Volume 60 - Eddie Pearsall

EDDIE PEARSALL

Hello again all of my fellow drummers out there in the world!
I hope everyone has been having a great week and headed for a better weekend.
So, let's end it on a good note. We're headed to Buffalo, NY, where I found this kat doing some pretty kool things in his drum life. A versatile and humble individual, who has a passion for music and family. His drive is strong and his talent matches that strength and is definitely going to take him places only his dreams can imagine. Not the typical church kid, drummer. His genre choices are all over the map and he is able to deliver for the appropriate situation.
But enough of my blogging on...let's hear it from the man himself, as he has graciously found the time to Talk Chop with me and you.

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Name or Stage Name: 
Eddie "Eclef" Pearsall

Where are you from? 
Buffalo, NY

How long have you been playing? 
Since the age of 2, so almost 29 years now.

Do you play a variety of genres? 
Yes, I play EVERYTHING that I can. You never know what call you'd get, so always be ready!

How did you get your start on drums? 
Watching my dad play drums in church. I was fascinated at a young age *laughing*

What are your goals, short & long term? 
To be able to always provide for my family sufficiently, whether it be through playing drums or sticking to my 9-5!

Artists you would like to play for? 
While I love playing with the bands that I'm in, I'd have to say that I'd TOTALLY dig playing for D'Angelo. He's super dope and he's a "musician's musician"

You are currently working in a couple of projects, let's start with THE TINES. Tell us what kind of band this is and how you got involved? We are "Tines" actually *laughing*. We're actually a 70's Prog Rock band. I actually got involved through a buddy of mines at work who actually plays in a band himself, shout out to Eareckson of the band Cain *laughing*, so basically through me and him playing one day, his buddy, which is Glenn our guitarist/head guy of he band, saw us playing in a vid we put up on Facebook and from there I got an inbox message to see if I was interested and the rest is history 

Tines

Is this a cover band or original project? 

We are definitely an original band

Tines // Nietzsches 12/30/2016

Have you always been into progressive music? 

Oh yes! I grew up playing Gospel and Jazz music and eventually branched out into playing everything else. Some of the best drummers I've heard are Progressive/Djent/Metal drummers a la Virgil Donati, Matt Halpern, Matt Garstka etc

I don't run into a lot of younger katz who are knowledgeable and open to a wide variety of genre's. How did you become so open to all of this music? 

Well when I was a young lad, my uncles and grandfather listened to a lot of Smooth Jazz/ Gospel/ George Benson, A lot of Underground Hip Hop, J Dilla, A Tribe Called Quest etc. The list can go on forever *laughing*

Are you guys playing regularly? 
Pretty regularly as of late, just about every month lately and at least once or twice. We're getting there *laughing*

Your other band is TOKYO & THE BOY, what genre would you classify this band? 
Like indie/pop if you will. Some songs are Jazzy, some Ballad like, some Funky. Just basically a culmination of what we all listen to individually 

Tokyo & The Boy - 
Esther Kim, Greg Wisniewski
Josiah Consiglio, Eddie Pearsall

There are some kool musical references in this music from folk to classical to adult alternative and it's done in a smart way. Are you involved in the composition of the songs? 
In the rhythmic sense yes, I'll leave the actual song writing to my band mates *laughing* I'll take some of those credits on the actual albums though!

Litertura Philia is the latest album and there are some kool tracks on there. I think "Dolores' Confession" might be my fav.

There are number of techniques from brushes to sticks to orchestral percussion on this album. Is that all you? Oh yes, all me. I had fun recording those tracks, and I'd have to agree that "Dolores' Confession" is one of my favorite tracks as well!

"Dolores' Confession" by Tokyo & The Boy

I also hear some great cymbals sounds like on "Surprise" The Hi-hats and Ride especially. What cymbals did you use on that track? 
I actually used a Zildjian K and some Zildjian hats. Some people prefer new Cymbals, but I love older, worn cymbals. I love the darker tones I get out of "old" cymbals!

