J "Boomer" Grenier From Hounds Of Hasselvander - 27 years behind the kit

J "Boomer" Grenier is one of those underrated musicians that after 27 years you would think he be a household name by now.This is one of the finest Drummers around with one hell of a Drumming resume behind him.Most of the Doom scene will now him as being the man behind the kit for "The Hounds Of Hasselvander" but he has more,a lot lot more.Here is a great interview with the man.Hope you like it.......


1.First thing i must say is 27 years in the music business is a long time for anyone. What has been the positive and negative experiences for you ?

WELL, I'D SAY THAT THE POSITIVE SIDE IS HAVING THE EXTREME PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH SO MANY GREAT MUSICIANS (BOTH WELL KNOWN & LOCALS IN MY AREA), MEETING SO MANY UNBELIEVABLE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY FROM PRODUCERS, ENGINEERS, GEAR COMPANIES, VENUE OWNERS, PROMOTERS ETC. I HAVE DEFINITELY MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS OVER 27 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS AND IT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND ON. I AM CERTAINLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

THE NEGATIVE SIDE HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE OCCASIONAL SHADY VENUE OWNERS, MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, & GENERAL SLEAZE BALLS THAT DON'T CARE ABOUT THE MUSIC, THE FANS, & THE BANDS THEY HIRE. IT'S LIKE ANY BUSINESS. PEOPLE WANT A PIECE OF YOU FOR THEIR OWN GAIN AND YOU JUST HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AND CHECK EVERYTHING OUT AHEAD OF TIME AND WATCH YOUR BACK. WHAT DOESN'T KILL YA MAKES YOU STRONGER & I TURN THE NEGATIVE INTO POSITIVE AND ALWAYS LEARN SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE.

2.I know its hard to sum up 27 years in a few words but can you give the readers a run down of your musical history ?

I'VE PLAYED DRUMS, GUITAR, AND BASS THROUGH MY EARLY YEARS , AND HAVE ALSO BEEN THE LEAD VOCALIST PLAYING ALICE COOPER IN A TRIBUTE BAND CALLED "BILLION DOLLAR BABIES" BACK IN THE MID- NINETIES. I AM STICKING TO MY FIRST LOVE.. DRUMS, AND IM CURRENTLY PLAYING WITH THREE GREAT BANDS. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN RECRUITED LAST YEAR BY JOE HASSELVANDER OF RAVEN / PENTAGRAM FAME TO BE THE DRUMMER IN HIS SIDE SOLO BAND "THE HOUNDS OF HASSELVANDER". THAT WAS MIND BLOWING AS I WAS A RAVEN FAN GOING BACK TO THE FIRST ALBUM BEFORE JOE WAS IN THE BAND. I HAVE A GREAT RESPECT FOR JOE AS A PERSON AND DRUMMER AND APPRECIATE THAT HE SAW ME FIT TO PLAY THE KIT BEHIND HIM IN "THE HOUNDS".

I ALSO HAVE BEEN PLAYING DRUMS IN A STRAIGHT AHEAD ROCK/ HARD ROCK BAND CALLED BOTTOMS UP FOR FIVE YEARS. WE'VE PUT OUT A COUPLE CD'S, DVD/CD PACKAGE, AND HAVE BEEN GREAT FRIENDS FOR YEARS AND HAVE ALL PLAYED TOGETHER IN PREVIOUS BANDS. IT'S A GREAT OUTLET AND FUN.

LASTLY, I PLAY DRUMS WITH UPCOMING GUITAR GOD STEVE BURROWS. I DO STEVE'S GUITAR CLINICS AND CONCERTS WHEN MY SCHEDULE ALLOWS. WE ARE ACTUALLY WORKING ON A FULL STUDIO ALBUM (TO BE RELEASED HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR) WHEN WE HAVE TIME IN BETWEEN OUR BUSY SCHEDULES. IT SHOULD BE KILLER.

3.What has it been like working with Joe,i think the guy is a true legend in rock. Very underrated and under - appreciated.

