The Wes Loper Band’s great performance at Bayfest prompted us to ask drummer Alice Grayson for an interview, to which she graciously acquiesced.
Doc: Why/How did you start playing drums?
AG: I never actually set out to play the drums. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years occupied with classical ballet and piano. But, my father was a drummer and so for as long as i can remember we had drums scattered all over the house. When i was a kid I would stack them up and put blankets over them and make forts out of them, or make obstacle courses for my pet hamster with them…anything but actually play them. I would occasionally attempt to play them .. but would get frustrated and go back to playing the piano or focusing on ballet. I was about fifteen when I finally sat down and tried to learn to play the drums. I practiced in secret as I was not terribly excited about being a female drummer. I would wait until my parents weren’t home, and get my dad’s cassette tape collection out, put on some headphones and start trying to imitate what I heard. I did this by myself for a pretty long time until one of my relatives walked in on me playing and went to go get my dad. I think he was pretty excited that I was learning, but never ever pressured me into continuing to play. Which is probably why I’m still doing it.
Doc: What training did you have?
AG: I’ve never had any sort of formal training and I cannot read any type of sheet music. I’ve always had to learn everything by ear. My father taught himself to play the drums, and thought it would be good if I taught myself as well.
Doc: When did you start playing publicly in Mobile?
AG: Just after I’d started teaching myself to play, a group of kids at my high school started a band and asked if I’d be their drummer. I’m pretty sure they hired me because I was the only person they knew who owned a drum set. I started playing in public with them when I was about 16 years old in Mobile in some of the clubs on Dauphin Street……Our parents would come with us!
Doc: What is you most memorable event playing in Mobile?
Most memorable event in Mobile is probably playing the the Mardi Gras parades. It’s so different from anything else. There’s something about playing for so many different people….and something really exciting about playing in an event that’s just for Mobilians.
Doc: What is the Wes Loper Band doing now?
Right now the Wes Loper Band is on the road and promoting our album “Keep on Growing” and also working on a Live CD that we hope to release in the next couple of months.
Doc: What is touring like?
Being on the road with a band every week takes a little getting used to but once you get into the swing of it it’s wonderful! We do a majority of touring in the Southeastern U.S. althought lately we’ve been working our way into the midwest….Really I never know where we’re gonna end up… I’ve been traveling with these guys for awhile now ….They are my best friends and I consider them my family….and really there’s nothing better than traveling around and playing music with your best friends. We meet a billion new people every week….we work, we play, we goof off, we have a wonderful time…It’s a blast!
Doc: What are you planning for the future?
I feel very blessed that I am able to play music for a living and I hope to continue to tour with WLB for as long as possible. Aside from touring I’ve been thinking of creating some sort of drum group in Mobile for female drummers…all ages, all skill levels. I’d like to encourage all females….children, girls, teens, moms, grandmas….any female that has ever even thought of getting into drums or percussion…to try it out, exchange ideas, or just get together and play for fun.
Doc: Thanks, Alice – that was great. See the links below and listen to some Wes Loper Band if you haven’t already.
