The Band
Tino Troy - Lead guitar/vocals
Chris Troy - Bass guitar/vocals
Andy Burgess - Lead guitar/vocals
John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers - Vocals
Hans in 't Zandt - Drums/percussion/vocals
Hans in 't Zandt
So, tell me a bit about yourself...
Well, as you can see, I am tall, dark and handsome with long, curly hair!! I was born in Venlo on 23rd March. I teach at the Drummers Institute and Musiker Akademie in Düsseldorf, Germany and have my own drum school called ‘The Rhythm Syndicate’ in Venlo, Netherlands. What drives me is to play music with a no guts, no glory attitude which is what music is all about anyway. So whether it be double bass, ghost notes, brushes, Latin, funk, jazz or a 6lbs steak, I hit it!!
How did you get into music?
I’ve been into music and drumming since the tender age of 8! I used Mom’s knitting needles and pillows, as there was no money for drum lessons, let alone a drum kit! I bought my first set of drums with my own hard earned money and then joined my first band. Within 6 months we were ready to hit the stage and I’ve been on it ever since, covering all styles of music. I've had years of self-education, doing everything by heart and ears. I built up my self and feel playing in bands like Chinawhite, Terra Nova, The Chillfactor, Cooper Inc, Parris, Piledriver, Time Machine and Rock d’House. I also got a name for myself as a hired hand doing gigs, stand-in jobs and recordings for other people.
What’s the best thing about being in Praying Mantis?
Everything... The nerves before a show (and I still get them) no matter how bit or small a show is (sometimes they're the most nail-biting)!! The playing, rehearsing, recording, the writing, the laughs to name but a few... just about everything!
What’s the worst thing about being in the music industry?
Nothing.
What other bands have you been in?
The everlasting quest called music has led me to work with some fantastic producers, song writers and players like Martin Kronlund, Michael Voss, Fred Hendrix, Andy Susimihl, Andy Reilly, Achim Koelhler, Barend Courbois, Joost Vergoossen, Rob Winter, Marcel Coenen, Jan Somers, Richard Ritterbeeks (Volumia), Rogier v. Wegberg, Michel Hatzigeorgiou, Marius Goldhammer, Lorenzo Feliciati, Franc O'Shea, Norman Stockton, Dominique di Piazza (Wheather Report), Tommy Denander, Brynn Arens, Steve Fister (ex-Lita Ford, Steppenwolf), Eric Gales Band, Mother's Finest’s John Hayes, Dez Bailey (Bailey’s Comet) the First and Second European Bass Day, Kerfonse Kanté, J-T (Candy Dulfer Band), Vengeance, Mad Max, David Reece’s Bangalore Choir, Ian Parry, Martin Engelien, Amanda Sommerville, Praying Mantis, Anthrax’s Neil Turbin, supported and shared stages with Axel Rudi Pell, Toto, Joe Satriani, UFO, Walter Trout to name a few……?It’s also earned me an article in ‘De Slagwerkkrant: SWK 104’.
What equipment are you currently using?
Ayotte Drums, DW and Pearl Drums, Congas. I have endorsements for Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Ice-Stix, dp Drumplates.
What do you still want to achieve?
Everything.