Local drummer Scott Owens takes the throne for Johnny Booth

Averill Park is known for its scenic beauty, lakes, and farms. It is also the best-kept secret for some of the most talented musicians of our generation. Although it has been a few years now since local drummer Scott Owens joined the nationally recognized metal act, Johnny Booth. Nippertown felt the need to get you up to speed with the band, who are currently working on a new record. So, Ralph caught up with Owens to share the story.

Nippertown: Let’s start by talking about childhood and how you became a drummer?
Owens: When I was young I knew I wanted to play an instrument. In 4th grade, I tried the violin, which didn’t go very well. In 5th grade, I decided to try out the trumpet, but that also didn’t work out for me. Which then let Led to me playing drums in the 6th-grade band and something just clicked and felt very natural. I got my first drum kit a few years later. My style of practice was playing along to my favorite bands and trying to mimic my favorite drummers. 

Nippertown: Were there any memories of what drew you towards metal and hardcore?
Owens: Well, Led Zeppelin was probably the first “metal” that I really got into. Which was right around the time I started playing drums. I remember my stepdad showing me the live DVD they had and it changed my life. John Bonham was and is still a major influence on my style of drumming. Towards the end of middle school, I got really into bands like Tool, Slipknot, and System of a Down. Then in high school, my attention shifted towards bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, The Chariot, Deftones, Between the Buried and Me, and Every Time I Die. The more chaotic, the better.

Nippertown: Let’s talk about bands prior to Johnny Booth?
Owens: The first band I was in high school. We were called Encino. When that was over most of the members of that band including myself formed another band called Changing Tides. We were pretty active for quite a few years and spent more of that time playing all over the capital region. I also during that time joined a band called Surrounded By Teeth. So I was playing in both bands for a little while before Changing Tides eventually split.  Wasn’t long after that before I was asked to join my friends in their band Artisan. I was with them for a while too until they decided to take different paths. Then from there, fate took its course and I joined Johnny Booth. 

Nippertown: How did you wind up becoming the drummer for Johnny Booth?
Owens: I met those guys years ago while playing in Changing tides. We ended up opening up for them when they released their first album Connections. I just remember me and my friends being absolutely blown away by them. Fast forward a few years later, I’m at work and I get a message from our frontman Andrew asking if I would have any interest in filling in on drums for Johnny Booth. I couldn’t believe it. I immediately got to work on learning as many songs as I could. Next thing I know I’m in Long Island hanging with the guys. From the beginning, we just clicked on every level. I don’t think we would have come this far if we didn’t connect so well not only just as musicians, but as friends as well. We all work incredibly well as a team, and I couldn’t be happier. 

Nippertown: What is the current status of the band and plans for the future?
Owens: We are currently towards the end of the writing stage for our latest full-length album. We are set to record this summer, and will hopefully have the record out next year sometime. As of now we have no upcoming shows but we have something possibly in the pipeline for the end of summer 2022, so stay tuned for that. 

Nippertown: What advice do you have for aspiring young drummers? 
Owens: This is an age of social media. It’s very easy to get discouraged and doubt your abilities when you’re constantly seeing other drummers doing flashy, crazy things. I think it’s very important to be true to yourself. Find your own style, and have fun with it. There’s no such thing as being better than anybody else or anybody being better than you. Drumming is about expressing yourself in your own unique way. And it’s impossible to please everyone. There are always going to be haters but what’s important is to focus on what makes you happy. Life is too short so give it your all. 

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