Tony Tirino – An Xperience Interview

Tony Tirino – An Xperience Interview – by OP Callaghan.

One of the hidden bonuses of going out to see live music is discovering new talent.  The Capital Region is fortunate to have such a rich and seemingly endless bunch of talent. Nearly every drummer that I have featured in this column is someone that I have seen play multiple times. This month, I’m featuring a player that I had only seen live once. While at the most recent Brick By Brick release party, I caught a new band called Kakos, featuring Extreme Music Award winner for best guitarist, Nick Stamas, bass player Anthony Campbell, and this month’s featured drummer, Tony Tirino.

Not only was Kakos a great band, but Tirino’s drumming is beyond impressive. He’s a very clean player who really plays to the song. Don’t get me wrong, he’s fast and has great chops. His double bass work is rock solid, and his tempos are perfect. Tempo and timing changes mid-song are well-executed and provide a solid foundation for Kakos. I really enjoyed watching his playing, and I thought the band was great. So, please welcome Tony Tirino.

RRX:  Hey, man. Thanks for agreeing to the interview!

TT: I’m honored to have you reach out about the interview.

RRX: Let’s start with the history! How did you get started on the drums?

TT: My father was a drummer, so I was born with drumsticks in my hand.

RRX: That’s great! So you obviously come from a musical family! Do you play any other instruments?

TT:  I did participate in Band and Jazz Band in high school, so I picked up a little bit of piano. But drums mainly.

My grandfather on my dad’s side was a singer in an Italian wedding band, which my father was the drummer in. I grew up hearing him sing all the old Italian classics.

RRX: What a great environment to grow up in! Who were some of your influences outside of your family?

TT: My earliest influences are the usual you would expect from a rock/metal drummer: Neil Peart (Rush), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Bill Bruford (King Crimson, Yes).

RRX: It shows! Those are all amazing players and incredible musicians. Tell me about your first kit.

TT: My first kit was an older Yamaha Stage Custom. The kit was in a blue painted finish and eventually had custom logos added all the way around to match the theme of my very first band, Time Machine.

RRX: Nice! Tell me about some of your playing experience.

TT: My very first band went by the name of Time Machine. This band consisted of a few high school buddies at first, and progressed to add some new members including Nick Stamas, my now bandmate in Kakos. I have also played with a few other acts, most notably Moriah Formica (Plush) and the Talia Denis band.

RRX:  That’s quite a resume!  All great acts, and I really liked seeing Kakos. Great live show, tight songs, and great drumming. Tell me how the band formed.

TT:  I’m so glad you enjoyed watching Kakos perform live. Kakos started as really a need to fill a show date that Nick (our guitarist) booked for another band of his that could no longer perform on that date. Rather than lose the show, Kakos was born. Kakos started as Nick Stamas (guitar), Matt Dunn (bass), and myself.

Unfortunately, Matt had to step away from the project, which was heartbreaking as he is such a great friend and a wildly talented musician.

Taking the reins on bass is Anthony Campbell, whom you saw perform with us at Empire Live.

RRX: Well, it was a great show. What are you playing now?

TT:  I am currently playing a Tama Starclassic. 22” birch/bubinga kicks with Remo powerstroke batter heads, 10” 12” 16” 18” maple toms with Remo emperor heads. Currently running a 13” Joey Jordison signature snare by Pearl with an Evans hybrid head. My cymbals are all Zildjian (the best in the business).

Also I am currently using the Trick Drums Pro 1V long board direct drive kick pedals.

RRX: They sound great.  Who are you influenced by now?

TT: My influences now are mostly the same, with the addition of a lot of metal/progressive drummers: Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Matt Garaska (Animals as Leaders), Blake Richardson (Between the Buried and Me). Most notable is my long-time mentor Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall / Overkill / Category 7).

RRX: What would you be doing if you weren’t a drummer?

TT: This is an easy one, seeing as I already have a job aside from music. I would honestly see myself in the same job as I’m doing now, in the car industry. I have always had a love for cars and very much enjoy the job I do every day.

RRX: You’re a lucky man. Where can we see you playing next?

TT: Kakos will be back performing towards the fall. We are hitting the studio this summer to bring our music to all who will listen, so keep a lookout for new music very soon!

RRX: I look forward to seeing more of you guys. Thanks for doing the interview!

TT: Thanks again for this opportunity!

Photo by Ron Loria.

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