dave fingerlos: drums
It’s so amazing to look out and see thousands of people enthralled by my pyrotechnic, seven-minute solo. Drenched in sweat, with aching arms and legs, I stand up on my seat to let the audience get a better look and to bask in their adulation. As a finishing touch, I do a double somersault over my kit, sending the crowd into a crazed frenzy.
At this point, I usually wake up.
The truth is, one of my earliest memories is of driving a drumstick through the head of a toy drum. My parents were not amused. The ensuing years of piano lessons were almost certainly punishment for my transgression. From my years at the keyboard I learned a.) I am not a musical prodigy and b.) I prefer instuments that make a lot of noise when you pound on them.
You can guess the story from there. First came the pots, pans and boxes arranged on dining room chairs. My folks were eventually convinced of my sincerity and bought me a bona fide kit. They get the credit for supporting me while I explored the sonic possibilites of that first instrument. I took the requisite lessons, studied my rudiments, and began playing with the marching, concert and jazz bands in school. As my playing matured, I was offered percussion positions in church orchestras and community music groups. Eventually I bought a bigger kit and played with a variety of original and cover bands. I even won some awards and made a few bucks along the way.
Then life happened and I got distracted. I’ll spare you the gruesome details; just fast-forward to 2002.
Dennis Hughett and I had been working at an ad agency for a few years. We shared similar philosophies of life and musical tastes. When our schedules allowed, we jammed together and joked about putting a band together. Dennis became involved with Atomic Eyes. It was an opportunity with tremendous potential, and I was certain it would be the break he had been working for. At the same time, the idea of putting some kind of project together with him just was bouncing around in my head.
Though it broke my heart to see his relationship with AE end, I have to admit it was hard to wait before dropping the hint that we could make a go of it ourselves. His quick agreement, and the enthusiasm with which he began to move forward, is testimony to the depth of his musical passion and vision. He is truly the spark that drives us and, of course, kardes is the gasoline. I guess that makes me the hood ornament.
Whatever I am, being a part of sLife is better than any musical endeavor I’ve ever been in.
Question & Answers
What gear do I use?
• Tama Starclassic-birch shells
• Evans Heads
• Sabian Cymbals
• Axis and Iron Cobra Pedals
• Gibraltar Rack System
• Promark 747 Sticks
• LP Percussion
• Audix Mics
• Shure E2 In-ear Monitors
Musical Influences » Bands:
Creed, Dixie Dregs, Dream Theater, Genesis, Journey, Kansas, Rush, Sevendust, Weather Report, Yes
Musical Influences » Drummers:
Terry Bozzio, Billy Cobham, Phll Collins, Stewart Copeland, Phil Ehart, Chad Kent, Rod Morgenstein, Ian Paice, Carl Palmer, Neil Peart, Scott Phillips, Mike Portnoy, Morgan Rose, Joel Rosenblatt, Buddy Rich, Danny Seraphine, Steve Smith, Chester Thompson, Alan White
What am I listening to currently?
Nickelback/All the Right Reasons, Pink Floyd/The Wall, Ra/Duality, Bruce Cockburn/You've Never Seen Everything
Do I prefer performing, writing or recording?
Performing, writing, recording in that order
First band I was in?
Baker County Jr. High School Band
One reason why I play and write music?
When I play, I feel His pleasure.
If I wasn't in Shadow Life?
I'd be Diana Krall's go-to drummer.
What's something some people don't know about me?
I lie about how much I can bench press.
My Favorites
Music: everything except electronica. hip-hop and klezmer
Movies: The Holy Grail, Braveheart, Simon Birch
Games: Scrabble
Books: Your God Is Too Small; J.B. Phillips, Wild at Heart; John Eldrigde, Blue Like Jazz; Donald Miller
Food: Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Drink: Diet Coke
Current TV Show: Lost
Movie Genre: Suspense
Bands/Artists: Rush, Genesis, Creed, Police
Current Bands/Artists: Ra, State of Man, Atomship, AlterBridge
Hobby: Reading, Sailing, Drumming
Wild Animal: Dolphins and Porpoises
Domestic Animal: Dog
Sport: Sailing
Band Biographies:
guitars, keys, bg vocals
bass, various others
drums, percussion
kardes
bass (on our recorded tracks)
Johnny Key
lead vocals (on some songs)
Kenny Keith
lead vocals (on other songs)