JOE IS A RIOT AND HAS GREAT ROAD STORIES! WE ALL HAVE A GREAT TIME ON THE ROAD. I'LL TELL THOUGH, HE IS EXTREMELY TALENTED AND I AGREE VERY UNDERRATED. I MEAN, HE WROTE, PLAYED, AND PRODUCED EVERYTHING ON 'THE HOUNDS" CD. THE MATERIAL IS GREAT! IT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME. JOE DEFINITELY KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS MUSICALLY AND IS DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE HE GETS IT AND GIVES THE FANS THE BEST PRODUCT AND SHOW POSSIBLE. I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO JOE AND ERIC (HOUNDS BASSIST)FOR APPROACHING ME TO BE A PART OF "THE HOUNDS". IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN A BIT OF A STRANGE TRIP AT TIMES AND WELL WORTH IT. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKING "THE HOUNDS" AS FAR AS WE CAN AND I'M GIVING ALL THAT I CAN. HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET TO WHERE WE WANT AND WHERE WE SHOULD BE. TIME WILL TELL.

4.You have some huge shows coming up,can you tell us what is your schedule for the rest of the year ?

WELL, THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THE WORKS FOR "THE HOUNDS" THAT
I CAN'T CHAT ABOUT YET BUT AS ALWAYS, AS SOON AS THINGS ARE FINALIZED WE'LL DEFINITELY LET EVERYONE KNOW. I WILL SAY THAT WE'RE WORKING ON DOING A TOUR(S) THIS FALL.

BOTTOMS UP WILL BE DOING SOME SHOW(S) WITH JUDAS PRIEST AND WHITESNAKE IN AUGUST, AND I HAVE SOME DATES I'LL BE DOING WITH STEVE BURROWS IN THE FALL ALSO. I'M DEFINITELY KEEPING BUSY. ANYONE CAN CONTACT ME AND/OR KEEP UP WITH WHAT I'M DOING AT MY MYSPACE PAGE. WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BOOMERJNK

5.Going on to drums,what was the inspiration for you to play drums and who is your favorite drummers ?

I SAW KISS ON THE PAUL LYNDE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL IN 1976 AND THAT WAS IT. I WANTED TO BE IN A BAND AND PLAY A HUGE DRUM KIT LIKE PETER CRISS. KISS IS STILL MY FAVORITE BAND TO THIS DAY.
GROWING UP I LISTENED TO ALOT OF 70S & 80S MUSIC. HEAVEN AND HELL IS ONE OF MY FAV ALBUMS AND BILL WARD WAS DEFINITELY AN EARLY INFLUENCE ON MY PLAYING. I HAVE SO MANY FAVORITE DRUMMERS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS BUT HERE'S A LIST OF SOME OF MY FAVORITES AND INFLUENCES OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

PETER CRISS, ERIC CARR, ERIC SINGER, BILL WARD, TOMMY ALDRIDGE, NICKO McBRAIN, CLIVE BURR, BOBBY RONDINELLI, FRANKIE BANALI, COZY POWELL, TOMMY LEE, JOHN BONHAM, LEONARD HAZE, AND JOE HASSELVANDER LOL AND THERE'S REALLY MANY MORE. I COULD JUST GO ON & ON

6.What about underrated drummers,there is a lot of them out there.

OH YEAH.. TONS OF UNDERRATED GUYS. SOME I LISTED ABOVE.
BOBBY RONDINELLI IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THOSE GUYS. THE WORK HE'S DONE WITH RAINBOW, SABBATH, BOC AND HIS OWN BAND: RONDINELLI ETC. SEEMS TO BE FORGOTTEN AND IT'S A SHAME.

FRANKIE BANALI ALSO... THE STUFF HE'S DONE WITH QUIET RIOT & WASP IS AMAZING. THESE GUYS HAVE PLAYED ON SO MANY GREAT ALBUMS THAT NO ONE EVER KNEW IT WAS THEM.

