Interview: An exclusive interview with Brian Tichy, the drummer from bands like Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne and The Dead Daisies!

January 13, 2019 0 By Gema

Brian Tichy, the drummer who has played with Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner, Slash’s Snakepit, The Dead Daises, Billy Idol, among many other big names in rock scene gave us an exclusive interview talking about music and his work with the Japanese band B’Z.

Brian Tichy, is one of the most famous drummers in the world, who played with bands such as Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner, Slash’s Snakepit, Billy Idol, Velvet Revolver, WASP, Lynch Mob , Pride & Glory, among many others. Besides being one of the best drummers of the present time, he is an excellent guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, producer and practitioner of Speeding Bag. We had the pleasure of talking to Brian Tichy, who told us a little about his career, his passion for John Bonham among many other cool things. Check it out!

First of all i would like to thank you for this interview and say that we are great fans of your work and your way to play! We can see a big influence of John Boham when you play. In your opinion is he the best drummer in the rock n roll history?

BRIAN: Thank you! Yes although there are many awesome drummers, I think John Bonham best represents rock drumming in many, many ways that haven’t been matched before or since!

And besides him, what are your influences?

BRIAN: I love a ton of drummers for many reasons.. but at the immediate top of my list is always; Alex Van Halen, Neil Peart, Clyde Stubblefield, Steve Gadd, Peter Criss, Terry Bozzio, The Appice Bro’s., Stewart Copeland, Max Roach, Louie Bellson, Simon Phillips, Buddy Rich, Vinnie Paul, Thomas Haake, Joey Kramer, Tommy Aldridge, Clive Burr, David Garibaldi, and on and on…

But you didn’t ask specifically to name other drummers, so here are other influences;

Advanced speed-bagging, Muhammad Ali, Sylvester Stallone, Dean Karnazes, MMA fighters (Nick Diaz, Tony Ferguson, GSP, Anderson Silva, Wonderboy Thompson, etc… ), Ultra-marathoners, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Geddy Lee, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Meshuggah!, James Brown, Jeff Buckley, Steven Tyler, Brian May, Tom Scholz, Ritchie Blackmore, Ted Nugent, etc….

Foto: Facebook Brian Tichy

I watched in youtube the “Bonzo Bash” show in Russia, by the way there is a amazing solo that you did in “ what is and what should never be”. What do you think about bring the show to Brasil? there is a lot of Zeppelin’s fans here!!!

BRIAN: Thank you! I’d love to bring the show to Brasil if possible. And yes, there’s a lot of Zep fans everywhere!

In you re opinion, which are the 5 best drums solos of rock n roll history?

BRIAN: Neil Peart- YYZ Live: Exit Stage Left

Buddy Rich: anything

John Bonham: anything

Tommy Aldridge: anything

Peter Criss: 100,000 Years from Kiss Alive!

Honorable Jazz Mentions: Louis Bellson and Max Roach- anything

Honorable Fusion Mentions: Terry Bozzio / Steve Smith / Steve Gadd/ Dave Weckl- -anything

Honorable newer generation freaks: Jojo Mayer / Virgil Donati/

But there are so many!

You have a great history in music. You already played with greats bands like Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Foreigner, The Dead Daises, and many more. How old were you when you started playing? And what was the most amount of time that you’ve ever studied in a day?

BRIAN:Thx! I started when I was 8, but was already playing without a drum set before that..

Most amount of time in one day….. Non-stop 10-12 hours in Berklee tryin’ to learn Simon Phillips’ “Give Blood” Drum Track (Pete Townsend tune…)

Are there other bands or musicians that you would like to play with and have not had a chance yet?

BRIAN: Tons… Jeff Beck, Heart, McCartney, Aerosmith, Page/Plant/Jones, Brian May, Geddy n Alex, Angus, Skynyrd, etc…

Foto: Facebook Brian Tichy

We know you like Kiss, even recorded “Rip It Out” on the album “Ace Frehley Tribute””, Led Zeppelin, of course, and Rush, what other bands are you listening to? Do you enjoy listening to the bands or albums that you recorded?

BRIAN: I listen mostly to older stuff and don’t find much enjoyment is sterile, regurgitated modern rock production unless it’s Meshuggah or Gojira, because they are a notch above in their own way!!

I just enjoy listening to music where the musician’s sounds and groove were captured and that’s what made it special.

But sometimes you cant deny a Lady Gaga or Katy Perry track! Ha…

And I love some old one hit wonder disco type stuff but there again, the production was based on capturing the sounds of the musicians … Listen to Gerry Polci’s drumming with Frankie Valli on Who Loves You and Oh What A Night! Awesome!

I don’t listen to much of what I’ve recorded… maybe a bit here and there for various reasons..

Besides being a amazing drummer, you are also a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Is the drums your favorite instrument or for you all of them are equally important in your life? Can you talk a little bit about this?

BRIAN: I love guitar as much as drums but I’m a better, more natural drummer. I love great singers and wish I could but I’m not that good, and never put in enough time to even try to become that…

But the more you know, the more it helps you in all musical situations. It helps to know theory, guitar, piano, have a good ear, and know how to talk through and understand arrangements. And as a drummer, it will never hurt to be able to sing or sing backups.

Now you’re on tour with a Japanese band, can you tell us a bit about this band and that experience?

BRIAN: B’z are Japan’s biggest rock band for 30 years. Stadiums and arenas. I’ve recorded with them here and there since 1999.

They are very kind and talented people.

They asked me to do their new LP and summer tour this year and it worked out!

Foto: Facebook Brian Tichy

Brian, thank you again for this interview and before we finish, would you like to send a message to the Brazilian fans?

BRIAN: Thx! Hey you rockin’ Brazilians! You guys are the craziest fans in the world! Probably the loudest too! You come to a show and you literally put on a show of your own!

That’s what rock and roll is; letting it all out and having a fun time, losing yourself in the music and experience! Hope to get back down there soon!

Thx!!

Brian