Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 1
Shanghai, China - 21 October
Hard to believe it's been nearly 10 years since Zildjian first brought Gregg Bissonette to Shanghai for one of the first ever drum clinics in China. Where once stood just farmland, there now stands an incredible cityscape reminiscent of a scene straight out of science fiction movies. The city has grown at an incredible pace and along with it, a community of drummers hungry to catch visiting top players in action.
It is Simon Phillips' first visit to China and day one of his tour has him visit the Shanghai Music Fair, now a huge event spread across many exhibition halls. Simon has an interview with Modern Player, China's first drum magazine and organizers of the first Drum Festival to take place in China at the Music Fair, which this year features other great Zildjian players Gregg Bissonette and Wang Lan.
Clinic day sees an early start and the assembly of Simon's incredible kit. It's a precision process of fine measuring and meticulous attention to tuning but if you have had the chance to hear Simon play you would appreciate how great the kit looks and sounds.
It's a packed auditorium in the Hope Hotel Performance Room with many international fans in from the Shanghai Fair and Gregg Bissonette seated in the front row and Wang Lan also in attendance. Simon kicks off his first ever performance in China with a blistering rendition of "Out Of The Blue", the start of what promises to be an incredible tour.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, CLinic 2
Beijing, China - 22 October
A short flight away and we arrive in Beijing ready for Clinic #2.
Beijing is under a cloud of smog with construction work taking place everywhere as the city prepares itself for the 2008 Olympic Games; there is much excitement in the air as changes to the landscape take place by the day.
A quick sight-seeing stop at the Forbidden City and a drive through Tian'anmen Square takes us to the venue, an interesting club called the RBL and Ice House.
At tonight's clinic we also bump into Zildjian Artists LuXun, an in-demand session musician based in Beijing, Quan Yau, who brings some of his students to sample Simon's drum skills, and one of the newest members to the Zildjian Orchestral family, Liu Gang, whom also acts as tonight's interpreter.
Simon wows the audience yet again, much to the delight of everyone including John Lee of Tom Lee/Acton Music (Zildjian Distributors in China) whom is in the audience for tonight's performance again, along with his staff whom are on-hand assistance: Paul Yeung and Yue Peng.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 3
Guangzhou, China - 23 October
An early morning start and a flight south to Guangzhou - another Chinese City eager to learn more as it gains momentum at incredible speed into the 21st Century.....this country is the future!!
So we reach the venue for this evening, the Landmark Canton Hotel, and take to the task in hand of set-up and sound check.
Five hours later and we're ready....tonight's crowd comprises manly of young enthusiastic drummers, a large contingency from one of the local music schools, everyone is eager to ask questions and learn from Simon's expertise and musical experiences which concludes in bringing the audience to their feet in appreciation.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 4
Hong Kong - 25 October
A two hour train journey from Guangzhou to Hong Kong takes us through the paddy fields and villages of mainland China to the bright lights and delights of Hong Kong.
A much needed afternoon off means shopping and we take the Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon taking in the amazing views of Hong Kong's spectacular skyline.
Before today's Clinic Simon has two interviews lined up. The first is for Radio Television Hong Kong [RTHK] Radio 3 Morning Brew's programme, during which Simon chats about the concept behind a Drum Clinic, his early drumming influences and what it takes to be a working drumming on the road touring today.
The second interview again for RTHK is a pre-recording for that evenings prime-time television programme, The Works, during the interview Simon is able to demonstrate on a snare drum and two A Custom Crashes the musical skill and flair which has made him such an in-demand Artist over the years.
From here we head for a store visit to Tom Lee's Tsimsthatsui Kowloon store, Tom Lee, Zildjian distributors in Hong Kong are the biggest musical retail chain in Hong Kong.
Then it's on to the set-up, sound check and the Clinic. Tonight at the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Simon's red sparkle kit certainly sparkles as does Simon's performance much to the 300 strong capacity crowds delight. Simon is also met by local Zildjian Artists Marco Leung and Jun Kung.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 5
Taipei, Taiwan - 26 October
Clinic number 5 and another early morning start and a short flight to Taipei.
It's a capacity crowd and Simon is now well into his stride. The opening solo has Simon powering through a demonstration of not only technique but his musicality, with a display of the independence he is renown for. Logistics have dictated that his Rocket Toms and Gong Drum are absent but Simon soon adapts to recreating his signature splitting of rhythms between his left and right side firing between bass drum and high toms and low toms and snare.
