NAMM 2010 PROMARK Release Pete's new 'VOYAGER' signature stick Worldwide.

I shouldn't really confess to it but I actually started using Pro-Mark sticks some while ago, whilst involved endorsing another stick company, who shall remain nameless!!  It actually takes me back to my early days and those indestructible oak 707's that I used to pound away with in my first punk band.  It may be hard to believe but I still have a pair twenty years on. My playing has moved on a lot since then and after all that time it is exciting to be properly involved with one of the fore runners in drum stick design and innovations.

As a percussionist I am called upon for many different textures & nuances.  For years it led me to make my own sticks and strikers but now I can honestly fill my boots with Pro-Mark items on a session and know I will have all I need.  Top of my list at the moment are the Thunder rods and the Lightening rods. They are indeed a massive improvement on the sticks I used to make with 'Glued & rolled' bamboo blinds. 

The thunder rods are great for my little 'Trilokesque' drum set where I do not want the total attack of a wooden drum stick.  They problem I had with the bamboo versions was that they sounded OK on the drums but would not make the cymbals sing.  They would also lack that little extra when you need to beef it up.  The thunder rods on the other hand work well at lower levels but have that extra dynamic level and also make the cymbals sing cleanly, at either pp or ff. 

If you really want subtle then you can move over to the hot rods or the even thinner cool rods.  I prefer these in the studio when the cymbals are miked nicely and you can hit with a little more subtlety and finesse.

There are many applications for these sticks in the studio.  Besides sounding good as an alternative on Surdos and ethnic drums, they sound great even if you play on a chair or table.  The pieces of wood of the sticks sound upon one another and give an almost 'shakeresque' texture.  This adds an extra element of top end definition which you can't get from a stick.  With percussion, this can be a real bonus.

Not to be excluded at the really subtle end of the scale are the new 'Brooms'.  These are really delicate strips of the sort of stuff you would get from an old traditional broom.  Really subtle and delicate for the studio or super ambient moments.    

 
'Tubes'  are another great invention, invented by Paul Wertico.  Harping on about studio applications but these are also great for recording.  Heads usually turn from the control room when you start tinkering away with these.  They have their own resonance and note which really adds an interesting aspect to whatever you are striking.

There's also the nylon retractable brushes and various beaters to cover cymbal rolls, from the smoothest to the most aggressive, wood block hits etc.

Regarding sticks, I use mainly half inch Timbale sticks, the infamous 'rock knocker', 5b's and the 710 hickory 'Stinger'.  This tends to cover me for my heavier percussion work and drum set stuff.

See what's in my stick box!