On November 11, 2018, the first edition of a drum event called Śląski Festiwal Perkusyjny (Silesian Drum Festival) was held at the Chorzowskie Centrum Kultury theater in Chorzów, Poland. Our team was anxious to attend, especially considering the bill, which included the likes of: Polish Instagram drumming sensation Wojtek Deregowski, Austrian extreme metal specialist Kerim “Krimh” Lechner, the Polish rhythm section comprising Robert Luty / Piotr Żaczek, the Paris Monster duo (drummer, keyboard player and singer Josh Dion and bassist Geoff Kraly) as well as the internationally recognized educator Mike Johnston.
photo: beatit.tv
You have already seen Wojtek Deregowski (HERE) and Kerim “Krimh” Lechner’s drum kits (HERE), so let’s watch Josh Dion talk us through his gear.
Josh Dion: Right now, I’m using a 20-inch bass drum and I usually keep it more open than it was today. Today, it was a little bit more thuddy but it depends on the room I’m playing and what I have to work with. You can do a lot with a 20-inch bass drum. It’s very versatile. Usually it’s just a simple 5.5” x 14” snare drum. Today, I tuned it up more and put the wallet on it to kinda deaden it. I had a 12-inch tom, which I tune up sometimes to make it a little more jazzy. I have big hi hats, usually 16” or 17”, to get a full sound ’cause I do a lot of left foot stuff. I use Meinl cymbals. I like how weird they sound, I can get them to scrape very easy. Usually, I only use one cymbal, but today I used two. And then, there’s the keyboard and stuff.
BeatIt: What was the drum kit?
Josh Dion: I play Yamaha drums. I think that was a Maple Custom. Maple drums are usually my favorite. They resonate in the way that I like. I’ve been a Yamaha artist for over 10 years.
BeatIt: What skins do you like to put on your drums?
Josh Dion: I play Evans heads. I usually use just a thin G1 or some other one-ply head. I like to be able to manipulate them myself with tape or whatever. If they can ring, it’s better that way.
BeatIt: Sticks.
Josh Dion: Vic Firth my whole life. 5A. I’m a simple man.
