Post by Tull50 on May 29, 2013 18:35:13 GMT
Scott Hammond Interview conducted by David López
www.miusyk.com/scott-hammond-ian-anderson-band-entrevista-exclusiva-miusyk-i.html
-Thank you so much for answering this interview. After reading your bio at your web page we deduce that you were a kind of “piano man” until being fourteen and then decided to switch to drums. What do you remember about this change and how was it?
Hi, and no problem. I played piano and guitar at around 14 and didn't really know which one was going to be my main instrument until probably my late teens. I don't really play guitar anymore but do have an occasional tinkle on the ivories, just not in public.
-How was your learning with Dave Hassell during that 3 years? Do you think that there you got all the foundations of your actual playing?
Dave was a fantastic teacher and I feel lucky to have learnt so much from him. I still need to practice some of what I learnt from him. I had another great drum teacher in my early days too (Colin Aldridge) who really got me started. A good teacher is worth his/her weight in gold.
-You have been recording with the best artists like Bruce Dickinson, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Greg Lake or Justin Hayward. Was all these recordings a dream that came true? What artist was the most impressive for you?
I love working with lots of different people playing lots of different styles of music but lately there has been less time for that as my tour schedule with Ian has been so busy. Bruce Dickinson was a lovely chap and good fun to work with.
-Most of the people around the world know you now for your work with Ian Anderson. When did you get in touch with him and how?
I have known Dave Goodier for a very long time as he's from Bristol, my neck of the woods. He told me about three years ago (2010) that Ian was looking for a drummer so I went to watch Tull's sound check in Bristol's Colston Hall and then had a chat about the dates that were coming up with Ian. I then had an audition of sorts in Sheffield City Hall (UK) during Tull's sound check. I just had to play about four songs I think. I heard from Ian a few days later that I'd got the job. Great news!
-Bands like Deep Purple, among others, are one of your influences but…were you a Jethro Tull fan before joining Ian?
Yes I was, I had three albums. One was Thick As A Brick which I didn't listen to very much ironically, as I'm playing that nearly every night at the moment! My favourite was, and still is, Minstrel in the Gallery.
Part 2
www.miusyk.com/scott-hammond-ian-anderson-band-entrevista-exclusiva-miusyk-y-ii.html
-Talking with another Ian´s fans we could deduce that for some of them you are a really nice player and for others, like me, maybe the perfect balance between the strength of Barriemore Barlow and the technic of Doane Perry, what do you think about this?
I have huge respect for Barriemore Barlow and Doane Perry. They are both incredible players and very different. I think I am different again but have learnt much from listening to their recordings with Ian. I have stolen from them and will continue to do so . I tried to keep the essence of Barriemore's playing style while playing TAAB 1 live, but inevitably it will come out in my own style.
-You also recorded TAAB2, being at the studio with Ian must be a quite interesting experience and this record was supposed to be, and it is, one of the most important of his career. Florian told us in a recent interview that Ian oversees the whole song easily in terms of melody and arrangements but you as a drummer maybe can see this from another point of view. What was the most difficult thing to do during this recording and how did you go through it?
There is always a pressure to get the job done quickly and in the time put aside to do it. This pressure gradually eased as we ended up being ahead of schedule. On the whole it was an enjoyable process and I think we were all quite happy with the end result. We worked quite long hours and all got tired. All of us fell asleep on the floor at some point – even Ian (not during a song of course!).
-Were you conscious that you were recording such a masterpiece?
I was aware that it was an important album because of the success of TAAB 1, but knew that Ian wasn't trying to do more of the same. The album certainly had it's own thing going on, but with a big nod to TAAB 1.
-Touring is quite important for Ian and the schedule is always plenty. How was it to go from your tours before this and being playing all around the world?
Yes, it has been a huge change in lifestyle. I was doing a lot of local gigs of various kinds and usually traveling no further than a few hours to a gig (or much less) and I had only flown about twice in my life at that time. Then suddenly, I'm jet setting all over the planet and getting the chance to see a lot more of the world. Often we only really see the airport, hotel and venue but we do get the opportunity now and again to explore the city centre of wherever we are. It's great to play with the same guys every night and get to know a set of music really well. We work well together as a team and are very used to each other's playing. It can also be hard being away from the family but fortunately we are rarely away for more than a few weeks at a time.
-The concerts have two parts and during the first your work is kind of exhausting. Ryan told us that is like a 45 minutes whirlwind. How do you prepare yourself for this and what tricks do you use for not losing the concentration? What´s your favorite part of this first half?