Questions on his practice techniques are always a part of the clinic and Simon demonstrates his warm up sessions in single, double and triple stroke rolls, followed by single, double and triple paradidles, starting slow and developing into a blistering speed that dazzles the audience.
Standing ovations close the show with a queue at the signing session that stretches the entire length of the clinic.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 6
Manilla, Philippines - 27 October
Another early morning flight and the Simon Phillips Asia Clinic Tour Party roll into Manilla, Philippines where the airport can only be described as organised chaos!
Outside tropical rain greets us, infact it rains heavily the whole time we are in Manilla, but that certainly doesn't dampen anyone's spirits.
First stop is the hotel to drop off our luggage, security here is very tight, all vehicles entering the hotel have their undercarriages checked for explosives, sniffer dogs are shown guests suitcases and as every individual passes through a metal detector our hand luggage is thoroughly checked over.
No time to stop, it's straight onto today's venue, the Henry Lee Irwin Theater which is on the Ateneo De Manila University Campus, Quezon City, where set-up and sound check commences.
For the first time on this tour, tonight's gig sees an opening act. Zildjian Artist Vic Mercado is here with his band Bamboo. Bamboo are superstars in their own right having won the MTV Asia Best New Band 2004, and they bring with them their own set of fans. The band play two numbers and Vic certainly gets the crowd fired up for what promises to be a fantastic night.
Backstage MTV are here, the programme is 'Get Spotted' and Simon 'gets spotted' in his dressing room for an interview to be shown in Asia.
Hanging backstage are local Zildjian Artists, Mar Dizon, Ernie Severino and Michael Alba also joins us. Ernie is just about to head to the USA for six weeks with his band Side A.
So the show, organised by Jerico Fernando and JB Music, commences and 700+ fans are treated to some great playing tonight!
Afterwards the queue for autographs/photographs is endless and the meet n greet takes place outside, undercover, but still it continues to rain and in this humidity... boy it's hot!!
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 7
Singapore - 29 October 2005
In startling contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Philippines our arrival in Singapore for clinic number seven finds us in a neat and orderly country with its feet firmly in the first world. Well-manicured avenues and an extremely orderly way of life with hot humid climate and a relaxed air, all this raises the spirits as we head for the soundcheck.
Set up in the Singapore Power Auditorium seems like business as usual until we hit problems with a broken mixer desk and soundcheck comes to a grinding halt. Luckily for us, Simon, as well as an incredible drummer, is also a producer and studio engineer. So he analyses the problems and a new desk is ordered to be brought in. It's a rush but new equipment arrives and Simon rushes through his final preparations just in time for showtime.
Despite the tough start the rest of the show is terrific. Good questions form the audience as always and Simon gives the crowd the benefit of his years of experience in the music industry. Musically, Simon's second play along track sees him slip into straight ahead jazz with an instrumental titled "Vantage Point". A sigh of relief at the shows end that technically all worked out OK.
A well earned rest and a chance to meet Singaporean Zildjian endorsers, Tama Goh, Mark De Souza and Robert Nalin. After show brings the delights of a Singapore crab dinner, some much needed sleep and onto the next location.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 8
Kuala Lumpur - 30 October 2005
No sooner had we taken off from Singapore Airport it was time to land in Malaysia. A 40 minute flight brings us to Kuala Lumpur our next port of call ... infact a pit-stop visit as we will be in Malaysia for less than 20 hours in total.
On route to the venue Simon stops off for a photograph session at Bentley Music's store (Zildjian Distributor for Malaysia), with Mr Phua and the Bentley Music Staff, including the event organiser Lewis Hooper.
Arriving at the venue, the Wisma MCA, we are shadowed by the KL's twin bridge towers, reaching 88 floors/452 metres high.
Each Clinic we've been putting ourselves against the clock for drum set-up and sound check, today we set a new record, we break the three hour barrier .. not bad seeing as the first days set-up and soundcheck took six hours!
Before the show Simon does some press, the first in an interview for the local newspaper called The Star: the second is a clip for a national TV programme for 8T 'Home Grown' - during which Simon demonstrates his snare technique which has made him such a respected player of today, ofcourse during this solo he also manages to hit a couple of his trusted A Custom Crashes.
So the Clinic commences and Simon performs a new piece he has been working on, it goes down an absolute storm and has the 500+ audience cheering for more. Despite an early morning and very little sleep Simon is holding up incrediable well on this tour and really wowing the audiences.