THEN THE OBVIOUS.. JOEY KRAMER (AEROSMITH) & PHIL RUDD (AC/DC)THE SIMPLISTIC GROOVE ROCK DRUMMERS THAT PLAY FOR THE SONGS AND NOT THEMSELVES. THEY ARE THE MASTERS OF STRAIGHT AHEAD SOLID DRUMMING. BELIEVE IT OR NOT... IT'S AS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN TO PLAY AND WHEN NOT TO, AND THESE GUYS ARE THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF TASTEFUL AND POWERFUL PLAYING.

7.When you are not playing what bands are some of your favorites to listen to ?

KISS, SABBATH, OZZY, PRIEST, MAIDEN, RAINBOW, UFO, ALICE COOPER, AEROSMITH, SKID ROW, DIAMOND HEAD, ZEPPELIN, TRIUMPH ETC. I LOVE THE HEAVY 70S BANDS AND THE COOL 80S BANDS. THERE'S A HANDFUL OF 90S AND CURRENT STUFF, BUT NOT MUCH OUT NOW THAT STANDS OUT TO ME ENOUGH TO DIG.

8.You also have some sponsorship deals with different companies,am i right and how important are these to you ?

YES, I DO. I HAVE SOME GREAT COMPANIES THAT I ENDORSE AND THEY ENDORSE ME. I HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY MANY COMPANIES BUT ONLY DEAL WITH ONES THAT TRULY HAVE A GREAT PRODUCT THAT I WILL USE AND CAN FEEL GOOD TO STAND BEHIND. I USE EVERYTHING AND LOVE TO TURN OTHER DRUMMERS AND FRIENDS ONTO NEW GEAR WHEN I FIND SOMETHING THAT IS UNIQUE AND WORKS WELL FOR ME.
I LOVE THE PRODUCTS AND HAVE MADE SOME GREAT FRIENDS. FRIENDS AND GREAT GEAR ARE ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO ME.

9.Tell us about your favorite recordings you have been involved with ?

I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE BOTTOMS UP RECORDS WE'VE DONE. EDDIE JEAN AND EVAN DESMARAIS ARE AMAZING PLAYERS AND GREAT FRIENDS AND BAND MATES. WE'RE STILL WRITING TO FINISH UP A CD WE STARTED LAST FALL. THREE SONGS ARE IN THE CAN.

I ALSO DID A COVER VERSION OF ALICE COOPERS "BILLION DOLLAR BABIES" FOR A TRIBUTE CD THAT MICHAEL BRUCE AND NEAL SMITH FROM ALICES' ORIGINAL BAND WERE A PART OF. IT'S OUT OF PRINT BUT I'M SURE YOU CAN FIND IT ON EBAY OR SOMETHING.

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING A NEW "HOUNDS" CD WITH JOE AND ERIC WHEN IT'S TIME.

10.Do you love being on the road,you seem to be always moving ?

I LOVE IT! I REALLY LOVE TO TRAVEL. MY FAMILY ISN'T SO HAPPY ALL THE TIME ABOUT IT BUT THEY UNDERSTAND AND KNOW IT'S PART OF THE BUSINESS. HEY I BRING BACK STUFF AND SHOT GLASSES FOR THE COLLECTION AND NOT ALWAYS JUST A LOUSY T-SHIRT. LOL
I LOVE BEING OUT ON THE ROAD AND MEETING PEOPLE AND HANGING WITH THE FANS AND FRIENDS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT I DON'T GET TO SEE MUCH. THAT'S REALLY THE ONLY TIME.

11.What is your opinion of the recording industry,are they as ruthless as people make out ?

HAHAHA. WHAT RECORD INDUSTRY?! IT'S ALMOST NON-EXISTENT. I GUESS AT ONE POINT IT WAS, AND ON SOME LEVELS IT CERTAINLY STILL IS BAD. EVERYONE IS OUT TO MAKE MONEY AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. HOWEVER, IF YOU INTENTIONALLY USE, MANIPULATE, MAKE YOUR MONEY, THEN DISCARD AN ACT OR ARTIST LIKE YESTERDAYS NEWS AND TRASH.. TO ME THAT'S NOT MORALLY RIGHT BUT THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT SHOW BUSINESS. IF YOU DON'T SHOW THAT YOU HAVE BUSINESS, THEN UNFORTUNATELY IT BECOMES NO BUSINESS. SO.. THAT'S SHOW BUSINESS.

