Twentyish Drummer Questions: Volume Sixty-Four: Rick Henry!
1. How long have you been a drummer?
That’s a bit of a grey area, actually. I played drums in school from 5th through 8th grade. Learned basic rudiments and stick holding, but that was really it. I got a drum kit when I was a teenager, and learned some very basic beats, but it didn’t really stick. I switched to guitar around 15, played in bands as a guitarist for years. I also played bass in one band for a while. I filled in on drums at my church for a while after that because someone knew that I played music and thought I could do it. I just went in to the church, used their set to figure it out, and played there for a while. I got ok at that point, but wasn’t really very steady. Circa 2013, I decided I was just gonna buy some drums and become a drummer. I bought a used set from a local musician/drummer, Justin Sheldon. I decided to really do it right this time, so I went back to the basics and re-learned everything the “right” way with rudiments and lots of beneficial practice, instead of just jumping in and trying to play the most badass hardcore or punk song that I could eke out. I practiced for a bit on my own, then joined a post hardcore band, Featherbreather, with Phil Smith (Eugenius, Husk & Skull) and Branden Meade (Along The Shore). I left that band after about a year to free myself up to be in a more active band. I wanted to play lots of shows and record. Then I joined Kid Stardust and here I am. So basically, I’m not sure at what point you’d consider me a drummer. Somewhere between 10 at 32 years old. I feel like a drummer now, though, and I guess that’s the important part, haha! Side note: That’s a 22 year span. FUCK.
2. When/why did you decide to be a drummer?
See #1, but to be more specific, if I had to say when I felt like a drummer, it would be when I bought my kit circa 2013. Why? I think I really missed playing in bands. There was a gap from mid 2000’s-early 2010’s that I didn’t play, and I hated that. I figured playing drums would allow me to do that because decent drummers are always the hardest to find in my experience as a guitar player looking for bandmates. I also really like the craft of it. It feels very natural to me in a way that playing guitar or bass never did.
3. What kind of set do you play?
I have a 5 piece Gretsch Catalina Maple kit. It’s kinda rough, but it does the job. I play with 1 “rack” tom and 2 floor toms. I’ve upgraded some of the hardware stuff to make them sound a little better, though (Suspension feet for the floor toms, and RIMS Suspension mount for my “rack” tom). Cymbals are an obsession of mine, though! I HIGHLY recommend checking out The Cymbal House in Covington, KY. (http://www.cymbalhouse.com). The owner, Erce, is a really nice guy, knows his stuff, and he spends time with you to pick out exactly what you want. Cymbals are his passion. I really can’t recommend him enough. Here’s my cymbal run-down: pretty basic Sabian AA china that I use (but don’t love). It’s on the list of things to replace. 18” Sabian Paragon that’s really nice and dark. I have a Bosphorous Latin Series 18” that I picked up. I feel like it compliments the Paragon well because it’s bright, but still has the sustain that I want. My ride is a 22” Bosphorous Traditional, which is bright and loud. My hi-hats are 14” Istanbul Agop Azure. They’re crisp, loud, and they have a good sizzle. I love loud cymbals.
4. What album(s) did you learn to drum to? If not an album, with whom? Or did you just bang it out?
Like a lot of people, my tastes are varied. I listen to anything from pop to hardcore. Notable albums that I learned to would be: Autopilot Off: Make A Sound; Blackpool Lights: This Town’s Disaster; Comeback Kid: EVERYTHING; Craig’s Brother: The Insidious Lie; Further Seems Forever: Hide Nothing; Hangnail: Transparent; Jimmy Eat World: Bleed American/Futures/Chase This Light; La Dispute: Wildlife; New Found Glory: Radiosurgery; Reeve Oliver: Self Titled; Rufio: Anybody Out There; Saves The Day: EVERYTHING; So Many Dynamos: The Loud Wars; Thrice: TAITA/Vheissu; Yellowcard: Ocean Avenue/Paper Walls. I also check out a lot of educational drum videos online (Drumeo, Adventure Drums, Thomas Pridgen, MaxaDrums, etc). Sometimes I also like listening to 80’s pop or hip-hop that maybe doesn’t already have drums, and I play along with that and see what interesting things I can write. Some day, I’d love to do some hip-hop stuff just to come up with cool beats for it.
5. When you started out, did you buy so many accessories?
Nothing I would say is excessive, but I’m always wanting to try new stuff! I use all my stuff, and if I don’t, I usually sell it to make money for more new stuff.
6. Single or double?
Single. No hate for double, but it’s just not my thing. I feel like it’s too easy to use as a gimmick. I guess you could say the same thing for my china, but I like to think I only use that when it actually makes sense. I play with a DW9000 pedal, and I use the felt side of the mallet.
7. Stick size/type?
Vater Studio sticks.
