Drum Brigade Drummer Of The Day- Terry Lee Stirling Jr.
Super stoked once again to feature one of our favorite drummers and Drum Brigade team members/ ambassadors Terry Stirling Junior as the Drum Brigade drummer of the day. Terry is best know for playing drums with Lit, Rufio, and many others. Terry has spent many summers from 2010-2014 on different rock festivals and sports events introducing terminally ill kids to their favorite bands, artists, and athletes through a charity called Living The Dream Foundation.
While on tour with Rufio in 2009, their motorhome was hit head-on by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. After the accident, Stirling decided to take some what of a break, and studied business finance at California State University, Los Angeles.
This is a bad dude on the drums! Make sure you check him out with Lit on their summer tour!
My name is Terry. I grew up in Ontario, California and have lived in Orange County, California for 6 years.
How, why, and when did you start playing drums?
My parents showed me home movies from my younger brother’s 1st birthday. He and I are 9 months and 22 days apart. One of his gifts was a toy drum kit and I’m told I was drawn to it and I wouldn’t put the sticks down. Needless to say, I don’t remember it and I probably wouldn’t have believed that story if I wasn’t shown footage. The first time behind a real drum kit I do remember. My Uncle Curtis is 14 years older than me and grew up in Garden Grove, California. He was involved in the Orange County rock n roll and skateboard scene from 1988-2000, roughly. So, around 1993 he came home from a show with a drum kit. He said he bought it from the trunk of a guys car at a Descendents show. I had spent a lot of time at my grandpa’s house throughout my childhood, which is where Curtis lived. It was covered with a bed sheet. My grandpa took me into his room but we had to wait til Curtis got home to remove the sheet. It was an old-school, used CB percussion. 22” kick drum, 14” snare, 12 & 13” toms, 16” floor. It was black with a silver spiral look. All the cymbals were Zildjian but you could hardly see the logos. He taught me the basic 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & groove that night. I still have that kit in my mom’s garage. I started playing drums because I loved the way it made me feel.
Who do you currently play with?
I recently started playing with Lit from Orange County. I play in a band called Viceroy, and have another project with a good friend called Elephant The Room.
What are some artists/bands you’ve played/toured/recorded with?
My early recording experiences were in my parents’ garage with my first punk/rock band SIA. We thought we made it when we got to record with a buddy in his mom’s basement in Riverside when I was 14. My first record label release was with a band called Drive A. That album was produced by Dennis Hill and partly by Matt Sorum – two big influences. I recorded an album called ‘Anybody Out There’ with a band called Rufio. I’ve toured/played with Drive A, Rufio, Fenix Tx, Viceroy, ETR, & Lit.
What's the biggest and/or best gig you ever played?
Royal Albert Hall, Groezrock, Eastvale Living Room, House of Blues Anaheim (may 27th, 2016)
What is your favorite thing to do besides play drums?
Hang with family, listen to music and BBQ. We’re big Angel’s/Ducks fans. I love spending time on my families’ ranch. I wish I got to do it more often.
What is your style on and off the drums?
Having fun.
Who are your favorite drummers/influences?
My first favorite drummer was Ringo Starr. In no order: Williams, Colaiuta, Garibaldi, McCartney, Sorum, Buddy, Bonham, Grohl, Alex VH, Chambers, Barker, Krupa, Strait, Jones, Stevenson, Thompson, Burns, Freese, Chaney… dude, there's so many drummers, songwriters, and artists I love!
What's your favorite food?
My grandpa and I have always gone to a local steakhouse called the Steer Inn in Orange, Ca. We go twice a year: his birthday and my birthday. Bacon wrapped filet and a baked potato.
What's your favorite drink(s)?
Coffee. Whiskey. Water.
What’s your set up (drums, cymbals, heads, sticks, etc)?
I play Masters of Maple drums, Zildjian cymbals, and Vater drum sticks.
Who is your dream gig with?
The Beatles. Led Zeppelin.
Now that you’re a professional drummer, what’s been different then you imagined it would be?
Haha am I a professional drummer? I think its been just as cool as it was when I played in backyard parties with my friends.
What's your favorite quote?
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”