Drummer extraordinaire and chiropractor, Terry has shared the stage with The Clash, Johnny Thunders, Hanoi Rocks, Black Sabbath, and more!

Are you completely retired from the music industry?

Yes, but you never know. I am sometimes in the public eye for other reasons.

So if Mick Jagger called you up asking for a drummer you would say, “No?”

I would say no. Some people find that strange, but I have, so to speak, been there and done it. Life's too short for repeats.

What is “punk” to you?

New, young, fresh, challenging...

How aware were you of the New York Punk Scene and, were the New York Dolls and the Ramones influences on you?

They influenced the others rather than me, but I suppose, me indirectly through them.

Being a drummer, what do you feel the rhythm section contributes to the sound of the band?

It may be my over-sensitivity to this, but if the drummer is no good then I can't listen to it.

Do you think if you were a guitarist you would feel the same?

Don't know, but I could never have been a guitarist - just isn't me, too fiddley.

How long were the Clash together before they got signed?

It seemed like years but it was actually less than half a year

How did their first record deal come together?

It was all handled by Bernard, the manager.

Was that a turning point in the band- being signed?

Not really, we always knew that would happen, so more of a step on the way really

The Clash's debut album was perhaps the best debut album ever. Every song rocked, and clearly the band had things to say about the world. Can you talk a little bit about how you became part of the group, Auditioned with every band in London until I found one that seemed like it was going somewhere and why you think the Clash was special, in a word? and what the experience of making that album was like?

Attitude. We just went in there and slapped down our current live set (except Police and thieves - a rehearsal song).

Why is isn’t the drumming credited to “Terry Chimes?”

Just a silly joke really Tory Crymes is a reference to my politics, more right wing than the others.

Why did you leave the band after the first album?

Wasn't enjoying it because we were always arguing. (the clue was in the name...

You rejoined the band for the Combat Rock tour opening for the Who. The Clash was at the height of its popularity, but I've read was generally not well received by the Who fans in the crowd. What was that tour like?

The tour was fun and a different experience for us. I thought the Who fans were fine with us.

How had the band changed by that point from your original experience (musically and personally)? Had Mick, Joe, or Paul changed or were they the same guys you knew from before?

Same but different, like everybody always is.

What were the circumstances for you joining the Heartbreakers?

They asked me to come and see them play with a view to joining. I'd heard about them from Joe Strummer so I went to see them, then I joined.

What was playing with Johnny like?

He was a star, but possibly afraid of success, a great musician

Was their any creativity going on when you were in the Heartbreakers or were they just going through the motions?

The only creativity was in the performances, which were great

You released an album with Hanoi Rocks, what’s the scoop on that?

I went to Finland to play a concert to a live TV audience of 200 million people as a tribute to Razzle who had just died, then joined the band

Do you think there was anything you could do to keep Hanoi Rocks together?

No, when people fall out you can't stop it (tried many times in my life)

How did you get together with Black Sabbath?

I went down to audition with them and we liked each other

How does a drummer, like you, remain versatile and a necessity between different genres?

Not really that versatile, all the bands I worked with required loud, fast drumming.

So you are a now a chiropractor?

Yes and I do other forms of healing as well. I also do a fair bit of lecturing. (Back on the stage!)

How often do people fake pain to just be able to meet you?

85% of people suffer from back or neck pain so not much need for faking.

Thanks so much for the time, Terry, do you have any advice for aspiring drummers out there?

Keep one ear on what you're doing and the other ear on what the rest of the band are doing