September 16, 2011 9.28 am This story is over 150 months old

Local innovator drums-up support

Space-age: A local joiner created a set of drums made from a material used in high-end kitchens.
Renowned percussionist Dean Hendy poses after his drum battle at Lincoln Drill Hall this week

Leading a revolution in drum manufacturing, local joiner Craig Cockrell held an epic ‘drum-off’ this week to promote his drums made from a space-age kitchen material.

Two renowned percussionists, Bobby Arechiga and Dean Hendy, battled with a set of Cockrell’s handmade drums at Lincoln’s Drill Hall on Tuesday, September 13.

Launching his company Gatton Drum Co earlier this year, Cockrell invested in specialist machinery to create his precision instruments made from Corian, a material most used in high-end kitchens.

A keen drummer himself, Cockrell, from Saxilby, near Lincoln, was delighted to see his instruments being played by two idols.

“This really is a dream come true and to see these two great names performing on my drums is fantastic,” said Cockrell.

Cockrell first spawned the idea when learning how to use Corian in kitchens and was told it also had unique acoustic properties.

During his lunch break three years ago, he held an impromptu jam session with two pieces of wood and a slab of Corian with the resulting sound leading to him making his first drum set.

Now prices of Gatton drum kits range from £1,200 to £9,000 and Cockrell claims they have a distinctive sound out performing wooden drums with a crisper, clearer, warmer and louder sound.

Cockrell said: “I really believe I’ve created something unique and my drums can rival any on the market and I hope to showcase them around the world.”

Photo: Electric Egg