I think I was about 5.

I played guitar for a very short amount of time, but it didn't turn out well.

I can't really remember, I was in high school and I had this old Kramer electric guitar which was black.

Dave Lombardo/Paul Bostaph, Gene Hoglan, Nico McBrain, Terry Bozzio and Shaun Reinert.

People kept asking about techniques and what goes into writing ORIGINS / GORGUTS songs, when I signed with management the first thing that came out of his mouth was ''let's make a DVD!'' so now we have a DVD coming out.

It is aimed at anybody who is interested in what I do and how I do it. A lot of people ask about one handed rolls, double bass, blast beats and all that, it's also a DVD for people who want casual and fun, it's not going to be serious and academic.

Can't confirm the date yet as it depends on how quickly we get the funds and record the DVD but hopefully at the beginning of the new year but February or March latest.

It's going really well and we're nearly half way there!

I think it's a great idea because it gets the fans in direct contact with the band. I personally buy the albums at shows from the band as it gives them money to get to the next show and the money gets put in their pocket. If you start an Indigogo kick starter campaign, say you need $20,000 dollars and you go through with that you have no choice but to produce great music, you can't pull out a piece of crap! You're supplying the fans with what they want, selling it directly to them instead of a large corporation who then sell it on. I think it's great for any independent artist.

Pearl! Everything is Pearl as far as the drums are concerned.

They have to recognize that they are there for the rest of the band members, the drummer will look at the guitarist and say ''What do you want for this guitar riff''. Whoever is the writing the song will have an idea of how they want the drums doing and the drummer needs to say ''Hey buddy, what do you like?'' and the guitarist or writer will say ''I want a blast beat'' and then the guitarist can take it from there. The drummer needs to realise he is there to set the stage and keep everyone in time with the other members.

I love Camden Underworld in London, I could go on forever about amazing places but New York and Czech Republic are both great.

There will be a new ORIGIN record so lot's of touring for the band, it's going to be a big deal as it's our first album with the new vocalist Jason Keyser. The DVD will be released so hopefully set up some drum clinics around that to support it. Both are at the top of my mind right now, to push the ORIGIN album which will be released in spring as far as it can and the same with the DVD, maybe do some solo shows and teaching too.

In December I will be going out on tour with ORIGIN and GORGUTS doing both sets each night which will be happening for about two weeks and then after that I'm going into the studio with ORIGIN then doing clinics.

I'm working on a project right now with a couple of friends called CRATOR. Jason who is in ORIGIN with me is doing vocals, we have an albums worth of material but we are just looking for the right time to record it. There is going to be three songs from the new project on the DVD and hopefully raise a little awareness for the project on that. Hopefully people will love it who watches the DVD and then we can start releasing stuff! I've been involved with DIMMAK in the past but I have no information with what's happening with that.

Sitting down and having a talk with Gene Hoglan and he had so many nice things to say which was a huge confidence booster for me especially having him involved with the DVD. Meeting Nico from IRON MAIDEN was great, just being able to get out on tour and not be broke has been amazing!

The freedom, you can play what you want! What metal heads want out of a musician is honesty above anything else. They don't want you playing something you hate, I love playing blast beats and playing fast.

I listen to a lot of jazz and Frank Zappa outside of metal, I was a huge KISS fan when I was younger. I love progressive and rock& roll too.

Technique! Because speed is a product of control and that is how you develop your technique. You have to walk before you can run. If you push speed before technique you will hurt yourself, I have done in the past and now I have permanent limb damage in my wrists so it's really important that your practice, keep hydrated and stretch.

John: When we played Times Square in New York, it was a Friday night and one of our first shows in the area. It was 2002 I think.

Thanks a lot