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STEVE DiSTANISLAO BLOG INTERVIEW |
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26.04.2007: When did you meet David Gilmour for the first time? (Werner, Pulse & Spirit) STEVE DISTANISLAO: I met David at the Royal Festival Hall after a show that I played with Crosby & Nash in '05. I was so nervous when I met him I was certain that he heard my knees knocking… When it came time for him to put the band back together, fortunately he thought of me and rang me up. I'd like to know how you met up with David. Did you audition? Curious. (frank par) STEVE DISTANISLAO: I actually didn't audition for David. He saw me play with Crosby & Nash at the Royal Festival Hall in '05. I later found out through David Crosby that Mr. Gilmour was interested in working with me and I thought he was putting me on… Crosby and I like to play jokes on each other and I thought for sure he was up to one of his tricks. He kept saying "No man, this is for real, you have to contact him, it's important..." So I did and it turned out to be no joke! Was it difficult coming in to David's band when the other members had played or worked together before? (LynnR) STEVE DISTANISLAO: I knew I had some HUGE shoes to fill and I was pretty nervous coming into this band (who wouldn’t be?), but everyone was so welcoming, helpful and warm that all those feelings went away very quickly and we fell right into the music. I have to say that the chemistry was there from the start. Describe David Gilmour in five. (victor) STEVE DISTANISLAO: Renaissance Man, Great Father, Generous, Classy, A True Genius, A Gentleman…OK, that's six. Playing in David's band and performing behind all those great musicians and special guests must obviously be a great thrill. Would you ever consider, when the time is right, writing a book of events as viewed by you (as Nick Mason did recently)? (Peter) STEVE DISTANISLAO: I've thought about writing a book about all these great experiences at some point, but I think that's still a long way off. Does it make a difference what material your drumsticks are made of? I mean, have you ever played drums with glass sticks, as it is possible? (Ian Pearson)
STEVE DISTANISLAO: Wow, glass
drumsticks - I've never tried it, but I suppose if they were
a special tempered glass you might be able to use them. I've
played some plastic polymer sticks called 'Emmite' that were
cool, but they ended up shredding up like string cheese. I
also tried carbon fiber sticks once, but they sent a shock
through my body when I hit the drums, so I put those down
pretty fast. I normally play sticks made out of Hickory wood.
It really does change the sound depending on what type of
wood is used. For example, Maple is generally a softer wood
that has a pleasing sound, and Hickory is a harder wood with
a bit more of a solid feel and sound to it. Some sticks are
made of Oak, but they are way too dense-feeling for me.
Also, the size of the stick, the shape of the tip and the
weight are all contributing factors in creating a specific
sound. STEVE DISTANISLAO: Not that I know about, but when I do throw them I usually toss them up high and softly. What was the most difficult David Gilmour/Pink Floyd song to master on this tour, Steve? Not that it looked like you had trouble with any of them. (Geoff Duffy) STEVE DISTANISLAO: I'd have to say that 'High Hopes' really made me think. I had to play off beat 8th notes on a tuned foundry bell with a mallet in my left hand, over my left shoulder, while switching back and fourth between mallet and sticks for the choruses. Jon Carin and I had to really listen to each other and lock in together, because our parts had to be perfectly in sync. Also, since it has such an orchestral feel to it, I really had to pay attention to the dynamic shape of the tune, which made it a fun challenge. How did you pick up 'On the Turning Away' so quickly when David sprung it on the band in Venice with no rehearsals? (EchoesBob) STEVE DISTANISLAO: First of all, I love that tune and fortunately I had listened to it enough to understand the form and the groove. At first I thought he was just going to play it by himself, and then I saw Guy come bounding back on stage and it was like "Oh man, here we go!" I waited for a kind of cue from David and, when I got the nod, I came in with the time. It was so fun and fresh feeling to all of us. Sometimes it pays not to rehearse a tune. Which was the most enjoyable concert for you on David's tour? (Lesley) STEVE DISTANISLAO: All of the shows were great, but I'd have to say The Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, mainly because my