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Bobby Kunkel - Drums, Background Vox
Over the past 3 to 4 years, The Truth's drummer, Bobby Kunkel has made a name for himself as one of Pittsburgh's most reliable and versatile drummers. "I've been blessed to play with so many great people in the last few years and have made so many good friends." Bands like "Ice Cream Headache" and "Mind's I" have called upon Bobby to sub for their regular drummers. He's also worked with wide variety of other artists, bands, and organizations including Jeff Bell, Peter Hewlett & Scott Anderson, Mark Pippas, Lisa Ferraro, Pat Scanga, Clarence Church, Barbara Blue, Three Rivers Entertainment, New Community Church, Daddy-O, and list really does go on and on.
"It's really a simple formula that keeps a drummer working," says Bobby: "Show up on time and properly dressed, have a good attitude, play solid time, and play appropriately and convincingly in a wide variety of styles. Okay…well the last one isn't always so simple, and comes with years of playing experience and listening, but it is a must if you want to work." Bobby also insists that a gig should be fun no matter what the setting. "To me, nothing can bring down a gig or show than players that are not into what they are doing, particularly the drummer. A drummer can be the most advanced monster chop-freak in the world, but really does nothing for me if he or she is not enjoying the gig. The drummer provides the energy and kick in the ass for the band. The drummer's attitude conveys a lot to the audience beyond his competence behind the kit."
Bobby's attitude and versatility are obvious on The Truth's debut CD "Dying To Live." From the driving title cut, to the laid-back shuffle of "Nothing In Particular," to the Latin-influenced "Calles de Muerte," to the slow gospel feel of "One Of Those Things," 'BK' (as he is affectionately known by his bandmates) plays with energy and technical ability that help make the songs interesting, fun, and memorable. "I tried to play something in each tune that I thought might make a drummer go 'hey, that's pretty cool,' but didn't become overindulgent or get in the way of the tune itself. In the end, average people or listeners who hear a rock or pop song, listen to the song as a whole entity. They don't dwell on how great the drum part is, or how flashy the guitarist is. They hear melody, hooks, and emotion. A good drummer should complement these aspects of the tune and try to find a balance between the interesting and the obvious."
Ultimately, Bobby and the rest of the guys in The Truth's hope that the public likes the CD as much as they enjoyed making it. "It was great writing and producing these tunes on our own. I think we have enough experience to know what makes a good tune and what we should sound like. One thing that we wanted was for there to be a common thread that holds the CD together from start to finish. While we like to flavor (for lack of a better word) our tunes with a variety of styles, we want them to sound good together, not like 10 different tunes from 10 different bands or records." The band obviously hopes that the public enjoys the CD, and is eager to get out and start playing in 2001.
As far as drumming influences go, Bobby's are far reaching, since he started playing at the age of seven. "There are so many good players to listen to in so many styles of music, its really is hard for me to cite even just a few influences. I think I play a lot like Steve Smith did when he was with Journey. His parts were always super solid, his time was impeccable (particularly on slow tunes), and he drove each tune with fire and emotion. Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty) plays like that as well although a bit simpler. He always has the perfect part for any song. Jeff Porcaro is also another one of my favorite players. His work with Steely Dan, Toto, Boz Scaggz, and Michael McDonald is rock solid and timeless. Jeff's groove was seriously deep and emotional and still can literally bring other players to tears. Larrie Londin played like that as well"
Bobby also likes a lot of other players as well. "Who can touch Vinnie Colauita? His fusion and odd-time stuff defies description, while his versatility is unmatched. Sting's "Ten Summoner's Tales" is a perfect example of Vinnie's taste and ability." Other influences include Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Liberty DeVitto, and again, the list goes on and on. "There are also a lot of local drummers who I like, respect, and have great friendships with, not only because of their playing, but because they call me to sub gigs for them…ha, ha,"
Outside of music, Bobby enjoys playing ice and street hockey. In 1998 he played in an adult ice hockey league in Mount Lebanon and scored 14 goals in 6 games. "I was the offensive threat of the "orange" team. I know I would have won the scoring title if I wouldn't have missed several games and the playoffs due to a nagging hangnail on middle left toe and a callous on my pinkie finger. (In reality, he missed games because he had a steady gig on Sunday nights!) Like Penguin's superstar Mario Lemieux, Bobby is contemplating a comeback in the spring of 2001. "If the timing is right, if I'm not too busy, and if I can get in shape, I think I could play at the level I once did and carry a team to the championship." (Can you say "deluded"…….. get a grip!) Bobby also enjoys in-line skating, reading (anything by Stephen King or Issaac Asimov), politics, adventurous video games (Myst, Riven, Zelda, and Tomb Raider, are among his favorites), and spending time with his wife Maryellen and his two boys, Luke and Nicholas.