MUSIC BILLY SKELLY (KING ROCK PHOTOGRAPHY)
How are you living this great professional moment? To really understand the gravity of my situation, all I have to do is go back to the 13-year-old me, and look at what I’m doing now through his eyes. That’s when I realize how great it is, and how it’s such an honor to do what I do, with the artists I’m working with, like The Dickies, The Adolescents, D.I. and CJ Ramone. Long story short, it’s amazing! How was your approach to the world of music? Just like most human beings, I discovered the magic of music at a very young age. I’m sure I was still in diapers. By the time I was 8 or 9, I had already started playing Cello and Guitar, and had finally made the discovery that Drums were my true passion, and I started watching Megadeth videos and mimicking the drummer by hitting pillows on the couch that I had set up in the form of drums. From that point, I played on anyone’s drum set that would let me because my family couldn’t afford to get me my own. I started working right after High School, bought my own drum set, played live for almost a decade before enrolling into Musicians Institute in Hollywood CA, where I earned my degree and started teaching and touring. My foot in the door with the industry was ultimately finding a punk band on line that needed a drummer for a European tour. I made no money, and actually spent money and had to sell my drum set just have the money for my plain ticket for the tour. From that point on, I got to know other members of the Punk scene. What do you consider your greatest influences? I’m a big Mr. Bungle fan. And even though I’m considered just a Drummer, I’ve written music along the years of my career, and things that aren’t quite drum related, tend to influence me in my composing (drums as well). But even with drums specifically, it’s always the combined sound of the band that ultimately influences what feel and vibe I want to bring to the table when creating drum lines. Other influences would be Oingo Boingo, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Bronx.
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CPMAGAZINE – BUSINESSWOMAN
What is the greatest satisfaction that music has given you? I’ve been able to express unexplainable feelings and transform them into an orchestration of sounds that bring those feelings into something real out into our reality. It’s an extremely therapeutic experience. I’m eternally grateful for having that privilege. Just as equally, A great satisfaction is found in the hope of inspiring young artists in a positive way. Turning aggression into music on the drums can be a beautiful thing. And something that will make me afraid (one of my fears) of this race (Industry)? As an independent artist, you have to keep your mind going towards different ways of staying relevant, and keeping the train moving. There is so much life going on aside from Music, like family, relationships, and all that life has to offer, which in my eyes are all a form of art that is beautiful and not to be taken for granted. So keeping all of that on track the best you can while also trying to do the same with one’s music career, can be a hard balance. So I guess my one fear would be that the industry is like a very long chess game, and I’m afraid I’ll make a wrong move along the way that will cost me the game.