"Surprise" by Tokyo & The Boy

"Ask Me to Run" is an amazing track! I imagine you dig playing that one live? 
Oh yes, it's definitely high energy for sure! Our last gig this past December in NYC, we did that song second to last because it definitely gets the crowd into it, besides I love drum and bass *laughing*

"Ask Me To Run" by Tokyo & The Boy

Is Tokyo & The Boy planning a new album? 
Yes. It's already recorded so it's just going through its final touches etc right now. I know that the last of it has already been recorded as far as parts go and overdubs etc. Just waiting on the final mixing and mastering etc. Believe me, I'm just as psyched about it!!! *laughing*

Will you guys be doing any touring? 
Not sure yet, though we are in talks of what we want to do marketing wise and labels etc. I'm all for it myself so we'll see what my band mates want to do in terms of that

Tokyo & The Boy @ Reh (vid)
https://www.facebook.com/tokyoandtheboy/videos/1177354125681962/?__mref=message_bubble

What are your touring experiences, if any? 
Believe it or not, I'll be 31 years old this year and I've NEVER EVER toured *laughing*. I want to definitely and I feel that it'll happen sooner than later, but I want to and of course make money while doing it! My family is always first and foremost concerning that type of thing

Describe your current set up & gear - heads and sticks...etc? 
Well I endorse Regal Tip sticks, so I have my own signature sticks, shout out to Regal Tip!!! I play Evans/Remo heads and I play Ludwig Drums. I love the tonality that I get from the great combo of Evans and Remo heads on Ludwig kits!

So you're into vintage gear? 
Oh yes. I'll never forget meeting my dads buddy Frank when I was 14 years old and playing my first vintage Rodgers and Slingerland kits. This dude COLLECTS vintage kits! He's a super dope drummer as well!

How do you describe your drumming style? 
Versatile. Period. The trend, which I'm not knocking, with these up and comer drummers is that of chopping every half measure *laughing* and I'm not about that. I came up where pocket was everything. You can chop your way out of getting calls if you don't discipline yourself! Now I can chop all day! I only chop when the song calls for it, or when I'm asked to.

If you weren’t playing drums, what would you be doing? Spending time with my family, nerding out playing video games, watching anime etc. I'm definitely a Nerd *laughing*

You also play at church as well. How do you like being a church drummer? 
It's cool. At my church it's definitely like a studio setup with the drums with mics, we run tracks, we actually play studio quality too, not your average "storefront 2/4" *laughing*

Playing Gospel music is different than your other two projects, Do you like getting to play music with those different dynamics? 
Oh yes! It's all discipline to play with skill and precision and play "tastefully" and dynamically honestly and I prefer it. I'm tough on myself because I believe in being great so it actually trickles down to my drumming as well. Play as "clean" as possible is the motto!

Eddie - Ideas (Worked Off the Rust)

Have you done any Gospel albums? Is that something you would like to do? 
I've never done a Gospel album, but I'd love to! Tye Tribbet hit a brother up! *laughing*

How has drumming impacted or changed your life? 
Aw man, definitely for the better!!! Kept me on the straight and narrow for sure. My moms had me in church coming up, my dad is a drummer, my family is full of musicians, beat makers, preachers etc. So being raised in church was definitely a great contribution! I've always been fascinated with drums and after every service I'd stare at my dad while he played and I always tried to mimic what he was doing. Mines is the "typical" church boy story of playing at the age of two, beating on toys, wicker baskets, pots and pans etc *laughing*

Are you doing music full time? 
Full time working a 9-5 and music on the side as a hobby right now and means of extra money every week. My family has to eat and I can't quit my day job, I'd need a MEGA contract before even thinking about something like that *laughing*

So, when your not out playing, what do you like to do during your down time? 

Like I mentioned before, I like spending time with my family. I'm gone a lot due to hustling up musically, making extra money. In this economy, it takes more than just your job to get by.

Having a young family, does that give you more of a drive to succeed in the music business? 

Yes it definitely does! Honestly, while money is a HUGE drive to play and actually make money, my wife always reminds me that I should have fun doing it as well. So it's business and pleasure and even with the backing of my wife and playing for Regal Tip, I feel as though you are your own brand. How you carry yourself and treat others, how you present yourself, the amount of time you spend grinding for your craft etc, it's all brand honestly. If I carried myself unprofessionally, then what would an endorsement, or any of that stuff matter. I play my signature sticks, but whose the man behind the signature? You dig what I'm saying. So yea, everyday is a learning experience and I'm grateful!

Name 5 of your drumming influences? why? 

Psh, that would be Vinnie Coaliuta, Stewart Copeland, Steve Gadd, My Dad (Edward Pearsall), Calvin Rodgers. I'd have never started playing if I didn't grow up watching my dad in church, EVERYBODY LOVES VINNIE *laughing* his work with Sting, his own bands like Karizma, I remember watching him on VHS on the Modern Drummer 2000 fest with his band Karizma. Man he was sick!!! Stewart Copeland has some of the most versatile and "authentic" sounding reggae that I've heard, next to listening to a Bob Marley record *laughing* and his work with The Police is classic! Steve Gadd, man hearing him with Grover Washington, man!? He was super dope. He and Ralph Macdonald were a sick combo in Grover Washington's band. Just listen to the "Winelight" record! Last but not least, Calvin Rodgers! The inspiration to play everything as solid, clean, and groovy as possible! I remember hearing him on the John P. Kee "Not Guilty" record and being mind blown over what he was doing!!! At 14 years old, I had never heard such precision etc, especially on a Gospel record!

