Zildjian - John Tempesta Asian Clinic Tour 2010 Hong Kong Stop (26/5/2010)

Event Review

Drummer John Tempesta is a powerhouse having played with the Who’s-Who’s of metal. In a career spanning two decades, the New Yorker has built a body of work that has deservedly earned him a place among metal’s most popular and well-respected players. Perhaps best known for his tenure with White Zombie, John’s extensive professional resume includes gigs with Exodus, Testament, Helmet and many more.

Like many musicians who were born in the 1960’s, the Beatles had huge influence on John’s career aspirations. “When I saw Beatles’s A Hard Day’s Night on TV, I thought Ringo Starr is cool. From that moment I know I wanna be a drummer”.

John draws inspiration from Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, Alex Van Helen and Black Sabbath’s Bill Ward. In the early stages of his career, he was hired as a drum tech for Charlie Benate, drummer of Anthrax, one of metal scene’s big-four. For four years, John went on tour with Charlie and helped in recording sessions. During that time, he learnt how to master both speed and accuracy of drumming.

Looking back, John regarded his experience with White Zombie as one of the major milestones in his career. “I played in lots of bands, but White Zombie is the band that brought me to that big level, achieve success, selling lots of record and stuff. I have to say getting my parents my first gold record was a big achievement. They are proud of me and my profession.”

Today, John is a popular drum clinician who enjoys sharing his tricks and tips with drummers around the world. With a schedule to tour twelve Asian cities, including Harbin and Mumbai, John’s first Asian clinic was held in Osaka, Japan on May 20, 2010. This is the metal icon’s first visit to Hong Kong in twenty years and there’s a lot of excitement amongst local metal heads. John was thrilled by Hong Kong’s enthusiastic crowd. “Tonight, I feel really honored and excited to be able to play, and explain what I do for all of you. When I was a kid, like most of you, I used to attend all clinics I could go to and learn!”

John took time to field questions from the audience on topics ranging from musical influences to equipment choices. “Zildjian’s new Z3 cymbals are great for hard-hitters, because they are solid and they can cut right through the guitars. So far I haven’t broken any yet. But, when I play with the Cult, I’d switch to my A Customs, because the music is tame.” Tuning-wise, John prefers tuning his entire kit a bit lower, so that he could get more low-end and create a darker tone.

Back to the kit, he blasted through "I Assassin" by the Cult, “Into the pit” by Testament and Tommy Iommi’s “Meat”. John replicated the grooves from the CD with incredible power and precision but he also enhanced them by taking his drumming further and deeper. The dark and enigmatic experience put the audience under its spell. John’s talents and skills are nothing short of remarkable and he can manhandle his way around all sorts of rock and metal. Yet, don’t be fooled by metal’s seemingly simplistic musical pattern and routine -- like all drumming immortals and drumming greats, John’s extraordinary rockability is anything but easy. “Everyone knows that I am a hard rocker. When I work with Exodus, I had to learn thrash metal from scratch, because I have never played anything like that before. That is a challenge. A challenge means, trying to do something that I don’t usually do. That wasn’t easy, but all I know is I love what I do.”

Metal drummers rely on chops and an unusual degree of stamina. John reminded the audience that developing the physicality and endurance required to play at such speed is something that won’t happen overnight. “To become tight and fast, especially in your double bass play, there is no alternative but to practice.”

To close the clinic, John pounded out a mammoth 15-minute drum solo. With John’s level of musicianship, you do not really need pyrotechnics or shooting flames to throw a world-class music event.

What does the 35-year veteran think is one of the most important lessons he can impart? “Timing is everything in this business. You have to keep playing and be out there. People won’t knock on your door to get you.”

- Francis Fu