10 question for Johnny Kelly of TYPE O NEGATIVE

Johnny Kelly is the drummer for the doom/gothic metal band Type O Negative from Brooklyn, New York.

He joined the band in 1994 to replace Sal Abruscato.

1. When did you first decide you wanted to be a musician/drummer?

A: It was probably around 1975 when I was 7 years old and my dad brought home KISS Alive.

2. Did you have someone teach you or were you self taught?

A: There was this guy that lived on my block when I was 11 years old that taught me to play a straight 4/4 beat. When I was 24, I took a month of lessons from AJ Pero of Twisted Sister. Other than that, I am self taught.

3. Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?

A: Peter Criss of KISS, John Bonham of Led Zeppelin and Bill Ward of Black Sabbath

4. How long were playing before you were able to make a living off of it?

A: About 12 years

5. Do you use any kind of math in this profession?

A: There is some math involved. Song structures and time signatures are basically mathematical equations. Knowing to count to 4 and sometimes 8 helps…

6. High light of your career?

A: There have been many but I see the highlight as being able to earn a living doing something that I truly enjoy. The emotional roller coaster can be taxing though. It’s the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

6. What is your favorite genre of film?

A: I usually lean towards comedies.

7. What is your favorite all time movie?

A: It’s hard to pick one movie as my favorite. It’s a toss up between – Airplane, Goodfellas, Vanishing Point and Slapshot.

8. In your opinion, what is the difference between the movies of 80's and the movies of today? if any.

A: Movies today I think, are technologically more advanced and visually may be a little more stimulating but today’s movies seem to be lacking in original ideas.

9. What do you most enjoy about being a musician?

A: This is a tough question because there are so many things that I enjoy about it and it’s the only thing that I ever really saw myself as being since a very young age. I genuinely enjoy playing drums and I try to do it at every opportunity. That is probably why I’m involved in a number of projects and play in a few bands simultaneously. I love waking up in a different city every day and performing and I love the challenge of trying to turn new people onto the music that we’re playing.

10. What advice could you give to aspiring musicians with visions of fame and glory??

A: This is also another tough question because it’s multi faceted. There isn’t any formula to “making it”. It’s an extremely tough and frustrating lifestyle especially, when you get older and your responsibilities become greater. The balance between the two is the toughest part of being a career musician. My advice would be to play and practice as much as possible so that you’re the best to your abilities & play music because you’re passionate about it. I wouldn’t recommend pursuing a career in music for the lifestyle and the fringe benefits.

Special thanks to kesprinks(above) and Johnny Kelly(below) for the featured pictures on this page.

Check out TYPE O NEGATIVE at Typeonegative.net

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