Paul Walsham
Paul Walsham is new to the BJH Family Tree of Drummers. Born in Liverpool he’s been playing since the wee age of 7. Being good friends with Chris Jago for quite a few years now and also teaching in the same shop as Roy (The Drummers Collective!!!) the Barclay gig was always brought up. Paul started out in the drumming world playing clinics and supporting other drum ‘clinicians’. He’s performed with Elvis Costello, The Christians, Mott the Hoople’s “Ariel Bender” otherwise known as Luther Grosvenor, Courtney Pine and now BJHFLH.
How did you meet Les?
The first time I met Les was for the one and only rehearsal before the Vienna gig in July 2005. Everyone was a bit stressed as there was a problem with the crew and equipment and then to top it off a new drummer! But he was really calm and made me feel much easier about the gig as I was very nervous about learning the songs, getting them spot on, cueing endings and so on but he said to basically chill and have a laugh with the gig and play how I feel …very reassuring.
Did you get on with the rest of the band?
The rest of the band are mad as hatters! Everyone was excellent though, made me feel very welcome and gave me lots of help with the tunes and the tempos, stops etc. Everyone has their own personalities and it was interesting to witness the relationships between everyone within the band. Everyone is very passionate about the bands development and future. Roll on 2006!
How did you hear about the Barclay gig?
Chris Jago had mentioned a possible dep job of a few dates with the Barclays as Chris was all over the world doing various things so naturally I was eager to get in on the gig. Unfortunately for me, the first few gigs I was offered Chris ended up being able to do, then I didn’t hear much else about it for a long while until, out of the blue, the Vienna gig came up. One gig, one rehearsal! So I finally got to play with them. Then I managed a whole tour of 19 or so dates, which was my first taste of real touring and being away for a while.
How did you find touring?
The tour was excellent. If your going to tour, for me, that’s the way to do it! The tour bus was great, the food, the hotels and the people were all fantastic. To be honest I didn’t realise how big they were out there.
What was the most memorable part of the tour?
The most memorable part was probably the last gig we did in the “Spirit of 66” club. After the show we went out for a meet, greet and signing session, which I was still trying to get my head around as I was signing albums from 1972 and I wasn’t even born till 1980! We ended up signing a woman’s bottom too! I think photos were taken but I haven’t seen them yet!
Now for all the drummers out there, what equipment did you use?
Well I took my pride and joy, my Sonor designer kit of which I’m a UK endorsee. 10”and 14” floor, 16” floor and 22” kick, matching designer snare and also off set to the left a tama 10” steel snare, just for the fun of it. I also used my Pearl eliminator Double pedal for those flashy big endings! You may even see Mr Jago with a double pedal on the next tour as the modern drummer has finally bitten him on the arse! Ha-ha! Like Roy I endorse Paiste cymbals. This company have been absolutely fantastic and sent over some 2002 crashes which sounded ACE!
So what does the future hold for you Paul?
Well hopefully a holiday but if all goes well in 2006 I should be on tour with The Ariel Bender Band around Europe and the UK with America pencilled in for September and I think BJH have me on the next Orchestral tour around March which should be great playing with an orchestra again.
Thanks Paul