The South Bronx musician is no joke

Here at Gritty Vibes, perhaps the only thing that excites us more than artist’s future potential, are the roots and origins of what brought the artist and their talent together in the first place. With this in mind, Anthony Anderson, (Not to be confused with the funny guy), was one of our favorite interviews. The NYC bred talent — who is undoubtedly one of the city’s best drummers — has always marched to his own beat, one in which the music crowd in NYC would agree is pretty damn good. While his vast collection of drum videos and covers are fire, we were equally astonished by his story. From growing up as one of 19 siblings, to the death of his father drawing him towards the drums, this one is a must read. Enjoy!

1. What’s your name and where are you from? AA: I’m Anthony Anderson, commonly confused with the comedian (LOL), though I like to laugh. I’m a musician, a Drummer with a dream, born and raised in the South Bronx. I’m a city boy, usually walking on the streets of New York city, air drumming, with a huge fro, gauges, and last I counted, 28 tattoos…99% of the time, I’m wearing black. I’m 27 years old and of Jamaican and Puerto Rican descent.

2. What’s your first memory with the drums? Who/what drew you towards it?AA: Wow. My memories are what made me. It’s interesting because I can’t remember a lot of my early childhood, but I can remember when I was first introduced to music and the drums. The first and best memories of learning how to play the drums was taught by my dad. I would bang on anything that I could reach or find. Pots and Pans, table tops, stair case steps, you name it. The memory of me and my Dad felt like a beginning, an end, and then a will to continue again. I was 9 years old when he taught me how to play and that same year I lost him. He died that Father’s Day and I never stopped. It was the only memory and time that we had really had shared together. Today, I continue to play loud enough for him to hear me. My love for music is my passion and therapy. If I’m happy. I’m drumming. Angry. Drumming. Need an escape for anything, be it good or bad, I always turned to drums. And now I continue to play the drums in his honor, by his grace, and through the happiness I have when I play and perform for people.

3. What’s your style like musically? Who are some of the best drummers inspiration wise for you? AA: My style varies but I can say it’s rooted from Rock. LMAO, I was the Black dude rocking goth clothes in High school listening to rock music like Blink 182, SlipKnot, and Yellowcard. As I got older, you appreciate so many types of music, you hear how the drums can be played differently through every genre, so I embrace all types of music like Jazz, R&B, and Indie. I also incorporate my style through Hip Hop and Reggae. I’m an island boy.

“It’s a test of character when you’re willing to walk away even if what you loved what was behind you.”

My technique is like a GRITTY VIBE!! LOL! It’s raw, textured, and I base it off the different tempos, feels and flows of the songs I am playing to. It’s either fast paced, where I could use every part of the drum set or I’m gliding to something that’s just slow tempo and soothing. I like anything that has transitions in the music and can add tone to it. It’s this dramatic feel to it to make the sounds of each drum come alive believe it or not. It’s hard to compare to other drummers because the beauty of that is that we each have a signature style. Some Drummers I know learned through gospel choir, or marching band like I was involved in, so that style or type of education lingers there. But as far as inspirations!… a few to name but there’s so many more include one of my biggest motivators Tony Royster Jr. and Travis Barker, also Chad Smith, Vanzella Joy Williams, George “Spanky” McCurdy, and Jason Mcgerr. I’m also inspired by the drummers and musician I connect with online.

4. What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your career?AA: See when you go through obstacles early in your life, with my career my only motivation is to progress through them and come out stronger from it. I was raised that way. It’s been the theme song of my entire life. Career wise, I’ve had to start over or best put start new. I had to learn how to be on my own as solo musician, even though that might not have been what I intended to do. It’s a test of character when you’re willing to walk away even if what you loved what was behind you. It’s hard to separate from something that you help built. I had to learn over time that no one can take away or replace your work. You can make an imprint. I’m thankful for the opportunities of being a part of unit from the foundation up, accomplishing a lot and creating experiences that has shaped me. Challenges are a cause for change, so ultimately anything that doesn’t break you can only make you stronger. I hope to continue that growth as a person and a musician too.

5. Where can we hear your music at? Any locations you’re playing at or projects you’ve worked on?AA: LOL if I’m not drumming, my phone is my hand. Most of my drums videos and live performances can be found on my social media platforms: Follow (@anthony.anderson.drums) on Instagram, Twitter (@a_andersondrums), and my Facebook official artist page is Anthony M. Anderson. Website in the works!It’s exciting and anxious to be working on new projects. I hope to be back on the stage soon and will keep you updated for sure! Right now, I’m practicing or in the studio like clockwork. The goal is to create relationships, new collaborations, and get back on the road!

