Hey You is a new Glide column where we touch base with artists out of the “spotlight” from their “prominent” prior bands.
There is something undeniably enticing about a reclusive artist. A person who can capture their environment and feelings and articulate them in a refreshing, creative way is the closest we’ve come to real-life magic. A person’s art is enough to satisfy a fan’s curiosity, so when an established artist pulls back the curtains of their artistry, it feels all the more special. In Glide’s latest column, we’re exploring the creative process of some of the most legendary musicians who have transitioned from successful musical endeavors to other ambitious pursuits. Whether it be a new band or a completely new avenue, Glide is looking to uncover what some of your favorite artists have been up to and how their creativity has evolved since they transitioned to a solo career, a different sound, or anything in between.
We had the pleasure of speaking with the great drummer and multi-talented Dave Krusen. You may remember Krusen from providing the iconic drums of Pearl Jam’s classic debut record Ten, but that is only the beginning of what blossomed into an incredibly productive career. From his work with countless bands and what he has been up to outside of music, Krusen welcomed us into his world for a conversation about the nuances of his playing and what he has been up to as of late.
Check out our full conversation below.
For longtime fans of your playing – can you let us know what you’ve been up to and working on lately?
Lately, I have been working on my own music. I have two songs in a film called “Move Me No Mountain”. I am also working on releasing something soon that will be instrumental music. I’m playing all the instruments. It’s just for my own creative outlet. I’m not out to compete with anyone. Also a project with friends called Big Game Hunter.
When did you first start playing drums and was that your first instrument of choice?
I first started banging on pots and pans, probably around 8 years old. I also used to play phone books, I used a magazine for the snare, a phone book opened so one side was thicker, for a high tom and lower tom, and one unopened for the floor tom. I played snare drum in band in the 5th grade when I was 10, I got my first kit a year later. I then started playing drums for the high school jazz choir from the time I was in the 8th grade, all the while playing in bands, my first was Outrigger when I was 13.
While most know you as the Pearl Jam drummer on Ten, your other contributions to rock are also solid as hell. What other bands and albums that you collaborated with or were a member of meant the most to you?
Of course, I am so proud of the music with Pearl Jam, I’m also very proud of the music I made with Candlebox, Unified Theory, Hovercraft, Ida Maria, Cheyenne Kimball, 959, Asian She, Carrie Akre, D Henry Fenton, Diamond Star Halo, Agent Boy, Purple Decade.
What are some of the nuances between your playing with Pearl Jam and your other projects that casual fans might not catch?
The difference between working with Pearl Jam and the others I’ve worked with is that each band, with its different members, is that even though you still do what you do, it’s an entirely different sound that comes out. Since I grew up playing in mostly vocal ensembles, my first idea is to support the vocals, the message they’re trying to convey, and the feeling they’re trying to create. Beyond that, I want to frame the rhythm and create a foundation for the melody. And each band is as different as it can get, which can be very rewarding creatively.
Could you tell Ten was going to be a hit during the recording sessions? What songs on there do you feel you had the most say in how the rhythm was composed?
I didn’t know if Ten would be a hit but I knew what I liked and thought it was a very unique, very special thing and a sound that was deep and dynamic. I am not sure which song I had the most impact on, you’d have to ask the other guys for that answer.
What Pearl Jam song do you miss playing the most?
The songs I miss playing the most are probably the mellower or mid-tempo songs, I would love to do an acoustic record with them.
You have played in a plethora of bands and worked on so many albums, do you have a favorite song you’ve ever played on? What are some of your favorite memories from any recording session?
To be honest, I love everything I did with Pearl Jam. I enjoyed the recording process with them, so creative and so productive. A mutual respect and group support unlike any other recording session I’ve been a part of. 959 was very easy and productive. Most experiences I’ve had recording have been fun, it’s great to hear the fruits of your labor captured by engineers and producers who really know what they’re doing, very educational too. Some situations have been more laborious but that has been the more rare occasion.
Can you tell us about the short-lived Purple Decade project you worked on? What were those studio sessions like?
Purple Decade was a lot of fun too, some good friends, and very talented but it was short-lived because Son of Man got back together and I played drums along with the original guys. We did some demos for Epic, but I took too many mushrooms and ended up in Mexico. That was a very blurry era for me, fortunately, I got sober right after that.
Have you ever thought of making a solo album and what do you need to help fulfill that goal?
I have a studio in my house so I do work a lot on my own music. Like I was saying, it’s all instrumental. I play guitar, bass, keys, drums of course, and percussion. I just try to make something I like to listen to. I’m semi-retired, not touring, just making music for the joy of it. I guess I’ve always done that.
What was it like being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Do you remember the day you learned you were selected?
Being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 with Pearl Jam was the absolute greatest honor of my life, outside of being a dad.
Do you have any other passion projects outside of music you like to talk about?
Outside of playing music, I am enjoying life with my rescued pets, trying to stay in gratitude. I’m a very fortunate person, I have a blessed life. I’ve been obsessed with the NY Times crossword for a long time, and recently Wordle and the spelling bee. I swear I have a life… I do think biodiesel is the answer, not electricity.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fans and where can we best get updates on your new creative endeavors?
I have a website, davekrusen.com and I’ll try to remember to put up a link when I finish my 45 called “Town and Country” Thanks for the chance to chat with you here, we music fans can save the world.
