Drummer for a Day
Author: Malcolm Blake
With 31 years of drumming behind him Cameron Budge is one of the most well known and respected drummers in Napier. He started teaching pipe band sticking when just 12 and has taught the rock-likes of Malcolm Blake (Looma), Jason Johnston (Jakob) and Oscar Wuts (Letterbox Lambs/ Ejector).Deciding that he needed a new personal challenge Cameron recently undertook the task of drumming for 24 hours. "It wasn't a drumming thing really. I just needed a bigger challenge for myself during the time between finishing with tutoring and heading overseas. I'm off to Europe at the end of March to tour with my band Gramsci in support of our new album. While I'm over there I plan to compete in the International Pipe Band Snare Drum Championships in Scotland. I plan to eventually live and teach in Wellington once the current buzz has settled down."
Sticking to the standard Guiness Book Of Records' protocol, Cameron played 55 minutes of each hour, playing along with some of his favourite CDs plus fellow drummers and musicians from the area.
"I was using mostly a Roland TD6 through the PA for volume control reasons but I also a Pearl Session Custom kit with Sabian cymbals. I also used Evans drumheads and Vic Firth sticks, all of which had sponsored me for the whole event."
Malcolm Blake from Kingdom Music sorted out all the drum sponsors and PA gear while John and Kinena Fletcher lent their Rhythm 'n' Blues café as the venue. Starting at 8pm on a Wednesday night Cameron says that the low point was at about 11am the next day because he knew it was downhill from noon if he could make it that far. "The last hour was cool, everyone was around and I had rediscovered my energy during the afternoon. At the end I felt delirious and powerful. I still felt like doing a gig! I was really satisfied and really proud."
Have a listen to Cameron's drumming on the new Gramsci album 'Object' or on the web at www.gramsci.co.nz or check their profile on www.nzmusic.com
