TIM BOETTCHER
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Guess what, my people?
We're still in Detroit!
I guess this was gonna happen sooner or later, from one of the big cities. I for one am glad to run into another brother from this kool, musical stomping ground. I met Tim on FB and as always we started with the love of drumming and drums and then it moved to sharing opinions on everything from music to politics. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't, so what! That's America and it's what we do. He is a good guy, who is knowledgeable and a great player. These are the kind of people, not just players that I'm glad to come across. Now, that I'm done with all that...let's see what all the hoopla is all about and Talk Chop with the Drummer/Entrepreneur, Tim Boettcher.
Name or Stage Name:
Timmy B
Where are you from?
I was born in Detroit
How long have you been playing?
I've been playing since I was 7 years old so 40 years now.
What is or are your main genre of playing?
Now a days I play in a classic rock cover band. I have played in almost every genre of music including being a studio musician.
You have a very diverse music catalog of taste. Do you feel some musicians have become to singular, genre focused?
Some have I think. I think some try to be different instead of being different. We have some incredible talent here in the Detroit area no matter what genre or type of band!
How did you get where you are now?
Falling back on basics.... Through my years as an original band member, studio musician to a cover band drummer, falling back on the basics of drumming always helped me to make me a better drummer.
What are your goals, short & long term?
They are the same really, to be a better drummer, a better musician and a better band mate.
If you could, what artists you would like to play for?
All time? The Temptations first and foremost, Bob Seger, Black Sabbath and Jackson 5
List some of your accomplishments:
I've recorded over 2000 tracks for bands all over the country, as well as some jingles for the radio. I'm pretty proud of that. It was a huge move for me, frightening and exciting all at the same time.
So, you are in the band OCD? How did you guys form? Yes! OCD was already together, a high energy rock cover band with all veterans of the Detroit scene. They needed a drummer fast so I actually got the call on my wedding day My lovely bride and myself were married at our home in Clinton Township and I was out in the yard making final preparations when my phone rang. Chuck Hart, an amazing guitar player who was in OCD called and asked if I could play a gig the following Saturday night and I said "hell yea", so he asked if we could get together later in the day to rehearse some tunes for the show and I explained I was getting married in 3 hours and he apologized and said he could get someone else and I told him no worries, we weren't doing a honeymoon just yet. I met up with them a few days later at Chuck's house to go over some of their catalog of songs and played 3 or 4 tunes and they asked if I wanted the gig and I said sure I can do Saturday and they said no, all of them The rest is history as they say.... We are all literally OCD too so we get along great!
Buckcherry "Crazy Bitch" Cover
What covers are you guys doing?
We do a lot of older Aerosmith, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, Black Sabbath kinda stuff. We probably a total of 80 or so artists on our list.
I'm listening/watching OCD vids. You guys really have the groove down on these songs. I've heard so many cover bands and I can't even decipher what song it is. So, thank you for that! But my question is how did "Brick House" get into the set? lol.
We actually have a few Funk R&B tunes in our list but Brick House is a favorite of most and we were looking to find a tune for our bass player to stand out and shine, to which he does some killer work on! The singer in the band, Matt, is a huge Motown and Funk fan too, so I expect over the next couple years to integrate many more tunes like that into our list.
OCD Promo
Do you guys have any originals?
Nothing published or finalized.... we will be concentrating more on that this year!
Any travel gigs or do you stay close to home?
We pretty much stay close to home, within 30/40 minute drive. We all have family's and they come first so being close is always a bonus.
What about you, any touring in your past?
I was in a band called Tribal Time back in 1989 that did, what I thought was to be a major tour but ended up more like 5 guys drive around in a van for a few weeks, play 3 states 9 shows and get paid $64.00. It was fun at the time and met some really cool people, I'd do it again if I were younger or the act was established already.
Describe your current set up & gear - heads and sticks...ect?
As far as drums, I am a Mapex Artist, I play a MyDentity series kit. These kits look and sound amazing. I have been playing a PDP Concept Maple as well as a Gretsch Catalina Club, I like to mix it up a bit. The Mapex kit loves Evans EC2's, the PDP Concept Maple loves Remo Pinstripes and the Gretsch loved coated single ply heads. What I mean my that drum "loves" a certain head I mean that particular head makes that drum the purest sounding it can be. I see a lot of drummers get in a rut of using the same drum head forever and not really knowing if that drum could sound better. I use Vater 5B sticks now, I've tried a couple custom makers and it just didn't work out.
Do you have a preference for shell types?
I really like Maple and Mahogany shells. They possess the best timbre and tone for my liking, live or studio.
Do you have a “Dream Kit”?
Not really... I can play on a 500.00 kit or a 5000.00 kit and as long as it sounds good, lets play!!
If you could get away with it, who's drum kit would you steal?
Ringo's 1st Ed Sullivan kit 😉
How do you describe your drumming style?
