Trial by Media

Brian Roe Drummer

Saturday, 26 February 2011 19:34

Born in Leamington Spa, I have been a drummer for 30 years. I was first inspired by the late, great Cozy Powell and through my older brothers and love for heavy rock music got totally in to Led Zeppelin and became obsessed with John Bonham’s playing style! That was it for me! Totally hooked and still am. I am still inspired by Bonham but as I grew up and began to appreciate my musicality and started listening to all sorts of drummers but the one’s that stand out for me are Keith Moon, Dave Weckl, Billy Cobham, Dave Grohl and last but not least Buddy Rich.

I been a session player with many bands, most of them well known including my first major band The Varukers, Where along with my school friend Gary Maloney from Discharge who I replaced became one of the original pioneers of the D-Beat drumming style. I played with The Varukers for two and a half years recording the first highly aclaimed and iconic D-Beat album "Bloodsukers" (also want to credit my brother David Roe R.I.P. who took the cover photo). Good times but tough! skint, skinny semi-homeless but shit, I really learnt my craft.... big style. And to this day am still recognised as the kid with the mohican who said "it's a Cult Figure"..! bloody well stuck with me that did.

I went on from The Varukers to play with "Light" later to become Fuse, from Fuse to Tribal Energy . These first bands were pretty much the same line-up, born out of the Punk movement in Leamington Spa and The Varukers. We all went our seperate ways after a Tribal Energy Gig at Glastonbury.

I became a professional session drummer then , that was about 1992. I went on to play with X-Ray Specs, The original Kula Shaker with Crispin Mills and Saul Dismont as the Kays, Mother Earth (percussion), Sunshot, Third-Eye, The Popstars With Rod Doyle and loads of others with countless projects including a developement deal with Acid Jazz and numerous tours with one hit wonders Also getting to work with some cracking produsers including Mark Freegard and Olie Max.

Of the last year I have recorded with Eoin Quiery and Naomi Bedford and currently performing with Clatterati. I Will be appearing with Clatteratti in Sardinia June 2011.

I am available for session and tour work from July 2011

I play:

Sonor Drums - Full maple shells in a white sparkle finish
Toms: 12’, 13' - rack, Nothing on the Bass Drum
Floor Toms: 14', 16' ,
Bass Drum: 22' x 16'
Snares: 14' Sonor maple snare, 12' custom Tama Hand Hammered Snare

Cymbals

Sabian HHX Cymbals - Hand Hammered
14' Stage Hi Hats
16' 18' & 19' Evolution crashes
20” Stage ride

Hardware

Sonor 404 hardware - Plus sonor 404 single and Double Bass drum pedals and kick pedal cowbell.
Sticks Vic Firth - 5a's. I have a load of custom ones from the drummer of Cold Play to get through.
Cases - By Hardcase