Geared Up: The Coathangers Drummer Stephanie Luke Talks Ludwig Element Drum Kit and Fender Mustang

Touring in support of their fifth album, Nosebleed Weekend, which dropped on April 15th via Suicide Squeeze Records (buy here), Atlanta, GA’s The Coathangers are a trio of female rockers not to be missed. (Or messed with based on the music video for their “Nosebleed Weekend” single.) Currently winding down an extensive winter North American tour, we caught up with drummer, vocalist and co-writer Stephanie Luke to talk gear!

What one piece of gear do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Luke: Since I’m the drummer I can bang on just about anything, but i really love my Ludwig Element kit. However, Julia can only get the sound we love on guitar with her Fender Mustang, its all she’s ever played.

How was this gear used during the recording of your latest album?
Luke: We used her Mustang for all the lead guitars and I was able to use super-vintage Ludwig kits as well.

How do you recreate your album (guitar/vocal/bass) tones in your live set?
Luke: When we write and record an album we try and keep it as true to what we can perform live. Of course, we add certain extra vocals and guitars, but we definitely stay true to our live sound.

Do you have a backup for this gear, if so, what?
Luke: We do not have any backup gear, ha, keepin’ it simple.

How long have you had it, how do you use it, would you ever change it?
Luke: Julia has had her Mustang for 11 years and the Ludwig I use now is fairly new, like 2 years old. The one before it I had for 8 years, so it was time for a new one.

Give us your best “gear goes wrong” story.
Luke: I’ve had a couple instances where my throne would just break during a set and I’d end up on my ass, which is always fun… ha!

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Luke: We love Fender and Ludwig!

Check out the song “Nosebleed Weekend”