BEST DRUMMER
Lolita: So, I hope Matt gets his beats down perfectly. Rita: What do you mean by that? Lolita: It’s a secret code between me and Matt. And now I will ask the final Question of the Month in our secret code. See if you can decipher what the answers really mean to this simple sounding question. Who’s the best drummer you know, besides the one in your band?  RAY MASON (Ray Mason Band/Lonesome Brothers): The best drummer I know has got to be, hands down, Tom Ardolino from NRBQ. Tom is one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock ’n’ roll period! He swings plus lays it down like no other. He’s rock with the roll! A true inspiration to watch and listen to. It pisses me off that he’s not more known. If you’re a fan you’ll always be listening. If you haven’t heard him then you’re in for the ultimate musical treat! Let’s see, how else can I put this. There’s Ringo, Hal Blaine, the late great Earl Palmer, Levon Helm and Tom Ardolino. Got it?! *** SLIMEDOG (the Noise): I’m sure I’m not the only one to pick Walter Gustafson (Outlets/ Gang Green) but of current drummers my faves are Mike Mahoney (Thunderhog), Cindy Spoiler (the Spoilers), and Chris Dimwit (the Dimwits). *** DAVID KIRKDORFFER (UNDO/ the Blank Attack): I’ve been privileged to play with some of Boston’s most outstanding drummers: Brett Campbell, Jim Doherty, and Danny Lee.  And, once again, I’m looking for a drummer to a join a bass player and myself to start a new band: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you’re interested. *** PETE CASSANI (the Peasants/Beefy DC): Stephen Hart. Hands down. Best I’ve played with. And I’ve played with HUNDREDS!! Not in the Peasants anymore. Now a family man but definitely the guy to call when you are doing a record and laying it down for eternity. He will do it flawlessly in the first take and you can move on. Incredible time too! *** FRANK STROM (the Noise): Jesse Best from Muck & The Mires—she’s a brute! You know that movie Frankenstein Conquers The World? The atomic-mutated Frankenstein is rampaging through Tokyo, Nick Adams and Kumi Mizuno are chasing him, he winds up at Mount Fuji and fights subterranean monster Baragon before a volcanic fissure destroys everything in a fiery holocaust. Jesse’s drumming is just like that. Or am I being too technical here...? Lolita: It’s tough to decipher your secret code, but I think I have it. When Jesse plays a segues where the speed of the following song changes drastically and she turns the tempo on a dime—yes, Frankenstein will out wit Baragon—just because he’s such an American cult hero.