Here at PCS we tip-toe around the secret to the strength and appeal of our sticks because it's the driving force of our success. We don't talk about it, number one rule, we don't pretend to know, number two, if you asked me I would say, “Huh?” For real. Number three rule clearly states, “Huh?” Come on people, if everyone knew the success to PCS then they would know how we make the sticks and then everyone would be selling them, plus, it's capitalism, people, and it's how ideas become success. Secrets are good in this way, but me personally, I don't see it that way. I see it like this, no one can make a stick like the founder and owner of PCS, David Peridore, the focus of this next interview, regardless of any secrets (I say, but I still say, “Huh?” I value my digits).
This interview is long over due. The secret we covet and you long to know is the power to marketing PCS, like uber-marketing, and I'm always nudging Dave-O to talk because I'm a slacker and if you knew this lynch-pin secret it makes my job easier. It's almost like if I said “magic” or “aliens” made them and you would go, “Wow! I knew it! I have to have those sticks!” Indeed, in that secret lies ultimate power! Though we manage to market them anyway, my poor, tired typing fingers scream just tell them! So, listening to myself, the best conversationalist I know, I've elected to give away, at least part of the secret here, in this interview with Dave-O. He's always saying, “don't say that, or no, let's not go there,” but I've decided to go against the grain, cough pun intended, here and tell it all—I'm going rogue, so get the popcorn and buckle into your drum stool, because in this story lies the secret and the story of PCS (and the key to us selling sticks).
This interview is long over due. The secret we covet and you long to know is the power to marketing PCS, like uber-marketing, and I'm always nudging Dave-O to talk because I'm a slacker and if you knew this lynch-pin secret it makes my job easier. It's almost like if I said “magic” or “aliens” made them and you would go, “Wow! I knew it! I have to have those sticks!” Indeed, in that secret lies ultimate power! Though we manage to market them anyway, my poor, tired typing fingers scream just tell them! So, listening to myself, the best conversationalist I know, I've elected to give away, at least part of the secret here, in this interview with Dave-O. He's always saying, “don't say that, or no, let's not go there,” but I've decided to go against the grain, cough pun intended, here and tell it all—I'm going rogue, so get the popcorn and buckle into your drum stool, because in this story lies the secret and the story of PCS (and the key to us selling sticks).
I met David Peridore or “Dave-O”, as his close friends and relatives affectionately call him, in the winter of 1998-99 under the worst circumstances ever and the fact we are friends at all is shocking. Simple short, Dave-O's national touring band at the time, a Nashville based thrash-metal band, had booked a show at my club, unknown to me as the owner/operator at the time, so when they arrived in Indiana in the middle of a snow storm on a Friday night, the club was closed. Worse yet, I was out of town and they had to sleep in their van. This was probably my fault though I blame the booking agent. It's capitalism, people, pfft.
With the thickest Southern accent, I remember vividly the choice words I was called. Ahh, friendship, But, people from the South are actually the nicest, most forgiving, awesome people ever. With a few bows and a few scrapes and a few I'm sorrys great metal lords of the south, we quickly patched things up. At one point I actually toured with his band as their sound guy. Aside from that we all became fast, lifelong friends. His band also became a constant fixture in Indiana to the point people thought they were local, and to this day any one of them boys could stop in my house, unannounced, and be as welcome as any. In those times, all those years, I truly got to know Dave-O and through that I know how to go about telling this story/secret with out getting my butt whipped. I'll note too the hard working drummer/band aspect here through knowing him, it comes up in the interview, but I just want to be clear. The band Dave-O was playing with through most of the years I knew him was one of the hardest working, most road tested, best thrash-metal bands of that era ever, and Dave-O hitting them skins like he does lays testament to what he's doing now.
That said, I've been bugging him for a year to do this interview, so I just want to say thanks, again, Dave-O, for taking the time from your busy schedule to put up with me, yet again. Dave's a time lousy kind of guy always making the sticks, being a dad, ect and the fact that he's talking at all means he has something important to say, so listen up! And, remember at the end a big secret is revealed! But, you must read the whole article first!