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF BANDS / ARTISTS PUTTING OUT THERE OWN CD'S. THEY HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF THEIR MATERIAL. IT'S THE DISTRIBUTION THAT CAN BECOME THE DIFFICULT TASK. THUS THERE ARE SO MANY INTERNET STORES AND ONLINE BUYING OUTLETS.

12.Is there any musicians you would love to do something with ?

OH YEAH! ABSOLUTELY!
THERE'S JUST SO MANY. I'D LOVE TO DO A PROJECT WITH MY GREAT LONG TIME FRIEND PAUL CROOK. PAUL IS AN AMAZING GUITARIST AND ENGINEER/PRODUCER. THAT WOULD BE METAL!

I'D LOVE TO GET A CALL TO PLAY DRUMS ON ONE OF THOSE COVER TUNE COMPILATIONS PAYING TRIBUTE TO A LEGENDARY ARTIST AND BE ON A TRACK WITH FOR EXAMPLE..
GEORGE LYNCH ON GUITAR, BRIAN MAY ON GUITAR, RUDY SARZO ON BASS, RONNIE JAMES DIO ON VOCALS ETC.
SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD RULE!

FRANKIE BANALI AND VINNY APPICE HAD THE BEST DRUM SLOTS DOING THE RECORDING FOR HEARING AID BACK IN THE EIGHTIES AND WORKING WITH ALL THOSE AMAZING SINGERS AND GUITARISTS.

13.Last one,a lot of drummers go under the radar for most people. I guess that comes from being up the back of the stage etc. Have you ever had any ambitions to be a guitarist or singer ?

HAHA! I HAVE BEEN A GUITARIST IN BANDS AND THE LEAD SINGER IN A COUPLE BANDS. NOTHING THAT REALLY DID ANYTHING PAST LOCAL / CLUB SITUATIONS THOUGH. I ENJOYED BEING BOTH FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT MY LOVE IS DRUMS. THE WAY I FIGURE IT IS, IF SOMEONE COMES TO A SHOW AND REALLY LIKES WHAT I DO AND WANTS TO COME UP TO ME AND CHAT... NO PROBLEM AND PLEASE DO. IF THEY DIG THE GUITARIST, BASSIST OR THE SINGER BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE IN THE SPOTLIGHT, OUT IN FRONT, AND DIG WHAT THEY DO, IT'S ALL GOOD. THAT JUST GET'S ME TO THE HOTEL, BAR, OR DINNER THAT MUCH QUICKER. LOL

PLAYING DRUMS IS THE PLACE FOR ME. BEING A GUITARIST OR SINGER WAS A NICE PLACE TO VISIT, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE THERE.

14.Thanks for the interview. Hard to know what questions to ask when someone like yourself have done so much. Any last words or final thoughts for the readers out there ?

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY WELCOME! I WOULD JUST THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR CONSTANT SUPPORT FOR WHAT I DO AND AM INVOLVED IN! AS MUCH AS I DIG ALL TYPES OF MUSIC AND STYLES, THE DOOM METAL COMMUNITY HAS REALLY TAKEN ME INTO THE FOLD ALSO. I REALLY SAW IT IN INDIANAPOLIS WHEN "THE HOUNDS" HEADLINED THE TEMPLAR'S OF DOOM III FESTIVAL. THE DOOM METAL COMMUNITY IS EXTREMELY TIGHT YET, VERY WELCOMING. THAT'S REALLY WHAT MUSIC IS ABOUT IN ANY FORM AND GENRE, AND THAT'S HOW MUSIC LIVES, BREATHES AND GROWS.

SEE YA ON THE ROAD, KEEP IT METAL & DOOM ON!

ALL THE BEST!
J. "BOOMER" GRENIER