So, I tried to think of the questions that I get asked the most often, and I posted the answers below. Hopefully this will serve as some mid-week entertainment (or laughs) for someone :)
Who taught you to play drums?
-hey! thanks for asking:) It was really a lot of different people that got me going. It started with my Dad, my uncle Angelo (ya, he’s Italian, straight up!) and my dad’s drummer “Rowdy”. I used to sit on the floor and watch them rehearse at like age 4 or 5, and then try to climb on Rowdy’s drums and copy what I saw. I remember learning “his” beats. Dad, and my Uncle would teach me the basics of drumming, and from then on I just started listening and trying to copy what I heard. I regrettably never had formal lessons until I got to college, but I spent COUNTLESS hours playing along to records, and jamming with my dad and brother (when he got old enough). One of my best friends, Seth Earnest (now John Rueben’s drummer) and I grew up learning to play together. We started on Matchbox car cases and make shift pots and pan kits. We really urged each other on in drumming. While in our early teens, Seth would show me stuff he was learning in his formal lessons, and that sparked my interest in really studying my instrument and music in general. He’s one of the big reasons I really pushed myself musically early on. He also was the one who introduced me to jazz and fusion drummers, and it blew my mind. I didn’t know playing like that existed.
So who are some of the drummers that you listen to for inspiration, and who inspired you growing up?
-well, like I said, it was a gradual progress in how I developed. I started by playing a lot of classic rock and blues, like the Allman Brothers. Their drummers were great because they really listened to the band while playing, and “reacted” to what the soloists/instrumentalists were doing. That’s where I first learned to really “listen” and “react” to others’ solos. That eventually carried over much farther when I started learning jazz. That’s also where I started on guitar too, which was great to learn that music from 2 different perspectives. Then as I started to get more advanced, I really got into funk stuff like Tower Of Power (David Girabaldi). These were some SICK funk grooves and nasty syncopation. I’d say this is where my feel really developed. Then, as I said I got introduced to jazz and fusion, and that’s where I really began being influenced by great drummers. There is a huge list of them, but I’d have to put Dave Weckl at the top of that list. I spent years learning… ahem.. trying to learn his stuff. He’s probably my biggest influence. I also love Steve Gadd, Simon Phillips, JoJo Mayer… man the list is huge. I’m a big fan of a lot of the modern R&B drummers too. JD Blair, Zoro,.. I can’t even name a lot of them, but they have an entirely different approach that I try to incorporate in some of the FE stuff. It’s more about groove than the chops, but there is time and place for both. I’ve lately been listening to a lot of old school jazz. Buddy Rich, Louis Belson, and I’m totally digging the early miles/coltrane stuff with Philly Joe Jones, and Jimmy Cobb. Moral of the story,… I try to be influenced by drummers of different styles so that I can apply that influence in the appropriate places.
Switching gears away from music… what are some other things that really interest you?
Well, you may find these answers quite humorous. I feel like I’m a pretty eclectic guy,.. like to the extremes. Here are some examples.. I LOVE bass fishing. I’d probably love to try to fish professionally if I weren’t doing music. Fishing is my favorite hobby. My dad used to professionally tournament fish, and got me into that as well. ( so I’m really good people… believe it!) I enjoy hunting too, but haven’t gone for a few years. So that makes me a redneck right?… Hold on. How many rednecks prefer to listen to Miles Davis, over Garth Brooks? Ya, ok so A redneck who likes jazz??? not quite.. I totally love reading fantasy novels too. I’m a big Lord Of The Rings fan, The Inheritance Cycle, even Harry Potter. So that makes me a nerd right?… ok.. so a redneck, artsy jazz loving, nerd… Well, I love baseball too. (the cubs, to be exact,) and I really enjoy playing baseball when I get a chance, at church or with the guys. RIGHT… so an Artsy Jazz loving, Hick, Nerd, Jock. Well you get the idea. I also, LOVE engineering, and producing in the studio. Dustin and I own our own studio, for those of you who didn’t know, and I love spending time in there. So add “gear-head” to the list. And lastly, one of my NEW favorite hobbies, is a board game called Puerto Rico. It’s a strategy game, that some friends got me hooked on. It’s fun. come over and play it. So…
Redneck-Artsy Jazz Guy-Nerd-Jock-Tech Gear Guy-Gamer. Hanging out with my wife and kids is also a hobby I enjoy :)
Well, Luke, you are quite long winded. How about a short question. What’s good advice/quote someone gave you?
