Name: Joseph Esparrago
Age: 29
I've been a drummer since: 1991
I played drums for: Figure 8, Musik Asia, Gen X, Bad Cats, The Beatniks, The Bureau (present)
My favorite musical style/s: Jazz/Fusion, Rock, Latin, Alternative etc.
My favorite drummer/s: Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Simon Phillips, Tony Williams, Steve Gadd, Stewart Copeland, Jeff Porcaro, Jeff Watts, Brian Blade, Gavin Harrison, Zach Danziger, Jo Jo Mayer, Dennis Chambers, Kirk Covington, Andrew Fizenden, Rodger Biwandu, Koko Bermejo, Mar Dizon, et al
My musical influence/s: (in chronological order)
The Ventures, The Beatles ( and most 60's bands), Stray Cats, The Alarm, U2, The Smiths, The Police, Toto, Sting, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Spyro Gyra, Chick Corea, Dave Matthews Band, Allan Holdsworth, Tower of Power, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Frank Zappa, Porcupine Tree, Tool, Mars Volta etc.
My drum gear: 1998 Pearl Session Series (22x16, 10x10, 12x10, 14x12, 16x14), Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute Snare (14x4), Pearl Firecracker Snare (12x5), PDP 805 Snare (10x6) Pearl Steel Snare (14x6.5)
Cymbals: 20" K Custom Ride, 16" A Custom Crash, 12' Paiste Alpha Hi-Hat, 16" Trojan Crash and 10" Trojan splash
Hardware: DW 5000 AD3 Double Pedal
I'm proud to be a drummer because:
A drummer drives the band. We have the most control over the dynamics and feel of the band than any other instrument. In comparison, we are like the conductor in an orchestra and I think that's the most important job of a drummer.