For the everyday musician, a musical instrument is simply an outlet. For some it’s a way to express themselves and for others it’s a way to find fame and exposure…for Dave Whitaker it’s simply a way of life. Whitaker is one of the most well-known and diverse drummers in East Tennessee and has made a credible name for himself in the industry. Both traditionally and classically trained, he has developed what was once considered a “cool instrument to bang on” into a mesmerizing tool that is as beautiful and graceful as it is heart pounding and explosive! With the success of his latest project The Pop Rox, I sat down with Whitaker to find out just exactly how he’s bringin’ the beat back.
When did you starting playing percussion and take a role as a drummer?
I official started learning the instrument when I was ten years old. My father is also a drummer so there were always drums in the house and he put the drumsticks in my hands.
When you started playing, did you have an influence or a personal role model that inspired you as a percussionist?
My father was definitely the role model that inspired me to play. He used to take me to his gigs and I ‘d watch him play. He also introduced me to some great jazz drummers like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich who inspire me still to this day.
Did you take lessons or have any formal training as an artist?
My father started formally teaching me at age ten. He taught me regularly for around seven or eight years. After graduating high school I went to University of Tennessee on a music scholarship as a jazz major and went through the program for one year where I received lessons from Keith Brown. After that I studied with Rascal Flatts drummer Jim Riley for about a year and a half. More recently I’ve taken a few lessons from the drummer for Bobby Brown and one of the drummers for Lenny Kravitz…man that calls himself Zoro.
Do you remember your first band and how it got started?
The first band I played in other than school-organized bands was a band called “Sax Appeal”. I was fourteen and the rest of the band was also in high school. We were a jazz quartet that all were the best around for our ages and we decided to start a band and see if we could play gigs. Surprisingly we played probably around two or three hundred gigs and we made lots of money. So that was officially the start of my professional ‘making money as a musician’ career. I remember the first gig I played with Sax Appeal I made ten dollars but by the end we were making a hundred bucks a piece and had a regular weekly gig at a restaurant in Farragut, Tennessee.
Have you incorporated any traditional drumming styles into your repertoire as a stage musician? Rudiments, sticking styles…etc.
Definitely. I’m completely classically and traditionally trained. I play with the traditional grip ninety percent of the time. I use rudiments in probably every song I play and I have pre worked out stickings for hundreds of licks. I definitely think that technique and rudiments is essential to becoming a great drummer. Also I am extensively trained in traditional jazz music so that has really helped make my ear really sensitive to every instrument in the band when I’m playing other kinds of music.
What do you feel is the culture of the everyday drummer and how have you expanded from that to make the drum-kit your own?
Well for most popular music the drummer is just keeping a basic beat. Music today isn’t that complex and pretty much anyone can learn to play the drum beats and fills required to play today’s music in a matter of a few months. So when I play I still try to respect the song and play the familiar grooves and fills that are expected but I also will try to show off my abilities and skills when I feel it will work on a certain type or part of a song. I’m really fortunate to play jazz music regularly with my trio every week and I can really approach the instrument with whatever mood I’m feeling for the time.
Let’s be honest…how often do you spend time behind the kit…apart from the stage?
Well I’d call my practice schedule on and off. I will not practice for weeks and then all of a sudden I’ll start to practice several hours every day for weeks. I think this practicing in spurts comes from motivation. Occasionally I’ll hear a drummer play or a band either local or world famous and something about it will inspire me to practice. Like I mentioned before, today’s music is so simple that my abilities already exceed what is necessary so for me to practice it seems I have to be really motivated because I’m probably not going to get to play what I practice on most of my gigs.
I’ve noticed that with a lot of drummers, they feel like they’re in charge of the “party” on-stage…how do you own a crowd from the back?
To me the drummer is everything in the band. The drums are the foundation of every song. If you go into the studio the first track that is recorded is the drum track…then everything else is added on top. This is because the drummer does not play melodic or harmonic notes but provides the beat and groove of the song for everything to be layered on top. Without a good feeling groove the rest of the music will all suffer. Aside from that I feel the drummer is in charge of the dynamics in a band. I feel like I have control to bring the energy up or down. When I play in my bands I’m constantly analyzing the feeling of the song to how it relates to the atmosphere surrounding me. So if people are dancing or jumping around or sitting down covering their ears, I’ll play the song accordingly to what I feel will compliment the setting as well as the song.
If you could play drums for any band on any stage…what band and where?
Without question I’d play for my favorite band TOOL at Madison Square Garden! TOOL to me is much more than a tap your foot or hum along to band. The more you listen to the music the more you understand how incredible it is. Most people probably think that I like it because of Danny Carey (TOOLS DRUMMER) but it goes far beyond the drumming. The vocals, the sounds of the guitar and bass, and most of all the emotional feeling and energy I get from the music is more than any other music I’ve ever heard. Playing with TOOL wouldn’t just be fun; it would be a religious experience.
What is in the future for you as a drummer?
