummers are ones you don't really notice. But dude from Toys that Kill/URTC is a fucking joy to watch live, and his parts are insanely awesome without stepping on the songs at all.
24. What would be the most exciting fill in spot for you; the kind where you would puke from excitement before going onstage?- I mean if it's a dream scenario, one of the early Ramones club gigs or Rolling Stones from 67-72. Currently, honestly nothing would make me more excited than playing with Dillinger Four, just because I'd be playing my favorite songs in a live setting. Oh, maybe Scared of Chaka.
25. Shoe preference or no shoe?- Anything except barefoot. That feels weird to me.
26. Fill in the blank:Best word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming: Boring
Worst word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming: Busy
Word (phrase) that you are aiming for while drumming: Solid
Thanks for answering these for me! I don't think I've ever paid attention to the type of wood that sticks are made out of. Something to think about!