Carmine Appice’s SLAMM
By Shawn Perry
When it comes to powerful, four-on-the-floor rock drumming, Carmine Appice’s name invariably comes up. Since the late 60s, Appice’s unique approach and style has kick-started numerous classic rock songs — from Vanilla Fudge’s reworking of the Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” to Rod Stewart’s gyrating hit, “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy.” Along the way, he has kept time for just about anyone who’s ever mattered in rock and roll — Jeff Beck, Rick Derringer, Ted Nugent, Ozzy Osbourne and Pink Floyd, to name just a few.
Never one to sit around and hedge his next big gig, Carmine epitomizes the meaning of the word “driven.” In the 80s, he formed King Kobra, raising the standard of musicianship in what eventually morphed into the metal hair band scene. In more recent years, he’s produced tons of records, including Guitar Zeus featuring over a dozen world-class guitarists. He’s also helped revive both Vanilla Fudge and Cactus to great acclaim.
These days, however, the drummer’s main focus is on Carmine Appice’s SLAMM, a theatrical showcase described as “Stomp on steroids” that features five drummers and one guitarist. Carmine and company explore the aural space by pounding on buckets, sticks, oil cans, car hoods, drain pipes, Dixie cups, and, of course, drums. In 2007, SLAMM played seven shows in New York City, along with additional east coast dates, much to the delight of classic rock and percussion fans alike.
The latest SLAMM venture stars the troupe in a big-budget promotional video for ESPN in which the group plays a NASCAR garage, beating the hood of a multi-million dollar NASCAR car to a SLAMM-composed NASCAR song. Carmine was relieved “NASCAR didn’t make us pay for playing the garage!”
I have spoken to Carmine Appice many times over the years. I was even hired in the 90s to write some liner notes for a CD compilation he put together. An interview almost seemed inevitable. And so it went as we touched on virtually every aspect of his incredible career. Although he’s not exactly thrilled with all the changes in the 21st century music business, something tells me Carmine Appice will continue to be a dominant force and influence in rock and roll circles for years to come.
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