My personal goals as a drummer are just climbing the ladder to more and more success. Ultimately I want to have a gig playing for a famous star artist and on the side be known in the drum community as one of the best players around. I’d love to play an arena one night and the next day be giving a drum clinic in a music store or college. Unfortunately in this music world being incredible at your instrument is only half the battle; the rest is who you know. So I plan to keep practicing and I hope that I’ll be lucky and meet someone that can help me achieve my goals.
Do you play any other instruments?
I know the basics on piano and I’m currently learning how to play the nylon string guitar in the Spanish style. I would like to play some Spanish guitar gigs and right my own music one day so hopefully I’ll become decent on the guitar.
How have you taken what’s being done now musically within The Top 40 and applied it to what you’re doing with your music and your style?
Most of my inspiration comes from older jazz players, current drum “gods” like Jojo Mayer and Dave Weckl and some modern rock players like Danny Carey and Shannon Larkin. If I had to tell someone what is the best thing I have to offer about my drumming I’d say that it is you can’t categorize my style or playing. I’m not a “rock” drummer or “jazz” drummer or “funk” drummer, I’m a drummer that can cover any style of music authentically. I strive to play all kinds of music as well as the best players in that music so in one weekend you can see me with a southern rock band, a jazz band, and a hard rock progressive band and think you’re seeing three different drummers. So basically I’ve learned from drummers of all styles and music and that has in turn given me the ability provide the authentic sound needed for any music while still be able to offer my technical abilities to spice it up at the same time.
…I must say my friend…I’ve seen you back many amazing musicians…your style (from one drummer to another) is simply impeccable to say the least. I caught a recent show of yours with the amazing Joe the Show…and your performance was outstanding! What’s it like working with artists and being a freelance drummer?
I have to say I’m extremely lucky not to be tied down to one band or artist. Because of this I can really take in and enjoy each band and person I play with. Freelancing really keeps the joy in playing so I don’t get tired of playing the same gig or music every night. Joe in particular really gives me and the rest of the band an oppurtunity to jam the music out and change things on the fly. You could hear us play the same song completely different two nights in a row and that’s what is fun about playing with Joe.
Now to the new stuff…Tell us about The Pop Rox…you are the founder…how does a drummer start a band? Awesome…but I’m intrigued…
Well the Pop Rox was the first band I’ve ever formed other than a jazz group. And frankly it was formed out of sheer spite from some other musicians in town as well as wanting to play some eighties music and make a little money. To make a long story short a band I had played with very briefly broke up and part of the band was going to merge with someone that wanted to form an eighties nineties rock cover band. I was quickly removed from the project after one rehearsal because the other person had someone in mind he wanted to play drums and felt like I wasn’t good enough or some kind of crap like that. This really offended me because I’m not a cocky player but I definitely think I can hold my own against any player in town. So this whole fiasco inspired me to form a younger, better looking, better sounding, and more appealing band. This idea combined with wanting to play some parties and make some money led to the formation of The Pop Rox. I’m proud to say we have been a huge success and surpassed all my expectations, as well as completely out gigged and are much more popular than the band I was shunned out of. As far as running the band I had my work cut out for me. Being a sideman I never realized how stressful the leader’s job was. Fortunately I have someone that does all the booking for me and each person in the band has an important role so now I mainly just put the final OK on decisions and arrange rehearsals.
What is The Pop Rox all about? Are you a cover band only…or are you writing and recording originals?
The Pop Rox is only a cover band. We play mostly eighties music with a few nineties songs and few newer songs. Our main function is to create a fun party atmosphere with every song being a huge hit that everyone in the room can sing along to. We cover everything from Michael Jackson to Journey to Guns and Roses. We’ve never talked about doing any originals and if it were to ever happen in the future we’d probably do it under a different name and keep it separate from The Pop Rox.
2 words…FEMALE FRONTMAN…aka Valerie Buckner…love it…and she’s super sexy and an amazing vocalist! Seems like the Knoxville music scene has really taken a liking to a female front…for example the one and only THE FEW with female front Lindsey Stamey, who have recently EXPLODED onto the scene! How has Valerie made an impact not only to your music and the band’s style…but your fan base as well?
Valerie is just the perfect frontman plain and simple. She can sing her butt off, interact with the crowd, dance…she can do it all. I know a lot of our fans come to see her sing and a lot of our male fans come just to look at her. [Laughs] When I formed the band I knew I wanted her to be the singer because I knew she was an undiscovered rock star in Knoxville.
What’s next for The Pop Rox?
We have pretty much met every goal that we’ve strived for. We have our pick of where and when to play and have gotten in every venue we’ve had our sights set on. I think we will just continue to entertain crowds and learn new songs. We’re also hoping to play many more private parties and become a first call wedding band. And of course building a bigger and bigger following is a forever goal.
Any parting words of enlightenment?
Hopefully in a few years I’ll be doing interviews from a tour bus with a major artist!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DAVE WHITAKER AND THE POP ROX GO TO:
