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Philip Peeples
(October 2005 Issue)
Keeping The Old 97's On Track Philip Peeples was once
known locally as the guy who loaned his
drums to The Old 97's drummer.
But after demonstrating a tasteful blend of shuffle, rockabilly, and
rock rhythms, Philip
became The Old 97's drummer.
That was 1993. Today, the band has a loyal fan base, they're
igniting new audiences with their fifth album, Satellite Rides,
and they're touring the US to promote it. But had
Peeples not loaned a
snare and floor tom to an ex-bandmate eight years ago, The Old 97's
might be much different
today. Back then, the original drummer - a former
lead singer - was providing limited drumming for The Old 97's.
Curious,
one night Peeples checked out the group using his drums.
"I was blown away by the material," he says. "I
told myself, 'I've got
to be this band's drummer.'" So Peeples approached guitarist Ken Bethea
and said,
"Listen, if you guys are looking for a real drummer - HELLO."
Peeples got an audition. He brought in solid shuffle beats
and
explosive rockabilly rhythms he honed in a previous band and from
studying Johnny Burnette, Mac Curtis, and Johnny
Horton albums. It
proved a perfect match for the twangy, rockin' energy of The Old 97's,
and the band was sold.
They needed a guy who would listen to the songs and play into
the band, not all over it," Peeples
explains. "Early on, the band would
play a lot of 'Train-chuggin'' songs. When I started playing those
shuffle
beats, they were like, 'That's the kind of drummer we've been
looking for!'"
Ron Kemm
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