I know it seems weird. Most drummers show up with a van full of equipment, spend an hour setting up, and take up half the venue. Me? I roll in with a suitcase, a cookie sheet, and a couple of pedals. But here's the thing - it works. Actually, it works better than you'd think. Over the years, this setup has become my signature, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
The suitcase drums weren't an artistic statement. They were born out of necessity. Years ago, I was playing smaller venues in Temecula - restaurants, wine bars, places where a full drum kit would literally not fit. I needed percussion that could work in tight spaces but still give me that rhythm section feel. One day, I'm looking at my old suitcase and thinking, "I wonder if..." Next thing you know, I'm in my garage with some pedals and drum heads, basically MacGyvering my way to a solution. The cookie sheet came later when I needed more high-end percussion sounds - and sometimes I'll even wrap a chain around my foot so when it hits the cookie sheet, it creates this extra metallic glint. Turns out, kitchen equipment makes surprisingly good instruments.
The first night I played the suitcase setup was at Hotel Palomar in Temecula for Curry Vineyards. I'd just started dating Allison (now my wife), and the look of alarm in her eyes when I explained my 'drum kit' was unforgettable. By the end of the night, the audience was stoked and she agreed to a second date. Guess the suitcase worked!
What started as a space-saving solution turned into something way cooler. The suitcase gives this deep, thumping bass sound that's full but not overwhelming. It's punchy enough to drive the rhythm but controlled enough that people can still have conversations during dinner. The cookie sheet provides the high-end - it's my hi-hat and snare rolled into one. With the right technique (and sometimes that chain), I can get everything from a crisp snap to a sustained sizzle. The whole setup just creates this different feel - it's intimate, it's unique, and it's cardio.
The best part is how it's changed what I can offer. Solo acoustic acts are everywhere in San Diego, but a solo act with live drums? That's different. I can play a backyard party in Point Loma without the neighbors being mad. I can set up in a tiny downtown restaurant without rearranging their entire floor plan. I've even played corporate events in office buildings where a regular drum kit would've been a nightmare. The portability means I can say yes to gigs other musicians have to pass on, and the unique sound means people remember the performance. Plus, there's something about watching someone play drums with their feet while singing and playing guitar that just captures people's attention. It's not just music - it's entertainment. And hey, if it was good enough to help me land my wife, trust me, your party will benefit from it.
