Jason Feenan is the drummer with Derry
based punk band TOUTS. The band has completed tours and shows with Paul Weller,
Liam Gallagher and Blossoms. They are currently doing a load of festivals,
SXSW, Reading, Leeds and Electric Picnic. TOUTS signed to Domino Publishing earlier
this summer and have released two EPs and a number of singles.
Jason, when
did you start playing drums?
I started playing when I was 14, I
didn't have many friends at that age, so I had plenty of time to pretend to be
John Bonham, in the shed. I took lessons with Mickey the Hat, and managed to
catch a bit of his, "practice every moment of the day" attitude and
that stuck with me.
What
made you want to be a drummer?
Hearing John Bonham made me want to be
a drummer and after that I started enjoying the way Stewart Copeland, Stanton
Moore, Ian Paice and even my teacher Mickey the Hat played. I love Vinnie
Colaiuta, but I haven't a hope of sounding like him.
Led Zeppelin II, Outlandos d'Amour by The
Police, The Undertones first record are all firm favourites. In terms of
drumming, Apostrophe and Joe's Garage by Zappa are masterclasses of playing.
What
has been your best gig or drum moment?
The best moment I've had so far was
either managing to get a drum solo televised on Other Voices last year, or
doing a cover of the Auld Triangle supporting Liam Gallagher in an airport
hangar in Dublin, the whole crowd singing back the tunes was class, probably
was one of the best things I've been a part of.
What
drum gear do you use?
At the minute I'm rocking a Premier
Elite kit from the 80's, 12" 16" 22"
13" Ufip Custom Class hats;
14" 16" Paiste Twenty
crashes;
20" 5 Star Zyn crash ride, it may
be cheap but it fills a big hole in the sound of the band.
Photo Credits; Meg Paine & eurockenness festival