That said, I've been bugging him for a year to do this interview, so I just want to say thanks, again, Dave-O, for taking the time from your busy schedule to put up with me, yet again. Dave's a time lousy kind of guy always making the sticks, being a dad, ect and the fact that he's talking at all means he has something important to say, so listen up! And, remember at the end a big secret is revealed! But, you must read the whole article first!
PCS Drumstick Blogger: What is your background and experience as a musician?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: I've always liked music, but I got my first drum set in 1985. I've been in four maybe five serious projects since, but music is my passion, I mean, I'm always playing the drums. In fact, I love music so much I wanted to stay part of it in a business sense, which has a lot to do with why I started PCS. And, don't get me wrong, there are some good sticks on the market, but as a drummer on the road breaking sticks all the time and constantly having to buy them is a pain. Part of why I started PCS was to make a stick I could use, if that makes sense?
PCS Drumstick Blogger: It makes perfect sense. You made something to solve a problem as you saw it. Is that why you came up with the O-Ring?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: Definitely. Any drummer will tell you, you lose sticks while you play. And, I was losing sticks, but part of making the stick was a whole process, I mean we had to develop this thing and it didn't happen over night. And, I'm not alone in this either. Aside from all the testing and feed back we receive from the PCS artists, my buddy Ben Monck had a huge role in brainstorming and coming up with a lot of what we now call “PCS”. I mean, yea, I wanted the O-Ring for the grip, but there was more to it than just throwing some cuts.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: Can you give us some background regarding your woodworking knowledge, skill, and education?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: I've always liked music, but I got my first drum set in 1985. I've been in four maybe five serious projects since, but music is my passion, I mean, I'm always playing the drums. In fact, I love music so much I wanted to stay part of it in a business sense, which has a lot to do with why I started PCS. And, don't get me wrong, there are some good sticks on the market, but as a drummer on the road breaking sticks all the time and constantly having to buy them is a pain. Part of why I started PCS was to make a stick I could use, if that makes sense?
PCS Drumstick Blogger: It makes perfect sense. You made something to solve a problem as you saw it. Is that why you came up with the O-Ring?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: Definitely. Any drummer will tell you, you lose sticks while you play. And, I was losing sticks, but part of making the stick was a whole process, I mean we had to develop this thing and it didn't happen over night. And, I'm not alone in this either. Aside from all the testing and feed back we receive from the PCS artists, my buddy Ben Monck had a huge role in brainstorming and coming up with a lot of what we now call “PCS”. I mean, yea, I wanted the O-Ring for the grip, but there was more to it than just throwing some cuts.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: Can you give us some background regarding your woodworking knowledge, skill, and education?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: My dad was a woodworker, he made everything that there was wood, cabinets, furniture (PCS Drumstick Blogger interpretation, he was a master cabinet-maker), I pretty much grew up in a wood shop. He taught me a lot and from there I ended up in wood shop in high school, vocational programs, I learned welding (Dave-O can weld like no other, dude can weld), won some awards at the state level. I graduated and went on to taking machine shop in college, got into fabrication as a job, been in a shop my whole life, and now that all translates into this. There's a lot more to this than just the wood.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: Can you elaborate on how you keep up with demand considering the custom process, it must be pretty intensive? And, without giving away company secrets, what goes into that process, as it is about adaptability?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: I'm trying to make a dream, brother. In the bigger picture I'm low down on the ladder, so quality is key. Constant brainstorming, constant testing, we have to be able to adapt all the time and do it well, like a professional. All this experience I have, the music, the technical stuff, I mean, the custom process is completely driving how we improve our sticks. It's testing us, in fact, we have some testing going on right now and this process, if it receives the kind of feedback I expect it will, this will be another game changer. And, anyone knows I am picky about the wood I use, I can't hide that, but to give away the secret, you really can't do that because it's in a lifetime of experience. I mean, there's a bigger secret that we will never give away, but what I am doing and the people of PCS, we are what makes it possible.