It isn't just Vinny Appice’s thunderous volume, on-the edge-of-mayhem arrangements or steady, sledgehammer style that’s made him one of today’s most influential and successful rock drummers, it’s also his finesse. If you google him, you’ll find never-ending articles and websites tracking his seemingly endless career. Brother of well-known drummer, Carmine Appice, Vinny just about grew up on the drums. He was playing with the likes of John Lennon and Rick Derringer by the time he was a teenager. In1980 he joined the legendary Black Sabbath. In1983 he played with DIO, recording seven albums, then eventually returning to rejoin Sabbath for their Dehumanizer tour in ’92. He’s recorded and co-written songs on over 25 albums and CDs, including many multi-platinum records. He’s toured globally for over two decades, resulting in the sales of millions of records.
With all that under his belt, the Super Star’s laid-back, easy style and amusing wit never fails to takes me aback. I had a chance to sit down and talk with the incredibly grounded Rock Legend to see what’s going on with Vinny today and see what the future holds, as he continues riding the high of Heaven and Hell’s on-going, successful reunion.
AAM: On the whole, how are you feeling about being back in Heaven and Hell?
VA: It’s just great to be together and see the success the band is enjoying after all these years. The best thing is the fans are loving it, and that makes it exciting.
AAM: What has it meant to you personally, to be working with Dio, Iommi & Butler again?
VA: It’s been very special because of all the years we’ve known each other. We worked together the first time when I was just getting started. They’re like family to me. The most important thing that this is a great band that plays so well together and kicks ass!
AAM: Can you tell us what the immediate future holds for Heaven & Hell?
VA: We are scheduled to release a new CD in the beginning of next year. We have ten new songs. We will be recording in Wales beginning in December at a studio where we recorded “Dehumanizer”. It will be self-produced and there is no title yet.
AAM: How does the band plan to release the next record?
VA: We will be released with Rhino Records. These guys are into the band and do a fantastic job of promoting and marketing us.
AAM: What was the best show you had this year in your opinion, and why?
VA: Actually, it was right here, in Devore this August, on the Masters of Metal Tour with Priest, Motorhead & Testament. The energy was amazing and the audience was huge! Over 22,000 people. I had a blast.
AAM: Tell me, how does the band travel now? What sorts of hotels do you stay in? Do you still travel by Learjet’s on occasion, or is that inappropriate in today’s economy?
VA: We used to stay at Motel 6 and would usually take a horse and buggy to the gig!
Actually, in the past, we were more ‘economy’, now we stay at 5 star hotels and still walk back from the gig to the hotel.
AAM: How many trucks does Heaven and Hell roll up with at your average stadium gig? How many guys are in your crew?
VA: About 5-6 semi’s and 5-6 buses and about 20-25 on our crew. I’ve never counted the crew...
AAM: People say you are one of the loudest, hard-hitting drummers in hard rock. How do you build yourself up to performing with the energy to play like that every night? How do the drums stand the abuse?
VA: On show days, I wake up naturally wound up, and continue “winding” throughout the day until the moment I go on. It’s a natural adrenalin. I may work out a little at the hotel gym, but mainly I do what I’ve always done, just practice with a pair of sticks on anything that’s available. I don’t use a practice kit backstage or anything like that.
As for the drums, first of all I have an amazing drum tech. His name is Andre, he's the best! He takes great care of the kit so I don't have any problems onstage, ever.
I have been using DW drums for the last 10 years. My new kit, Andre and I have played over 100 shows together. DW drums and hardware are the best. The stands are usually the first to show their age or weakness, but all the stands I use are as tight and strong like new. I even pull and push my aerial drums around during the show, stressing the stands and the drums but they remain strong as ever.
I also tend to hit many accents on the cymbals with full body weight which destroys any weak cymbals. I use Sabian (since 1985) to me, they’re the strongest and they sound great, even at the end of the tour. I only managed to crack 1 in 100 shows! My heads are Aquarian (since 1985) clear, with Powerdot. These heads sound fantastic and take a severe beating. I haven't broke any in 100 shows.
AAM: How would you self-describe your drumming style?
VA: My drumming is a combination of tension, power, feel and fast hands. Being that I don't use a double pedal, I rely on power fills with my hands. I play more on the backside leaving holes and not rushing but I also create tension, which is my energy and drive.
AAM: What size sticks do you use?
VA: 5 B Vic Firths ~ butt end up.
AAM: I’ve always been curious, are your drum solo’s choreographed and always played the same or do you play freestyle sometimes? How do you plan them?
VA: Some parts are done freestyle but the last part is always choreographed and it’s timed with lighting and sequences of keyboards and effects.
AAM: You guys played 97 shows in 2007 and 17 dates with the recent Masters of Metal Tour. That’s so many shows, so many songs. What are your personal favorites to play?
VA: Heaven & Hell, I, Neon Knights, I like them all. I really like “I”. It just goes over so well and it’s powerful!
AAM: What else are you listening to these days?
VA: I like The Disturbed, the new Metallica is good. Just recently, I heard a really good band playing at the Sagebrush Cantina, called Jetstream... And they’re all about 12 to 15- years old… with a fantastic drummer all of 14-years old!
AAM: What one album would you say you’ve listened to the most in your life?
VA: I’d have to say... Sergeant Pepper. Love the Beatles.
AAM: What piece of your own memorabilia do you treasure most?
VA: Probably my gold and platinum records and maybe a few special laminates.
I don’t like to accumulate things. I usually throw things out and ask questions later!
AAM: What about your latest (DW) drum kit. What sort of special features do you have now?
VA: Aerial drums, horizontally mounted, which I am able to abuse onstage by tilting them toward or away from without them crashing to the floor. Everyone seems to love it, even the girls in the audience.
AAM: Yes, but I suspect most the girls are screaming for the drummer, more than the drums…
VA: Oh Behave!
AAM: Can you tell us about a memorable event that happened with the on your recent tour?
VA: During the last Metal Masters show, Motorhead rented a horse and had Phil (guitarist) ride it onstage during Testament’s set. Lemmy followed Phil and the horse with a broom, pretending to sweep the horse shit off the stage. Mickey Dee dressed up in a donkey outfit and pranced around the stage. Pretty good ending to a great tour!
AAM: Do you have any other current projects going on right now?
VA: I have an project called Big Noize featuring Joe Lynn Turner, Phil Soussan, and Carlos Carvazo and myself. We have a good time playing together and hanging out. We do gigs when I am available and when I’m not, Simon Wright (DIO) fills in for me. The band just did 6 shows in Iraq for the troops.
AAM: How do you continue to successfully decipher the role of a drummer in a song without impeding on songs, melody, dynamics or format?
VA: Always play from your soul! That will always come across to the listeners!