Having a father that is drummer, he obviously is your first inspiration. Is he now your biggest supporter? 

As much as he can be, yes. He shares my Facebook vids when I travel and likes and shows support as much as he can! My dad works all the days of his life, so he has a pillow and bed at his job *laughing*

What was the best advice your dad has given you? 

The best advice honestly was what he's shown me through his hard work ethic! He's always worked hard for all that he has and even at his age now, he still works just as hard doing doubles and crazy overtime, so that has always stuck with me, being a hard worker and all! He always says and has said that family is everything, so that is a motto that I live by, as well as ALWAYS remaining humble. So many musicians have this crazy ego that they are the next best thing to Jesus Christ *laughing* but my motto is that I am nothing, and as nothing, I approach every gig, every opportunity as a huge thing and play my best and treat everyone with respect etc!

Name an inspiring concert that made you want to go home and start shedding? 
Going to see Deitrick Haddon when he came to Buffalo, NY and seeing his brother play drums and being mesmerized by his professionalism and his great playing!

How much time do you practice? 
At least most of the week for at least a half an hour, maybe longer! It's all about rudiments!

What types of things do you work on, in those sessions? 
I try to honestly work on things that I "don't know how to do" you'll stay stagnant if you don't know how to play anything beyond your comfortable level of playing, I.e chops etc

Eddie - Snippet

You record drum videos of yourself. So, how has it helped you? 
Yes, I love to go back and watch videos of myself playing and critique my own playing. I'm a perfectionist through and through!

Do you have a crazy or interesting gig you can share with us? 
Yea. I just did a Reggae gig in witch when we started our first set, people basically sat at the bar enjoying the music. By the time the second set was up, people were dancing and asking us to do "7 more songs" *laughing* and that was funny because we weren't even in an area that you'd think would even be into reggae. There were even elderly couples dancing and getting it in two stepping etc *laughing*

What are your words of wisdom for your fellow drummers out there? 

ALWAYS BE HUMBLE!!! We are nobody's in the grand scheme of things and ALWAYS congratulate your fellow man/woman! You never know when your come up will be next! Never hate on anybody and ALWAYS remember where you came from!!! I wouldn't even be where I am now were it not for my boys Eareckson, Aaron Blackmon , Dave Teaspoon, and My Wife. The fellas gave me Cymbals, hardware etc. when I had given up and I had NOTHING! I'm trying to tell you! Remember your humble beginnings and ALWAYS let it guide you!!!

When it's all said and done, what do you want your legacy to be? 

To be that I was/am a humble dude and that I was/am genuine in my craft. To be honest, people will always have something negative and something positive to say about you, but it's what you choose to do with your life that matters. I choose to take care of my family and work hard in everything that I do. In doing that, yes I am a perfectionist and yes I take things more seriously than others, life isn't about being content, but to always strive for greatness! I pray that my kids see that when they grow up and that others see that and that I bless others through my humility and through my playing!

Last Words, Links, Hashtags and Thank You’s??? 
Thank you Regal Tip, thank you to my Beautiful Wife (Kelly) and Kids! Check out Tokyo and The Boy on iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook etc. Check out Tines on Bandcamp and on Facebook and I hope to see you at one of our shows!!!



Alright peeps, let's give a big hand to Eddie Pearsall. This kat is on a great path in his career. Yo Eddie, I wish you and your family nothing but success my brother!! Thanks again for taking time to share with me and the readers #Respect.

I think this is a great example of keeping things diverse as well as keeping things in perspective.

Now, you guys make sure to swing by Eddie's pages and drop a 'Hello' on him but most importantly, make sure you purchase his bands albums and support these projects. Those of you in the area, go to a show and shake his hand and get to know the band.
#SupportIndieArtists




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This has been yet another great interview here on TC. I'm always honored that you guys allow me to bug you with questions and that you guys read about other drummers, who aren't world famous.
We are a great community and we need to keep growing strong.

If you or someone you know, would like to be interviewed, just 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

DRUMMER Apparel & Accessories 

Volume 59 - Tim Boettcher

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.

Visit http://www.kickprintsdrumhead.com/

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

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I'M OUT!

DeHaven is sponsored by Soultone Cymbals - Silverfox Drumsticks - Cympad - Cymbag - Phatfoot Drum Harness

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