They got rhythm, they got music... and they want to share it with you.
Hard-hitters about town Chris Mansbridge and Kev Hickman have teamed up to launch The Rhythm Room, a new drum school that will cater for all - from beginners to the most established drum students, writes Sammy Jones.
And they've got form, this pair: Chris keeps things in check behind the kit with metal masters Heart of a Coward, while Kev is at the helm of rock trio RavenEye.
Between them, these stick wielding players have more than 30 years of playability, and can offer a tailored lesson to fit the student's exact requirements.
Speaking about his own attraction to the sticks, Chris (top) said: “I always admired the physicality of the instrument and the way the drummer is always leading thew music, a crowd all moving in unison to your beat has to be the best feeling ever. It's therapeutic for me.”
Kev's (below) introduction to a kit came when he was a 16 year old lad, hanging out with muso pals.
“The garage we met up in had an old kit in the corner under a dust sheet and my mate Craig said 'Play that Kev, you can be our drummer.' I fell in love with the instrument immediately and ended up buying that kit.
“What was essentially an accident, ended up with me taking it up as my living and travelling all over the world playing music...”
And in the past year, RavenEye have toured Europe and the US with Guns n Roses guitarist Slash, and they checked in for shows with Deep Purple too.
“It was that experience that makes me want to create that 'discovery' moment for other people through teaching,” Kev added.
Last summer, Heart of a Coward (below) made their main stage debut at the Download Festival, at the legendary Donington Park.
Other artists the players have worked with include Enter Shikari, Joe Satriani, The Darkness, Halestorm, Robert Plant's Honeydrippers and Our Man in the Bronze Age.
It's quite the list, and The Rhythm Room promises to be quite the drum school. It's suitable for all ages, and while you learn the emphasis will also be on fun.
You can even rally your colleagues and go visit as part of a team building exercise if the fancy takes you! “Nothing brings people together more than playing music together, we figured it would be a good idea to explore the option of some group percussion workshops to get groups of people all playing a beat together...It's great for team building and extremely fun, even if you've never played drums or percussion before.”
If Chris and Kev have anything to do with it, the rhythm is gonna get you!
The studio is based at Old School Studios in New Bradwell, with fully sound-proofed, air conditioned rooms, and both teachers are endorsees of Natal drums and Paiste cymbals.
In short, that means that as students, you get to play the best equipment too.
If you are interested in lessons or more information, drop an email to info@rhythmroom.co.uk or visit www.rhythmroom.co.uk
