Photo credit: Nadine Swiger Photography
Our first installment of VIMH "Voices from the Other Side" we had the opportunity to talk to Patrick King, who is best known as the late, great Vinnie Paul's drum tech, drummer from HellYeah. His resume also includes Black Label Society, Lamb of God, and so many more heavy hitters in the industry.
We took a dive into what it takes to make the foundation and timing happen for a drummer, and the overall experiences on the road.
VIMH: What got you into the music industry? What made you want to be a drum tech?
PK: How I got into this was weird. I came from more of a white collared world of business. And I ended up with a job I use to have. I was in the automotive finance industry. The business shut down before the 2008 housing crisis, with all the loans going bad. I ran into a buddy of mine who was a comedian, and Dime and Vince were fans of his. So I was working on these shows with the comedian friend. And then with the subsequent events of Dime passing, So, Vinnie came out to the shows, liking what we were doing with it. We built the shows, added lights and effects and shit, that Vince liked the shows so much that he ended up getting us a room out here in Vegas, so we can do the show. We did that for two different hotels out here in Vegas for a period about eight months. So, at the end of the run, I told them, if you ever need anyone for the road, let me know.
About two months later, Vinnie's assistant got a hold of me, and said the singer needs an assistant, come on by and talk. Chad and I talked, and got brought on. I did that for about a year and a half. Then when Vinnie's tech that was on for a hot minute from the Pantera days was let go, or left I should say, he went through a couple of interim dudes, to fill in spots. Then he called me up when a new tour cycle started up. He asked me, "You up for a challenge?" I replied, "Are you training me on this?" That's how that got started for me. He trusted in me, and that he knew my work ethic, and that's all he needed. There were time that we never did a certain setup or whatever, and he trusted in me that I would figure it out.
VIMH: Do you have a musical background?
PK: Oh yeah, mom started us on piano, then moved to trumpet in junior high and high school. And of course, there was a guitar thrown in there. Just some local band stuff, nothing crazy. My brother was a drummer. It was kinda funny, working with Vince, because I always hated my brother playing drums, because it drove me nuts. That's about it man, that and just being a mega fan of music.
VIMH: Being on tour, are there any stories you can share? Especially behind the scenes.
PK: One of my favorite ones, I got all kinds of them.. But one that stands out the most was when we were in Belgium. It involves this kid at a show. He waited outside to meet the guys, and we were done for a while, the bar or club had closed. He sat there just waiting and waiting and waiting on Vinnie. Vince finally comes out, and this kid starts talking to him. He is so emotional, tears in his eyes and all this shit. The kid said he had something for Vince, but he didn't want to leave and miss him. Vince said, "You got something? Go get it." The kid immediately ran around the corner and pulled up in his car. He had like this 1960's badass hotrod. Vince was like, "This is your fucking car?" And the kid said yea.... Then Vince goes to get in the driver's seat and says, "get in." And just barrels out of there with this kid in the car. This kid had to be losing his mind the way Vince was driving his car. He just went speeding off into the darkness. We can't see shit anymore. All you can hear is the engine off in the distance. A little bit later, you hear the screeching of tires, the engine is getting louder, Vince fishtails it in the middle of the street, slides it to a stop, and hops out. Vince says, "There we go motherfucker!". And this kid had a way beyond grin on his face. You couldn't wipe it off there. Then the kid says, "Will you sign my car?" Vince signed his car as big as shit and threw him his keys and said, "You have a good one brother.". This kid was ecstatic, ya know... it was awesome. That was my favorite one, because of the look of elation on that kids face.
VIMH: Being a seasoned professional in the industry, do you recommend getting into it?
PK: Ya, I mean, if you want to, if that's your thing, absolutely. The avenues to do it, vary by who you know. I mean, I know a lot of world class musicians who are techs just because that's where they ended up. It just depends. My story was weird and different. Not everyone has my situation to go through. Some people just like some of the bands, they might not make shit right off the bat, but over time as the band grows and you grow, they become better techs. And the more money the band makes, the more you make. If you want to stick it out and do that, then that's cool. It's difficult though, because you have to live. if you have a mortgage and family, don't do it unless you know you can provide. Then there's touring. Some that are in relationships, this may not work out for you. There's a lot of factors that play into it.
Check out Patrick's page at:
Drum Tech for:
HellYeah:
Lamb of God:
Comments