The Kick Ass Drummer For The Dickies... Mr. Adam Gomez
Interview By Ginger Coyote
Punk Globe: Thanks so very much for the interview. It seems like you have drummed with so many bands. Tell the readers the bands you have played for.
Honestly, I’d like it to be more, but yes. I’ve been really lucky! The Dickies (presently), The Adolescents, CJ Ramone, D.I., Composer John Massari, Jahmbi, etc.
Punk Globe: You are now playing with the iconic band The Dickies. How long have you been playing with Stan and the guys?
10 years in Feb! I remember getting a call from Eddie Tatar (Bass Player) some hours after my audition. I was out on Valentine’s date with my now wife. Eddie was letting me know how well I did and that he felt I did the best. Great moment!
Punk Globe: Were you a fan before joining The Dickies? My band played with The Dickies a few times when I was in San Francisco. Always a fun time. Tell us about some of your favorite gigs with The Dickies?
Yes, I was just a fan before becoming a fan AND band member. My first official listen was in the 90’s, off of their “Second Coming” cassette. It made me laugh. Instant fan.
It’s funny. The best gigs seem to be if we all can get a laugh or two in together right before hitting the stage. resetting the connection before a gig makes things more genuine in my experience. Also, once we had a gig in the Czech Republic that we were late for. It was a big festival, and we had a long drive from somewhere in Germany, and there was unexpected traffic that really dropped a bird poop into our cereal, so to speak.
Our driver Dale was determined on getting us to the gig for our scheduled set time, and he was driving through the left shoulder of the freeway to get through all the freeway hoopla. The end result of his driving landed us in the back lot right behind the stage, and as we popped out of the band, the host on the open outdoor stage was announcing us. We walked straight up, threw our bits of gear on, and just went for it. Wild stuff. It was fun!
Punk Globe: I have seen your posts for The Killer Klowns . What is up ?
Ah, yes! Well, there’s been A LOT of resurgence for the Killer Klown franchise. For us longtime fans, it’s just part of our world, but I think bigger things have been generating these past couple years. Recently I was hired by Composer John Massari to arrange and record drum works for the upcoming ‘KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE’ VIDEO GAME. I’ve been posting about it to help people around me to be on the lookout for it. I’m personally really excited about it. It’s something that I had great fun doing, and want to do more of! Getting hired to do drums for video games? Yes, please!
Punk Globe: My friend Kitty Kowalski mentioned she was working with The Dickies? Have you met her? That was a few years back.
Yes I’ve met Lindsey! From what I understand, she’s known, hung out with, and worked with The Dickies for many years before my time, off n’ on. Since I’ve been in the band, she has driven for us, sold merch for us, and facilitated other things business-wise for the band periodically. She really seemed to get shit done.
Punk Globe: How old were you when you decided that the drums were your weapon of choice?
Hm.. Well, I have a memory of being 3 or 4 and being obsessed with getting on some drums that were set up at a family gathering in Echo Park. At my Grandma’s house. After bugging everyone to let me on it and play it (It was there because my oldest half brother’s band was there to play music), I finally got a chance to drum on it, and I just sat there and froze because everyone was staring and anticipating my toddler debut performance.
In addition to that, I actually started to TRY and learn how to play drums by watching Megadeth videos and using the couch and pillows as drums, when I was 9 or 10. I decided then, that drumming was my instrument of choice.
Punk Globe: Tell us about your first drum set ?
My first set was a black Ludwig that I found in the Recycler. For anyone younger out there reading this: It’s like craigslist but in newspaper form. I found a job at a local video store when I was 18 and saved up to get my first, very own drum set. A very defining moment for me.
Punk Globe: Who was the very first band you held down the back-beat with?
Technically, the first band I actually played live with, was a metal band called Oblivion. I wasn’t super close with the guys in the band, but they were nice dudes and we liked a lot of the same metal bands. I helped open their eyes to some Punk Rock in the process as well. While that was going on, I started my own band with a high school friend (Aaron Lippold) and started a band called Jahmbi. The name was inspired by PeeWee Herman’s Jambi the genie.
Punk Globe: Do you remember your very first show?
Actually, no. HA! It was my senior year in high school I’m sure of it, but those days were so chaotic for me. As far as shows went, it was just a slew of showing up at backyard parties with either band and maybe not even playing for whatever problems arose. Be it, the party getting shut down, violence, etc. BUT I remember my first venue/bar gigs were with Jahmbi. In Downtown Upland CA, and at the Showcase Theatre. Do you kids remember The Showcase Theatre?! Shout out to Joe!
Punk Globe: Who were some of your musical inspirations as far as drummers or musicians?
At that moment in my life, I’d say:
Danny Heifetz- Mr. Bungle
Amery Smith- Suicidal Tendencies
Mitch Mitchell- Jimi Hendrix
John Dolmayan- System of a Down
Dave Lombardo- Slayer
Punk Globe: Has your daughter shown any interest in playing the drums. We need more badass Women who play drums like Dee from L7 and Judy from Betty Blowtorch
Yes! We do need more women to grab the reins and say ‘Fuck it and fuck you, I’m doing this’. My daughter Stevie shows periodic interest in different stuff, but sometimes when I’m working on the drums at home, she gets the need to jump on my lap and hit the drums for sure. I encourage it, but more so, I encourage her to find that passion with whatever she wants as an individual. I don’t want her to commit to drums or any instrument because I forcefully conditioned her to be.
Punk Globe: Are you endorsed by anyone?
Yes! I’m endorsed by Yamaha Drums, Vater Percussion (drumsticks), and Remo Percussion (Drum skins). I’m super lucky to have all of them on my team. Huge shout out to Darrin Pfeiffer (Goldfinger/PRK) and Chris Dalley (Authority Zero) for connecting me with them!
Punk Globe: I understand that you are doing a tour of Europe this summer. How many countries?
Well, we usually hit the UK (England, Scotland, and occasionally Ireland) and then ferry over to Germany and maybe a couple of others while we are there on that part of the rock, but we just might hit the UK only this year. Not sure as of yet.
Punk Globe: Tell the readers about any local Southern California shows that The Dickies have planned in March?
As far as I know, We just have 1 gig on St Patrick’s day w/ The Clowns, Carpit, and Lost Issue, at La Santa in OC.
Punk Globe: Do you have any internet addresses you would like to share for the band or yourself?
Yes! I have my own Youtube channel! It’s called ‘Drum-Thru Drive-In’. I do Punk and Metal drum covers, along with drum hacks and stories/ tips. See you guys there! https://urlgeni.us/youtube/channel/drumthru
Punk Globe: Now the tough question Describe yourself in three words.
Adam: -I -Think -Too much
Punk Globe: Any last thoughts for the Punk Globe readers Adam?
Adam: Be good to each other. A good disagreement (and maybe even an honest fistfight) can be justifiable now and again, but nowadays, politics really divide people. Our true power as humans is to even be able to see past that and still have a laugh with each other. We can do more good for our future generations that way. As Devo says, Duty now, for the future!
