My name is Billy Queen. I'm a drummer, writer, song writer,
poet and all-around good guy. I've been on Metal Blade Records
with a band touring Europe, recording, playing festivals and gigs
in the U.S. and Europe. However, I left them about three years ago
to seek more satisfaction musically and creatively.
List of gear
I play a vintage set of 100% maple shell
A little about me
Currently, I don't have any asperations of being a "Rock Star." I've already toured all over the U.S., Europe and Canada, have CD's out in the stores, recorded in some of the best studios in the world, and been signed to a couple very prominant record labels. I've played gigs from Boston to San Diego, from Montreal to Calgary and in Europe. I've stayed in motels where the whole band shared one room, and I've had limo's pick me up at an airport and take me to my own luxury suite. I've shared one backstage dressing room with four other bands, and I've had a private dressing room all to myself. I've carried gear up and down more flights of stairs than I can count, and I've had roadies who did everything for me but play the gig. I've pretty much run the entire gammit from the lowest lows to the highest highs. But it's all been good. I've been able to play music, and that's the only thing that's important to me. That's the only thing I want to keep doing; making great music with great people and friends, and share it with people who enjoy it.
History and influences
I started playing drums when I was 10. The first time I ever played drums was when I was scheduled to play piano in a school talent show. There was a set of drums sitting there, so I went to my teacher and told her that I wanted to play drums instead. She said she didn't know I played drums. I said I didn't, but I was sure I could. After some convincing, they relented. I picked out a 45 (Remember what a 45 is? No, not a gun. A 45rpm record. Remember what records are?) Well anyway, I played "Sweet Hitchhiker" by Creedence Clearwater Revival and won the contest. I've played drums ever since.
Pearl Master's Customs which consist of:
2 - 24" kick drums (hence my nick name,"Doublekix");
10", 12", 13", 14" & 15" mounted toms;
18" floor tom;
6.5 X 14" Pearl Bell Brass free-floating snare(an amazing and versatile snare);
Iron Cobra kick pedals;
Iron Cobra hi-hat stand;
Roc-N-Soc Bicycle seat throne;
Pearl BC-2000 boom cymbal stands;
12" Wuhan China;
8" Latin Percussion Ice Bell;
17" Zildjian Z Custom medium crash;
18" Zildjian Z Custom medium crash;
19" Zildjian Z Custom medium crash;
20" Zildjian Z Custom medium crash;
18" Sabian AAX Studio crash;
18" Sabian HHX hand hammered signature crash;
18" Sabian AAX China;
14" Sabian AAX Studio hats (left side);
14" Sabian AAX Stage hats (right side);
21" Sabian Hand Hammered Raw Bell Dry ride(my pride and joy);
single row brass LP windchimes (left side);
double row brass LP windchimes (right side);
AKG D-112 mics for kick drums;
Sennheiser E-604 tom mics;
Audix I-5 mic for snare.
SKB drum, cymbal and trap cases;
Remo Pinstripe heads for all toms;
Remo Powerstroke 3 heads for kick drums;
ProMark 5B American hickory nylon tip sticks.
The only problem with this kit is that few local clubs
can accomodate a kit of this size. So, I have a "club version"
of this kit. I'll use only one of the kick drums and use double pedals,
about half of the cymbals, maybe two or three of the rack toms
and leave off other assorted accessories such as chimes, splash cymbals,
right-side hi-hats, etc. This way, I can appropriately play any size stage
from the smallest club all the way up to arena-sized venues
or large outdoor festivals.
Below are a few examples of the variations.
My philosophy is this: I'd much rather be a part of a good band. I'd rather hear people come up after a show and tell us what a good band we are rather than hear what a good drummer I am. I have a very business-oriented approach to music. It's a partnership between the members. My ego is under control and I know my job as a drummer in a band very well. To sum it up, I just love playing good music without all the drama that's usually attached to bands.
I started studying drummers like Tommy Aldridge, Buddy Rich, Don Brewer, John Bonham, Lee Kerslake, Ian Paice, and several other popular drummers I thought were good. Then in 1974, I found the master...my hero...the drummer's drummer. His name was Neil Peart and he was the drummer for a Canadian band called Rush.
Other drummers I like and study are: Marco Minnemann (Independent), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Tim (Herb) Alexander (Primus), Vinny Paul (Pantera), Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche), Nikko McBrain (Iron Maiden - but who I think did his best work on a Pat Travers album called "Puttin' it Straight"), and several other jazz drummers I'm sure you've never heard of.
Some of the bands that I like or influence me are:
Rush, Dream Theater, Symphony X, King's X, Disturbed,
Brainstorm, Hades, Killswitch Engage, Chimaira, Al DiMiola, Lee Ritenour,
Godsmack, Primus, Spinal Tap, Metallica, Kansas, FM,
and many, many others.
But I listen to a lot of different music. Everything from
Pantera to ZZ Top; from blues to smooth jazz; from classical
to New Age.
Please feel free to e mail me at billythedrummer@yahoo.com
I'm also on Yahoo IM as billythedrummer.
