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It’s fair to say that John Douglas has one of the coolest jobs that a drummer could dream of, not because it was given to him, but because he earned it. John has multiple skills, as an artist he burst onto the scene in the band Kik Tracee in 1991 sporting an amazing drum set with a gear motif that he painted himself. This led him to customizing drums and guitars for some of the biggest artists in the world, including Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Maná, Van Halen and ZZ Top to name just a few, all while writing music and performing with various bands himself.
In addition to customizing drum sets that includes metal work, sculpting, shell manipulation, he is also a drum tech. He has been the drum tech for Alex Van Halen since the late 90’s and with Alex has designed most of Alex’s sets and set ups since then. He has also been the tech for Frank Beard of ZZ Top including filling in for Frank while he was recovering from a medical issue, and of course the tech for Jory Kramer of Aerosmith. It’s a very true statement that any tech should always learn how to play the bands music they are tech-ing for. In recent years when Joey with short notice wasn’t able to perform with Aerosmith john was asked to fill in, this allowed Aerosmith to continue to tour without skipping a “beat”. This ingratiated him to Aerosmith and now is the permanent replacement for Joey since last year’s tour, Las Vegas residency, and this years Aerosmith “Peace-Out” retirement tour.
As stated previously, John is an accomplished artist and has showcased numerous art exhibits, the most recent be this past December in Las Vegas. On tour he continues his love for art as he paints in hotels between dates.
Last year Drumming News Network posted the story that John was the fill in drummer for Aerosmith and that has become one of the most popular stories over the past year.
Recently John posted on Instagram that he was touring with Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top) in Europe and posted images of his set. Knowing he’s a gear-head I had to hit him up about his set up and recent news of a new project with Michael Anthony (Van Halen). Additionally, John gives us a seasoned drums techs answer on how to keep your tubes from deforming when clamped.
Below are the questions I sent and he was kind enough to answer while in the middle of the European tour.
Q: Your set up is tight for this tour, it looks like a 13” front tom, 15” and 18” floor toms, 26” bass, and a 14” timbale – do I have this right? What snare and timbale are you using?
John: DW Collectors Maple 11 x 13” rack to, 14 x 16” floor tom, 16 x 18” floor tom, 16 x 26” kick, 6.5 x 14” cast aluminum snare , 13” Pearl brass timbale on a modified DW STM tom mount.
Q: Can you run through your sizes, series, and heads for this set up?
John: All REMO, clear Ambassadors on bottom, clear Emperors on batter, Powerstoke 3 with black dot on Kick, Emperor X on snare, clear Ambassador on timbale.
Q: What shell construction dd you decide on (grain orientation)?
John: DW Collectors Maple.
Q: Is this your standard set up, how does this differ from your Aerosmith set up?
John: This is my go-to set up. My Aerosmith kit has no timbale, but it has a couple E-pads to trigger sounds and samples.
Q: You have a nice array of Paiste 2002 cymbals, from left to right which models and sizes are you using?
John: All 2002 , 19” crash, 20” power crash, 22” power ride, 22” crash, 20” medium , 18” china , pair of 15” Sound Edge hats.
Q: Looking at your rack set up, your set up and tear down time must be quick. Aside from Pearl support legs you are using all DW hardware. You are using a single tube and clamp to hold your cymbals, in your experience is a second bar needed?
John: This rack set up was thrown together very quickly using parts I had on hand at home (because I didn’t have much notice from Billy ). Yes, old Pearl Icon rack legs, old TAMA curved tubes and DW clamps. I think the second bar (tube) does help stabilize it a little bit,,,but not really notable. I try to keep things user-friendly for set-up and tear-down, eliminating all hardware that is not absolutely necessary.
Q: How sturdy are these cymbal stands when hit? Do they move around a lot, or is that the look you’re going for (cymbal stand movement)?
John: No, these cymbal stands don’t move…at least not that I notice. I also eliminated the lower portion of the cymbal stand , the bottom section that had the tripod legs on it. Again…not necessary for height and just added weight and bulk. I also have a 6″ piece of round wood up the bottom of the cymbal stand where the DW clamp meets it to prevent the clamp from squeezing it into to an oval.
Q: In comparison to many of the sets you have made for yourself and others this is a tame finish (Black Ice?). Why is this?
John: HAHA! Yeah , I hear that a lot. But I order my drums flat black , that’s what I paint over . But again…I had no time to paint a kit for this gig…just barely enough time to make a custom kick drum head!
Q: Will this set be stripped and repurposed for your Aerosmith tour this year?
John: No…I have a whole new kit all painted and ready for the Aerosmith tour! I can’t wait to reveal it!
Q: In March it was announced that you have joined Michael Anthony for a new band, what are the plans for that band, will you be recording or just touring?
John: Michael wasn’t suppose to spill the beans!! So…I got no comment.
Q: Additionally, you will be touring with Aerosmith on the “Peace Out” final tour, how will you juggle all three acts?
John: The Aerosmith tour is big and therefore takes precedent. This tour with Billy Gibbons was just the European solo summer tour…it just happen to fit in nicely with the Aerosmith schedule. So I was able to do it. I have known Billy a long time…even played some shows with him and ZZ Top back when Frank had appendicitis, so I was thrilled to be able to come out here and play with him again. But he goes back to ZZ Top when I go back to Aerosmith.
Q: Are you still finding time to customize drum sets for other artists?
John: Here and there…I did another kit for Alex Gonzalez of Mana a few months ago…and of course I have been working on my kit for the upcoming tour. But I mostly just focus on fine art in between playing is…painting portraits on canvas.
Article by: Paul Rogne
All Photos courtesy of John Douglas’ website and Instagram
