worldwithoutborders

Our guest today is The Killers drummer, Ronnie Vannucci.

As a small child, Ronnie Vannucci banged on the washer and dryer, sometimes the fridge, even his aunts old piano, singing and humming in the garage. In June of 2002 The Killers played their first show in Las Vegas and it's been full steam ahead ever since!

We welcome Ronnie Vannucci!

Ronnie Vannucci: Hello Friends!

GCS_Angel: Ronnie, would you please begin by briefly telling us a bit about your style of drumming?
Ronnie Vannucci: I look up to a lot of older drummers. Everybody goes through periods where they try to emulate other drummers. I first started out by getting into a lot of older drummers like Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Joe Jones and other jazz drummers alike. Of course, I went into my Rock 'n Roll phases--particularly 60's Rock 'n Roll--like Keith Moon, John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, who is probably one of my favorite drummers from that era, but besides drawing my influence just from drummers, I like to draw influences from just listening to music. Anywhere from early black music like Stax era bands, Motown bands all the way to jazz and Rock 'n Roll...on to contemporary or current bands.

The Joe Man asks: Would you say that Gang of Four is an influence to your band's music? They have been said to be one of the first dance punk bands. If not, do you feel that the Killers fit this particular category?
Ronnie Vannucci: I would not say that Gang of Four has influenced our music. I do respect what they have done for music. No, I do not necessarily think that we fit into that exact category although we do share some elements.

BigPhish asks: How do you feel about, what seemed to be, your over night success?
Ronnie Vannucci: I feel lucky, but it has not been overnight. We have been a band for three years now, actually. We have been working constantly to make our band somewhat of a success.

Fae asks: Are you excited about performing at the Weenie Roast? What do you expect the event to be like? I can't wait to see you there, I love you guys!
Ronnie Vannucci: Yes, we are all very excited! It is a great lineup. I expect the weather to be hot! Thanks for the compliment, Fae.

shake the disease asks: When is the next time you plan to be in the Los Angeles area apart from your Weenie Roast appearance?
Ronnie Vannucci: We are playing the San Diego street scene and for now, that is about as close to LA as we're getting.

Venus Envy asks: While traveling around the world, are you inspired (in your music) by what you see and experience while out on the road?
Ronnie Vannucci: Yes, of course, I think a lot of things that we experience while on the road can be influencial. Our travels let us see more than the average person would see.

Ronald asks: Most albums that bands break through with are not their first. Was Hot Fuss your first album?
Ronnie Vannucci: Yes, it is! Actually, it is mostly our first demo too.

Joanie asks: I missed you at Coachella. Do you plan on going back to the recording studio soon? If so, what can we expect?
Ronnie Vannucci: Yes, the current schedule is to start back in the studio in early November. We're touring until the end of September. For the next record, I think you should expect us to still have great songs, but lately, a lot of the songs we have written together have been on the darker side.

MediaGuide: You've made it pretty big, pretty fast. Not too easy in your business. What do you think you did different that other bands haven't?
Ronnie Vannucci: First off, we're very lucky. Second, we work very very hard to write great songs. I think we are persistent in showing people that we are relentless in creating music and great songs. It is very easy to get lazy and very easy to get discouraged in the music business, and I think we have shown people that we have an ethic that we involve ourselves in that most bands don't have. It is very important when starting a band to show a lot of self-efficiency.

rockstar/busboy asks: Before you began touring with The Killers were you doing anything else? Did you have a regular day job like the rest of us?
Ronnie Vannucci: I was studying music at UNLV and taking pictures at a wedding chapel on the strip. Not your normal day job, but then again, it is Los Vegas.

GCS_Angel: Ronnie, what do you look for in a stick?
Ronnie Vannucci: First off, sound, durability and consistency.

GCS_Angel: With such a busy lifestyle what is the first thing you think of after you get a chance to take a breathe?
Ronnie Vannucci: My wife! I just got home yesterday and this time it was mowing the lawn. Sometimes the lawn takes precedence over the wife.

GCS_Angel: Do you have any advice for a beginning drummer?
Ronnie Vannucci: Listen to black music. Listen to drums. Listen to everything!

GCS_Angel: Tell us, Ronnie, what are some of the ways a drummer can improve his or her sense of timing?
Ronnie Vannucci: What helped me is using a metronome. Practice a lot with a metronome, not necessarily as a solid spot-on time keeper, but more of an approximation of where the time is. Sometimes you need to be spot on with music and tempo and sometimes you need to let the music move and breathe a bit and a good drummer knows how to do both.

GCS_Angel: Are there any artists that you have not toured with that you would like to in the future?
Ronnie Vannucci: Yeah, of course! We've gotten to play with a lot of bands, but for touring, there are still lots of bands that we would like to play with.

BlueKitty: If you had/have an iPod what is on your playlist?
Ronnie Vannucci: Right now I am listening to the new Mike Doughty record. A friend burned me an unreleased copy of the new Fiona Apple record which is *really* good. I also like the new Spoon record and also the newest British Sea Power record which is called "Open Season." The list goes on and on...I am constantly listening to music. The Tegan and Sara record which is called "So Jealous" is great.

GCS_Angel: What's coming up on the horizon for you, Ronnie?
Ronnie Vannucci: More touring. Festivals in the UK and in Europe. A new record starting in November.

GCS_Angel: Unfortunately we are almost out of time. Do you have any final comments, upcoming events or insights for our audience before we wrap up?
Ronnie Vannucci: Thank you to all who had the chance to have the chat with me. Keep it real! I'd like to thank Ziljian cymbals, Remo heads, Ludwig drums, Roland products and especially Pro-Mark Sticks!

GCS_Angel: Thank you Ronnie Vannucci! I am so glad you could join us today here at WWB and Pro-Mark's InSession!
Ronnie Vannucci: Thanks very much for you too. Stay well and I'll talk to you again real soon.