We played the Budokan in Tokyo three nights in a row. RT: We just finished the Asian tour, including six countries Queen had never played, so the audiences were going ballistic! It started off in Tel Aviv, Israel. RT: With difficulty! I never thought it would be possible, but luckily for me all the dates have worked out well for both bands. How have you managed to juggle both gigs? The drums were recorded in a London studio.ĭP: You’ve also been playing percussion and drums with Queen + Adam Lambert. We’ve only recorded demos, so far, in Inverness, Scotland and also in Cornwall.
#Rufus taylor full
This new album is the first full record I’ve been on. One was for a track on the deluxe version of the last album, and the other is a recording called “Rack of Glam,” which hasn’t been released yet. Are they the first recordings you’ve done with the band? It’s a really interesting story, but the launch date hasn’t been finalized even though it’s close to completion.ĭP: You mentioned that you’re working on a new album. It’s going to be about the history of the band, gathering together footage from over the years including Ed, the original drummer. I’ve been switching the drum sizes I use at the moment: 24x22” kick VLX (it’s a beast), 18” floor VLX, 2 rack toms (changing between 12”, 13”, and 14” all VLT) and 6.5x14” snare VLT with no reinforcement rings on the shells.ĭP: Massive rock sound with those sizes and the VLT/VLX combo! I’ve heard rumors about a possible Darkness documentary?
#Rufus taylor series
RT: It’s a DW Collector’s Series Pure Maple Lacquer Specialty in Pearlescent Black with black hardware. Justin always lies on the floor when I go to jump over the kit, but this one time we were playing in Santa Cruz and Justin was lying down, but he had his Les Paul sticking up from the stage, so when I landed I smashed the back of my hand on the guitar.ĭP: Can you talk us through your setup for The Darkness?
RT: I’ve had one accident I thought I’d broken my hand at the start of the US tour. Basically, you have to stay on your toes.ĭP: Do you still jump over the kit during the show?ĭP: Have you had any accidents doing that? With Justin as a frontman, you never know what’s going to happen next. RT: Yes, all of the guys have given me the freedom to make it my own. There’s never a dull moment on stage with Dan, Justin, and Franky!ĭP: Is there room for improvisation in the set? Justin and Dan have this great telepathic power (as they’re brothers) of being able to read each other’s playing and know who is going to take which solo.
It was really easy with these guys Dan’s rhythm playing is phenomenal, and his timing is impeccable which means we don’t even have to look at each other, we’re just locked in.
#Rufus taylor how to
It was a learning process about how to play with the band. It’s a physical show and everyone is giving it everything on stage, so you always have to feel, as the drummer, you either match it or overtake it. As soon as I played that first show, we were straight on to the next. RT: In the beginning, it was learning so many songs in such a short space of time. I stayed up on the 26-hour flight back and kept everyone awake learning the songs for the gig!ĭP: What are the drumming challenges in playing a Darkness show? I had only two days to learn the entire set. They were doing eight songs from the new album and asked me if I could play it. He went on to tell me they had a press gig in London at the Gibson showroom in two days’ time. Rufus Taylor: It’s a bit of a Spinal Tap story I was in Australia and I had two days left until I was flying back home when I got a phone call from Dan Hawkins explaining who he was (to my surprise). David Phillips delves into this rising star’s latest gig, and sheds some light on his blindingly bright future.ĭavid Phillips: How did you land the gig with The Darkness? Though he has enjoyed an insider’s view of the rock world and practiced his craft on some of the larger live venues in music, he’s honed his playing skills the hard way and done things on his own terms. As the son of legendary Queen drummer Roger Taylor, his pedigree is undeniable. Rufus Taylor is a relative newcomer to the drumming scene.