“Luke, we all know you can play the drums, you don’t need to convince us…. now stop over-playing, and just lay down a groove” – Warren Pettit 1999
Who are some frequently played artists on your ipod?
First of all, let me set the record straight. I don’t have an ipod. I have an mp3 player. If I lead you to believe otherwise, Russ will have a fit. Now.. once again, pretty eclectic mix. I’m a huge Keith Urban fan, and I’m not afraid to admit it. If you are laughing at me right now, well, chances are you can’t sing, play guitar, or write as good as Keith, so shut up. I really began to appreciate a lot of country music when I lived in Nashville doing mainly country and bluegrass sessions. I studied it and began to realize there is a lot of talent in that music. So besides Keith, some other artists that get played a lot are: Dave Weckl, John Legend, The Roots, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Brad Paisley, Marc Broussard, Justin Timberlake, Anthony Hamilton, Huey Lewis and The News, Miles Davis, John Mayer,… on and on.
Tell me a bit about your history with the other guys.
-well, I’ve known Mark since he was 1 day old. So, he and I have been playing together the longest. That’s evident when you see us play together. Next I met Dustin while I was in College. We played in a band our freshman year called Skunk River Access. Then we started writing and recording material during the summers, and played in several bands together through college. During that time I met Joe while in college, but FE is my first time getting to play with Joe. He was usually found being the live sound guru when I was in school. But I had known him for quite a while, and even played at his wedding!!! When I was a wee-freshman in College one of my favorite bands was the LP Outisders, and Russ happened to be the lead singer of this band. I would go to any local concert they had. I thought he was amazing. He still lived in Greenville at the time I was going to school, so I’d see him rock a 1,000 seat venue on Saturday night, and then wash dishes in the college cafeteria on Sunday morning. We eventually became friends, started and started doing projects together.
Favorite Movies… then guilty pleasures..
Hmmm ok. Well I love some classics, (I mean classics from my generation) Ghostbusters, Back to The Future, Indiana Jones, Star Wars. Love that stuff. I also really like the Lord of The Rings (mainly cause of the books). Christmas Vacation is huge, a long with some other great comedies, like Dumb and Dumber, Dodge Ball, and Talladega Nights.
Guilty Pleasures… hmmm. Twister for sure!!! Harry Potter, Big Trouble In Little China, The Rookie
Do you have any Show/Gig traditions with FE?
Ya! I have a lot. Some individual to myself, some with the other guys.
1) I always chew Double Bubble Gum while playing. I play much better when I do.
2) I always keep a 3rd drum stick shoved in the back of my pants incase I drop one. some people have stick holders, I shove it down the back of my pants. gross.. I know.
3) If we make a stop on the road, and the gas station has Beef Jerky at counter in one of those containers, I HAVE to buy it. I’m not talking pre-packaged crap, I mean the fresh stuff.
What is your dream car?
Easy… a 1969 Dodge Charger, painted orange with a 01 on the side, doors welded shut, a brush guard, and a CB antenna, that I would jump over the river every time I drove to St.Louis. Upon buying this car, everyone will be required to refer to me as “lost sheep”.
What is your favorite FE song
ehh.. I don’t like that question… let me ask my family…..
Tyler and Elli are now singing “Sometimes” at the top of their lungs while dancing around my living room, while my wife video tapes. This song will be on the upcoming FE CD we are working on. Ok, I have to go settle my kids down, this is out of control.
“Lost Sheep”…… Out.
Note to self: Never borrow drumsticks from Luke.
Note to self… My chris emanuel custom sticks now have Luke’s booty sweat on them.