8. Nylon tips, or wood?
Wood. All the way. If you use nylon, I’m judging you. Haha, I kid! But seriously, I’m not a big fan of the “tingy” sound that nylon gives on cymbals, and I’ve never played a pair that didn’t have that weird bounce/feedback from it. I’m just not a fan. Plus, I play fairly hard and burn through about 20-30 pairs of sticks in a year. I can’t imagine how much faster I’d have to replace them if I kept breaking nylon tips.
9. Which brand of heads do you prefer?
Right now, I’m using Aquarian heads (Performance 2 w/power dot on my toms). Prior to that, I used Evans 360s. I didn’t hate the Evans, but I like my Aquarians right now. I’ll probably get them again.
10. What is your favorite cymbal ever?
My Istanbul Hi-Hats are my absolute favzzzzzzzzzzzz!
11. What are your thoughts on china cymbals?
Like I said earlier, I have a china but use it sparingly. It’s so easy to over-use because it sounds metal, but it really just sounds like you don’t know how to write good songs. I like to think I only use it when it makes sense and actually compliments the song.
12. How about splashes?
Same feeling as the china. I don’t own one, but wouldn’t mind getting one to tinker. Kid Stardust has a few songs where I’d like to use it in very key parts. As with the china, though, moderation is key. It has to make sense and compliment the song.
13. Where do you get your gear from?
I generally get stuff online, but it depends what it is. Sometimes I’ll go to Guitar Center or Sam Ash if I want to test something out. I have Amazon Prime, though, so I get my sticks/heads/hardware on there. For cymbals, though, I don’t think I’ll ever go anywhere except for Cymbal House ever again. I’m beating a dead horse here, but seriously, get your ass to Cymbal House. It’s the best place ever.
14. How do you feel about the statement “any drummer with more than a four piece set is an asshole?”
Well, I consider myself to be an asshole, but not because I play a 5 piece. ;) I get the idea- and I’ve had similar feelings before- but I think there’s a time and place for everything. We’ve all been to the tiny local show where you’re just playing for other bands, and the other band’s drummer shows up with his entire drum rack system thinking he’s Neil Fucking Peart with his double bass drums, 8 toms, and 15 cymbals. Oh, and he’s gotta be rocking drum gloves. Oh my gaaaawwwwd, the drum gloves. It just completes it, you know? That guy is either a kid who doesn’t know any better, or a douche. I hope I’m not that guy, but I’m sure somebody out there thinks I am. I’m all about the love, though. :)
15. What bands have you played in, or are currently in? Were The Curbsquirrels your first band? What does that name mean? Where is your best performance located? (This refers to physical media.)
I played in a few dumb bands that didn’t do anything when I was like 14. After that, I played guitar and sang in a band that played one show. Lead singing: not my strong suit. I’m ok at BGVs. Then Hand In Hand (which became Curbsquirrels when we changed our name) (guitar), then Kevin and The Octaves (bass), then Featherbreather (drums), now Kid Stardust (drums). “Curbsquirrel” is a skateboarder, I think. I don’t skateboard. Never did. Our singer (Eric) skateboarded, and some hillbilly drove past him and called him a Curbsquirrel one day. That’s all I know. My best performance? Well, for guitar it would be Curbsquirrels: We Wish We Knew How To Quit This. Eric and I released that several years after we broke up. It was a mix of old demos we had done for an upcoming album before we broke up, and we went in and redid all the guitars, and some of the other parts. We also fully recorded about half of the other songs. I played guitar, background vocals, 1 song with shared lead vocals, and drums on one song. That drum performance is shameful, though. I was pretty awful at that point. Kid Stardust’s new EP “Something Like This But Better” is coming out soon, and I’m really excited about that. If you’re looking for drum performance, that would definitely be it (it’s basically the only real option). I’m proud of my performance on that, and I’m proud of the songs. I can’t wait to share it with the world!
16. I don’t really remember going to Pearl’s with you, I just remember meeting you at Toughestman’s house and being a little jelly about your kit. Did we really make the trip to Pearl’s???
I’m pretty sure we went to Pearls? I could be wrong, though. I remember eating their chocolate meringue pie. I hope to never make the pie-mistake again. Maybe I just remember the gross pie.
17. Do still keep in contact with past band members? In this day and age, do you feel like it has become more difficult or easy with social media?
I keep in touch with most, but not all. I’m still friends with Phil and Branden from Featherbreather. I see them pretty regularly. I’m still friends with most of the guys in Kevin and The Octaves, but not super close. I still talk to Curbsquirrels’ bass player, Dave. He lives across the country, but we text occasionally and generally get together to hang out when he’s in town. Dave is a good guy, and he’s lots of fun. He’s not on Social Media, though. Social Media generally makes it easier to keep in touch unless that person turns out to be someone you don’t want to follow online.
