Interview with ASKA drummer—Danny White

By Neon Blonde

October 23, 2002

Q:  Where were you born?

Springfield, Missouri.

Q:  Did you start out playing drums or can you play other instruments?

I did start out playing drums and I am a dedicated drummer, no other instruments. I started playing drums when my brother got a drum set when I was 4 years old. My mom was a lead guitar player in a country band and I would play along with her when she would practice. Before I knew it, I would play with her all the way through the song and it just progressed from there. By the time I was 5 years old I could play pretty well.

  Q:  What other bands have you been in?

I was in a band called Sanctuary. I did a stint with a band called Thorn, and also I was in Cry Venus for a while.

  Q:  Who are some of your influences?

I would have to say that I have a lot of influences drumming- wise. I think the drummer that has had the biggest influence on me is Neil Peart of Rush. I went through the stage of the big 13-piece double bass set, but through that time it really helped me play double bass. There are several drummers that I respect and enjoy listening to.

Q:  Do you remember what your first heavy metal/rock concert was?

I do remember. It was Judas priest and Iron Maiden on Priest’s “Heading out to the Highway” tour. I knew about Judas Priest but at that time I really knew nothing about Iron Maiden. I was front row standing right in front of the stage when the show started and Iron Maiden came on. I was completely blown away. To this day I have not been to a concert where I was just in complete awe of the energy level and talent.

  Q:  What was your first heavy metal/rock album?

Judas Priest “Hell Bent for Leather”

  Q:  Who are some of your favorite bands/solo artists?

Lets say I have a wide range of musical tastes, I would have to say that some of my favorite artists are Manowar, Dio, Falconer, King Diamond and Judas Priest to name a few on the metal side, then there is the other side, bands like Tool, Primus, Jellyfish, and Boston.

  Q:  When did you first hear about ASKA looking for a drummer?

I first heard that they were looking when a buddy of mine, Keith Hein of Broken Toyz, called me and told me that he gave my number to ASKA, that they had been looking for a drummer for awhile. Well about two weeks later George called me and sent me “Avenger” and “Nine Tongues”, so that I could learn a few songs. I went out August 6^th to audition and after 3 songs they offered me the job. The rest is, as they say, history.

  Q:  Had you ever heard of ASKA before?

I did hear of ASKA and I saw them a few years ago. I knew they were a good band and I knew about all the touring, but I didn’t realize the talent level and professionalism that the band has until I joined.

  Q:  What are your thoughts regarding the controversy surrounding other drummers connected with ASKA?

You know I recently got to meet the two previous drummers for ASKA. Damon and Jason are great guys and they were very nice and cordial to me. I have nothing but good things to say about them as well as their playing. As far as the controversy, I really don’t think there is one as far as ASKA is concerned. Drummers were told right from the start that there would be an auditioning period and that the band wanted to see how things worked out before they wanted to commit to one drummer. The band told me that they have had some great drummers that have auditioned, but the chemistry wasn’t there for one guy or the other. When I auditioned, right from the first song it sounded like we had been playing together for years and the chemistry was there so they offered me the job without having to go through the whole formal process. I have read in some postings that people were not paid for playing and that the band is a dictatorship and comments like that. I would like to say that from the very minute I was offered the job, ASKA has been nothing but professional and open with me about how the business, finances, and the record company works.  George, Keith, and Daryl are great guys and they are very professional with their approach to ASKA. I feel very fortunate to be in the band and I am enjoying every minute of it.

  Q:  Were you ever concerned with how you would be received?

I wasn’t really concerned, but I became aware of the whole drummer thing about a week after I joined. I knew I had some big shoes to fill. There was a lot to learn in a very short time so it was tough.

  Q:  What are some of the positive comments that you have gotten since you joined the band?

Everyone that I have met has been great, ASKA has some really dedicated fans and they have been nothing but supportive of me.

  Q:  Have there been any negative ones?

Not yet, thank goodness!

  Q:  What was your first gig like with ASKA, as an official member of the band?

It was great; before I even did one show with the band I was on the cover of the FT Worth Weekly. I thought to myself, “This doesn’t happen”. As far as the show goes, I was nervous because I had about three practices with the guys before we had a 2-hour show. Like I said before there was a lot to learn in a short period of time.

Q:  I didn’t get to see that show, at J. Gilligan’s, but I was at the second one, at Zig Zag.  I thought you were awesome!  What do you think of the fans/crowds at the ASKA shows?

The fans are great; I have had a chance to meet several of them now.

  Q:  About how much time, since you signed on with ASKA, have you guys spent in the studio working on the new CD?

We are in pre-production now, so we are in the process of finding the right studio to do drum tracks.

  Q:  I know you guys are furiously working on the new CD.  How often are you guys practicing now?

We rehearse 2 nights a week, so that we can come back and have a fresh mindset. When we rehearse it is like a marathon rehearsal so we need space to clear the head and come back refreshed and be able to objectively listen to what was recorded.

