Hey Phrazz and other Listeners, sorry for dropping the ball on the reply, been in a rush to get the Fall tour drum prep completed
Let me say thank you very much for the appreciation and enjoyment expressed
Here is some info on the new drums, Thanks to all who dropped an email with requests and compliments
http://willoughcraftdrums.com/AndrewBarr2006UG.html
here is some history
At the recent UMass show Andrew reminded me that we were celebrating our 10th year working together
I knew there was some reason I started filing taxes for my drum business : )
I am a drum enthusiast to say the least, also an organic farmer, a writer, a cook, a political instigator and current political candidate here in New Hampshire. I dig honest music, diligent people and aspiring minds.
I started Repercussions.org and Willoughcraft Drum company over 10 years ago and have since conducted an intensive study of the design, characteristics and principles of the drum as both a physical item and an energy generator. This has been the largest ever conducted and as I run a world renown vintage restoration shop, I have been gifted with a never ending supply of data( work ) on which to gain new insight and develop and discover new concepts.
I have been greatly honored by the response to my application of these studies from both my contemporaries and luminaries.
I originally met The Slip at the Hooker st house where they were doing some recording for a promo album to start getting gigs ( I think it was called the Blue Album????) It had a real nice recording of Entering Saugus as well as some early renditions of now classic songs.
A week later they showed up at the Red House playing at the infamous Sam Leonard coffee house shows. These guys were obviously on a diligent path of exploration! Well as history shows these guys did not stay a secret very long and my drum affiliation with Andrew started shortly after the The Slip's upswing in performances took it's toll on Andrew's trusty Pearl drums as can be heard in numerous Chopping Block recordings.
The first set we made together was a flop as we picked odd sizes, in a Walnut Lacquer finish that didn't end up working in the current playing situation. However Andrew had borrowed a natural blond Lacquer Maple bop set I had on numerous occasions and decided that would serve him better and that set he still uses in various incarnations today. After Does we made the small Lacewood Jazz set which he toured for a few years before turning it in for a more traditional size set which would better suit the musical direction the band was heading in at that time. There was a period where the bass drums were all 18" drums so a few years back we added the big white 28" 1930s Leedy bass drum.
I run a very small company and not even a very profitable company at that but Andrew has always appealed to the music and rhythm lover in myself and it has been a joy to help him in his musical career I mean who wouldn't help Andrew : ) WC drums only house a very small handful of endorsees who can stir strong emotion while presenting musical magic. A few other players supported include Ashwin Sood, Aston Barrett, Junior Marvin and Dummie Zeb of The Wailers, Julien Jolly, Dave Mattacks and a few others.
WAR always, aside from killing, creates job loss and poverty to anyone not affiliated with arms sales so selling hand made drums is a pretty tough thing do especially in the present economy. But what can you do..run for office and push on! We are already looking forward to the upcoming and spring time tour seasons as we have new secret skimwobabobs in the works and will continue as always to craft drums!
We are currently looking for some web design help to revamp our website, anyone looking for work?
Also Phrazz I am looking for a photo timeline I can use in conjunction with a bio for Andrew for the WC site as well as an article I am writing ( I am also a Contributing writer to numerous Drum publications and am an Editor and Features writer for Not so Modern Drummer Magazine)
I am looking for quality pics and I know you are the man! I have some of the first set but I am looking for pics with the Blond set, the Exotic Lacewood set and the current Green Sparkle set. Also any good pics of Andrew playing any of his own creations.
I have gained much joy out of my relations with Andrew, Brad, and Marc and hope to always be looking forward to their achievements with great and certain aspirations for their futures
As for the New album and tour? I suggest no one misses this tour! and as mentioned in another thread, GET YOUR COPY OF THE ALBUM AT THE SHOW! Its a great way to help the band kick off a strong fall tour and New Year!
Cherie
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