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The Drummer's View
21 questions with F5’s David Small - web exclusive chipritter.com interview
This interview took place in Phoenix Arizona on August 11th 2004.
DS = David Small CR = Chip Ritter
CR -How are you? DS -Awesome dude
CR - I’ve got about 20 questions for you maybe 21 ready? DS - Ready, Hit It. CR- #1 for people who may be new to the whole F5 band. www.f5theband.com How would you describe it? DS – Punishing. A New sound. Something fresh, exciting not like a new album where there’s only one or two songs that really cook. Seriously there’s absolutely no filler at all. I’m not saying because I am the drummer on this recording, I am saying it because this is what I keep hearing from people who have actually listened to it. Every one of them loves it, it’s off the chain. I feel that it’s a brand new sound, and also a very groove oriented CD. The sound all goes back to the producer Ryan Greene who had a clear vision for this before anyone walked into the studio CR – #2 I’ve definitely got a question about Ryan Greene, but first David, tell me how this band got started. DS - Feb of 2003 David
Ellefson got together with CR - On the F5 release that myself and everyone else I know is waiting for, there was a song that rumor has it, was pre released to the airwaves.
I heard that this song blew up on the radio and
then all the sudden it was promptly yanked off the air, My #3 question is
- What was that all about / which song was it? DS - What that was about, well it was to give our audience a taste of what was to come from Dave E. since he left Megadeth. The song was FALL TO ME and the reason why it came off of the radio is because we didn’t have a release to back up the requests people had. That’s why we took it off the air. CR -#4 was that specific song leaked or did F5 approve its release? I guess you answered that… hmm.. My bad, I got better questions I promise. DS- (Laughing) yes we approved it at that time.
CR -#5 A few drummers have emailed me about the song on your website Specifically the index page and what it sounds like if you wait for it to load. IS THAT an F5 demo? What is that?
that’s not F5.
CR - #6 Since this is a drumming website I have to ask you some drumming questions When did you start playing drums? DS - Age 3.. CR - That’s awful young for real? DS - Straight up CR - wow… ok…just letting that sink in, I think at 3 I was just learning how to eat food! (DS laughing) CR - next question # 7 double pedal or double bass drums?
DS -I like the double pedal CR -#8 What kind of double pedal or pedals are you using right now? Don’t lie! DS - DW 5000 Deltas, they’re solid dude but I bastardized them, I had special plates made, they are fully custom and top secret. ( here's the only known picture of them! David Smalls full custom long boards these footboards are about 2 inches longer than any standard pedal, giving David more control and power to drive the beat behind F5. Check out www.f5theband.com CR -#9 Your Trueline Drumsticks, what’s the closest standard stick size to compare them to? DS -That stick is a hybrid of the Vinnie C. stick and the Zildjian Z4a made exclusively by Trueline drumsticks Vermont USA. CR-# 10 Who are your inspirations for your drumming? 4 or five top choices… DS -Number 1 Dave Bedell without a doubt. He’s who I was named after, my great uncle who is a professional Jazz drummer. And then it would be Buddy Rich Dennis C. Vinne C. Josh Freese definitely Bozzio
CR -#11 you’ve got
great showmanship, I’ve seen you rock out before, who inspired that if anyone
specific? DS -Bozzio, he’s probably one of the top five in showmanship as far as inspiration to me. CR - #12 When and If you give drum lessons, as a former student and now a teacher, what would be your best basic advice to anyone new to drumming? DS - Learn how to count to 4. CR- that’s awesome. DS - TRUE
CR - #13 what drummers do you still listen
to? DS -All of the above plus everyone who’s out there now. As a teacher you have to listen to everyone, you might have some drum corps players so you gotta learn some of those chops you know, then you have guys out there like Joey from Slipknot and you have to learn that as well. CR -#14 Ok enough drum questions… Your band F5’s website says that David Ellefson and You founded the band, Is that true and if so how did that happen? DS - Yep completely true Steve Connelly Myself and David Ellefson,
CR -#15 this is my first real interview, how am I doin? DS - Awesome CR – HA! cool. Here’s the real # 15 question…. why the name F5? DS - We were trying to find names for the band and everyone threw names down on paper stuff like that, actually I was the one who came up with F5. An F5 is the most divesting tornado in history. CR - Ryan Greene, He
