For you Time Warner Cable subscribers, go to ch. 111 and choose the WXXI "OnStage" section. There's a performance by the HiRisers. Jason Smay really shines here. His technique and sound is first-rate.

Jason gave me one of the HiRisers CD's and it's a great CD, lots of fun to listen too and his drumming is excellent plus on the CD. I have listened to it a number of times and it's the type of music that actually grows on you the more you listen!
If you read this Thanks again Jason.
Dana

Hey thanks guy's! I really appreciate your kind words...
-jason

Hi Jason,
Again, nice drumming. But I have to ask -- what gig do you wear the lucha libre wrestler mask on? Is that Los Straightjackets? Too cool! I'd like to wear one, just so you can't see all the funny faces I make when I play!

yep... los straitjackets. it started about 14 years ago, the band wanted something to add to the show... being an instro band any sort of visual effect helps the non-player types to stay interested. i have to say it can get a little warm... one of my first tours of spain we played in castellon' and it was so hot in the club we were sookin wet head to toe after the first song. we had to stop every other song so i could whip down the sticks. anyway we're headed to mexico city on friday to play the vive latino festival this saturday, hopefully it won't be too warn down their.
-jason

Great story!
I surfed over to your artist profile on the SJC drums site. Are those original Slingerland b-tail lugs, or repros? VERY nice kit!!!!!!! Love the single flange/clipped hoops!

Thanks for checkin out the profile.. That set is no longer in my collection but it is missed. They were repops of the original lugs, and could be used on a slingerland set. Actually radio kings are my favorite style drums. The only draw back on the single flange hoops were I chewed through sticks like mad! SJC is a great company and they build really nice kits. However my taste always go back to my 60's ludwigs... 20/12/14/jazz fest. that is my go to kit.. I have gretsch sets, radio kings, wfls... but I always use the ludwigs. Those drums now belong to a fellow drummer and fan of los straitjackets in Spain. The thing I miss most about those drums are I used them on the Conan O'Brien show... Hope to get back on their again.... and next time I will use my ludwigs.
-jason

You're right. There's just something magical about Ludwig drums of the 50s and 60s. I've got a '68 Supra 5.5x14. $50 off eBay. It just has "it."