Christian Eichlinger
(drums & orchestration)


Date of birth?
October 2nd, 1981
When did you start making music?
The first wooden spoon was damaged when I was 3 (see below). Got to play my first grooves on a Walt Disney children drumset aged 7. I started to play the piano as well when I was 14 years old, and I began composing a few years later.
What was your first band?
Audiowork Orange
Did you / do you play in other bands besides Dante?
  • Audiowork Orange (1999-2005)
  • White Night Fantasy (2004-2006)
What do you like to do when you get time away from Dante?
I really enjoy going to the movies, and I love bowling and playing billiard.
Are there any other musical projects you are / were involved in?
Project Trilogy
What are your favourite bands?
  • Craig Armstrong
  • Simon Phillips
  • Virgil Donati
  • Planet X
  • Tom McRae
  • Paula Cole
  • Alan Parsons Project
  • Duncain Sheik
  • Porcupine Tree
  • Blackfield
  • Miriam Stoeckly
  • Hooverphonic
  • Antimatter
  • Dream Theater
What are your main musical influences?
  • Simon Phillips
  • Virgil Donati
  • Jojo Mayer
  • Craig Armstrong
What was the best concert you saw?
  • Ray Wilson & Siltskin (2008)
  • Toto - Livefields Tour(1999)
  • Genesis - Calling all Stations (1998)
Which band / musician have you never seen but really long to do so?
  • Planet X
  • Derek Sherinian
  • Yanni
  • Craig Armstrong
  • Tom McRae
  • Paula Cole
Which band would you most like to play / tour with?
Planet X, Dream Theater, Paula Cole
Who are your favourite musicians?
  • Drummer: Virgil Donati, Simon Phillips, Jojo Mayer
  • Composer: Craig Armstrong, Harry Gregson Williams, Clint Mansell
Who do you think are the best musicians
on your respective instrument?
Virgil Donati, Simon Phillips, Jojo Mayer
What are your favourite songs of all time?
  • This Love (Craig Armstrong)
  • Wake up in New York (Craig Armstrong)
  • Ignotus per Ignotium (Planet X)
What do you think are the best / most important / albums of all time?
  • Space Between us (Craig Armstrong)
  • If is to Nothing (Craig Armstrong)
  • Moonbabies (Planet X)
  • Symbiosis (Simon Phillips)
  • Another Lifetime (Simon Phillips)
  • Tom McRae (Tom McRae)
  • Try Anything Once (Alan Parsons Project)
  • Calling all Stations (Genisis)
  • Up (Peter Gabriel)
  • This Fire (Paula Cole)
What is your favourite DanteSong?
All My Life (getting curious right now, huh?)
What equipment are you using (live/studio)?
LIVE
  • Drums:Pearl MRP (165 Diamond Burst)10"x8" - 10"x9" - 12"x10" - 13"x11" - 14"x12" - 16"x16" - 18"x16" - 22"x18" - 14"x5,5" Virgil Donati Signature Drum - 10"x4" Pearl M1040
  • Cymbals:Sabian HH & HHX Serie
  • Sticks:Promark Simon Phillips
  • Hardware:Tama HP900RSW - Tama HH905 - Tama HH905XP - Tama HT530C - Pearl DR-501C - Pearl DR-501CE
  • Monitor:Mackie1604 (for Monitormix) - M-Audio IE30 (For Monitor)
STUDIO
  • Drums:Roland TD-20 V-Drum
  • Monitor:AKG-K271
  • Software:CubaseSX3 - East West Symphonic Orchester - East West Symphonic Choir - East West RA - Ivory - Nostalgia - Artist Drums Complete
What was the funniest / most embarrassing thing that ever happened while making music?
There is his embarassing video of me cracking my first drumstick when I was 3 years old – ok, my parents still insist it was actually a wooden spoon… (annotation MM: we keep him under control by threatening to make this video public, hehe!!)