It's nice when somebody says that you're their 'favorite' drummer.
I don't want people to think that I think I'm this great drummer because, to me, I'm just a kid playing drums, and I love music.
To me, a great drummer isn't always about somebody with chops who can shred. A great drummer is someone who is part of a great band.
Trite as it sounds, follow your heart. Persevere. And if you follow your heart and persevere, it will pay off.
I understand that Adrenaline Mob is not going to be every Dream Theater fan's cup of tea. I totally get that; I understand that. It's different world.
I'd rather be entertained and go to a show and watch a drummer and have somebody that makes me actually smile. So I don't judge drummers based on their technical ability; I judge them based on the overall package and what they bring to the music they're part of.
Change is inevitable with the evolution of technology. In the '70s, we had records. In the '80s, we had CDs, and now we are living in the digital age. You can say it's sad or unfortunate, but the reality is you've got to roll with the times and the technology.
I'm a music fan first and foremost. I can find the beauty in Jellyfish and U2 just as much as Opeth and Lamb of God, just as much as I can with Rush and Yes.
Dream Theater was my baby. I formed it from the beginning, out of college, and I lived a lifetime with them.
Every band goes through breakups or splits.
I spent a good solid two years giving my all to Adrenaline Mob.
I've always had lots of side projects in my life, but what's exciting for me is knowing that Adrenaline Mob is bigger than that.
I think if there's any one band that every member of Sons of Apollo has been influenced by, I think Van Halen is the common ground for all five of us.
I can't possibly overstate how much influence Rush had on me as a young teenager. I would say from about 1981 to 1987, they were my gods.
People always say to me, 'Well, how can a marriage last when you're away as much as you are?' And I always say, 'Well, absence makes the heart grow fonder.' That time apart from each other has actually strengthened our relationship.
I think it's important for a young musician to stick with a band for a while and really work with a band and stay focused.
I'd just like to be remembered as a huge music lover.
I don't consider myself a great drummer. I consider myself just a music fan that's a very, very passionate artist, and the drums just happen to be my instrument.
In Adrenaline Mob, I'm not the leader, but I'm on the board of directors, and that's OK. I'm not stressing out over every detail. I'm sharing the load.
When you're putting together a concept album, it's all about the flow and the story.
