I started playing drums at age 8. My dad noticed I had a knack for rhythm when I started tapping on a tin can with a paint brush. Within 5 minutes I had 5 tin cans of different sizes in front of me and a pair of long, thin paint brushes to hit them with. This was the beginning. My first kit (if you want to call it that) was a flame red snare and a 12” cymbal. This was enough to get me into a band with other kids in the neighborhood. But I outgrew that snare almost immediately and soon found myself on top of a new blue sparkle Kingston set taking lessons from Ron Herman at Karnes Music. When I turned 17 I saved enough money to buy a shiny Slingerland kit with copper wrapped shells. I still own this kit and use it from time to time. It included a chrome plated brass shelled snare which has a warm and full sound that is good for ballads. More recently (circa 2002) I purchased a Roland V-Concert electronic set and in 2004 I bought a new Black Velvet DW kit. With these 2 sets I created a hybrid kit by combining parts of the electric drums with the DW acoustic kit (see Rob’s Drum set).

My early influences in drumming were Mitch Mitchell of Jimi Hendrix fame, Jon Bonham from Led Zeppelin, the dual drummers from the Allman Brothers Band, and of course Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. My current influences come from the more contemporary (but deep rooted) drumming styles of Mike Mangini, Steve Smith, Virgil Donati, Dennis Chambers, Gregg Bissonette, Tommy Igoe, Terry Bozzio, and Paul Wertico (Paul is also my drum instructor).

I practice many different ways by rotating my focus on stick control with just a practice pad, grooves, formal lessons, DVD instructional videos, play along (all styles – even international), and free form drumming. This method allows me to be more creative and adaptable to many different musical situations.

- Rob van Daal