family was there. My Mother was literally in tears that night seeing me up there and even though my Dad had never heard of Pink Floyd (he’s a WWII vet and into Benny Goodman and Big Band music) he was totally blown away by David and the whole experience. I think it was his first real rock concert and he's 80 years old. Now that's a hip Dad. Also, a lot of my mates came to the show and are still in disbelief… Of course I have to mention the Royal Albert Hall shows, Vienne, then there was Gdansk and Abbey Road... It’s all just so great! What has been the most beautiful city that you have visited during the tour? (Claudio) STEVE DISTANISLAO: I really enjoyed the beauty of Austria and the unique quality of Venice, Italy. Your drumming was particularly excellent during 'Astronomy Domine' at Abbey Road. Prior to David's tour, have you ever played Pink Floyd material before? (Julie G Davies) STEVE DISTANISLAO: Thanks for the nice compliment, I'm glad you dug 'Astronomy' at Abbey Road. Yes, I have played some Floyd material before in a few bands over the years but, as you know, it was nothing like the real thing. What are your favourite bands now? (GianLuca) STEVE DISTANISLAO: There are some local bands that I just love. Deccatree, Brett Bixby, Ray Lamontagne and Pedestrian, to name a few. Do your arms ever get so tired you wonder if you will lose time? I notice during 'High Hopes' that you kept time by drumming against your leg while striking the bell. Why was this? (Graham Knight) STEVE DISTANISLAO: My arms used to get fatigued as a younger drummer because I thought I had to muscle everything out and over play, but as time went on I learned how to relax and let the sticks do the work. I keep time on my leg for consistency and to keep a sub-division going. The part is to play off 8ths on a foundry bell, so there is a lot of space between the beats, so I tap to keep the time in check. Also, Jon Carin is counting on me to keep it together for his part. Do you always externalise your feelings that much? (Luis Malheiro) STEVE DISTANISLAO: It's funny when people tell me that I make faces when I play. They say that I smile a lot, but the honest truth is that I'm not even aware of it. I guess I'm just transported by the music and I'm reacting to the feeling. Which drummer inspired you to take up the drums in the first place? (Julie G Davies) STEVE DISTANISLAO: The drummer that first inspired me to play the drums is a fellow called John Ferraro. John was, and will always be, a mentor to me and I owe him a lot. He and my oldest brother were mates (I'm the youngest of four kids). I used to go over to his house where he would play and I would watch him for hours. When he went to the toilet, I would climb on the kit and start wailing away only to get kicked off when he returned. John turned me on to all kinds of bands and drummers. I remember the Beatles' 'Revolver' and Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid' as some of the first rock music I ever heard. I was six. I'd like to know who your favourite drummers are and why. (Sue N) STEVE DISTANISLAO: Jeff Porcaro, because he always played the perfect thing for every song. His feel is unparalleled. Steve Gadd, for his unique groove and his ability to play every style under the sun. John Bonham, for his sheer brilliance and huge groove. John Ferraro, for his natural flowing feel. Nick Mason, for his unique style, sound and feel. Matt Cameron from Soundgarden/Pearl Jam cuz he just flat out rocks! The list goes on and on and on... How tiring is playing a drum? You have to use two arms, two legs, beat strong also in different rhythms, one for the right arm, one for the left one, one other for the right leg, one other for the left one... It seems very tiring, or is it just my ignorance? (Lucia) STEVE DISTANISLAO: It's really not as tiring as it seems. I try to keep as balanced as possible with good posture as well as pace myself like an athlete would. It takes more mental concentration than anything so as long as I stay focused and in decent shape physically, I'm fine. What song do you prefer to play (from the 'On An Island' tour)? (Claudio) STEVE DISTANISLAO: I love playing them all, but 'Fat Old Sun' is one I just love to play. When it kicks into the jam/solo section, it just rocks! Sheer power from Mr Gilmour. I equally love to play 'Shine On', 'On An Island', 'This Heaven', 'Smile', 'Echoes', 'High Hopes' and 'Comfortably Numb'. Would you like to do another tour with David? (Lesley) STEVE DISTANISLAO: There is nothing I would like more than to continue playing with David and this amazing band. End |
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