Hello, MD! I knew I first wanted to play drums when I saw Animal from the Muppets. He knew what it was all about—crush, kill, and destroy. My first drumkit was a Muppet Babies set. I was four and my folks saved up to get it for me. They set it up so it was all ready to go on Christmas morning. I came downstairs, saw it, and lost my mind. I went to the toolbox, got a hammer, and smashed it to pieces. I thought that was how it was done. My approach to the drums hasn’t really changed. Needless to say, I didn’t get another drumkit for ten years.

Drumming to me is about a connection to our most primal instincts. I don’t care how complicated a beat you are playing, when you play the drums, part of you just wants to rip off your clothes and howl at the moon. I feel that playing drums has directly affected the way I live my life. I live how I play, with passion and intensity. Thanks for reading, and take care.

PS: Modern Drummer has been one of my favorite mags since before puberty!

For more on Andy O’Rourke and 2cents, go to www.myspace.com/2cents.