Aerosmith News

Editor’s Note: Joey chatted with Z Club members at Zildjian.com on Thursday, April 5, 2007. This chat transcript is made available courtesy of Zildjian.

Joey Kramer is simply one of the most influential drummers ever.  Anyone involved in rock music today would be hard pressed to say they weren't, in some way, influenced by Aerosmith; one of the most popular bands of all time.

Joey's playing defines what rock drumming is all about; a deep, solid groove, tasteful fills and rock solid time. Coming from the school of "less is more," Joey's drumming is as much a part of Aerosmith's sound as Steven Tyler's voice and Joe Perry's guitar.

Moderator: Joey, thank you for being with us tonight.
Joey Kramer: It's good to be here.

Moderator: Joey, before we start can you tell us what you have been doing lately?
Joey Kramer: A lot of rehearsing for the upcoming tour (right around the corner from the Zildjian Factory), a lot of recording and a lot of driving.

Knjw: Why don't you still do solos during Aerosmith shows?
Joey Kramer: Drum solos are boring.

Knjw: Any plans at all for a solo project?
Joey Kramer: Yes, but I'm not at liberty to discuss it. It is not musical and will be out in a years time or so.

Alexandria: I'm reading your autobiography, personally what memory sticks out the most for you and the band?
Joey Kramer: My first drum solo at Pontiac Stadium in Detriot in 1974. 80,000 people - sold out.

Ami_Wicca: How do you feel when you're on stage?(to me you look very happy and concentrated)
Joey Kramer: Happy, snappy and bursting with love!

Kramers Girl: What album has been your favorite to drum on and why
Joey Kramer: "Rocks" and "Honking On Bobo".

Knjw: What new drummers are impressing you?
Joey Kramer: Taylor Hawkins, Tre Cool and Adrian Young, and Jesse Kramer to name a few.

Tyler17: Mike from Phila. Thanks for 30  yrs of enjoyment. What are your top 5  Aerosmith songs from a drummers view point? 
Joey Kramer: Lords of the Thighs, Last Child, Nobody's Fault, Round and Round, Lick and a Promise.

Ami_Wicca: What kind of music are you currently listening to?
Joey Kramer: Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Green Day, Jet, Velvet Revolver...

Knjw: Any hobbies besides the beautiful cars?
Joey Kramer: I now own a car dealership, so buying and selling cars is a hobby.

Knjw: We've seen Steven in a few movies. Any desire to act?
Joey Kramer: No acting here - just the real deal.

Knjw: What do you think you'd be doing today if  you weren't a drummer?
Joey Kramer: I'd be an archaeologist.

Cruehead1991: There was rumors going around that aerosmith was going to play a couple shows with the rolling stones, is this true?
Joey Kramer: No, this is not true. No dates with the Stones are planned.

Cindi: What is the key to staying focused - you never seem to stray, and Lord knows, there are distractions during a concert !
Joey Kramer: There's no thinking involved. Being focused is from the heart. If you're coming from the heart, you can never lose or stray.

Cruehead1991: Who influenced you to play the drums?
Joey Kramer: Dino Dinelli, Clive Bunker, Mitch Mitchell, Clyde Stubblefield, John Bonham...

Fletcher: Hi. I wanted to ask u what kind of practices do u do before every jam session? Thanks for your time.
Joey Kramer: Isometrics and a little bit of stretching.

Leo.Slima: Joey, I’m from Sao Paulo. You are coming here soon. Did you like your first time here? What do you expect for this gig?
Joey Kramer: Loved our first time in Brazil! Can you tell me which songs we should play?

Knjw: What are your biggest regrets?
Joey Kramer: I didn't finish school, and not discovering Lamborghini's until later in life.

Thereasonadog: Hi Joey. I see drum intros like walk this way,  rock candy,  and poor tom, seem to be a lost art form. What do you think?
Joey Kramer: I think much of drumming is a lost art form and it's not what it used to be in the old days...

Fletcher: What is your favorite cymbal...that Zildjian manufactures of course?
Joey Kramer: The Z Mega Bell Ride. It's an amazing cymbal.

Knjw: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Joey Kramer: Chase the passion.

NYaerofan: What is your least favorite song to play?
Joey Kramer: Even after all these years, I love them all.

Cindi: Jesse was spectacular sitting in for you on a few songs.  He seemed to slide right in - had he played with Aerosmith before?
Joey Kramer: Yes, when I had my shoulder surgery he did a lot of rehearsing with the guys, so he was familiar with the material. It was a proud moment for me.

Cruehead1991: Is their any non-Aerosmith songs that you just love playing?
Joey Kramer: Yes.

Knjw: What do you like to do in your free time?
Joey Kramer: My favorite thing is to chill with my wife April and lots of recreational driving.

Cindi: Do you play any other instruments?
Joey Kramer: Bits and pieces of bass and guitar.

Knjw: Aerosmith live is sounding better every year. How much longer do you want to continue touring?
Joey Kramer: I don't really see an end in sight. We still love performing live.

Hanimal: With what kind of drumsticks do you play?
Joey Kramer: Zildjian's Joey Kramer model of course!

Aerofan32: What are you most looking forward to on your world tour 07 and what are you guys gonna play?
Joey Kramer: Looking forward to going to Russia, India and Dubai, and we're going to play everything you love.

Cindi: We loved HOB tour with the drumset at the end of the catwalk. How was that experience for you?  Consider doing it again?
Joey Kramer: It was a great experience - I loved being so close to you guys, but I wouldn't consider doing it again.

Dr J Jones: Is driving the Aerosmith machine anything like driving your Lambo?
Joey Kramer: Yes, it's more powerful, but doesn't handle quite as well :)

Spinnin: Are the band Aerosmith really coming to the country India?
Joey Kramer: Positively. Looking forward to it.

NYaerofan: Who came up with the name KrameDog? Did you like that image in the video "Pink"?
Joey Kramer: A high school friend came up with it, and yes, I liked the image in the video.

Aero Rocker: Who has influenced you most in life?
Joey Kramer: Muhammad Ali, Sidney Poitier, my Dad, to name a few...

Dr J Jones: Carl From Vegas..Your kit has shrunk to a 3 piece on the past few tours. when and why did you decide that less is more?
Joey Kramer: All my heros used smaller kits, and as far as I'm concerned, that's all you need.

Teri Troub: Have U Ever Broken One of those Zildjian's When U R Rockin Out a Live Performance?
Joey Kramer: Yes, but overall my cymbals hold up well and I can always count on Zildjians.

Cindi: How do keep in shape?  What's the regimen?
Joey Kramer: Plenty of exercise and sex.

Ami_Wicca: Favorite sport besides "Girl Watching"?
Joey Kramer: Boxing.

Moderator: Do you have a collection of drum kits or just a few that you use on tour?
Joey Kramer: My drum kits that I've used on tour are on display at various Hard Rock Cafes around the world. I do keep a few kits at
home.

Snapplecrapple: Mr. Kramer, your majesty, has the fact that Steven started as a drummer affected you in any way?
Joey Kramer: Yes, it's helped make me a better drummer.

NYaerofan: What exactly IS it that Steven comes over and says to you, when he comes up to your drum set during a concert?
Joey Kramer: He says "I love you"...

Comment from Joey Kramer: Zildjian has just informed me that there are so many questions the server is unable to handle them all. I'm sorry if I couldn't answer your question, but I will do this again when we get back from South America. I also want to tell you to (stay tuned) for details on a chance to talk with me live on the telephone and win some cool prizes from Zildjian and DW. I want to thank you all for being here tonight - I've had a great time.