Tre Cool's drum tech Kenny Butler

[amy_runs]

Posted on the IC.

Oh, and my question was chosen Along with some other GDCers.

Back in September many of you hopped on the message boards to ask two long time Green Day crew members your questions for the inside scoop about life with Green Day. This week, Tre Cool's drum tech Kenny Butler took a break from his busy schedule on the European Tour to answer questions about his history with the band, working with Tre and life on the road. Stay tuned for Mike Dirnt's bass tech and crew chief, Micah Chong with his answers coming soon!

Question #1: Amy_Runs asks: "How did you manage to get this job?

By "this job", do you mean working for Tre or being a roadie. I became a roadie by going to shows early and pushing a case to sneak in. I was interested in all the stuff happening to put the show on. I eventually went on tour with a small band, made contacts and kept going.

I met Green Day as they were getting ready to release Dookie. They were going to hire a sound engineer and I had a friend that was recommended. We stopped by the Ashby house on the way home from tour. We all hit it off and they hired my friend. I wasn't available to start up with them till Nimrod and I've been with them since.

Question #2: Ionian_Blue asks: "Do you per chance know what prompted Tré to switch from the Ludwig kits he was using on the last tour to the Leedy kits he's using on this tour?How many drumkits are usually taken on the road and does the number change depending on the length and place of the tour?

Why did we switch to Leedy? They have a long history. Used to be the biggest. Tre did some research and figured out who owned the name and made it happen. Buddy Rich sound familiar? You tube some of that. I took one kit and four snares for Europe. We don't smash or burn anymore so I left two behind, ready to be shipped if needed. I was uncomfortable with it though. I might go back to having another kit with me for the Aussie and Asia dates. When we burned way back when, that was another story altogether.

Question #3: luanne asks: "How does touring with Green Day compare to traveling with other bands?When you got the call about this tour what were your very first thoughts?

When we finally had something booked my first thoughts might have been the same as yours..... Finally! For me, no other band compares to Green Day and here's why; YOUR in the band too! The amount of interaction with the audience. YOU might be asked to come up and sing, dance, jump, play an instrument or get the crowd going. How do you compare anything to that? The only place were magic exists.

Question #4: gdfan1 asks: "As we all know, Tre plays the shit out of his drums, what has been his worst injury?

I'm not sure how to answer that. He's been cut, bruised, on fire, you name it. The worst? Not sure.

Question #5: greenday4life asks: "Has Tre' involved you in any of the practical jokes played on opening bands and if so, what was the funniest prank?

I can neither confirm nor deny my involvement in any prank. I like the random pyro thing as of late though. Especially The Bravery's reaction. The irony of it all, a band with such a name and Tre hitting percussion randomly throughout their set. Perhaps they should of went with a different name.

Classic. Never not funny.

Question #6: tripe asks: "How long have you been working for Tre/Green Day?Do you play drums in a band of your own?

I started officially in 1997. I play drums in the roadie band. Sometimes we play under different names on nights off.

Question #7 katrina asks: "What is the funniest thing you have done/witnessed on tour?How many hours do you work a day? Do you get the chance to be a "tourist" in any city/Country you visit on tour?

Funniest? I can't think of a way to answer that. How many hours a day? Pretty much 12 hours. Go in at noon, set up, change heads, tune, set up practice room, line check, roadie band, sound check, dinner, show, pack truck. Done around midnight. "If you like what you do, you never work a day in your life".

We get opportunities to be tourists. Its more spontaneous though. Hard to plan things, but you get lucky sometimes.

Question #8 Greenday801440 asks: "How many drum sticks do you go through per show?

About 40 pair.

Question #9: jnine13 asks: "You seem to be tweaking Tre's kit a lot during shows. It looks like you're tightening the cymbals. Does Tre hit them so hard they keep coming loose during shows? Who is the Pink Bunny?

Different problems arise. Perhaps a cymbal breaks, maybe the snare needs an adjustment. Maybe he puts his foot through the kik drum head

and you got to keep it from stopping the show. Who is the pink bunny? In a way...aren't we all?

Question #10: agedemands asks: "Did you ever think to yourself, "one day I will be working for a great man who plays the drums in a red bra and big-ol white church hat?"

Those were the words spoken to me as a child. So I prepared myself until I was worthy.

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There you have it. Sorry that it took me so long to reply but as you guys know, our schedule is a bit hectic. Thanks for coming out to the shows. We can't do any of this without you, so thank you.

Kenny

[greenday801440]

Woahh!! My question was picked!

It was an interesting read, thanks for posting!

[XxGracespxX]

Awesome! 40 pair of drumsticks, wow!

LOVE YOU TRE <3

[Devan]

Who is the pink bunny? In a way...aren't we all?

Haha, I like that guy..

[Juan]

great read

[Chelsea Hotel]

Who is the Pink Bunny?

Who is the pink bunny? In a way...aren't we all?

Question #10: agedemands asks: "Did you ever think to yourself, "one day I will be working for a great man who plays the drums in a red bra and big-ol white church hat?"

Those were the words spoken to me as a child. So I prepared myself until I was worthy.

I like this one!

[Angela.]

40 pairs of drumsticks per show? Damn, that's a lot. Awesome interview.

[Sarahnade.]

Cool beans! Good interview

It's awesome some of your guys questions got chosen!

[Mari91]

that was great and kind of funny

thanks

[Guest Shangri-La]

i'm excited for micah's interview!

[Supermodel*Robot]

That was actually incredibly interesting. I'm excited for the next!

[Alan86]

Great interview,

My favourit quote from it is definitely

"If you like what you do, you never work a day in your life".

[Kryssi.]

Bummed my question didn't get asked but meh. Good interview though, interesting answers

[Mrs. Nobody]

Cool, thanks for posting. Nice interview (:

[novacaine_kid]

I've met this guy He's a really nice dude. Good interview

[Mato]

Nice read...

But I want to know who is the pink bunny

[The Disappearing Boy]

i like this. like the pink bunny answer!

40 drumsticks per show.....

[Daughter.of.Rage.and.Love]

Great interview, I really liked it

[Katarina.]

Who is the pink bunny? In a way...aren't we all?

Haha Thanks for posting! It was very interesting (:

[zatpit]

i met this guy at birmingham and he is one cool dude

[Bexie.]

Great interview. Thanks for the read!

I would love to be a guitar tech.. If only i knew how to get there

[Nikki_Nimrod]

That was a great read! Thanks for posting The Pink Bunny response made me laugh.

[emmaILGD!]

That was a very good read, thanks for posting

[Insane&Insecure]

the last question made me laugh hard

[davegrohllover]

thanks for posting this was very interesting