 |
InfoName: Dr. Zoltan Occupation: Drummer Weblink: www.drzoltan.comTrack Record: Under various personas, I have worked on creative business projects that involved the participation of Virgil Donati, Marco Minnemann, Devin Townsend, Trey Spruance of Mr. Bungle, Nick DVirgilio & Dave Meros of Spocks Beard, Lale Larson and Morgan Agren... and have had lunch with and then auditioned for Steve Vai. |
Dr. Zoltan
Drummer
Tell us a little more about yourself. How and why you started playing, who and what inspired you etc?
I grew up listening to Star Wars soundtracks, and then I saw Steve Vai on the David Lee Roth video, "Just Like Paradise," with his big multi-necked heart guitar. I bought the album... and to me it sounded like aliens and robots. Not long after that, Steves album, "Passion & Warfare" transported me to a very strange world at a time when my philosophically hyperactive teenage mind really needed that type of stimulation. I have always wanted a way out of normal life, and to see into another place, beyond what is presented to the mainstream. To break rules, in a creative way.
What songwriters and musicians inspire you today and where do you see your musicianship in five or ten years from now?
I am inspired by musicians who break the rules and still manage to maintain a high level of craftsmanship and personality. A short list of modern musicians that really excite me these days are Behold... The Arctopus, Virgil Donati, and Marco Minnemann. They create geometrically fascinating shapes out of sound, not just a series of squares. System of a Down is a modern rock band that also holds my attention. Theyre unusual yet powerful. I see myself over the next 5 to 10 years bringing back the lost wisdom of the late 20th century composers and fusing it with the energy of modern rock instrumentation. (That is assuming I am not killed later this year when there is a fake terrorist attack on Los Angeles and George W. Bush cancels the elections and declares himself Emperor to keep us safe.)
What is your relation to electronic drums?
I was never able to select a principal instrument in my music college. Since I started on guitar, moved to bass, then onto percussion, I was very confused! I finally figured out I was best at Drum Programming with my mouse. Click. Click. Click. I have been programming drum solos like that for 13 years and so far no one has been able to stop me.
Any new exciting projects coming up in the next year that you can tell us about?
I am creating an entire album featuring absurd programmed drum solos with Drumkit From Hell. Guest drummers such as Marco Minnemann will take part in drum battles against me and my programming. It is called, "Why I Am So Wise, Why I Am So Clever, And Why I Write Such Good Songs."
In closing is there anything you would like to pass on to the Toontrack.com visitors?
Drumkit From Hell is the most incredible instrument ever invented. It has allowed me to fully express myself through the secret art of drum programming.
/ Dr. Zoltan
|
|
|
