A Percussive Essay, by The Dark Canuck

You might say, that I have a drum addiction…however; nothing has been spared, to bring the sounds of Rush to a venue near you. As I write this, my minions are working at the Dark One’s lair, coming up with a way that I can play an entire show on one piece of aluminum foil…easy to transport, & I can play Xanadu anywhere!

The toms & bass drum, are all from the Ludwig Drum Company, in Monroe, NC. They are the Custom Accent Series, wrapped in piano black finish. The kick size, is 22” x 16”. The rack, and floor tom sizes are, 8”, 10”, 12”, & 13”. The floor toms, are a pair of 16” cannons. My choice of snare drum, is a Yamaha Custom Oak, 14”x 7”, wrapped in their silver sparkle finish.

In the crash, ping, smash department, I’m surrounded by the following cymbals, which are all made by the Sabian Cymbal Company, in Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada, located on the beautiful St. John’s River. All of the cymbals come from the Sabian AA line, with the exception of the three Chinas, which are taken from Neil Peart’s “Paragon” Signature Series. The Hi-Hats, & Ride cymbal are medium weight, & the Crashes, & Splashes, are medium-thin. A set of 13” Hi-Hats (open) & 14” (closed), lay down the beat. I have four Crash cymbals, 16”, 18”, 19”, & 20”, and a pair of Splashes, at 8”, & 10”. The Ride cymbal, is a 21” Rock Ride…the closest thing I’ve ever heard, in matching the “ping” of the “professors” original ride. The three China’s are a 19” Trash, a 20” Pang, & Neil's new 20" Diamondback China Swish.

In the percussion toy box, I recreate the signature sounds, by using these annoying noisemakers: The cowbell tree, consists of (1) LP Black Beauty, (1) LP Mambo Bell, & Pearl's (3) Tri-Bells. Four LP Jam Blocks, express the “woodsy” sound you hear. One set of LP 24 Bar Chimes, a Cyclops Tambourine, & one Paiste 6” Accent Crotale, tops everything off.

The hardware is comprised of Ludwig, Pearl, DW, & Gibraltar, stands, clamps, thrones, & pedals. I use Evans heads, Pro-Mark 747 Japan Oak sticks, and CAD drum mics.