Other than drumming... I love listening to music (and playing drums to it, of course). I love to watch films, going to the cinema, reading mags like Rhythm and Total Film, checkin’ out drum DVD’s, being a big kid by playing PS2, hangin’ out with mates, Hollywood bowling (which really cracks me up), playing pool, going to the gym and laughing lots.. I also have a mild obsession with super heroes and enjoy watching hero cartoons like Batman of the Future and Justice League...
Music
Here's a few CD's from My Collection.... Abba, Aimee Mann, Alanis Morissette, Alien Ant Farm, Alisha’s Attic, Animal Logic, Ashlee Simpson, Athlete, Average White Band, Avril Lavigne, Ayra, Barry White, (The) Beach Boys, Ben Folds Five, Beverley Knight, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Blink 182, Brand New Heavies, Britney Spears, Bros, Bruce Hornsby, Bryan Adams, Charles & Eddie, Christina Aguilera, (The) Commitments, (The) Commodores, (The) Coors, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Dag, Danny Wilson, Dave Matthews Band, Dave Weckl Band, David Arnold, David Benoit, De La Soul, Deacon Blue, Do Me Bad Things, Donald Fagen, Earth Wind & Fire, Eddie Reader, Eels, Elvis Costello, En Vogue, Estelle, Ether, Eva Cassidy, Evanescence, Feeder, (The) Feeling, Foo Fighters, Frank Sinatra, Funeral for a Friend, Galactic, Gary Barlow, Gary Moore, Gladys Knight, Go West, Grease, Guns n’ Roses, Gwen Stefani, Hot Action Cop, Hue & Cry, Huey Lewis & The News, Human League, Jackson 5, (The) Jacksons, James Taylor, James Taylor Quartet, Jamiroquai, Janet Jackson, Jeff Buckley, Jellyfish, Jem, Jill Scott, John Lennon, John Mayer, Joss Stone, Justin Timberlake, Keane, Kelly Clarkson, Kelly Rowland, King Crimson, Kylie, Lenny Kravitz, Level 42, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Lisa Loeb, London Elektricity, Lost Prophets, Madonna, (The) Main Ingredient, (The) Manhattans, Manic Street Preachers, Maroon 5, Maxwell, Michael Jackson, Michael McDonald, Michel Camillo, Motown, My Life Story, Natalie Imbruglia, Neil Robinson, Nik Kershaw, Nizlopi, No Doubt, (The) O’Jays, Oleta Adams, Papa Roach, Protect the Beat, Paul McCartney, Paul Young, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Pink, (The) Police, Prince, (The) Prodigy, (The) PropellerHeads, Queen, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Reef, Richard Cheese, Robben Ford, Rush, S Club 7, Santana, Silje Nergaard, Skunk Anansie, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Spice Girls, Spin Doctors, Spock’s Beard, Spyro Gyra, Steely Dan, Stereo MC’s, Stevie Wonder, Sting, (The) Stylistics, Sugababes, Sugar Rush, Swing out Sister, Switch, Take That, Tears for Fears, Terence Trent D’Arby, Thin Lizzy, TLC, Todd Rundgren, Tool, Toto, Tower of Power, U2, Wet Wet Wet, Wheat….
Television
Don't watch much TV at all.... But do enjoy Smallville, Heroes & the odd cartoon and also enjoy the Discovery channel (Ray Mears Survival / Bushcraft, Steve Irwin, Tribe, Etc.) Basically the TV in my bedroom makes a useful night-light...
Books
Erm... Whizzer & Chips? Britney's Annual? (Ooohhhh and I read that Da Vinci Code book and the other book by the same dude called Angels and Demons)
Heroes
My Mum, My Sister..... All of my friends, Batman, Stewart Copeland, Vinnie Colaiuta, Superman....And the 1st person to come up with Rhythm, cos without that we'd have no drums...
Here's a selection of tracks I've been lucky enough to play drums on :-)
Have a listen & let me know what you think...
If you'd like to hear more music / recording sessions I've been involved in, go to BRETT SAWMY for my catalogue of 'drum takes' and click on 'AUDIO'
FURTHER INFO
I’ve been involved in music since the age of 18, playing drums in a variety of local bands and have been a self employed musician since 1995 gaining many years of full time experience working in the rock and popular music industry.
Signed a five album recording contract with Parlophone/EMI Records (The Beatles, Blur, Coldplay, Radiohead etc), and toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe playing drums in the Welsh band Ether.
'Ether', were Rory Meredith, Gareth Driscoll & Me!!
Rory & 'G' are hugely talented, multi instrumentalist vocalists whom can turn their hand to most things musical. Writers / Producers / Engineers etc.