18. Who are your top three drummers now?
Thomas Pridgen, Brad Davis, Steve Kleisath
19. Who were your initial top three drummers?
Travis Barker (still good, but I’m a little burned out on his style), Jacob Dosemagen, Longineu Parsons (he’s still up there, but not top 3)
20. Have you ever actually stopped a cymbal crack?
*Fingers Crossed* I haven’t cracked any of my cymbals yet. I did crack one of the church’s cymbals I was playing on. It was a communal set, though, so it may not have been me. If I’m honest, though, I don’t think the other drummers played as hard as me, so it probably was me.
21. Do you play any other instruments, or do you feel like a drummer should just concentrate on doing their drummer job well?
I play guitar, and bass as well. I pick up my guitar a few times a year and tinker, but it’s not my go-to instrument. I don’t own a bass, but any decent guitar player can get by on bass. I’m not amazing on bass, but I can hold my own. I’m fine with people being multi-instrumental.
22. What is your signature move?
I totally have a signature move! This is a funny question that I never expected to get asked, but I actually mentioned this to Kid Stardust’s guitar player, Drew, the other day. Haha. I do this little 16th note triplet run (bass, floor tom, snare). It’s kinda versatile, which I like. I use it in fills and for stops/accents where you’d normally just do the floor tom and snare together or flammed. If you listen to “Drama Baby” on Kid Stardust’s new EP, you’ll hear me do it at the beginning of my fill going in to the bridge. I’m trying to break myself of it, though, because I don’t want to over-use it. I’m looking for a new one.
23. Which lp/eight track/tape/cd do you put in just because the drums are amazing?
Further Seems Forever: Hide Nothing. Steve is such an interesting drummer. His drums are rock drums, but you can totally hear bits of jazz in them, and he almost never plays a straightforward beat. It’s always custom-tailored to the melody. I’d love to write songs like that.
24. What would be the most exciting fill in spot for you?
This is a tough one. Partially because it’d be fun, but also because anybody I choose is probably a much better drummer than me and I probably wouldn’t be able to do their parts justice. If I had to choose, though, I’d say … fuck, I’ve written this like 5 times and I keep deleting it and putting a different band. Aaaaahhhhh… Strung Out. He’s a great drummer, AND they’re the most badass band I’ve ever seen live. I want to rock as hard as them. I’d have to pick up smoking again, though, and I’d have to smoke while playing. I’d just end up getting smoke in my eyes, dropping my cigarette in my lap, and burning my leg, all while fucking up the song.
25. Shoe preference, or no shoe?
Shoes all the way. I’ve tried barefoot/socks only, and I just can’t do it. I rely on the weight of my shoe a bit, as well as the rubber soul for grip. I play heel-up so grip/stability is important to me because I can’t rest on my heel.
26. How do you feel about playing to a click track?
I play with a click in Kid Stardust when we play live, or we’re practicing our set. It keeps me on point, and we use a lot of guitar loops that are timed so it has to be right. I don’t use it when we're writing. If I could have near-perfect timing, I’d love to play without it because it pulls me out of the energy of the show. Maybe some day I’ll do shows without it. I definitely think all drummers should play with a click when practicing, though. You’ll never improve as much as you could if you aren’t doing it right. My click and practice pad go hand in hand.
27. What is the best show that you’ve played?
Best show ever: Curbsquirrels at Master Skate in Warren, PA (I believe) circa 2002. It was just a great show. We played well, and we were set up in the half pipe, the place was packed, and there were skateboarders going all around us. Very badass. Best drum show: Our most recent show at Northside Tavern on 6/24 for the Northside Music Festival. Or our show at MOTR earlier this year. I think February. I love any show that is packed, has lots of people singing along, dancing, having fun, and I play well.
28. Are you concerned about the type of wood that sticks, the kit, and etc. are made of?
Not really. I’m more interested in the sound and feel. I think some things generally sound better, but not always. I almost bought a Tama Big Black Steel Snare earlier this year. It’s steel, which I generally consider to not be as good, but this thing sounded fucking great. It was 14x8, so it was on the deeper side. It had a lot of body. Throw a little moongel on there to get rid of the “ding” and you’re set.
29. Do you use different sticks for different songs, depending on need?
For what I play, I just use my normal Vater sticks. I own a few pairs of thunder rods, though. I’d use them if it ever made sense, but it’s generally not my thing.
30. What are your thoughts on drum triggers?
Never used them, but I’d say I feel similarly about them as as I do chinas/splash/cowbell/drum gloves. If it makes sense, and fits the style, then I’m ok with it.
31. Have you ever used an electronic drum kit? If there was one set up on stage, would you use it?
I’ve used them before. Again, if somebody likes it, more power to them, but they’re not for me. I have some friends that swear by them. I hate playing them, though. Maybe some day if I MUST have a kit that I can play silently in my house or something, then I might compromise and get one. I’d probably just spend the money soundproofing my house first, though.
32. Fill in the blank:
Best word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming:
Loud.
Worst word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming:
Wubba-lubba-dub-dub.
Word (phrase) that you are aiming for while drumming:
Unique.
Thank you bunches for answering these for me, Sir Ricksalot. I JUST LOVE STRUNG OUT!!!!