6. You have an impressive social following. How has your following grown and how important is a large social media following to a musician these days in your opinion?AA: Thanks! I love interaction. Artists have a platform to not only showcase themselves but it’s such a way to build new relationships. I love seeing what artists are working on and then having that returned support for my work. My growth has come from being alert to what’s going or what’s trending. If its musically, I do a drum covers to popular songs or ones that were known for moving us. I try to make a story out of my accounts for people to get a sense of who I am, what I’m up to or working on. Consistency is important too. With this new chapter in my life, I can say rebuilding, especially the image, has taught me what works and won’t work. It’s literally a blank canvas trying to figure out if your good a water color or illustrations…and people online will keep it real with you LMAO! It could also be the curls…I’m just saying. Lol.

“Raised in The South Bronx, there was nothing out there for us but the streets.”

A musician’s package is a blend. The talent of course should attract people and then there has to be a base where you promote yourself. I think a musician should share a story online. Show your start, your progress, your wins…shoot even your losses. You’d be surprised how many people can relate to an honest grind. With numbers, create goals with what you want to reach. Numbers and reach can mean two different things sometimes. There are days where I may have a couple hundred views on a video, but gain 30+ comments. I feel like I’ve gained more by that outreach from people just taking out the time to interact on the page, show love, or tag someone. That pushes me and once you release more content, always be thankful of your supporters/followers, you can and will see your page grow…even get a dope shout out! Utilize hashtags including creating your own where all your work can go under. Social media, like playing an instrument, is technique, consistency but also incorporating that creativity. Just need to make your page your own!

 7. How did growing up with 19 siblings shape you? AA: My upbringing from Day 1 has made me an independent person. I was left in the hospital when I born and then taking in by aunt who raised me. I reconnected with my mom later. With my siblings, we’re like our own Anderson Army. We are all different with strong personalities but understood the importance of family…even if we didn’t speak every day.  Raised in The South Bronx, there was nothing out there for us but the streets. I grow up around my brothers and sisters, my sisters mostly, because my other brothers had been in and out of trouble. There were times where I felt like an outcast, from listening to rock, watching pro wrestling, and of course be completely absorbed in drumming…which as you know makes a lot of damn noise. But I love every one of my siblings. It’s a proud feeling to say that I am one out of 19 kids, the initial reaction of people always gets me. I’m proud of all of us being linked in some way. At the same time, I want to show them what I’m capable of in my career. To show how that quiet one in the family made a sound (a place) for himself in music. I want to show my mother who I’ve become and where I can go. How I’ve could always continue.

“Struggle inspires success. There are people that don’t believe I could have gotten this far.”

8. What’s your favorite memory since picking up the drumsticks?

AA: You know, first I can say picking up the drumsticks every time reminds me of the memory of my Dad. It’s like a staple in my head that literally connects me to how I’ve come to sit on this throne. This all stems from him. Another great memory, was playing in Rwanda, Africa with my former band, and being approached by this young kid who wanted to be a drummer. I gave him my drumsticks and when I got the chance to go back to Africa the following year, he found me and told me on how far he’s come along. That right there, gave me this need to always play it forward, same as how there are drummers that inspire me. I look forward to creating new memories too!

9. What inspires you?AA: Struggle inspires success. There are people that don’t believe I could have gotten this far. There are those who try to stop me. What inspires me is the will to win. Not just in a financial way, even though stability is important, but winning in the sense that I am doing what I love in and it’s my full-time job. What inspires me are others that have been through just as much and have succeeded on their own terms. I’m inspired by anyone or anything that deems me incapable, because that’s the moment I show how capable I can really be. My future inspires me. What I look forward to achieving, learning, losing…LIVING! Living for me and all the people in my life that support me!

 10. What are your dreams? Ideally, where will Anthony Anderson be in 7 years?AA: This is the first time I can apply that question to just me…that’s a little scary LOL. It hasn’t changed by much. My dream is to make all my dreams a reality! Anthony Anderson intends to make a name of himself as a talented musician and drummer. I hope to be back on tour, playing nationally and internationally, with a band or artists that love what they do as much as I do. My dream is to grow in my craft, learn the ins and out of the industry, can invest and be involved in some incredible projects. My dream is to give back to my community in The Bronx and start a music program and learning center, especially for those that have lost a parent. Oh! And I hope to have the chance to work with some of my favorite drummers…starting with Travis Barker…even if he just supports one of my drum videos LOL. I’ve had the opportunity to live out some of my dreams and I can give thanks to where its due. I will always appreciate those who’ve made that happen. But I have my talent and it’s what leads me. I know that dreams change, or the list gets a longer, and I’m just looking forward to the boxes I intend to check off.Social Media and drum video links below! :Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/anthonyandersondrums/Instagram: @anthony.anderson.drumsTwitter: @a_andersondrumshttps://www.facebook.com/anthony.anderson.520900/posts/10208619783605679https://www.facebook.com/anthonyandersondrums/videos/747835728756553/

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