I'd say I'm a simplistic drummer. I have chops and can do stick tricks but prefer to be in the shadows and play for the song with the band... one sound.
VAN HALEN "DOA" Cover
Why the drums?
It always made sense to me. I could listen to a song and tune out everything but the drums and could mimic most of what I heard. It's Motown's fault really, the drums always fit the songs.
If you weren’t playing drums, what would you be doing? Can't imagine not playing to be honest.
How has drumming impacted or changed your life?
Good question... Being a drummer in a band is cool but being part of a group is better in my opinion. They make me want to be a better musician and I hope it's the same from the other end. I've met a lot of people over the years and with all these people, some come into the private side of your world therefore your life is constantly changing. I'm very fortunate!
You are also involved behind the scenes with Kick Prints, tell us about it...
I started Kick Prints in November 2016. We do full design and print directly onto the drumhead. This ensures the purity of the drumhead. We've had customers from all over, England, Norway and even Switzerland.
What made you get in to this type of business?
I had a drumhead printed, so they said, earlier in 2016 and when I received it, it was a vinyl sticker applied to the head. It was like a wet newspaper with no resonant qualities whatsoever. It inspired me to come up with a way to print on the head itself without using the decal process.
What bugs you about the current state of the music industry?
Oh boy I feel everything is too processed, too sterile. Songs written in today's world don't have a chance to breath and by everyone recording to a click it takes the away the heartbeat as well. Lifeless, processed, compressed, disposable music is the result.
When you're not playing, do you go out and support live music?
Absolutely!! I love live music and the people who play it. As a musician, I can see the energy created on stage and no matter what band is playing, it's always inspiring.
We live in a new era of young musicians, talk about the pros and cons that you see in the young katz you see:
As far as young drummers go, I see plenty of chops and fast playing but I don't see much groove style playing. As one kid told me recently, and I've heard it before, that basic grooves are boring.... As a drummer and a musician, this scares me for the future of music as a whole. The chops these kids have are truly incredible though, good to see that discipline.
Name 5 of your drumming influences? why?
Benny Benjamin, Richard Allen, Uriel Jones, Charlie Martin and Tommy Aldridge. They all offered something different either in the way of genre or method, approach if you will. A great groove is easy to play but takes a lifetime to master.
Name an inspiring concert that made you want to go home and start shedding?
Mike Mangini drum clinic. Still inspires and in awe years later. The crazy part is, I really wasn't a fan of his prior to that.
How much time do you practice?
I try to practice at least a few hours a week.
What types of things do you work on, in those sessions? Rudiments first and foremost then I'll get into a little freestyle playing then work on new material for the band.
Is there one flaw in your playing that you still are trying to fix?
Several As a player I have to be more focused on balancing dynamics with creativity. It's a tough thing for me to do because I'm always searching for the perfect part for the song and I get too wrapped up thinking about it versus just playing.
Are you doing any studio work?
I get calls every now and again, nothing like it used to be like 4 to 5 nights a week. The last three have been country (pop country) gigs. They are fun songs to track.
Do you have a crazy or interesting gig you can share with us?
They are all crazy in their own right but the most interesting gig had to of been when I had to play a set with a back line kit that was set up lefty and because of the rack system I couldn't move anything. So I got a crash course in playing left handed. It turned out better than I thought but wouldn't recommend it.
What are your words of wisdom for your fellow drummers out there?
Well, all I can say is protect your ears! Invest in a good set of in-ear monitors. Learn about the frequencies your drums produce and make them as good as you can as quietly as you can. I'm at the point where I cannot play without them or ear plugs. The damage has been done. I never had anyone tell me that as a kid and now have severe Tinnitus and major hearing loss. Louder doesn't always mean better!!
Last Words, Links, Hashtags and Thank You’s???
My artist page is at www.mapexdrums.com/us/artists/tim-boettcher/
My band page is www.facebook.com/OCDetroit and I can't forget my Kick Prints page www.facebook.com/kickprints #playmore
This dude rocks! Yo Tim, thx again my brother! I will see you on the pages of FB. It's always good to see katz doing more than just play. We all need to look at our careers as more than just playing the drums. Continued success with the band and with Kick Prints. #Respect
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Hey guys, did you enjoy this one?
Maybe you or someone you know would like to be interviewed by Talkin' Chop?
Criteria: play drums - don't suck (too bad)
I'm looking for the all of the players that are out there working their butts off, whether you're in a cover band, original band, studio rat, hired gun, road dog, any genre, any background.
If you read all of the top mags and think "I should be in there!" or "I'll never be in there.." you're who I'm looking for.
Hit me up!
DeHaven - de@oliomusic.com
#DrummersSupportDrummers #TalkinChop #DrumLife
I'M OUT!
DeHaven is sponsored by Soultone Cymbals - Silverfox Drumsticks - Cympad - Cymbag - Phatfoot Drum Harness
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