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We hear it week after week after week. Dave Navarro praises them. INXS glorifies them. And, even Brooke Burke gets her tail-feather shakin' when they’re doing their thing.
You know exactly who I’m talking about.
Because week after week after week, you’re thinking the same excellent thought, “Damn, they sound good!”
They are more than good. They are the Rock Star: INXS House Band!
Earlier today, Rock Star Go Home was given the rare opportunity to get the inside story and perspective from beat master and tempo guru, Nate Morton. You’ve seen Nate drumming away... dreads swirling, fists flying, cymbals crashing, head ticking up-and-down, or side-side depending on the groove, depending on the mood.
Interested to know more about the rocker, the husband and the father of Miles?
Read on...
RSGH: Nirvana or Peal Jam?
Nate: That’s a tough one. But, I’ll throw down on Nirvana. There’s a story behind it.
Early 1990’s, I’m studying jazz fusion at the Berklee School of Music... I think I’m in my second year. I come Home from a day of class, flip on the tv and see this scraggly hair, thin guy, in a smokey gym rockin’ a riff that made me feel like I was going to explode.
I’ll never forget that. That ‘coolness’. I wanted to be a part of something like that. So, it’s definitely Nirvana over Pearl Jam.
RSGH: Right on... Cat or Dog?
Nate: [He laughs.] I’m a dog person. Cats are a bit arrogant for me.
RSGH: What’s in your cd player right now?
Nate: Earth, Wind and Fire’s Greatest Hits.
RSGH: Right on. Beatles or The Stones?
Nate: That’s another tough one... [Pause] I gotta say Hendrix... [Nate laughs].
RSGH: So... When did you start drumming? Are you a street rocker or classically trained?
Nate: I was four. I was banging away on anything I could get my hands on. My parents got the hint and bought me a set when I was five. I played to records when I was starting out. Then, just before high school I started taking lessons with Grant Menetee in Baltimore, Maryland. He really helped me understand the technical side of drumming.
RSGH: Cool. There’s a big leap from having drums as a hobby and going the professional route. When did you know this would be your life?
Nate: There’s three stories on that. You got time?
RSGH: Sure... Shoot!
Nate: First story. I’m nine years old. We rented a piano that I took lessons on for two years. We didn’t have much money growing up. One day, I see the piano being taken out of my house because we could no longer afford it. How did I react?
To this day, my grandma can tell you specifically what I did. I laid on the ground, kicking and screaming, “There goes my career! There goes my career!” [Nate laughs.] Umm. I’m nine years old at the time.
I could go on with the other two stories but I can sum it up another way. It goes a little something little like this, “Music chooses you... You don’t choose it”. That’s what happened with me.
Another story? How’s this one? I was doing the ‘fall-back’ thing. I was in my late teens and I was enrolled as a mechanical engineer at the University of Maryland. One day, during a phone call with my dad, I realized I hated chemistry. That was enough for me. It was a definite turning point.
RSGH: Very cool stories... And now you’re on tv playing in front of millions every week?
Nate: Yah, I am beyond fortunate and grateful for this whole experience.
RSGH: Speaking of the experience... What would you say is your most memorable moment since the show kicked off on July 11?
Nate: Whoa. Wow... Hmmm. [Pause] Ahh. Hmmm. Ughh. That is a tough one.
Wow. There have been so many... But, I would have to say it may be that first live recording at CBS. I remember walking into the set. After all the talk. After all the rehearsals. After all of it... And, seeing my drums up on that beautiful stage. I remember thinking, “This is really happening.”
RSGH: Before that moment, I bet there was a lot of prep? What was the audition process like?
Nate: Well. In a show like this, there is a lot of checks and balances. Lots of people need to do the appropriate sign-offs. It’s not a session deal. It took some time. Actually, it took a lot of time before I found out.
RSGH: About how long?
Nate: From beginning to end, it took about 6 months.
RSGH: Whoa. That is a long time! And then, how long did you jam with the other guys before it was time to shoot the show?
Nate: I’d say the end of May.
RSGH: Were you familiar with the others before you knew you’d all be playing in the house band?
Nate: Yes and no. Sasha is one of the most solid bass players in the world. And, as a drummer, you just gotta love and respect that. We had played around together on some stuff with Vanessa Carlton. That’s also where I bumped into Jim. He was playing with Michelle Branch. As for Paul and the other guys, it was a good, fresh start with each of them.
RSGH: Lars Ulrich or John Bonham?
Nate: BONHAM!!! WITHOUT BONHAM THERE IS NO ULRICH!!!
RSGH: [Laughing] Got it!
RSGH: There are six remaining rockers... What have been your favorite performances to date?
Nate: There have been several...
Jordis – Baba O’Riley
Suzie – Start Me Up
Marty – Lithium
Ty – No Woman, No Cry
RSGH: Alright Nate, no more bullshitting... Who’s gonna win Rock Star: INXS?
Nate: I’m not going there. [Laughing]
RSGH: Okay... Who’s going Home next?
Nate: I’m not going there either! [Laughing harder]
RSGH: Cool. We didn’t expect you to answer.
Nate: Yah. There’s so much talent left. Plus, it’s not my call anyways.
RSGH: Right on Nate! Thanks for the time. Best of luck with the rest of the season!!
Nate: Cool. Thanks. Is it okay if I just let my mom and dad, Cornel and Regena Morton, know how much I love them and thank them for supporting me.
RSGH: Of course!
Nate: And, also my wife, Trish, and my son... Miles.
RSGH: As in Miles Davis...
Nate: No doubt!
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