Ether released a number of singles throughout 1996, 1997 and 1998 (see some of the music videos below) and our debut album "Strange" was finally released on 6th July 1998. Hoorah!!
We recorded another 24 songs in 1999 which I like to think of as Ether 2nd and 3rd Albums. An amazing experience which saw us working with Hugh Jones, Al Stone, David Whitaker, The London Communinty Gospel Choir and a 24 Piece String Section at Abbey Road. Unfortunately, these tracks / albums have never seen the light of day, it's gutting to think that these recordings will never be released!!!
Worked with a variety of Producers :-
Al Stone (Jamiroquai, Sting)
Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Saliva)
Donal Hodgson (Jeff Beck, Sting)
Greg Haver (Manics, Mel C)
Hugh Jones (Dodgy, Echo and the Bunnymen)
John Cornfield (Muse, Supergrass)
John Leckie (Stone Roses, Radiohead, Kula Shaker)
Roy Spong (The Cure, Oasis)
Gained a vast amount of studio experience from recording at :-
Abbey Road (The Beatles, U2, Coldplay)
Eden Studios, Chiswick (U2, Dido, Jamelia)
Famous Studios, Cardiff (Manics)
Frontline Studios, Caerphilly (Lost Prophets)
Masterock Studios, Kilburn (Robbie Williams)
Matrix Wessex Studios
Mayfair Studios, Primrose Hill (Coldplay, Radiohead, No Doubt)
Metropolis Studios, Chiswick (Robbie, Tom Jones, Mark Owen)
Monnow Valley Studios, Monmouth (Manics, Black Sabbath, Pulp)
Parkgate, Hastings (Paul McCartney, Gary Moore, Blur)
The Church, Crouch End (Dave Stewart, Alisha’s Attic)
Experienced in radio sessions, video shoots, photo shoots, interviews and other promotional work, TV work, MTV, plus a variety of regional and national TV music/entertainment shows. I’ve also featured regularly on the pages of Rhythm drum magazine, as an artist and a writer.
Performed drum workshops for Sonor drums and for Roland UK, showcasing their groundbreaking TD6 electronic kit.
Held sponsorship/endorsement deals with Zildjian Cymbals, Sonor Drums, Evans Heads, Protechtor Tour Cases and Hearos Earplugs.
At the moment, I teach drums at the World's Best Drum Store, 'Percussion House' in Cardiff (www.percussionhouse.com). I also work on a freelance basis as a Mentor for the New Deal for Musicians, a Drum Tutor for Community Music Wales and as lead tutor for Princes Trust Sain Byw (Rock School).
Most recently I’ve recorded an album with local band Ayra who are signed to Warner Chappell, also recorded with Sugar Rush (www.myspace.com/sugarrushmusic) who are available to download through iTunes. Recorded with It’s Jo and Danny signed to Double Snazzy Records and played drums for singer / songwriter Dan Dunne at Monnow Valley Studio with four time Grammy Award winning producer Bob Marlette...
Uh Sawmy, why have I gone from being your only friend to being fourth favourite??? You were my best friend in the whole world but have now been replaced by my dog!
Cheers Brett - looked through your influences on the website - great to see Michael Bland on there...I agree "Shhh" must be one of the greatest drum intros of all time. Respect! PAT
Hey Brett, How you doing? hope you are well. Just dropping by to say Hi and wish you a Merry Xmas and a happy & prosperous 2009. Good Health Cheers Chris
So I hear you have a fan in the form of the brunette, big breasted Katie! Now this one must certainly be written in the stars as she has all the attributes that you look for in a woman. Do I get to be flower girl ;0)
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Hey Brett!!I really enjoyed the clinic on wednesday!! It was awesome mate!!! Have you and louise recorded an album? Her music sounds great! How ya doin?? And you really fit her style of music!!
Catch up with you soon at another clinic, (somewhere) ha!
Thanks for the comment! means alot man,your one of my favourite drummers so to get a comment is great lol,couldnt help but notice you got hue and cry in your top friends..what excellence! just ordered there new album,cant wait to hear it!
Brett you da dude, Cheers for tickets for Madge, really loved it but it has left me with the questions, How do all those stages work? and how the f**k did those dances get up to the stage soooooo quickly (it's the D&T teacher in me!).Loved the 360 degree video screen, awesome in how it works and looks. Blew my mind. Cheers mate xx
Hello Brett - Just checked out your Ether vids. Wow. Brings it all back. A delicious blend of The Police, Scritti and Steely Dan. I have my daughter Caroline (Ali) to thank for turning me on to you and your drumming. Love, light and peace -Dhanil Ali
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