Dan Johnson has been called one of the hottest hard rock/metal drummers on the scene today. He is currently a member of Korn guitarist, Brian “Head” Welch’s Love and Death, as well as the touring drummer for the Christian rock band, Red. When not touring and recording he takes on drum students.
In 2009 Brian Welch recruited a touring lineup in order to promote his solo album. He held open auditions and Dan was selected over thousands of other potential drummers. In 2012 Welch re-branded that band as Love and Death. Dan later signed on as Red’s touring drummer in 2014, recording with the band the following year. We spoke to Dan to get to know a little bit more about his history, how he got into drumming and his current projects.
Cherri: You are a very active drummer and have worked with a ton of really well-known artists, the most current is Love and Death. Tell me a little about your work on this project and how drumming for Love and Death is a little different than the other projects you’ve worked on.
Dan: Well , since doing between here and lost we haven’t been able to get together lol. I loved making that album and can’t wait to get working on the new L&D
Cherri: How did you make the choice to start playing the drums?
Dan: I’ve only really had an interest in drumming. Since around 8 years old.
Cherri: Drumming for Red and Love and Death – both classified as Christian rock groups, do you align yourself with the music or the message of these bands?
Dan: I consider us two rock n roll bands.
Cherri: What’s your take on backing tracks or sampling during live shows? Old schoolers tend to balk at these techniques saying that it’s not “real” or almost like the band is cheating when playing out. If you’ve used any backtracks or samples with the bands you’ve played for, how do you “defend” using samples, or backing drum tracks playing live?
Personally, I want to see the band I’m seeing put on a show. And if there are parts of a song that are backtracked so that full effect of the song I love on a record can be emulated, I say no harm or foul. The exception to that rule is if the band is totally not playing, then I kinda have a challenge with it. With this question, I’m not asking to out anyone you’ve played with that may do this during live shows. Not wanting to stir any kind of proverbial pot here – I just ask this from the musician’s standpoint so that readers might understand a bit more about what backing tracks truly are and what they’re used for in live productions.
Dan: I personally love tracks! It makes the show more full and i think it helps entertain. I use lots of samples run through a dtx.
Cherri: We chatted a bit last time about the connections you have in Dallas since I’m based here. We talked about the two tracks you sat in on with Adakain and I just saw that you did some shows with Seasons After. Tony Housh is an old friend of mine from way back in the day and I love the new stuff from Season’s After. (Off the record – wonder what happened with these guys – seems like As a “hired gun” so to speak, what makes these kinds of gigs better, easier, harder or more difficult than being behind the kit of your own project or one you’ve been hired into?
Dan: Well the fun thing about it is the opportunity to work with so many cool people and awesome bands specially ones that I was already a fan of [laughs]. But it’s hard because I’ll usually always end up getting along with everyone so great and get attached to jamming together.
Cherri: As a musician, you have the opportunity to speak to many young adults or even teens that follow you and the bands you play with and share with them your experiences – musician and non-musician related. Tell me a little about a memorable experience about being a mentor so to speak to teens/young adults.
Dan: Well the only thing I can really say is this still good when a kid or young person or anyone for that matter tells you that music you’ve been a part of inspire them in someway that’s a very awesome feeling.
Cherri: Growing up – what was your favorite band? Your current favorite band? Favorite concert?
Dan: That’s a tough one. My first concert was Kid Rock and Dope. My music selection personally is so random and ranges from everything from Type O Negative to Taylor Swift [laughs].
Cherri: If you could go back in time and sit face to face with a younger version of yourself, what would you say to this younger Dan?
Dan: Too many things to list!
Cherri: I just watched a slew of Star Trek shows (not by choice mind you, but my boyfriend was watching them) or listened really. Are you a Star Wars or Star Trek fan? What’s your take on aliens – fact or fiction?
Dan: I definitely believe that aliens exist and I like things that have to do with space. As far as the Star Wars movies I’ve only seen the original trilogy.
Cherri: Finally, what are your plans for 2018? Tell me some highlights and things coming up that you’re excited about!
Dan: Lots of shows with red! And finishing the new Love and Death. Rockin’ n rolling somewhere.