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: I know there are videos of testing like you guys shooting a stick into a concrete block, I know stuff like this sells, but give us your pitch, sell the reader your sticks. What do you say to that new guy, when you go to a show just to get a set of sticks in a drummers hand, what do you say, without giving away the secret?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: The secret is like a trump card. I wish I could just tell people because then they would be like, oh, yeah, I'll use them, but my exact words to any drummer is anything can be modified, we can do anything you want. And, I say that because of all the different kinds of custom orders we take, I've made it all and as a drummer I understand the drummer's needs. If you can think of it I can do it and do it better than anyone else and even your own expectations. And, I know that and I think by standing there, in front of a guy or girl telling them that, as the owner of the company, they get it, especially once I put them in their hand.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: There is a huge demand for PCS and you are basically the only guy turning them out, how do you keep up with demand and what can new customers expect?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: Quality is the key and because of that quantity suffers. It's just the nature of the business. If you want something good then it takes time. I am currently back ordered several weeks and to keep up with demand I am working double shifts and doing everything I can to make sure the PCS you receive carry the quality they are known for. You may wait to get your hands on PCS, but it is well worth it, I assure you that.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: Lastly, what is the future of PCS?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: You picked a good time to ask that. Business has been steady and we are growing, but a short time ago we tapped into the European market. Yannick Sastre, acting as our artist relations over there has been huge. He's good. We collaborate a lot and he knows exactly what I want. We really click, he's well experienced, has a lot of knowledge, and knows tons of people. That being said, all of a sudden this European connection is the future. Basically, we are in testing phase over there. The first order went out and everyone is testing, but so many people are testing and about ninety percent of them did not want the O-Ring. At first I was a little worried by that, but honestly we have about an even split in the states and for the most part the strength and craftsmanship has been our best seller, so, the non-grip issues actually changed how we approach our business model. I'm jumping the gun a little bit on this announcement, but because of this huge demand from Europe, I mean the European market is really strong, we decided to drop the “O-Ring” as a standard feature and make it part of the custom package. It's an add-on now and when you order you will be given the option of the “PCS Grip”. For example, if you play a 5b .601 with the “O-Ring”, now you will simply order the 5b-G .601. The “G” is for grip and you will see the term “PCS Grip” in the description, there will be pictures and all that. In the next week or so this will all change on the site and we will make a big announcement. So, overall, we are doing great, growing, and the future for PCS is bright.
I've known Dave-O twenty plus years and that whole time he's been the hardest working, dream-most-followingest, darn near most-genius dude I know next to myself, and that secret folks, is in Dave-O and all that he knows. It's in a lifetime of work, dedication, and drive.
He's also the kind of guy that would do anything for you. He's worked on my car, we've worked jobs together outside of music, he's well rounded and has a great sense of humor. He's an awesome dad and a great friend. And, I'm not saying all this because he's my buddy, either. Dave-O and I had a few other times too, we all ain't perfect, you know. But with this, it's in the experience he has, all of it and in the kind of person he is, and the fact that he is able to coordinate and orchestrate the whole deal, the secret here, people, is hard work and staying true to a dream.
In that way too, you can't tell the secret to some one. I mean, how do you explain a whole person's life as a sales pitch? Aside from the few technical things he does that sets PCS apart (the eleven herbs and spices), without all the elements that we see as the American dream in play, those few menial pieces that seem to be the lynch pin to the whole deal, Dave-O the man, the dad, the friend, the loyal, hardworking dude that is so characteristic of the American way—that—is the secret.
So, the next time you wonder what it is that makes PCS so special, tell that drummer it's a dream and to keep following it. Getting a set of sticks in their hands is key, but for real, give them the low down and explain the nature of the people running and supporting PCS and they will get it. Dave-O is exactly like each one of the PCS Artist that use his sticks and that is what makes the stick so easy to sell.
Thanks, again, Dave-O brother for keeping the dream alive and thanks mostly for keeping it real!
