Cover Model, Eddie Foltz
Glen Foltz, “Eddie” to anyone and everyone, started playing the
drums in the fifth grade and hasn't stopped since. “I played drums in
the school band year after year and loved it,” he said with a smile.
“I even played bongos for the choir and loved that, too. I would do
anything I could to keep playing. Even then I knew the importance of
‘building up my chops.’” When asked how soon before the Rock
‘N’ Roll fever infected him, he laughed. “It didn’t
infect me, I was born with it.”
Eddie claims a multitude of early musical influences. “Kiss,
Aerosmith, Queen and AC/DC,” he said. “All of the popular,
happening bands in the heavy metal scene—considered acid rock in those
days—that was the heaviest music around, and really kicked me into
gear. And then the really heavy bands appeared—Iron Maiden, Slayer,
and hardcore bands like DRI and Suicidal Tendencies—so I added speed
metal and hardcore to my stylings.”
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When asked if he ever took formal lessons, Eddie nodded. “Until I
was sixteen, and then I studied on my own.” He claims the books Easy
Step To The Band—Books 1 & 2, Around The Drums With
Triplets—Books 1 & 2, and both Around The Drums With Open
Rolls and Around The Drums With Paradiddle’s became his
virtual “Rock ‘N’ Roll Bibles” for years. “No
drummer should be without ’em!”
Eddie’s first band was named Destroyer. “I was in the 8th
grade. I also played in a band called Dealn Steel when I was 16.” By
that time he was already playing the local clubs, always the youngest member
of the band and too young to drink. In bands such as Tempter, Decrepit Uth,
and Soulpath, Eddie spent countless hours gigging, recording, and building
those all-important chops before meeting a guitarist by the name of Dave
Shankle.
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“I met Dave when he came to a local club with the hopes of
auditioning potential drummers for DSG. One of my buddies recommended me to
Dave, but kept me in the dark about it.” Several days later, Eddie
joined the first incarnation of the band without knowing too much about Dave
or his history. Then why did he join? “Why not?” Eddie replied.
“Dave’s a phenomenal player, the fastest guitarist I’d ever
encountered. Who else smashes like that, and throws Robin Trowerish grooves
into the mix on top of it? I would have been stupid to pass up the
opportunity!”
But then Dave returned to school for several years, and the first version
of the band fizzled. What then? Did disappointment set in? “I
didn’t let the situation bother me one bit,” Eddie answered.
“I knew Dave really wanted to broaden his musical horizons—I can
respect that, what with all the self-studying I did—but I also had a
feeling, when the time was right and his studies were finished, I would
probably receive that phone call.”
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And the phone call did indeed arrive, just after Dave made certain his
old friend and lead vocalist Trace Edward Zaber was also on board. “I
had met Trace when he was a keyboardist/background vocalist,” explained
Eddie with a chuckle. “I remember asking myself at the time, why
wasn’t he singing lead? But now he is, and I love it since he reminds
me of all of my favorite singers. His voice is perfect for this band.”
So what’s the bottom line? How does Eddie feel about this new
version of DSG? “Fantastic! This is definitely the band for the new
millenium. The music is strong, positive, and has some good ‘kick’
to it. There’s a little of everything, from metal and funk, to rhythm
and groove, even some classical and jazz influences. This music will
never be mainstream. I’m working with brilliant musicians and,
trust me, I’m never bored, especially with all the different
styles merging together. I just can’t wait to get out their and smash
the public, open some eyes!”
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