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First record you ever bought:
 
Business as Usual by Men at Work. (I'm not totally embarrassed, but not totally proud)

First cassette tape:

VH1 by Van Halen. I wore that shit down in a week.

First rock concert ever attended:

KISS with Ted Nugent opening. Or wait, was it Aerosmith with Dokken opening?

Favorite junk food:

Hamburger, coleslaw, and curly fries. WHAT?

Favorite candy:

Gummy Bears or Reese's' Peanut Butter Cups


What do you think about indie rock?

I try not to think about indie rock.

What was your first tour?

Motown recording artists, The Elgins, back in my early 20s. Me and the keyboard player were the only white guys in the band! I learned a lot about soul and R&B playing with them. Plus, they ripped us off too, so I learned about money the hard way.

Who are you currently touring with?

I've been playing with Claude Coleman Jr. from Ween for a while now. He is a badass. He knows exactly what he wants, down to the hi hat opening slightly in a verse on the "& of 4." Playing with CCJ keeps me on my toes and has helped me improve as a musician tremendously. To have one of the greatest living drummers paying attention and constructively critiquing everything I play night after night ain't no joke! 

Who is the coolest person you ever met?

Drummer Kenny Aronoff. That dude is the most down-to-earth person I've ever met. He never acts "too big" for anyone; he's the real deal.

Where did you grow up?

Summit, New Jersey. A suburban city 25 minutes west of NYC. By the way, we don't act like the people from MTV's Jersey Shore.

How did you get into self-improvement?

I realized most adults were screwed up when I was a kid. I had to figure out why and how not to follow the same path. When I started touring with bands, I learned most musicians didn't know shit about money and had limited views on what was possible. When I started teaching drum lessons, I realized I was teaching people to break through their self-imposed limitations more than anything. This naturally led me to writing and speaking about the possibilities of life.

Are you more left brain (analytical) or right brain (creative)?

I'm a balance of both. My career is based off of being creative, but my left brain helps me make it a business and something I can teach others.


What's your favorite movie?

Pee Wee's Big Adventure by Tim Burton. I can quote every line in the whole movie.


Your favorite book?

Too many to even list.


How many books do you read?

At least 2 books a week. I have books in every room in my house, including the bathrooms.


Sabbath Bloody Sabbath or Sunday Bloody Sunday?

Black Sabbath 100%.


Favorite metal band:

Sabbath with Ozzy, even though I love Ronnie James Dio as well (R.I.P.)


Favorite metal drummer:

Bill Ward



Favorite TV Show?

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. Tony Bourdain is the punk rock of food and travel; plus he's from Jersey.


How often do you exercise?

5 to 6 days a week.


What is your legacy you want to leave behind?

I want the world to know that it's ok to want to improve your life. There's nothing corny about wanting more for yourself and your family. Wasting your life and doing dumb shit isn't the way to rock. Living the best life possible without being 'strange' or 'new-age' is what I want to leave behind.


What is the first step that a person needs to 'change' their life for the better?

They need to take 100% responsibility and stop blaming people and external events for their situation. 


What advice can you give artists?

Never attach yourself to what you do for a living. You are not what you do for a living; that's only part of you. Also- learn about your industry as much as you can: read books, hang out, network, ask questions, work hard, work hard, and work hard.


How would you describe Rockin Lifestyle to someone?

Self-help with balls and attitude.