So it's off to bed, maybe we can manage 4 hours sleep tonight if we're lucky before another early early morning flight tomorrow.
On-route back to the hotel we couldn't resist ofcourse the opportunity to stop off at the KL's Towers, which look totally alien again the dark October skyline, for a fantastic view and q great tourist shot.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 9
Bangkok, Thailand - 31 October 2005
Clinic number nine has us travelling to Bangkok in Thailand. By 9:40 in the morning we have already landed. A drive to the hotel another check in and an hour off before we head for the Aua Auditorium and set up.
It's a record; three hour set up today. We have shaved an hour off our original set up time. Its a big crowd too with over 700 in attendance. In true Thai tradition it's a very polite crowd and they come prepared with a multitude of questions for Simon.
As always Simon powers through the clinic. Starting with the track "Out of the Blue" followed by an amazing solo, questions and answers , a lot of humour and then into the track "Vantage Point". More conversation final solo and nto the last track "Indian Summer".
Standing ovations once again and a huge queue for autographs at the end. A great day. Many thanks to organisers Theera music for a wonderfully smooth running event.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 10
Seoul, Korea - 2 November 2005
A full days travel brings us to Seoul, Korea where the weather is cooling, the leaves are autumn golden and firey and the people are all excitable!
The morning of the Clinic is taken up with an interview for Hot Music Magazine, where Simon faces his toughest questioning yet ... namely "Do you drink and if so what is your capacity" - makes an unusual change from "tell us about your pre-show warm-up tips" and as such brings a smile to our faces.
So we head to set-up/sound check, the last complete set-up of the tour as Tama's AR Guy 'Happy' will be setting up Simon's own kit in Tokyo for the final Clinic.
After soundcheck there's just enough time for more press interviews with: Musician, Church Med, Audio PA and with Dr Drum, one of the biggest drum related web sites in Asia.
And so onward to the Clinic.
Tonight Zildjian Artist Yong-Uk Chung and his rock/thrash band Crash open the show, this is probably the noisiest intro yet and without a doubt they totally psyche up the 450+ crowd. This has to be the hottest clinic of the tour - it's literally steaming!!
Simon is totally vibed up through the pure energy of Crash and the enthusiasm of the audience and tonight he really pulls out the stops and despite the language barrier soon has them eating out of his hands, proving once again that music truly is the universal language.
After the gig it's off to a specially organised Zildjian party at the local beer keller, where Simon is joined by about sixty fans and local influential drummers - all courtesy of Kwanki and Zildjian distributors in Korea - Cosmos Music - a thirst quenching finale to a hot hot event.
Simon Phillips Asia Tour, Clinic 11 (Last one!)
Tokyo, Japan - 4 November 2005
The final date of our tour finds us landing in Japan and the incredible city of Tokyo. It's a great way to finish the tour with and a full blown Zildjian Day event that sees Simon being joined in performance by two of Japans great players, Kozo Suganuma and Satoshi Bandho.
The Zildjian day is part of the Tokyo music fair and sees a packed auditorium eager to catch these players in action.
As always in Japan organisation is second to none and the production team have a superb stage set up in place, great sound great lights and all three drummers ready to take to the stage.
First up is the young Satoshi Bandho. A great young talent and technically superb, having played with the likes of Casiopia , Satoshi plays through solos and musical accompaniment to the delight of the packed auditorium.
Next up is Kozo, a hugely respected player and educator, having a string of drum schools across Japan, Kozo is extremely popular and surprised the crowd as he takes to the stage in full marching band regalia. He opens his set with a display of marching band techniques before getting behind the kit to further amaze by playing along to a huge array of musical pieces, from Orchestral scores to ethnic rhythms accompanied by his very own didgeridoo performance.
The crowd love these players and are in buoyant mood as Simon takes to the stage. It's the last date of the tour and Simon is in precision mode, each night has seen him reach new heights that culminate in a breathtaking performance here in Tokyo.
The evening concludes with all three drummers taking to the stage and playing a piece based on Simon's single, double and triple paradiddle exercise routine, it builds in momentum with an incredible drum crescendo that sees the crowd calling for more.
It's a great night and a fantastic way to end the tour.
It's been nearly three weeks of travelling. 8 countries and eleven shows and thousands of miles travelled by air. More the 6000 have caught the show.
Many thanks Simon and a special thanks to Tama drums and Remo heads for all their support with Simon's kit.