PCS Drumstick Blogger, Chris Wendt
PCS Drumstick Blogger: Can you elaborate on how you keep up with demand considering the custom process, it must be pretty intensive? And, without giving away company secrets, what goes into that process, as it is about adaptability?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: I'm trying to make a dream, brother. In the bigger picture I'm low down on the ladder, so quality is key. Constant brainstorming, constant testing, we have to be able to adapt all the time and do it well, like a professional. All this experience I have, the music, the technical stuff, I mean, the custom process is completely driving how we improve our sticks. It's testing us, in fact, we have some testing going on right now and this process, if it receives the kind of feedback I expect it will, this will be another game changer. And, anyone knows I am picky about the wood I use, I can't hide that, but to give away the secret, you really can't do that because it's in a lifetime of experience. I mean, there's a bigger secret that we will never give away, but what I am doing and the people of PCS, we are what makes it possible.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: I know there are videos of testing like you guys shooting a stick into a concrete block, I know stuff like this sells, but give us your pitch, sell the reader your sticks. What do you say to that new guy, when you go to a show just to get a set of sticks in a drummers hand, what do you say, without giving away the secret?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: The secret is like a trump card. I wish I could just tell people because then they would be like, oh, yeah, I'll use them, but my exact words to any drummer is anything can be modified, we can do anything you want. And, I say that because of all the different kinds of custom orders we take, I've made it all and as a drummer I understand the drummer's needs. If you can think of it I can do it and do it better than anyone else and even your own expectations. And, I know that and I think by standing there, in front of a guy or girl telling them that, as the owner of the company, they get it, especially once I put them in their hand.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: There is a huge demand for PCS and you are basically the only guy turning them out, how do you keep up with demand and what can new customers expect?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: Quality is the key and because of that quantity suffers. It's just the nature of the business. If you want something good then it takes time. I am currently back ordered several weeks and to keep up with demand I am working double shifts and doing everything I can to make sure the PCS you receive carry the quality they are known for. You may wait to get your hands on PCS, but it is well worth it, I assure you that.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: Lastly, what is the future of PCS?
David Peridore, PCS Founder: You picked a good time to ask that. Business has been steady and we are growing, but a short time ago we tapped into the European market. Yannick Sastre, acting as our artist relations over there has been huge. He's good. We collaborate a lot and he knows exactly what I want. We really click, he's well experienced, has a lot of knowledge, and knows tons of people. That being said, all of a sudden this European connection is the future. Basically, we are in testing phase over there. The first order went out and everyone is testing, but so many people are testing and about ninety percent of them did not want the O-Ring. At first I was a little worried by that, but honestly we have about an even split in the states and for the most part the strength and craftsmanship has been our best seller, so, the non-grip issues actually changed how we approach our business model. I'm jumping the gun a little bit on this announcement, but because of this huge demand from Europe, I mean the European market is really strong, we decided to drop the “O-Ring” as a standard feature and make it part of the custom package. It's an add-on now and when you order you will be given the option of the “PCS Grip”. For example, if you play a 5b .601 with the “O-Ring”, now you will simply order the 5b-G .601. The “G” is for grip and you will see the term “PCS Grip” in the description, there will be pictures and all that. In the next week or so this will all change on the site and we will make a big announcement. So, overall, we are doing great, growing, and the future for PCS is bright.
I've known Dave-O twenty plus years and that whole time he's been the hardest working, dream-most-followingest, darn near most-genius dude I know next to myself, and that secret folks, is in Dave-O and all that he knows. It's in a lifetime of work, dedication, and drive.
He's also the kind of guy that would do anything for you. He's worked on my car, we've worked jobs together outside of music, he's well rounded and has a great sense of humor. He's an awesome dad and a great friend. And, I'm not saying all this because he's my buddy, either. Dave-O and I had a few other times too, we all ain't perfect, you know. But with this, it's in the experience he has, all of it and in the kind of person he is, and the fact that he is able to coordinate and orchestrate the whole deal, the secret here, people, is hard work and staying true to a dream.
In that way too, you can't tell the secret to some one. I mean, how do you explain a whole person's life as a sales pitch? Aside from the few technical things he does that sets PCS apart (the eleven herbs and spices), without all the elements that we see as the American dream in play, those few menial pieces that seem to be the lynch pin to the whole deal, Dave-O the man, the dad, the friend, the loyal, hardworking dude that is so characteristic of the American way—that—is the secret.
So, the next time you wonder what it is that makes PCS so special, tell that drummer it's a dream and to keep following it. Getting a set of sticks in their hands is key, but for real, give them the low down and explain the nature of the people running and supporting PCS and they will get it. Dave-O is exactly like each one of the PCS Artist that use his sticks and that is what makes the stick so easy to sell.
Thanks, again, Dave-O brother for keeping the dream alive and thanks mostly for keeping it real!
PCS Drumstick Blogger, Chris Wendt