The Distant Drums Of Lautrex

He got the beat…

oday, it’s run out of Nashville, with over 3,000 drummers from all over the world learning the rhythm method according to one Greystones groover.

Back in 2004, the groovy Aaron Kennedy was still based in his Wicklow hometown, and The Drumming Academy was still in its infancy.

The occasion was The Drumming Academy’s Student Of The Year, the venue, the mighty Lautrex. The notorious Hayden brothers were happy to let Aaron and his syncopated, sophisticated and – judging by the expressions pulled mid-Bonham – quite possibly constipated pupils take over the La Touche Hotel nightclub for their gong show.

And who won The Drumming Academy’s Student Of The Year 2004? Boom! Young Tristan Gresty, who, after just two years studying under Aaron Kennedy, proved himself to be the most dedicated, punctual and rhythmic pupil over the previous 12 months.

This annual event would go on for 10 years, with ceremonies not only in Ireland’s Greatest Nightclub Of All Time but also the US of A. Which is where young Aaron has been based for many a year, having set up home – and shop – in sunny Nashville. Where this lucky, plucky Greystonian mixes it up with all the stars.

Such is the burden of the professional skin-basher, Aaron even managing to present 2004 champ Tristan with a drum skin signed by Steve White, the man who has kept The Who, Oasis and Paul Weller on the perfect beat.

Having started teaching drums in 1987 before setting up his literally booming business in 1999, today, Aaron does much of his teaching online, with 90% of students getting their tuition via The Drumming Academy website. Awopbopaloobopawopbamboom!