The ACPBA is pleased to present a new series of interviews which profile past and present ACPBA members who have won world championship titles in the world of piping and drumming. Our first interview is with Dartmouth native and Toronto resident John Rowe. John is the bass drummer for the Scottish Lion 78^th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band home of the 2007 World Championship Drum Corps and Bass Section.

2007 World Bass Drumming Champion John Rowe

First pipe band?
My first Pipe Band was the Dartmouth Boys Pipe Band. I joined when I was about 8 and I was playing in the band about a year later. I did my stint with them for a few years and then eventually worked into the Dartmouth and District Grade 2, which was an awesome time! I made a lot of great friends in those bands who I'm still pals with today......I even STILL currently play with a couple of them.

First teacher?
My first teacher was Geordie Fowler, who still plays. He was great and it's really cool whenever I get a chance to hang with my old teacher - who is also a good friend. I owe him a lot! The best thing about him was that he was very careful to focus on the basics. He'd DRILL that stuff into me from day one! It's soooo important, the basics and good technique.

Favourite pipe band growing up?
My favourite pipe band growing up was definitely the Fraser's. Everything changed for me when I heard the 'Green' album (Live in Ireland). No lie. That album STILL kicks!!! It's very cool to be actually playing some of that stuff now in that band. When we played Journey to Skye at our concert last year (and also in Kansas City this past winter) it was definitely a ' pinch me!' moment.

Favourite Pipe Major/Leading Drummer?
I've had the pleasure of playing with some good ones, but I would have to say that having the chance to play with Bill Livingstone and Drew Duthart is pretty spectacular!
John Walsh was also very cool and Dougie Boyd.... both with Halifax Police. Both are guys I respect for sure.

Favourite non-pipe band music?
I try to listen to all kinds of music away from the pipe band world. In actual fact, I consciously try to NOT listen to much ’pipe band' music in my spare time. I listen to funk, metal, hardcore, punk, pop, rock, jazz, classical, country, afro-Cuban....it's ALL good and you can take influence from it all.

Other interests?
Most of my other interests are music related. I play drum kit and play around Toronto currently. I also drum tech for an all female heavy metal band here in Toronto. I don't know.... I like getting into the gym when I can, I do enjoy some sports but I'm not 'fanatical' or anything. I go to shows and check out bands....... just hang out and chill with my pals, if I'm not working.

Do you think there should be a limit to the size of pipe band mid sections?
This is a tough one. There is a lot of debate going on regarding mid sections right now. I think that as long as it is MUSICAL and fits the context of what the band is trying to achieve...... size isn't so much an issue. I think having a HUGE midsection that doesn't do anything is ridiculous. Every band has their style and their own idea of what they are trying to achieve sonically. I'm sure there are a lot of people that don't like what we are doing....... but, we're going to keep on doing it, if it fits the overall musical vision. There is a fine line you've got to be aware of. Too much is, well....sometimes too much! Again, every band has a different idea in mind.  Realistically, I don't see things getting too much bigger if at all. A lot of it depends on whether you have enough capable players or not. If you only have three CAPABLE tenor drummers.....why play 5??!  

Is there room for more than one bass drummer in modern competition pipe bands?
I think we will see more than one bass drum in competition soon. How it will fly with the judges and public, I'm not sure. I have a sneaking suspicion this will happen sooner than later. I'm still not sure of what I think about it. With the size of some of the tenors that the bands are playing.....well, it's basically another 'bass' voice anyways. So, really.....it's kind-of already been done. We've got tenor drums on the market now that are 20" to 22" in diameter and that is like adding another bass drum.
I remember seeing Dave Weckyl (big name jazz drummer) in clinic and he had a 22" kick (bass) drum as his 'main' drum and a 20" kick drum as an auxiliary bass drum in his set up. It's really the same thing. You're going to get a different sound and different tone off of those drums....but, really, they are BOTH bass drums.  I know HOSS has really been pushing this idea for years.

How about the pipe corps, should there be a size limit?
There has likewise been debate about the pipe corps....we've kinda been at the centre of that -playing thirty last year at the World’s - that was even after a few 'cuts'.  If it is MUSICAL why not? It's not so much a volume thing as much as a musicality issue. With more players, you increase the amount of harmonies and so on, that can be played....again, making the musical vision more of a reality.
Personally, I find the whole argument amusing..... I think a lot of the criticism comes from people who a) don't REALLY know what they're talking about or b) play in bands that don't have the luxury of big numbers.  I won't lie....we're lucky that we have a lot of great players to pick from.

 Do you think that the size of some of today’s Grade 1 band’s may be having a negative effect on smaller lower grade bands who struggle to keep membership retention?
I don't think so. This has been an excuse for a while too....again; in Ontario the Fraser’s (as of late) seem to be taking a bashing on this.  We don't really 'actively' recruit players. Everyone that comes to the band WANTS to be here.....even the guys/girls that end up spending 1, 2, 3+ years NOT competing and getting cut at the contests. What they learn from being surrounded by top talent is invaluable - and THEY realize that. There's people I know in my band ( some of the younger players, for example) who have been in the band 2-3 years and maybe only played a handful of contests......but they're still here! Why? Because they know how much they're learning and, maybe more importantly, they're having fun.  A lot of the people who like to make this a big issue are people who wouldn't be able to make the cut, quite frankly...... or who are just to lazy to work harder to make THEIR situation better in whatever band they're in.  Bill Livingstone called it last spring and NO ONE.......NO ONE believed we would go out at the World’s with 30 pipers. The proof is in the pudding. We did exactly that. It was our own fault that we had some mistakes and stuff, but that had nothing to do with playing 30 people. Mistakes happen.......Bands go through growing phases. When I first joined the Fraser's, we were rebuilding. My first couple of years in the band was pretty sketchy in terms of numbers, etc. Every band goes through this. You have to stay positive and work through it, and rebuild. If you build a good product....people WILL come, which is exactly what happened to us.  I think to blame it solely on a neighboring BIG band is too easy. There are always tons of factors at play.  It's not just the lower grade bands that suffer from this - I've seen my fair share of grade 2 and grade1 bands go through hard times.   As I said, there are always different issues at play: younger players going away to school, people moving on in their lives (starting families, job commitments.). All bands have to deal with this.  I never like to see bands fold or take a summer off of competition. But the reality is, is that sometimes these things happen. Like I said - the first couple of years I was in the Fraser’s, things were not as they are now.

