Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)
Encyclopedia
Ben Hamilton Johnston is a drummer
, vocalist, and songwriter
, best known for his work with Scottish group Biffy Clyro
.
with his twin brother James Johnston
(who would go on to be the bassist
for Biffy Clyro), and his younger brother, Adam (who went on to be Biffy Clyro's drum tech).
and brother James Johnston in a band called Screwfish in 1995, Simon moved to Glasgow
whilst Ben and James stayed in Ayrshire. They were soon discovered by manager Dee Bahl and then signed to Beggar's Banquet
in 2001.
when the conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke
plays live.
tribute band as revealed in an interview with Biffy Clyro
at Reading Festival where they (Biffy Clyro) performed a cover version of the song "Killing In The Name
".
and martial arts
and has recently rediscovered a fondness for fishing; on tour he can often be found on a riverbank with Biffy's guitar tech Churd.
.
Biffy's Tour Manager Neil told fans on the BC forum that Ben is now using a 'Pearl Eric Singer Signature Snare Drum' and is waiting for a new totally custom Pearl Masters Kit
New Kit
Pearl Masters Colour :Black
22x18" Bass drum, 12x8" Rack tom, 14x14" and 16x16" floor toms
Drum Heads:
Bass Drum: BATTER: Aquarian coated subkick 2 RESONANT: Coated Pearl Masters Pro Tone
Snare: BATTER: Aquarian coated Hi-Energy RESONANT: Hi-Performance Snare Bottom
Rack tom, first floor and second floor: BATTER: Remo Pinstripes RESONANT: Remo Ambassador
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, vocalist, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known for his work with Scottish group Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
.
Early life
Johnston was born and raised in KilmarnockKilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
with his twin brother James Johnston
James Johnston (Scottish musician)
James Roberto Johnston is a bassist, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for his work with Scottish group Biffy Clyro...
(who would go on to be the bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for Biffy Clyro), and his younger brother, Adam (who went on to be Biffy Clyro's drum tech).
Biffy Clyro
Having previously played drums with schoolfriend Simon NeilSimon Neil
Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Duke.-Biffy Clyro:...
and brother James Johnston in a band called Screwfish in 1995, Simon moved to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
whilst Ben and James stayed in Ayrshire. They were soon discovered by manager Dee Bahl and then signed to Beggar's Banquet
Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
in 2001.
Marmaduke Duke
Johnston plays drumsDrum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
when the conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke
Marmaduke Duke
Marmaduke Duke are a conceptual rock duo from Ayrshire, Scotland, comprising Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro and JP Reid of Sucioperro. Within the band, the pair perform under the pseudonyms The Atmosphere and The Dragon. According to Neil, the band, and its albums, are "based on a trilogy of unreleased...
plays live.
Other
When Ben was in College he fronted a Rage Against The MachineRage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
tribute band as revealed in an interview with Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
at Reading Festival where they (Biffy Clyro) performed a cover version of the song "Killing In The Name
Killing in the Name
"Killing in the Name" is a song by American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, featured on their self-titled debut album, and was released as the lead single from the album in November 1992...
".
Personal life
Johnston is fond of golfGolf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
and martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
and has recently rediscovered a fondness for fishing; on tour he can often be found on a riverbank with Biffy's guitar tech Churd.
Cymbals
- Ben Johnston is endorsed by SabianSabian (company)Sabian is a Canadian cymbal designer and manufacturer. It is a leading manufacturer of cymbals along with other top companies such as Zildjian, Paiste, and Meinl.-History:...
(According to http://www.sabian.com/EN/artists/Ben_Johnston.cfm).- 6" AAX Splash
- 8" AA China Splash
- 13" Paragon Hi-Hats
- 17" AAX X-Plosion Crash
- 18" AAX X-Plosion Crash
- 18" AAX X-Plosion China
- 19" AAX X-Plosion Crash
- 19" Paragon Chinese
- 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride
Drums
Johnston is also endorsed by PearlPearl Drums
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
.
- Pearl Reference Kit colour:Rootbear Fade
- Pearl Chad Smith Signature 14x6.5 Snare
- 22x18" Bass drum, 12x9" Rack tom, 14x14" and 16x16" floor toms
- Pearl Eliminator Double Bass Pedal
Biffy's Tour Manager Neil told fans on the BC forum that Ben is now using a 'Pearl Eric Singer Signature Snare Drum' and is waiting for a new totally custom Pearl Masters Kit
New Kit
Pearl Masters Colour :Black
22x18" Bass drum, 12x8" Rack tom, 14x14" and 16x16" floor toms
-
- Pearl Eliminator Double Bass Pedal
Drum Heads:
Bass Drum: BATTER: Aquarian coated subkick 2 RESONANT: Coated Pearl Masters Pro Tone
Snare: BATTER: Aquarian coated Hi-Energy RESONANT: Hi-Performance Snare Bottom
Rack tom, first floor and second floor: BATTER: Remo Pinstripes RESONANT: Remo Ambassador
Other
- The Neil PeartNeil PeartNeil Ellwood Peart , OC, is a Canadian musician and author. He is the drummer for the rock band Rush.Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario . During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band in pursuit of a career as a full-time drummer...
signature series drumstick - Angel AX25K Glockenspiel
- Fender CD-140SCE Can Be Seen Hanging On His Wall In The Live Lounge Videos
- Johnston also plays a customised CajonCajónA cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front face with the hands.-Origins and evolution:...
when Biffy Clyro are playing acoustically.