I first got the idea to play the drums when I was in fourth grade. I think that came from some of the bands I listened to at that time. I just thought the drums sounded cool. I had considered playing some other instruments such as saxophone and trumpet, but those didn't seen to have the appeal that the drums did. After the end of my year in the fourth grade my family took a trip to Florida that I will never forget. There was a band at the park where we stayed and they played every other night in the little clubhouse that was there. The band consisted entirely of two people and one night when my parents were watching the band asked if there was anyone who wanted to play. My parents excitedly volunteered me. So there I was, behind this drum set (the first one I had ever seen) that must've cost at least $2,000 and the other guy asks me what I want to play. Needless to say, I was dumbfounded. So he decided that since I was from New York we should play "New York, New York"., and so we did.

Anyway, I continued playing the drums throughout elementary school and then I was moved up to my city's middle school. I finally convinced my parents to buy me a drum set, only months after I had played the schools drum set for the first time in my schools winter concert. I played "The Phantom of the Opera". I really didn't know what I was looking for in a drum set when I got mine, and I pretty much judged how good the set was by what color it was (hey, I was only 13). By the time I had gotten to high school, I considered myself to be reasonably proficient at playing the drum set and I was one of the best snare drummers in my grade. During my sophomore year of High School, I met another drummer who was in my grade. He had been in the Symphonic Band two years, while this was my first year. I remember the first time I heard him play the drum set. He was amazing. He was doing things I had never dreamed of. I thought to myself if he can do that, and he's only in high school, there must be a ton of drummers who I could listen to.

For me, the real secret of good drumming and becoming a better drummer is listening and watching other drummers, that's how you learn new things. I got interested bands with great drummers like Phil Collins (Genesis) and Buddy Rich (the Buddy Rich Orchestra). From these people I learned many of the styles and methods of drumming that I use today. I also made another big move during my sophomore year in high school. I joined my school's Jazz Band, which over the course of the next three years greatly influenced my drumming style. During my Junior year in high school I felt like had reached an invisible barrier. I felt I had gone as far as I could with my particular instrument, and I wanted to expand my horizons. Although I had taken Piano lessons for eight years, I felt I needed something that was completely different . I eventually settled on guitar, buying my first guitar for $50 at a second-hand store. Although I continued playing the drums in numerous plays and shows as well as In some side projects and in clubs, I took to the guitar very quickly, though my true love remained in drums. As far as sound goes, I like my drums to have rich warm tones, but I also like them to be intensely powerful at the same time.

As another member of this band has stated before, everyone has their own band. My band is the Smashing Pumpkins. I forget exactly when I first heard them, but I think it was around the time that I was searching for new drummers to listen to late in my sophomore year of high school. I think that despite his drug and alcohol problems, Jimmy Chamberlain is one of the best alternative drummers out there. The things he can do are simply astounding. I also love the kinds of songs that the Smashing Pumpkins write. They are deep and personal, yet intensely powerful. Those are some characteristics I try to incorporate into my own songwriting.