Favorite news moment of the 80's: Al Haig's proclamation that he was "in charge" immediately after John Hinckley's assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan. I was 10, and even I knew the Constitutional line of succession....Moron. Elise Keaton, Claire Huxtable, or Maggie Malone Seaver? Oh, man, the choice makes my head hurt. But what a delicious pain. Martha Quinn or Nina Blackwood? Gotta give Martha's sweet innocence the nod over Nina's admittedly appealing dirty-girl persona. Throw in Downtown Julie Brown, though, and all bets are off. New Coke or Coca Cola Classic? Are you serious? Is this even a choice? Favorite iconic 80's movie: Airplane, hands down. Funniest. Movie. Ever. Equipment: Tama Starclassic drums; Paiste cymbals (Wuhan chinas); DW pedals; PDP drum rack; Tama and PDP hardware; whatever cheap drumsticks are on sale on any given week; assorted varieties of Samuel Adams. Influences/Inspirations: Neil Peart, Alex Van Halen, John Bonham, Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Philly Joe Jones, Mike Portnoy, Joe Satriani. Thanks to: my parents, for buying me my first kit in 1983, and putting up with all the subsequent racket; my wife and daughter for tolerating my absence on rehearsal and gig nights; Jeff Wenner, for sharing equipment and chops over the years; my bandmates, for sharing their time, talent and humor with me. First live show you saw: Chicago, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in 1979, before Terry Kath's tragic end.