Will the 78^th Fraser’s ever get to Nova Scotia to compete or perform?
I know that getting the Fraser's to Nova Scotia to play and/or perform is something that we all want to do. There's a few of us in the band that are from out east, so it'd would be really cool for us to show the others (some of whom have never been) how awesome it is!  I think the last time the band was out east was for the Magantic Outlaw concert which was recorded in St. John N.B. in, like the mid 90’s????!! And that was a way different band than we have now...... lots of new people in the ranks now.  I think one of the big issues is that our competitions are always conflicting - we need to be here for our 'local' games to support and likewise the maritime bands usually only make it up for Maxville or Montreal, if at all.....That AND it's expensive to travel a band from here to there or vice versa without some kind of support.....especially when you may be planning a trip to Scotland later in the summer.  We'll see....hopefully it can happen!

How is the band shaping up for the coming season?
The band is shaping up great for the upcoming season. I think we made great strides last year and we're fully planning on improving on that this year. Already things are really very good. We've addressed issues and fixed them. It's really great to be able to practice outside in MAY! We'll be in good shape.

First place overall would be a nice win for the band at this years World’s, is it within reach for 2008?
I DO think that a World’s title for the band is possible for 2008. I also think that we can regain the drumming title as well.  It's a very tough contest with some really good bands, but I think we'll be right in the thick of it.

What do you do to prepare mentally for a big contest like the World’s?
To prepare mentally for a big contest (like the World’s) I don't really have any type of set routine. I usually try to take it somewhat easy the night before....... a lot of us in the band get together in Glasgow and go out for a nice meal - energy food (pasta).... that sort of thing, which also acts as a good socializing thing the night before. Then it's usually to the local pub for a couple or after dinner drinks and then a relatively early night. It's important to get rest.  I usually get up pretty early on the day, and get my uniform in order....shine shoes, get prepared. I'll have some tea and breakfast and shower/shave.....all that stuff. It's funny actually, that's ONE thing I do pretty-much religiously before a contest or performance......I HAVE to have a clean shave the morning of!

Do you ever get nervous before and/or during a contest?
I don't get nervous before or during a contest. I'm lucky that way. It's more of an adrenalin rush of anxiousness.......I just want to get out there and play! I've often felt like I play better in front of a crowd, that's why I love performing. I feed off of that energy.

What is the best advice you have for young players in regard to controlling nerves before and during a contest?
My advice in controlling nerve issues is just to be as prepared as possible. I think if you know the material inside and out and you know that everything in your control is handled.....you just have to go out there and DO IT.  It's a strange game...... you have to project confidence in EVERYTHING you do.....even in the face of, maybe, not knowing it so well or something. If you make a mistake - NEVER let on like you did. Just keep on plugging and crush it!!!  I'm usually so focused on what I'm doing that quite often I don't even hear the crowd. It's just me, and the crew in the band..... Almost like playing in a vacuum.  The confidence thing is huge, though. The better you know you're stuff...the more relaxed you'll be. Practice the way you'd expect to play during competition....then the competition is easy.  CONFIDENCE....NOT COCKINESS!!!

How about physical preparation, do you have a stretching routine or any exercises that can help prevent any musical injuries?
For physical preparation, I stretch and just try to be ready for the movement my body is going to go through. DO some exercises at home every now and then. Shoulders, back, legs, neck....... everyone is different, but these instruments WILL take a toll on you if you don't listen to your body and treat it kindly.  You can also help yourself out by incorporating good playing technique and set-up on the instrument. Make it as ergonomic as possible. With the bass drum it's important to have the weight distributed as best as possible on your body....... get a good harness that will enable you to get the drum up high and the weight more centered over your spine as opposed to down around your midsection. You should be playing more 'up' as opposed to straight out in front of you.

How about a prediction for the top six at the Scottish Championships coming up in a few weeks (Grade 1 Draw 2008 Scottish Championships at Levengrove Park, Dumbarton, Scotland Saturday, May 24)?

1. 15.30 Strathclyde Police
2. 15.40 Fife Constabulary
3. 15.50 Clan Gregor Society
4. 16.00 Lothian & Borders Police
5. 16.10 Scottish Power
6. 16.20 Cullybackey
7. 16.30 Field Marshal Montgomery
8. 16.40 The House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead
9. 16.50 St Laurence O'Toole
10. 17.00 Ballycoan
11. 17.10 Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia
12. 17.20 Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl 

There are a lot of good bands competing....but it is early in the season and all the bands will continue improving, just like over here. I would have to say that it'll probably be the 'usual suspects’, though.  I would say that these will be the top bands: Shotts, Strathclyde Polis, FMM, Boghall, SLOT, and Scottish Power. What the order will be.....who knows?! There's always 'dark horses' who could upset the apple cart. We'll see......