Local alt-rockers, Residual have recently released their explosive new single All For You, the first taste off their new EP, Haunt, which is set for release on August 26. To celebrate their new tunes, Residual have announced a Monday night residency through August at The Workers Club in Melbourne. Residual drummer took time out from rehearsals to do a little Q&A with us
What was your first kit like?
My first real drum kit was an Ashton beginner’s set. It served me well for a couple of years while gigging. Before that I had a Target or Kmart toy drum kit from Santa that I used to rock out on to Good Charlotte on in the back room!
What’s your regular kit set up?
To be Specific:
All drums Ludwig classic Maple in Green Sparkle
– 13×9 Rack Tom
– 16×16 Floor Tom
– 22×14 Kick Drum
– 14×6.5 Ludwig Hammered Supraphonic Snare.
– 14” Meinl Byzance Vintage Sand HiHats
– 20” Meinl Byzance Traditional Extra Thin Hammered Crash
– 22” Zildjian K Light Ride (also use Meinl Byzance Vintage sand ride depending on how I’m feeling)
Is it the same for recording?
For recording I use a very similar setup except I add an additional crash.
For the most recent EP we actually trialed several snares and hi hats and we ended up using a Ludwig Acrolite snare and two 18″ crash cymbals as Hihats. The two crashes were an 18” Meinl Byzance Extra dry crash as the top hat and a Meinl Generation X Crash as the bottom hat.
What sticks do you favour?
Pro-Mark 5B Natural series. Took me about 8 years of drumming until I tried these sticks and haven’t bought any different since.
Other drummers you admire?
I would have to say my all time favourite would be John Bonham.
Other drummers I admire would have to be Benny Greb, Ronnie Vannucci Jr. and Questlove just to name a few. I love all of these drummers for very different reasons though.
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
Our latest Single “All for You” is set to be released on iTunes and Spotify on July 15th from our new EP Haunt. As for when we will be in the studio next is unknown! You can stream the single here: All For You
What gigs have you been playing lately?
We have been pretty quiet lately, focusing on our media campaign with the new single and being in and out of the studio for the EP. We do however have what is shaping up to be a fairly busy month of gigs in August. We will be playing every Monday night at The Worker’s Club in Melbourne, as well as both local and interstate gigs over the weekends.
Most memorable gig?
My most memorable gig would have to be when we played at Queenscliff Music Festival back in 2014. When we started playing, there was what seemed like 30 people in attendance, but by the end of the gig, we had a packed room. The security was even having to refuse entry to people since it was at capacity. It was nice knowing people were watching us on our little stage on the Saturday night of QMF when we were competing with massive artists who were playing on the larger stages.
Worst stage nightmare?
I would have to say when we played a gig in 2013 not long after forming the band and the power went out in the venue 5 times during our set. We ended up having our set cut short and didn’t get to play a couple of songs.
Album that changed your life?
I would be lying if I told you a particular album changed my life, but what I would consider closest to that (or my favourite) would be Led Zeppelin I. I loved it mainly for the drumming on it and growing up even as a young kid loving Led Zeppelin and other bands they heavily influenced.
However, the movie School of Rock which I can also speak for our singer Sam here, is what inspired us as 11 year olds to start our own band and start gigging by the age of 12. I still get really defensive when somebody tells me they don’t like Jack Black.
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
We have a residency at The Worker’s Club in Melbourne every Monday night for the month of August. Also keep updated on our Facebook page to see gigs in other towns around Victoria and also interstate! https://www.facebook.com/residualofficial
A drum tip for the kids?
Something not so motivational but make sure you wear ear protection!!! Also, just play what you enjoy. My drum teacher didn’t worry about teaching me all the different rudiments under the sun when I first started. I got to play and learn stuff I wanted to. You can learn all of that later (Please note, this could be terrible advice but it worked for me!).