THIS week we chat with Bendigo-based drummer extraordinaire Gav Moncrieff.<\/p>\n
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What initially motivated you to take up the drums?<\/strong><\/p>\n I grew up in a musical family and started learning music at a young age. I\u2019d play on my nanna\u2019s keyboard and mess around on the guitar. It wasn\u2019t until grade five that I started taking formal music lessons, learning the clarinet at primary school and playing in the school band. I think it was around year seven that I decided that the drums was my instrument. I just thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I\u2019ve been playing them ever since then.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How would you describe your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n I actually studied at university as a classical percussionist and it wasn\u2019t until I finished uni that I started getting back into playing the drum kit. At that point I was playing three gigs a week in different bands playing rock and jazz music mainly. It is hard to describe my style. Some people liken my playing to Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones or Keith Moon from The Who. I just try and play the best I can for each song.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Which other drummers inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n There is so much good music and so many great drummers out there that it is really hard to narrow it down. But, if I had to pick two, it would be Danny Carey from Tool as he is such a technical player and I also like Patrick Keeler of The Greenhornes and The Raconteurs because he is such a musical drummer that really complements the songs with his drum fills.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What are some highlights you have from your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve been playing in venues since I was 16 (a long time) and have so many good memories of doing gigs with the bands I\u2019ve played in. Back in the mid-2000s playing with a local band Ruteger we got to play on the same bill as such legendary Aussie bands such as You Am I , Motor Ace, The Living End, and Magic Dirt to name a few. I love going on our weekend tours with Four Lions and playing cover gigs with The Regular Joes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n