Matti G
O.k people it's time to put 'pen to paper'.
Spent the 1st few years growing up in a small rural village, very pleasant, but not much going on in the way of live gigs, places to hang out etc... Finally convinced my parents to sort me out some drums for the 17th birthday and made some like minded friends, forming a punk / grunge garage band, and started jamming in, well, garages, parties, small local pubs, and bunking off school to play whenever possible.
Time came to move away and I hit Portsmouth, feels small now but I remember it was a bit of a big move at the time! Funnily enough the first show I saw was Dev's old band 'Woodchuck', who were blasting out some filthy rock n' roll.
Over the next few years I didn't really play as much as I wanted due to lack of places to store my drums, and I couldn't find the right people to jam with. Frustrated I joined a couple of bands, met some cool guys, but they ultimately they just weren't really my bag baby!
A while later Little London's first bassist and all time legend Riz brought Dev along to a show I was playing at...then a few months later when Little London were 'without drummer' , I got a call, and here I am.
There maybe a 'couple' of other tales I could tell you between now and then but I'll leave that to when we're sinking a few ice cold jacks ; )
Until then be good and we'll see ya real soon,
Matti G
Written by Matti G Thursday, 10 December 2009 13:09
Well it's my day off, coffee on the go, and i've settled into a good ol' couch-slouch...so while i'm here I thought i'd chuck some words up ont interweb.
Asides from thinking of new ways to wind up my housemate Nik I have been pondering on which brand of kit to buy next, as it's time to step up a notch from my long suffering Pearl Export I have been dragging around for the last few years. It made sense to me to start with the new Pearl kit and then check out Gretch, Yamaha, Tama etc...
After um'ing and ah'ing for quite some time (and spending whole days in local music shops being a nusiance) I'm thinking i'm gonna go for a Tama Starclassic Birch/ Bubinga kit. Why? Well, asides from the fact that the majority of my favourite drummers at the mo are using them on tour (Rich - Wildhearts, Peder - Backayrd Babies, Jason - Shadows Fall, Si - Black Spiders, Braan - Mastodon) they just seem to be the better crafted kit for the money, plus they look proper sexy ;P Although not all these guys use the B/B combo from listening to these drums on record, live, and on the Tama site it seems like the way forward from my Birch Pearl kit, which cuts through our guitar sound nicely, but somewhat lacks the punch I want behind it. This decision may also have something to do with the 'Black Astral Diamond' finish that Tama do on their 'EFX' model... I think you'll agree it's rather porno :P Now I just need to stop changing my mind about the sizes, get the cash and wait the 6 months for delivery...! I'm sure it'll be worth the wait!
Aside from my drum-ramblings, & having finally stopped chaining 'Crack The Skye' (Mastodon) I decided that I need to stop being a recluse because its too bloody cold and get out the house. Luckily D gave me the heads up that Motorhead were in town so we popped down to the Guildhall. Those guys never disappoint. Although Lemmy's voice is feeling the strain these days musically they are tighter than a jewish banker and Mikkey D's drum solos are some powerful justice. If you haven't checked them out yet then it's a must while you still can.
Another band I believe you should check out are the Black Spiders. First saw them supporting the Wildhearts at the Wedgewood Rooms, and was so impressed that went to see them again on their tour with The Answer last sunday. Having been a bit dissapointed with not finding many new bands that I digged recently I'm glad the Black Spiders are around and are doing real well. Got a chance to have a good chat with Si / The Tiger, drummer from B.S. after their show and i'm please to say they are real nice guys. I wish them luck and probably will be drunkenly rambling at them again soon lol
Well that's enough verbal diarrhea from myself, take it easy people,
Matt