I play through the whole show at home before a tour just as a refresher. I don't really have any tricks – just try to stay focused. We know it really well now so if anyone makes a mistake we can get back on track very quickly. I don't really have a favourite bit of TAAB 1 but there are lots of bits I enjoy for different reasons. I really like Banker Bets and Kismet in TAAB 2.
-You use to be quite concentrated on your playing but do you feel the roar of the crowd in some parts of the show. Do you think that there´s a difference between the Spanish talking countries and the rest?
I don't hear the crowd as much as people might think because of the in-ear monitors I wear. So please cheer twice as loud in the drum solo – thanks! Seeing the crowd enjoy themselves certainly makes the band play better. The audiences in South America are certainly the liveliest I have come across and the U.S.A can be quite lively too.
-You’ve been playing in Spain in February and the first show at Palau de la música in Barcelona was horrible. Ian has commented that this and Ryan also recognized us that he forgot some verses and that the building wasn´t prepare for rock shows. Do you remember something in particular of this concert? What about the rest of the tour in Spain and Southamerica?
I think that gig was the first one of the tour and we hadn't played together for quite a while so it wasn't the band at it's best perhaps but I think the second gig was great. The sound in Barcelona was a bit tricky too because of the acoustics in the building, although it was a beautiful venue.
-Ian has already commented that he´ll be recording a new prog rock record in November that will be released in 2014. Have you listened something from this stuff? Are you going to be involved in this new record?
I can't comment on that at this stage.
-It seems that Ian will be playing some Jethro Tull´s “rare” songs live by the end of the year. Have you started to rehearse this? What song would you like to play?
Yes we have started to rehearse some of the older songs. I would like to play Songs from the Wood as it's quite interesting for the drums.
-Aside of your work with Ian Anderson you also play with The Scott Hammond quartet. The differences are quite clear but what can we find in your songs. Are you thinking about recording a record with this quartet or just playing live?
We have yet to record anything as I've been to busy with Ian so it has only been a live band up to now. I would love to record an album with it but I can't see that happening anytime soon. I enjoy writing music for the quartet and hope to do more with the band in 2014.
-Thanks once again for answering. Any message for your Spanish talking fans?
I enjoy playing in Spain very much and hope to be back there soon. I would like to learn Spanish as my brother and his family live in Colombia and often encourage me to learn the language.
See you next time I'm touring in Spain
Scott
My personal thanks to David López for giving me the original interview in English
Remy
www.miusyk.com/scott-hammond-ian-anderson-band-entrevista-exclusiva-miusyk-i.html
-Thank you so much for answering this interview. After reading your bio at your web page we deduce that you were a kind of “piano man” until being fourteen and then decided to switch to drums. What do you remember about this change and how was it?
Hi, and no problem. I played piano and guitar at around 14 and didn't really know which one was going to be my main instrument until probably my late teens. I don't really play guitar anymore but do have an occasional tinkle on the ivories, just not in public.
-How was your learning with Dave Hassell during that 3 years? Do you think that there you got all the foundations of your actual playing?
Dave was a fantastic teacher and I feel lucky to have learnt so much from him. I still need to practice some of what I learnt from him. I had another great drum teacher in my early days too (Colin Aldridge) who really got me started. A good teacher is worth his/her weight in gold.
-You have been recording with the best artists like Bruce Dickinson, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Greg Lake or Justin Hayward. Was all these recordings a dream that came true? What artist was the most impressive for you?
I love working with lots of different people playing lots of different styles of music but lately there has been less time for that as my tour schedule with Ian has been so busy. Bruce Dickinson was a lovely chap and good fun to work with.
-Most of the people around the world know you now for your work with Ian Anderson. When did you get in touch with him and how?
I have known Dave Goodier for a very long time as he's from Bristol, my neck of the woods. He told me about three years ago (2010) that Ian was looking for a drummer so I went to watch Tull's sound check in Bristol's Colston Hall and then had a chat about the dates that were coming up with Ian. I then had an audition of sorts in Sheffield City Hall (UK) during Tull's sound check. I just had to play about four songs I think. I heard from Ian a few days later that I'd got the job. Great news!
-Bands like Deep Purple, among others, are one of your influences but…were you a Jethro Tull fan before joining Ian?
Yes I was, I had three albums. One was Thick As A Brick which I didn't listen to very much ironically, as I'm playing that nearly every night at the moment! My favourite was, and still is, Minstrel in the Gallery.
Part 2
www.miusyk.com/scott-hammond-ian-anderson-band-entrevista-exclusiva-miusyk-y-ii.html
-Talking with another Ian´s fans we could deduce that for some of them you are a really nice player and for others, like me, maybe the perfect balance between the strength of Barriemore Barlow and the technic of Doane Perry, what do you think about this?
