Keith Rich – Druids – New Breath – Exclusive Drum Play-through

A few words from drummer, Keith Rich: “I started playing drums in about 1999 or so…freshman year of high school. Playing guitar was always more my thing and did that in bands, but I always kept getting drawn back to the drum set. It was more rock drummers of the time that really got me interested in playing drums. People like Jimmy Chamberlin, Taylor Hawkins, Lars Ulrich, and Butch Vig were my main idols. I’ve always had an affinity for alternative/ grunge-style bands and really took to the diversity in playing within the genre. Everyone played softer, harder, more straight forward or more technical…it was just a mixture and I loved that. I try to incorporate that into my drumming. When the opportunity came in 2008 to form a band with Luke (Druids started as a two-piece), it seemed like a no-brainer. He wanted to rip some riffs on guitar and I wanted to slam on some drums in between tours with Radio Moscow. It just all came together from there and the rest is history.”

This video is Keith Rich playing ‘New Breath’ from Druids new album “Monument.”

Keith’s Gear:

DW Performance Kit – 13″ rack tom, 16″ floor tom, 22″ kick

Ludwig Black Beauty Snare 14″

Sabian Hi-Hats 14″

Meinl Byzance Traditional Medium Ride 21″

Zildjian K Custom Ride 20″

Meinl Byzance Traditional Crash 16″

Wuhan China 12″

Des Moines, Iowa-based psychedelic/stoner metal trio DRUIDS recently released their new album, Monument, via The Company KC. The album is available now via Bandcamp, with exclusive multi-colored vinyl also available here: https://thecompanykc.bigcartel.com. Druids have been making their rounds in the underground for the better part of a decade but are poised to break out in 2019 with their most confident and explorative effort to date.  Though Monument is an absolute classic metal-inspired riffscapade on its surface, there’s much more lying beneath its sonic exterior. Amid the ebb and flow of atmosphere and groove-heavy passages, the album tells a story – inviting the listener on a journey through the afterlife. Each song on Monument depicts the experiences of mystical worlds that the story’s protagonist encounters after death and ultimately grows from. Some lessons are beautiful, and some brutal. Although they have departed from their world, they are still learning and growing as a spirit.

Band Links:

https://www.facebook.com/druidsiowa/

Keith: @se1ector or @keithwatchesfilm

Band: @druidsiowa

Druids Tour Dates:

6/1 La Crosse, WI @ The Dive Bar

6/2 Bloomington, IL @ Nightshop

6/3 Detroit, MI @ PJ’s

6/4 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place

6/5 Pittsburgh, PA @ Howler’s

6/6 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bazaar (with Modern Life is War and Krimewatch)

6/7 Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents (with Modern Life is War and Krimewatch)

6/9 Allston, MA @ Great Scott (with Modern Life is War and Krimewatch)

6/10 New London, CT @ 33 Golden Street

6/11 Philadelphia, PA @ Century Bar

6/12 Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class

6/13 Louisville, KY @ Mag Bar

6/14 St. Louis, MO @ the Sinkhole

7/13 Des Moines, IA @ 80/35 Festival