| The Exclusive Interview with Terl Bryant! |
| If you have ever heard Terl Bryant play the drums, you will automatically sense that he is playing with an intensity and spirit that is sure to infect anybody near him with the same desire to make great music. Terl is indeed playing with a great deal of spirit. He is playing out of love of the drums, and his love of God. You may know that Terl is the thunder behind the likes of John Paul Jones, Steve Levine, and even a brief tour with Faith Hill, but Terl is also the founder of Psalm Drummers, a foundation that allows drummers to come out in droves and play together in the spirit of Christianity and musical glory. Terl joined me for this great interview to discuss his drums, his family, playing with John Paul Jones, and Psalm Drummers. I hope you all enjoy it! |
| Q: Terl, thank you so much for joining me here for this interview! I wanted to start off here by asking you about this great organization that you founded called Psalm Drummers. It has really grown since it’s creation in 1996, and is over 2000 members strong now! What made you decide to get this organization started? A: Several things really, but mostly because of a dream; The vision for Psalm Drummers came through a dream (Oct '94). I was standing in a semi-circle with a number of other drummers. We were worshipping and pounding our drums. My head was bowed because the light of the God's presence was so bright. Later in the dream I saw the word 'PSALM' written in capital letters. These and other events prompted a move in faith to start what has become known as 'Psalm Drummers'. www.psalmdrummers.org Q: This organization has really developed a life of it’s own, and it looks like there have been several worldwide Psalm Drummers conferences! How often generally are the conferences held, and do you get to attend many of them? A: I have hosted four Psalm Drummer (international) gatherings in the UK, and there has also been two big ones in the USA put on by our American friends to date. You should hear 200 drummers going for it as worship...it's really powerful. Individual groups do organise smaller ones and they are happening more and more often now. The fifth International one (UK) is on May 23rd and 24th 2003 in London (see the website for more info), and we plan to visit, with a team, a number of USA gatherings in June 2003. Q: I wanted to back up a bit here and talk a bit about your drumming background. I think the story of your father telling you , at the ripe old age of six, that “if you’re going to bang on the back of my seat, at least do it in time!” Was there always a sort of inclination on your part to play the drums? A: Yes, I'm sure there was. I did have piano and trumpet lessons as a small boy, but I was seriously drawn to the one snare drum in my school music class cupboard. Everyone wanted to have a go.... I just loved the shape and sound... and the harder you hit it the more it loved it! Great small boy stuff! Q: I know that the Beatles and Deep Purple were amongst some of your favorite bands at an early age, but who were some of the drummers that influenced you the most as you were advancing your studies on the drums? A: Well, you know I'm principally self taught, so I learned by listening, although nobody really talked to me about who the people were. I didn't read the press, or watch TV, I just spent hours and hours drumming along to the records in the old barn in the garden. Hence, I can't name all the players who must have influenced me except of course Ringo, Bonham, Ian Paice, Charlie Watts on some of those records, but I do remember being highly affected by Creedence's drummer and the drummers on records by Johnny Nash, Desmond Decker, Slade, Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel...and not forgetting Karen Carpenter....and also sneaky listening, but not really understanding of Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich which my dad listened to as well. Q: I thought it was very interesting that you had turned down an audition for Adam & The Ants (one of my early 80’s favorites!) before they hit their wave of success. Were you approached by Adam for the audition? A: I was actually approached by Adam's uncle who worked with me (and a whole lot of others) on the night shift at the Canada Dry factory in Dartford, Kent... I was 18 and moved to live with a bunch of bikers in a house in SE London. I don't miss it at all! .... I didn't actually meet Mr.Ant in person. Q: Throughout the 80’s you went through some radical changes, such as finding your faith again which helped you overcome a bad drug addiction, you continued to be a very in-demand drummer around Europe, and you started a wonderful family. How tough has it been to juggle your career with your family? A: Its been easy because I've had such great support from Juliet my wife and friends who have encouraged me. English people can often crush each other through terrible indifference and cynicism... I have to say I have been really supported in my drumming. Even though a freelance music career is a tough choice...I wouldn't trade it for the 'trading floor' or a new model BMW. Q: How did you get the incredible gig with John Paul Jones? A: Through my good buddy, Nick Beggs. We were in a band called IONA for several years together in the early 90's, and after Nick hooked up with JPJ (through Robert Fripp) and they had auditioned a number of guys my name came up. John listened to some stuff I sent through and then I spent an afternoon jamming with him at his studio... what a treat, we just had fun playing and talking and a few days later his management called to see if I would like to do it. Q: Your drumming helped propel some of the most creative and explosive music I have heard in a long time with JPJ and the great Nick Beggs on JPJ’s Zooma and Thunderthief albums. You are certainly one of the most talented trio of musicians I have ever heard! Did you know coming into this project that JPJ was looking to create something that was a complete departure from what people had come to expect from him in Led Zeppelin? A: I didn't know what to expect. When opportunity knocks you so often don't have the whole picture....life's like that isn't it? Everyone waits for those golden moments - and that has been one for me. I think music is a type of language and when a band is really making music you can hear the buzz of the chemistry at work. It's no longer about copying (initial learning period) or trying to make an idea work.. its what naturally happens when people get together who like each other and have some vocabulary. Wow its the best job in the world! Not all musicians get it...and I believe you don't really get that special thing if you're selfish either. Q: Was most of the material for JPJ’s albums improvised in the studio, or was there some pre-conceived structure for it beforehand? A: John wrote all the music with pretty clear parts in mind... and as we recorded he would let me play it through quite a bit to find the place were it turned from just 'tracking' and on into 'making music'. JPJ is a real music lover. He knows what he is doing and on close inspection there is usually some pretty demanding stuff going on. Q: As far as the live material with JPJ, you were filling some big shoes on the old Zeppelin material, but you played Bonham's parts beautifully, and with some major power! How did you like bringing some of the great LZ material to life again? A: Thank you and hey, what a privilege. Goose bumps on 'When the Levee Breaks' every time. I love whacking my drums too..... and guess what...they love it too! See, nothing changes...I still love it just as much as when I was eight years old. Q: Are there any plans for another album for the JPJ band in the near future? A: I hope so... watch this space. Q: Terl, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to join me here, and I want to wish all of the best and continued success for yourself, Psalm Drummers, and your family. I want to wrap up here by asking you what other projects we may see you involved in for the upcoming new year? A: I'm currently touring with songwriter and worship leader Matt Redman and involved in various recording projects around London. I'm working on new 'groove' material with my wife Jules, and have also developed a program called 'The Voice of Drums' offering drum concerts, workshops (kit and perc), drum circles, teaching days and private lessons.... it's all go,go,go! Find out more at www.terlbryant.co.uk |
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