Jeff Hughes

Keep up with Jeff here:

www.myspace.com/themonolithproject

www.myspace.com/jeffhughesii

Jeff Hughes Interview:

SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?

Jeff: I was 10 when I got a drum set, but I didn’t really start getting into it until I was about 13.

SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Jeff: I did, but not the drums. I played trumpet in the school band, and for a jazz band with people much older than me. It was in the jazz band that I developed a urge to play the skins.

SD.com: Ever take any lessons?

Jeff: Well, not really. As a kid I watched my fathers drummer a lot, and picked some stuff up from him. I’ve also watched quite a few videos on
drumming. Mostly I just played, and played, and played.

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Jeff: My father, though he doesn’t play drums, is a super talented bassist and guitarist. My parents are old school metal heads, and I think that
had a lot to do with me wanting to play. Ken Kerma , the drummer for my fathers band MENTAL ELVIS. Still going strong. Nate Barnes, a friend that I grew up with. Big Vin got me into the heavy shit, and Herb from primus.There’s a lot more, but I’m horrible with names.

SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?

Jeff: Thomas Lang, Buddy Rich, and some more, but I don’t want to spell their names wrong, so I’ll leave it at that.

SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation

Jeff: Bleed the Sky, The Mars Volta, Mastadon, Acid Bath, And Meshuggah. There are so many great bands.

SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If  yes, when and where?

Jeff: No

SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?

Jeff: I haven’t really had the chance to play a lot of different kinds of drums.  I’ve played hand me downs, and whatever was cheap.  A friend had a Sonor kit and I loved the shit out of that.  As far as cymbals go, Zildjian all the way.

SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Jeff: Yep. Stretching, and herbal supplements.

SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would  be…

Jeff: Practice hand, and foot patterns all day, and night on anything you can find. Also, don’t give up because you see someone younger, and
better than you. Keep at it.

SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?

Jeff: Hmmmm…..That guy from Behemoth I saw at The Sounds of the Underground tour was amazing.

SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?

Jeff: I’d like to be the worlds largest midget wrestler. Seriously I’d like to travel all over the world, and see some shit before I die. Never really thought about it.