How long have you been using the 8A model stick? I have been using it exclusively for about 15 years.
Why has it worked so well for you for all these years? The sticks are the most important part of this instrument because it really is an extension of the hands. Regal Tips feel perfect in the hands; they're consistent; the tip of the stick sounds and feels great on cymbals / drums and also has the perfect bounce, which has allowed me to be comfortable playing a lot of different styles of music throughout the years.
What do you like best about Regal Tip sticks? Part of what makes them feel so good is the lacquer on the wood. It really is a special ingredient ONLY available with Regal Tip. It gives me a solid grip by almost "holding on" to my fingers, so they never slip around. Another great quality about Regal Tip is that the wood has just the right amount of "give", so you never get that awful "shock" feeling in your hands while playing that you get with other brands. Once you play with these sticks, nothing else is acceptable......period.
You went from touring with Steely Dan directly to touring with Sting. These are two of the most coveted drum positions in history. What's it feel like to be hired for these gigs? I feel flattered and very fortunate to work with these amazing artists. To be a part of the lineage of all the great drummers who have worked with these artists is an honor to say the least. Sting and Steely Dan (Donald Fagen and Walter Becker) are both amazing musicians first, and also amazing songwriters. I enjoy the challenge it has given me to play respectful to the songs, but to also try and add my own vibe to it.
Have you had to adjust your playing style in any way since joining Sting's band? I think I always make needed adjustments in a lot of situations. My goal is to catch the vibe of whatever the music is, and be consistent every night, and of course find the places where I can be a little more free and open to "do my thing." Also, I come from the south where we tend to feel things a little more laid back. With Sting, playing a little more on top works better... especially for the old Police stuff. It gives it more of an urgent feel, which is really exciting. I think I am hitting a bit harder on some of the songs also, so that is a technical change for me as well.
How long do you plan to be on the road with Sting? This tour is about 2 years in length.
Now that you're an established and well-respected name in the drumming world, what are your plans for the future? I would like to write music more often and also get into production as well. For now, I am happy and fortunate to be playing great music with great musicians.
A lot of great drummers have played with Steely Dan and Sting. Do you find yourself being influenced by any of these guys on certain songs? Yes, every single one of them. It's difficult not to hear a lot of the songs without thinking of the original recordings... because so much of the vibe of the song was created by the great drummers who originally played them. I use it as a blueprint and then try to make it a little bit of my own. Playing with these artists is like going to the greatest drum school on the planet. It's fun to hear all of the things that make each drummer so unique. Hopefully what I do with it is just as valid, but also different.
You play with brushes on a few of Sting's songs during the show. What model are you using and what do you like best about them? I use the Regal Tip telescopic wire brushes with the rubber handle. Again, it's the way it feels that makes it very comfortable to play. I like the rubber handle for a nice grip.
Sting's new album "Sacred Love" is filled with drum loops and electonic sounding grooves mixed with live drums. How are you replicating these sounds live? Some of the songs have loops in the show, and I play on top of them and it makes a nice effect. Other songs that we do in the show have lost the loops all together, which gives me a lot more freedom to recreate the sounds in a different way. I have been experimenting with ways to get a tight sounding loop effect without using electronics. Sometimes I play a rimshot on the snare drum with my right hand while I muffle the head with my left hand. With different pressure applied, you can get many sounds... and using rim clicks or brushes along with that can make it interesting. I am always looking for ways to play grooves a little differently, and then when you hit the chorus with sticks and the full kit, it is really powerful.
What kind of gigs were you playing before you hooked up with Steely Dan? I played with Wayne Krantz for about 6 years and that was very improvisational and very unique instrumental music. We've done two records so far and you can only get them at his website www.waynekrantz.com. One is called "Your Basic Live" and the other is "Greenwich Mean." I also toured on and off with Harry Belafonte, The Blues Brothers, David Johansen and the Harry Smiths, Chris Botti, Grover Washington, Jr., Richard Bona, and Leni Stern to name a few. Because I live in NYC, I have been fortunate to play a lot of different styles of music, which has kept things fresh and challenging.
Who are your main influences? Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Zigaboo Modeliste, Steve Jordan, Charlie Drayton, Matt Chamberlain, Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Bill Stewart, David Garibaldi, Al Jackson Jr., and everyone I am forgetting at the moment! The list goes on and on... I believe you can learn from everybody – not just the so called "name players".
Keith appeared on the August 2003 cover of Modern Drummer magazine.
For up-to-date information on Keith, and to join his mailing list, visit www.keithcarlock.com
