It’s Alive
John Henry Bonham died on September 25, 1980. In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the date, L.A. drummer and raging Bonzo-fanatic Brian Tichy has created a monster tribute in his honor. Tichy’s creation has quickly mutated from an inspired rumination into a casual gathering into an organized event into a capital “s” Show and continues to morph.

He has named his monster, The Groove Remains The Same, and it comes to life on September 25 (naturally), 2010 at Key Club in Hollywood.

Turning It Up A Notch…Or Eleven
Speaking with Tichy about the upcoming night, two things become instantly clear: He is passionate about Bonham and he approaches his passion with frenetic energy. Hell, you don’t really even need to talk to the guy—just watch him play. Since his initial inspiration gained momentum just a few weeks ago, he has committed himself with a fervor, hammering out details (of the gods) non-stop in the last few days.

There is the replica The Song Remains The Same kit to reverently piece together—yes, with timps and gong; the roster of some of L.A.’s heaviest-hitters to organize; the band to assemble and rehearse; the video and audio segments to produce; a JB-themed menu(?!) to craft; banners and t-shirts to print; confetti to procure; promotion to conduct; and, of course and perhaps most time-intensive of all, the precious guest-list to delicately manage. It’s a hot ticket. And a hot seat for the guy who innocently-enough thought it would be cool to get some friends together to play some Zep tunes in celebration of his drumming hero.

The Program
So, presently, here’s how it’ll all go down: A singular museum-grade Bonzo replica kit in all its quintessential rock glory front-and-center-stage. Each of seventeen profile rock-drummers will assume the throne (a strict No Double-Pedal Clause is said to be in place) for a crack at their Zep tune of choice with the all-ringer house band, The Moby Dicks. Add a couple video performances and wholehearted tributes to round-out the proceedings. This is a communal gathering. A rare and meaningful event. A Show. A true celebration and tribute to rock drumming’s beloved and undisputed heavyweight champion.

A shortlist of the drummers involved include Abe Laboriel Jr, Kenny Aronoff, Carmine Appice, Stephen Perkins, Chris Slade, Chad Smith, Mike Portnoy, Steven Adler, and Jason Bonham. Visit Key Club’s event page for more info and tickets.

Hollywood Drum went to the source to get the drummers’ personal thoughts on Bonham and this event.

To Bonzo!
Beyond the impassioned purpose of the evening, with The Groove Remains The Same Brian Tichy is essentially throwing a big party for the L.A. drumming family. Bonzo would surely approve.

Check back soon for full coverage of this event.

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Dresel v. Dresel
A pattern has emerged. Our last two video interviews have either preceded or followed companion Hittin’ reviews here in the News blog. We hold consistent with our latest interview featuring Bernie and Jonathan Dresel.

Not long ago here, I indulged some impressions of a performance by BERN—Bernie’s namesake twelve-piece band—at Vitello’s. As it turned out, he liked it. He wrote in an email: “In a sea of lame reviewers, you stand at the top. No exaggeration!” I’m presuming that meant he liked it. I followed up with the inspiration of sitting down with him and Jonathan, drummer for Jimmy Kimmel Live, and getting the drummer/brother story. They were down…for a sit-down.

Pony Shows And Bunnies
In a further thread of consistency, we filmed the proceedings back at Vitello’s with the venue’s gracious and appreciated support. Indeed, we put on a little show with this one. No ponies, but we did have a bunny. In a distinctly distant nod to Hugh Hefner’s late-60s TV show “Playboy After Dark,” we themed our day-time production “Hollywood Drum Before Dark.”

In place of a swank Manhattan penthouse we had a second-floor jazz club in Studio City. The singular semblance of a tuxedo adorned our alternately manic and disinterested announcer/sidekick, Billy. Our disgruntled, cigarette smoking Before Dark bunny had a charm of her own. And we were out by 2pm. Success. Still, the format promises to evolve with live performance and greater audience interaction. Stay tuned.

Drum Fraternity
Emerging through—perhaps despite—all of this, came the story of two brothers rising from a basement in Sharon, PA to high-profile careers as successful professional drummers in L.A. It’s a good one, including tales of Beatles revelations and Elvis guitars; baton-twirlers; tap dancing and short-lived ballet classes; Sunday drives in the ’61 Caddy; hand-me-downs to full-on double-bass Slingerland drumsets; bell-bottoms and Dingo boots; and other assorted brotherly intrigue.

Actually, the brothers paint the picture of what seems a largely charmed childhood together, and disciplined and purposeful journies to the heights of their profession. All with humor and genuineness. Great players and great guys. It was a true pleasure hanging with them for the afternoon. Watch it now.

Thank you to April Williams and Vitello’s.

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