Interview with Drummer Frank Falleti, aka Dad...

Mixing it up and interviewing people who have been a part of my singing, songwriting, and music video-making journey, first up, I had a chat with my Dad, Frank Falleti, who has kindly accompanied me on a couple of tracks, with many more to come - thanks Dad! ;) I had a few questions for him, and here's what he had to say:

Why the drums?

I often drove my teachers and class mates in primary school nuts due to my desk and foot tapping. I guess drums were something I had an interest in for as long as I can remember.

When did you first pick up the drums?

I started formal lessons when I was around 14, my parents disapproved of drums as a musical instrument, so the only way I could get lessons was to often go without lunch and use my lunch money for lessons instead, sad but true, but it made me more determined, I guess.

Tell us about your band days…who/where/what did you typically play?

At 18 I joined a band that had some members who were well known in the Adelaide music scene at the time. The guitarist was notably very accomplished and was jazz/funk fusion inspired. His influence helped shape the direction I took in both my musical preferences and style.

At the time, bands like Chicago, Santana, Doobie Brothers, among notable others, were big, and the style of music we performed as a band were either covers or originals along similar lines. We played some venues that were big at the time, like the Largs Pier, Tivoli, Headquarters, Mariners and the Bridgeway, and a few others I forget the names of!

We were support act on a number of occasions for bands such as Skyhooks, Cold Chisel (before they became too famous), Sherbet and other national bands of the time.

I was in a number of bands after this but none quite as engaging from an impressionable learning period of time perspective for me.

My only brush with some semblance of real fame was doing some studio sessions in London with some members of an African band called #Osibisa, who some may or may not be aware of.

What style of music do you typically like to play now?

I don't tie myself to any particular style of music - these days like to play anything that appeals to me and across many genres. I love listening to all types of music and I also like to listen to a number of contemporary drummers such as Robert “Sput’ Searight, Thomas Lang, Dave Weckl and many others of that high calibre for inspiration and aspiration, one can dream, right?

What’s the coolest thing that you experienced gigging?

I just liked to play, but I really loved and appreciated it when I received positive comments and feedback from both audiences and other musos.

Coolest person/s you’ve met?

· Bob Marley band (not Bob Marley unfortunately) - if these guys were any more chilled, they would have to be lying in an ice bath!

· Tommy Emanuel (Australian guitarist)

· Osibisa band members (very laid back and easy to get on with!)

How do you take to my style?

Hmmmm………………...bit of a challenge I guess, it is not the style of music I’m used to playing to, but I’m your dad and I guess it’s written..

Haha, errrr...thanks Dad!