I have huge respect for Barriemore Barlow and Doane Perry. They are both incredible players and very different. I think I am different again but have learnt much from listening to their recordings with Ian. I have stolen from them and will continue to do so . I tried to keep the essence of Barriemore's playing style while playing TAAB 1 live, but inevitably it will come out in my own style.
-You also recorded TAAB2, being at the studio with Ian must be a quite interesting experience and this record was supposed to be, and it is, one of the most important of his career. Florian told us in a recent interview that Ian oversees the whole song easily in terms of melody and arrangements but you as a drummer maybe can see this from another point of view. What was the most difficult thing to do during this recording and how did you go through it?
There is always a pressure to get the job done quickly and in the time put aside to do it. This pressure gradually eased as we ended up being ahead of schedule. On the whole it was an enjoyable process and I think we were all quite happy with the end result. We worked quite long hours and all got tired. All of us fell asleep on the floor at some point – even Ian (not during a song of course!).
-Were you conscious that you were recording such a masterpiece?
I was aware that it was an important album because of the success of TAAB 1, but knew that Ian wasn't trying to do more of the same. The album certainly had it's own thing going on, but with a big nod to TAAB 1.
-Touring is quite important for Ian and the schedule is always plenty. How was it to go from your tours before this and being playing all around the world?
Yes, it has been a huge change in lifestyle. I was doing a lot of local gigs of various kinds and usually traveling no further than a few hours to a gig (or much less) and I had only flown about twice in my life at that time. Then suddenly, I'm jet setting all over the planet and getting the chance to see a lot more of the world. Often we only really see the airport, hotel and venue but we do get the opportunity now and again to explore the city centre of wherever we are. It's great to play with the same guys every night and get to know a set of music really well. We work well together as a team and are very used to each other's playing. It can also be hard being away from the family but fortunately we are rarely away for more than a few weeks at a time.
-The concerts have two parts and during the first your work is kind of exhausting. Ryan told us that is like a 45 minutes whirlwind. How do you prepare yourself for this and what tricks do you use for not losing the concentration? What´s your favorite part of this first half?
I play through the whole show at home before a tour just as a refresher. I don't really have any tricks – just try to stay focused. We know it really well now so if anyone makes a mistake we can get back on track very quickly. I don't really have a favourite bit of TAAB 1 but there are lots of bits I enjoy for different reasons. I really like Banker Bets and Kismet in TAAB 2.
-You use to be quite concentrated on your playing but do you feel the roar of the crowd in some parts of the show. Do you think that there´s a difference between the Spanish talking countries and the rest?
I don't hear the crowd as much as people might think because of the in-ear monitors I wear. So please cheer twice as loud in the drum solo – thanks! Seeing the crowd enjoy themselves certainly makes the band play better. The audiences in South America are certainly the liveliest I have come across and the U.S.A can be quite lively too.
-You’ve been playing in Spain in February and the first show at Palau de la música in Barcelona was horrible. Ian has commented that this and Ryan also recognized us that he forgot some verses and that the building wasn´t prepare for rock shows. Do you remember something in particular of this concert? What about the rest of the tour in Spain and Southamerica?
I think that gig was the first one of the tour and we hadn't played together for quite a while so it wasn't the band at it's best perhaps but I think the second gig was great. The sound in Barcelona was a bit tricky too because of the acoustics in the building, although it was a beautiful venue.
-Ian has already commented that he´ll be recording a new prog rock record in November that will be released in 2014. Have you listened something from this stuff? Are you going to be involved in this new record?
I can't comment on that at this stage.
-It seems that Ian will be playing some Jethro Tull´s “rare” songs live by the end of the year. Have you started to rehearse this? What song would you like to play?
Yes we have started to rehearse some of the older songs. I would like to play Songs from the Wood as it's quite interesting for the drums.
-Aside of your work with Ian Anderson you also play with The Scott Hammond quartet. The differences are quite clear but what can we find in your songs. Are you thinking about recording a record with this quartet or just playing live?
We have yet to record anything as I've been to busy with Ian so it has only been a live band up to now. I would love to record an album with it but I can't see that happening anytime soon. I enjoy writing music for the quartet and hope to do more with the band in 2014.
-Thanks once again for answering. Any message for your Spanish talking fans?
I enjoy playing in Spain very much and hope to be back there soon. I would like to learn Spanish as my brother and his family live in Colombia and often encourage me to learn the language.
See you next time I'm touring in Spain
Scott
My personal thanks to David López for giving me the original interview in English
Remy