Ian Matthews

Gretsch Artist Since: 2023

Country: GB

Band or Affiliations: Kasabian

Current Kit Setup:
USA Custom in Indian Ink Blue
18x24 BD, 9x13 RT, 16x16 FT, 18x18 FT, 6.5x14 SD

Influences:
"My earliest influences were Buddy Rich Roger Taylor and the session drummers of the 70’s such as Jim Gordon, Steve Gadd, Jeff Pocarro and Jim Keltner. Also Joe Morello. Ian Paice and Mitch Mitchell were also big influences on me and later I became a fan of The New Wave of British Heavy Metal and listened to Motörhead Iton Maiden Judas Preist etc. Very often ifir inspiration I will listen to the greats. Max Roach, Art Blakey and Elvin Jones to mention a few. Also I must mention Jake Liebezeit from Can. Quite a mix "

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"I’ve admired Gretsch Drums for as long as I can remember. Having for owned various Gretsch drums for years the opportunity arose to become part of the family, it felt completely natural. The drums created today are every bit as stunning as the company has ever made in its long history."

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"You need a lot of dedication to cultivate a career in Music, and it will take an incredible amount of work. But don’t forget to just enjoy it, and if you find your not do not be afraid to make that change. "

Bio:
Ian grew up in Bristol in the South West of England and started his musical path playing small social club events with his father’s band. After leaving school Ian began the journey to becoming a professional musician and soon established himself in the city as a prominent session player and teacher.

The year 2001 brought Ian together with what would become one of the UK's most iconic rock bands, KASABIAN. After working on various tracks for their debut album in 2004, Ian then joined them on tour, later becoming a permanent member in 2005. More recently Ian has collaborated with producer Tom Dalgety and legendary band The Cult, featuring on their 2022 Album ‘Under The Midnight Sun’. Ian's passion as a drummer extends beyond rock and into the world of jazz and is also involved with an ongoing recording and touring project with British jazz quintet, The Jazz Defenders.

Beyond the drums, Ian's passion for music continues as co-founder of Amplify.link, a platform dedicated to empowering artists on their musical journey. Through this innovative endeavour, he’s providing fellow musicians with the tools to accelerate their careers and forge deeper connections with their fans, making a significant impact in the ever-evolving music industry landscape.