Johnny Rabb is a straight up crazy person. One flew over the cuckoo’s nest, then back again. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a fantastic human being, but anyone who can play like him is nuts. Normal people don’t do that. Go ahead and Google him and see for yourself. He’s held the title as world’s fastest drummer for playing 1071 single strokes in 60 seconds.

Yep, insane.

I met him a couple years ago while mixing a show for Collective Soul. Someplace in the Midwest where it’s painfully hot, and you could cook an egg on the pavement, he set the stage on fire, metaphorically speaking. And I didn’t know anything about him then, but at one point during the set, Johnny did that thing that magazines write about him. You know… breaking world drum roll records.

After the show I attempted to convey how amazing his playing was when he smiled and said, “Thanks, yeah that was fun,” as if it was just another day on the job. Over a series of shows and a couple of years I’ve gotten to know him pretty well. We’ve stayed in touch and when I mix Collective Soul shows, we pick up right where we left off ‒ like old friends. And many of our conversations revolve around gear, music, and recording: a holy trinity.

And it’s not just me that holds him in high regard. I suspect the rest of the band feels the same. There’s just something about Johnny that makes you want to be around him. My drummer friends are always amazed that I know him, and as if by proxy, that makes me just as awesome. Thanks buddy! I look forward to mixing them again, if for no other reason than to push up the faders making that lunatic louder.

Without further ado, Johnny Rabb…

 

Q: What is your favorite sandwich and who makes the best one?

J.R. Sacramento Togo Eatery. Their turkey on wheat with lettuce, tomato, and extra avocado.

Q: What is your favorite meal your mom makes?

J.R.  It’s been a long time. She does a good job of some stuff. Continental steak rolls.

Q: How did you meet your best friend?

J.R. Both of us were fishing on a pond. He was across the water. I went, “Hey, Dude. You go to my school?” At the time people were being a dick to him and I was falling into that, too. So I waved to him and he came over and we fished for the day. Just fished with him the other day, actually.

Q: When or how did you find what you wanted to do?

J.R.  I was in elementary school in about third grade. I was walking to class and it hit me that I can’t believe that guy gets to play drums for a living. Then it hit me that I have that option too. It was YYZ from Rush that left me with that feeling. And that’s when I made it a reality.

Q: How did you pursue it?

J.R. Went through the ranks of heavy private lessons, state Jazz band. Went to the right high school, then went to Berkley.

Q: Did you have a mentor/mentors in pursuing it?

J.R.  Mike Lawson, like a best friend. Gave me lessons as a kid. Took me under his wing. Convinced me to do piano and ear training. Absolutely helped me get into college‒from helping me fill out the application, to talking to my parents. He just gave me a living will of all of his vintage gear. He’s awesome. He did a ton.

Q: What do you dream of doing or are you doing it?

J.R.  Trying to get my drumstick manufacturing company back again. To be self- reliant – to have more financial freedom for my family and future.

Q: What advice would you give your 15-year-old self?

J.R.  So much structure as a child that I would say, “Don’t be intimated by the hire ups, because they started somewhere too.” I was always intimidated by the first chair, but now I can do that. Don’t have such a serious relationship when you’re young.

Q: If life were a person what would you say?

J.R.  I had no idea it would be this rough. How does this whole thing work, because I’m still trying to figure out what’s the next move.

Q:  If you were in charge of the world and you have no restrictions, real or imagined, what is the one thing you would give it?

J.R.  The biggest thing I would give the world? More equality, so that everyone has the same chance to live their lives. More people being cool to each other, so they wouldn’t feel like quitting on life.

Q: Has morality disintegrated to the point that we now need Yelp for people?

J.R. Yes. Absolutely! I have thought about an APP that was rated for dating, for example.

Q: How is society getting things right?

J.R.  Hard to think of anything, at the moment. Seems like society is trying to be more accepting of people’s choices, whether it’s racial, sexual, or whatever. The equality/racial thing, regardless of the news, seems to be getting better.

Q:  What do people need in order to see each other as equals?

J.R.  To know that we are all human beings, that we all have the same physical make up. Need to have an open mind and not have prejudice. Not as much judging. Need to see people as people. Proper upbringing and training.

Q: Do you have hope for the future?

J.R.  Pauses…yeah, for myself….selfishly. I wasted a lot of time in my early life thinking that I was going to be stuck. People need to stop all this negative hatred. I have hope that the terrorist bombings stop. That one drives me nuts. If it gets too crazy, you will be terrified to leave home.

Hot topic of the week:

This is an open discussion. Could be Gay marriage or Confederate flag, Donald Trump, for example.

J.R. At first I thought it was funny that Trump was running, but then I had a feeling that…I know he’s powerful with money and had businesses…. but I can’t take him seriously as a person to run the country. Nope! In fact the further it goes the more I can’t believe it’s happening. I get why there are protests.

Q: What are three things that work for you: For example, I can’t find a good razor. Because of a near unbridled need for massive profits, I find that many products don’t live up to their advertising. What works for you?

J.R. Ironically, I’m sure they are Chinese made, but that dollar shave club thing is cool. And at first I was getting nicks, but then when I look at the literal savings, it works. I get a full week out of each cartridge. I feel like I’m getting a good value and I don’t have to go out to get them. Huge fan of messing around on Alibaba.com. It’s fun to find products for resale.

More thought-provoking questions:

1:  Do Americans have the right to complain about immigration?

J.R. I guess they do, but I have no problem with it. If the people that are immigrating are good people wanting to live in the U.S. for the right reason, then let them in.

2: If our value system is based on scarcity then what of a human life, now that we are in the billions?

J.R.  Yes, it seems to be the case where places are over populated. It’s common to find a baby dead in the ditch. Honor killing is something that I will never understand either.

3: Would life be easier if racism were accurate?

J.R.  No. It’s very hard to even bend my brain around that concept. I’d like to think that stereotypes aren’t usually true. I believe that everyone is equal until they prove otherwise.