Sean Griffin, solo artist and frontman with New York punks the Ruffians, told us about his bodhrán love...
Sean Griffin: What I love about the bodhrán is the incredible range of sounds you can coax from such a simple frame drum. You can produce amazing pitches, particularly those deep bass tones, along with compound, complex, and basic rhythms alike. I especially appreciate the Remo Fiberskyn head for the stability it provides compared to a natural skin, while still being fully tunable. When you're on stage or moving between different environments with varying humidity, it's a relief not to have to constantly fuss with a natural skin. It's also far more durable than a traditional one. I've seen so many people destroy a skin, or have someone ask to try their drum and just blast a hole right through it.
I bought mine around 1998 for $125, which felt like a lot back then. All these years later, the head has started to delaminate a bit, but it still sounds great. This drum has been through the war and held up remarkably. I've played it on over 2,000 shows and countless sessions. I often stuff a few days' worth of clothes in it and just walk out the door.
I'm currently in the process of recording a traditional album with the amazing producer Kevin Salem. On several tracks, I played just my voice and the Remo bodhrán, all live in one take, and for a brief moment I wondered if I should track down a fancy double-skinned natural drum. But the sound we captured was great, and I always struggle with spending money on something I already have that works so well. Making the most out of what you have is something my parents taught us, and this drum has paid for itself 2,000 times over.
I always enjoy when people come up after a show and ask, “What is that thing?” Any boutique builders want to prove me wrong, or if Remo would like to send over their latest model, I wouldn’t say no, but in the meantime, I’m getting plenty more mileage out of my trusty little drum.
My solo record People Are Mad is due out April 17th on Right Track/Universal, and you can hear my bodhrán especially on the song “Molly.” It’ll also feature prominently on the traditional record coming out in the near future.
Sean Griffin's solo album People Are Mad is out April 17.
Photo by Wyndham Garnett