  Q:  What are some of your favorite ASKA songs?

I like all the songs but I would have to say that some of my favorites are Leather, Lethal Injection, Killashandra, and Escape Victorious.

  Q:  Which ones do you like playing live?

I love playing Leather and Lethal Injection, but there are a lot of others like Killashandra and Valkyries.

  Q:  Do you have any favorite cover tunes that you like playing?

         All the Priest tunes, Black Sabbath, and Thin Lizzy’s, “Cowboy Song”.

  Q:  What are some of your goals/aspirations that you would like to achieve with ASKA?

I want to record the best album that we can record and have our fans and other drummers respect and enjoy my playing.

  Q:  Have you written any songs for the new album?

Not me personally, but we as a band have the new songs almost finished.

  Q:  What, in your opinion, is the state of heavy metal music today?

There are a lot of good bands and good songs out there, but all in all I am not really a fan of the so called American heavy metal of today (nu-metal), I am more into the European heavy metal bands.

  Q:  What do you think the reason for the decline in its popularity is?

The same thing that happened in the eighties with the hair bands: Saturation. And every band and new song sounds the same. There is no originality in the American metal scene. Except for Tool every band sounds like the other.

Q:  Have you guys had any word yet on the possibility of touring?

Yes, the record company has mentioned a tour of Italy and Japan, but it will probably happen when the new album gets released.  You never know, it might be sooner.

  Q:  Would this be your first time to go overseas or tour?

First time overseas but not to tour. I have been in several touring bands.

  Q:  Are you excited about the upcoming shows with Omen, Blind Guardian, and Symphony X?

Yes, very excited. Now that I have been in the band for a while, the nervousness is gone and now it is time to have fun.

  Q:  Will this be the first time for you to play with such bands?

I have been in bands that have opened for big bands before, but this is the first band that I have been with that has opened for Judas Priest, and I can say that I have never been in a band that I have enjoyed playing with more than ASKA.

  Q:  What was your first impression of ASKA fans?

Very nice and dedicated fans, I mean how many bands are out there that have fans dedicated enough to tattoo the band’s logo on their body? Now that is a dedicated fan.

Q:  How do you feel about the metal scene as well as the clubs?

I really don’t like the metal scene in America these days. And the club scene is almost non-existent. I grew up when the Metal clubs would have live music in Tuesday through Sunday and a band could get decent pay. Nowadays, the club owner feels like you should feel lucky to play their club and accept very little pay. No thanks.

  Q:  As a musician, who are some bands or solo performers that you would like to work with or see ASKA perform with?

I would like to see us play with King Diamond at one point, but there are several bands that I would feel honored to work with.

  Q:  How did you feel about the article that was written in the FW Weekly?

I thought it was great, no complaints. There were a few misquotes in it but how many power metal bands get a cover story these days?

  Q:  Do you feel like the article did justice to the band or did it cast anything in a negative light?

I think it was a story about a band in America that is playing Metal Music that is more popular in Europe than here. That’s the way the author sees it. The truth is, ASKA doesn’t play 80’s metal, it plays 2002 Power Metal that is more popular overseas than it is here.

Q:  Tell me a little bit about how you feel working with George, Keith, and Daryl.

The guys are great and have been very supportive of my playing. I have never played with anyone that is more professional and as talented as George, Keith, and Daryl. Like I said before, I feel very fortunate and I am thankful everyday that my buddy Keith gave George my number.

  Q:  Are you the type of person that worries about what people think or do you not give a damn?

I can’t control what people think and you really can’t worry about what is out of your control.

  Q:  What do you like to do for fun when you’re not playing or rehearsing?

I know this is going to sound weird, but when I am not playing with ASKA I am listening to the CDs! And other bands as well.  I watch TV and work in my shop.

  Q:  In your opinion, how do you think the new ASKA CD will be received?

I think that everyone will think the new CD is killer. You can hear a progression between “Nine Tongues” and “Avenger”.  The new CD is a further progression.

  Q:  What kind of goals do you have for yourself?

I want to help ASKA put an album out that when people listen to it, they will feel about the music the same way I felt when I first heard “Avenger” and I actually realized that I was in ASKA. I would have been a fan even if I didn’t join the band.

  Q:  If I asked someone to describe you in ten words or less what do you think they would say?

They’d say, “A nice, genuine person that lives his whole life around his drums”. Sorry, that’s 12 words!

Danny, thank you so much for doing this interview.  I know you guys are pretty busy and you don’t have a lot of time for yourself.  Thanks for the awesomeness that you have brought with you to ASKA!  I think that I can speak for the fans when I say that you are the final piece to that puzzle.  The floor is yours if there is anything else that you want to add!!

I just want to say that I hope everyone enjoys the new album and I would like to thank everyone for your encouragement and kind words at the shows. I hope to meet more fans at future shows. Take care Neon!

KEEP ROCKIN'!

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