Most of it was nuts, but I was determined to be a drummer as soon as I left school.

Sometimes you'd come up against a brick wall... or sometimes you go into a fill and you'd know halfway through it was going to be disastrous.

I remember in the early days when we played six nights a week for a month and I was doing my long drum solo every night. My hands were covered in blisters.

Brushes..? Nah. Hit 'em as hard as you can.

I don't consider that I'm particularly influenced by anyone or anything. But when I started playing, I was influenced by early soul. It was just that feel, that sound.

Most of it was nuts, but I was determined to be a drummer as soon as I left school.

Not everybody likes or understands a drum solo, so I like to bring in effects and sounds to keep their interest.