Des Kensel

Des Kensel profile

Name:

Des Kensel

Band:

High On Fire

Drumming since:

1983

With MEINL since:

2008

Birthday:

July 09, 1973

Zodiac Sign:

Cancer

Place of Birth:

Connecticut

Currently living in:

Oakland, CA

Favorite Food:

Any kind of sandwich (Grinder, Hoagie, Hero, Po-Boy)

Favorite Drink:

Jameson on the rocks

Matched Grip or Traditional Grip:

Matched Grip

MEINL cymbal series used:

Mb10

Favorite MEINL cymbal:

Mb10 22" Heavy Ride

Car that you currently drive:

Honda Accord

Not counting on drums, what do you do for fun:

Change dirty diapers.

Teacher:

Took lessons from a guy named Tom Dest for a year when I was 12. Other than that, I played along to my favorite records with my Walkman and headphones until high school.

Drumtech:

I don't have one...yet!

Highlight of your career so far:

Well, there have been a few but the one that pops into mind would be the first time I went to Japan.  I just thought it was amazing to be in such a different environment so far from home and be able to play in front of these people and watch them just freak!

Drumming strengths:

In the words of Mike Tyson (imagine this with a lisp), “My hits are so powerful and precise!”  Also my endurance, it’s hard to play like Mike Tyson every night for 75 minutes

Drumming means to me:

A way to hit things without getting arrested.  

Advice for up and coming drummers:

Keep practicing and follow through with what you start.  Being a professional touring drummer is mentally and physically challenging.  Do you think Tony Hawk went home to mommy the first time he fell of his skateboard?

How would you describe yourself:

I’m like TNT, ready to go off!

When I look back on my life one day, I would like to be able to say:

I have been all around the world and with each stop I have left an impression on someone.