produced most all of the NO FX albums and countless punk/multi style artists, #16 How did you end up with Ryan Greene producing this album? DS - Ryan did some demos pre production on Megadeth's countdown to extinction, he was in the studio working with authority zero and David came by and saw Ryan, then Ryan said something like “we should work with each other again” and then David said well it just so happens….. and then BOOM the twister was born. CR – I heard Authority Zero has a great drummer, I’m anxious to check them out, here’s #17 What is your favorite song drumming wise on this CD? (at this point David says “WOW’ rolls his eyes, hates this question ) You can only pick one.. choose wisely (now DS is laughing again… “that’s a messed up question to ask”) DS - Ok Dieing On the Vine CR -Awesome I cannot wait to here it. CR- #18 Tell me something that Nobody else knows about the recording of this CD, give chipritter.com an exclusive inside scoop…. What is something NOBODY knows or would know about your playing or recording of this CD. Doesn’t have to be long, just tell us something the Band doesn’t even know if you can. DS- (hmm another messed up question) OK I had the hardest time with getting the drum beat to FADED right. Ryan wanted a certain kick pattern and I just could not register it in my head. It wasn’t so much that is was difficult, but for some reason I just couldn’t get it to click right. CR - “ok so how did you get it right?
DS - It finally clicked on like take 500. (both laughing) DS - just kidding, it seriously finally clicked when I relaxed after time…. In the studio you’re under so much scrutiny being the first person to lay it down tracks, you know, so once I got in the pocket I was able to let it flow. I can’t believe the way my drums sound and what was brought out of me on this CD.
CR - #19 I heard a rumor that there is a lawsuit between Mustaine and Ellefson? Is this true?
DS -Totally true. No other comment. CR - #20 What do you
think of Nick Menza and the other drummers that have played with Megadeth? DS –There’s only been three drummers I know of with Megadeth that I heard play. Keep in mind I love Vinnie C. The drummers I have heard are, Gar Samuelson, Nick Menza, and Jimmy Degrasso What Gar did I liked, What Nick Did, I liked as well, but honestly I liked Jimmy best. ( *note Chuck Behler is also listed as a drummer who performed with Megadeth making the official total 5) CR - Ok I saved the best two/part question… for last, #21 When can we expect this new CD? And when can we can we go see F5 in concert? DS – Part 1 honestly I’m thinking around Jan of 2005 simply because of the process involving layout distributions etc,,, And all of the other things needed to be done that goes along with that, BUT Chip the recording is completed, and it is off the floor!
Part 2 When can you see us live? There is a twister coming your way, keep your eyes on the horizon and listen for the warning signs, you’ll see us. trust me
CR - Thank you so much David DS - Thanks chip, how do you flip the sticks from behind your back? CR – I was abducted by aliens, ever since then I can move stuff with my mind. DS – I don’t think you were abducted, I think you are an Alien. (Laughing) CR – seriously that’s an easy question, I use the three “P’s” Patience, Practice and Perseverance you know I got that from you. DS - true..thanks again. CR - No way, thank you David, we are all looking forward to hearing this CD.
Special thanks to
(David Small plays Hollywood Custom Drums, and Trueline Drumsticks exclusively) Visit David Smalls Official Website to learn more about David Small. To learn more about F5 visit the band’s official website www.f5theband.com Side notes on F5 the band. "I was very excited to be working with the level of musicianship that I encountered with F5" - Producer - Ryan Greene - Aug 1st 2004 OK...SO what does this "super group F5" sound like? "It's very tough to describe our sound, it's a combination of everything we think is best, yet aimed in a brand new direction, we are all stoked about this" - Guitarist John Davis Aug 1st 2004
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Steve Conley and myself in a little one
bedroom studio at Steve’s house. We threw some ideas at each other, and magic
just happened, a couple months later we got Dale Steele from Minneapolis to come
out and lay down some demo tracks, shortly after that we completed the F5 line
up with guitarist John Davis. It’s been off and running since that point as F5.
DS
- Oh wow, no no no
that thing is an old demo I did with Steve, along time ago trust me,
May
I add however that everyone in this band is considered both a founding member
and a brother.
He’s got a huge reputation as a great producer….
