This is the third of a series of interviews, where we give you a deeper insight into the members of S4TF.
Finding out why no one beats it quite like Lee. – In-depth, with “The Doctor”
Author: Couldn’t help but notice when I shook your hand just now, you’re still wearing gloves. Is there something more to that, or were you just in a hurry to shake my hand before taking them off?
Lee: Actually, I’m just more comfortable wearing gloves. Lot’s of people think I’m a bit of a germ-a-phobe, but it’s not that, I just like to keep things clean….like my drums…and the fact that I have no idea where your hand has been.
Author: Were you serious then when you asked if I would also wear gloves during this interview?
Lee: Just put ‘em on, or this interview will be over.
Author: I understand you play a number of instruments: violin, pan flute, triangle, and wind chimes among others, but drums are your favorite. Why is that?
Lee: While those other instruments allow me to express my sensitive-side, the drums allow me to live out another passion of mine……control. In case you didn’t know, the drummer controls most of everything during a band’s live performance. Everything from when we start a song, to how we finish. I’ve been known to start songs when other members aren’t even ready, but I tell you what, they learn from that experience, and tend to keep their eye on me the next time.
Author: If you think about the great drummers of all time, who would say is your favorite?
Lee: It’s got to be Neal Peart of Rush. I’m not sure what it is I like the most about him. He’s not only the most talented drummer I’ve ever seen, but he’s also from Canada. And after all what’s not to like about Canada? Great beer, a health-care system that’s unmatched, fishing, and the people in Montreal speak French.
Author: When I interviewed Gene, your bass player last year, he mentioned that he hoped you’d invest in a metronome sometime. Have you ever looked in to purchasing one?
Lee: I believe keeping a steady beat is way too easy. I prefer to lay a beat down that I’m comfortable with, and ask that the band follow me, if they can.
Author: I noticed the Faber College t-shirt you’re wearing. Are you a bit of an Animal House fanatic?
Lee: It is one of my favorite movies, and I do love the soundtrack. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not stuck in the 70’s. I follow pop culture religiously and am into alot of new bands. Some of my favorites are anything new from George Thorogood, Lynyrd Skynyrd and REO Speedwagon.
Author: Rumor has it that you’re a little bit “high-maintenance.” Something about an outdoor rooftop gig that caused some tension among members. Any truth to you being high-maintenance?
Lee: I’m sure that’s just the others seeing things from only their narrow perspective. While I did ask to have my own personal tent draped over me and my drums during the gig to protect me from the threat of rain, I can assure you, it was done with the interests of the entire band in mind. My personal motto has always been “others first, me second.”
Author: Actually, as I’ve talked to other band members, they tend to use words like “control-freak”, “prima-donna”, and “obsessive-compulsive” to describe you. Does hearing that hurt?
Lee: Hearing what?
Author: The words I just shared with you?
Lee: People express love for one another in many different ways. I know that’s just the way the other guys in the band are saying they love me. At the end of the day, I’m all about one-word…….”perfection.” I’m here to push this band to be better than they ever thought possible…..to encourage them to play songs that they are probably too young to have ever heard….to stand in the rain while holding electrical instruments strapped to thousands of watts of electricity while I stay dry…..whatever it takes to make this band unlike any other.
Author: Drummers somehow always position their kit in the center of the band. Even though they might be positioned towards the back of the stage, it seems like the rest of the band “revolves” around the drummer. Do you like the fact that the band “revolves around you?”
Lee: I’ll admit I’ve used it to my advantage once or twice. First of all, the view from back there is fantastic. Have you seen the Fingerettes? Second, if the other members throw a song out there that I don’t like, I just act like I can’t get the beat. After a couple of tries, they’ll give up and move on to another. Safe to say we’ll never play a song by Green Day or one of those other new-fangled boy-bands.
Author: In the history of rock and roll, there are way too many tragic stories about drummers: Jon Bonham (choking on own vomit), Spinal Tap drummers (spontaneous combustion), Phil Collins (solo career), Rick Allen (severed arm - auto accident), Keith Moon (choking on own vomit). Is it safe to say, you’re trying to steer clear of any such tragedy?
Lee: Well I will admit that I did choke on my own vomit once, but it was only as a result of someone pouring wine from a newly opened bottle of Zinfandel into my glass, mixing it with another bit of Zinfandel that I hadn’t finished yet. What an idiot!