Behind the Kit: Elijah Losch on Touring as Drum Tech for Lorna Shore

Every great live show has more happening behind the scenes than most fans will ever see.

Before the lights hit, before the first song drops, and before the drummer walks on stage, someone has already checked the hardware, tuned the drums, inspected the cymbal stands, packed the emergency parts, reset the rig, and made sure everything is ready to survive another night.

For Lorna Shore, one of those people is Elijah Losch.

Scorpion Percussion: Introduce yourself. Who have you worked with, and how long have you been doing this?

Elijah Losch: I’m Elijah Losch. I’m a drummer and drum tech from the Portland, Oregon area. I started playing at a young age and began joining touring bands when I was around 16 or 17. I became the drummer for Uada, but eventually shifted my priorities toward becoming a drum tech.

Over the years, I’ve worked with bands like Devildriver, Armored Saint, Death Angel, Unto Others, and others. Those experiences helped me build connections that eventually led to working with Lorna Shore, which I’ve been doing for over three years now.

What are some common misconceptions about what a roadie or drum tech actually does?

A lot of people think we’re just dumb and push cases around.

The truth is, most techs are actually players themselves. A lot of us could step in and fill a role in an emergency if we had to. It’s not just about moving gear. You have to understand the instrument, the show, the player, the timing, the rig, and what needs to happen before something becomes a problem.

A good tech is paying attention all night.

What are some ugly truths about being a drum tech on tour?

The days and nights are very long.

Getting along with everyone can be hard, too. Luckily, with my camp, we’re all close. Everyone looks out for one another like brothers. But I’ve been in situations before where the vibe was bad, and that makes everything harder.

Touring is a lot of problem-solving, patience, and learning how to live with people in close quarters for long periods of time.

What is always in your tech kit?

My tech kit has to cover as many problems as possible while staying condensed enough to travel. I keep everything in a Pelican 1510.

Some of the essentials are:

• Drum key drill bit
• Power drill
• Regular drum keys
• Gaff tape
• Electrical tape
• Tension rods
• Felts
• Wing nuts
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Multi-clamps
• Allen keys
• Screwdrivers
• Various spare parts

Basically, anything I could ever need, packed down into one case.

What piece of gear do you swear by?

A drill bit drum key.

It saves time, especially when you’re changing heads, adjusting tension, or getting through a setup quickly. On tour, anything that helps you work faster without sacrificing consistency matters.

What breaks the most, and what is your fix?

Honestly, not many things these days.

The main thing I see eventually bending or warping is angled multi-clamps. Those can take a beating over time. Other than that, if you stay ahead of maintenance and pay attention to how the player hits, you can prevent a lot of issues before they turn into show problems.

What is your favorite venue?

Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

It’s just one of those places. The setting, the history, the energy — it’s special.

Favorite city?

Prague.

What is your advice for making gear last longer?

Play with technique and don’t just caveman it.

There are ways to hit hard without completely destroying everything. That applies to sticks, heads, cymbals, hardware, and your own body. If you understand how to get power out of technique instead of just brute force, your gear lasts longer and your playing usually improves too.

What are your tips for surviving tour life?

Practice being patient.

You have to be able to adapt to any situation, even when it’s not ideal or when things get stressful. Every day can throw something different at you: a tight load-in, broken gear, no space, bad weather, schedule changes, or a festival setup that is missing something you were counting on.

The more patient and adaptable you are, the better you’ll survive.

Have you ever bombed a show?

Never.

I had a cymbal stand fall on me once, but I kept playing. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

Have you ever saved a show?

Depends on what you mean by “saved.”

There have been a few moments. One time, Austin’s main in-ear cable went bad mid-show, and I was able to swap it during the short time between songs. I wouldn’t necessarily call that “saving” the show. That’s just doing the job.

What is one thing the industry could do better?

Look out for the interest of the band and crew.

Everyone is out there working hard to make the show happen. The artist, the crew, the techs, the drivers, the merch team — it all matters. The more the industry takes care of the people doing the work, the better the whole machine runs.

If you could crew for any band, who would it be?

Probably Metallica or Slipknot.

Are you in a band yourself?

Not currently.

What do you do when you aren’t touring?

I play drums at home, go hiking, and work out at the gym. Recently, I became an uncle, so I spend time with my nephew too.

I also live in Germany part-time with my partner, so you can usually find me there, or out on vacation somewhere when I’m not on the road.

What is coming up next?

A spring headliner and then a summer run supporting Motionless In White.

Final Thoughts

Elijah’s perspective is a reminder that the drum world is bigger than what happens in front of the crowd.

The performance fans see on stage is built on hours of preparation, maintenance, attention to detail, and trust between the player and the people behind the kit. For a drum tech, the job is not just about fixing things when they break. It is about understanding the drummer, protecting the show, and making sure the artist can walk on stage with confidence every night.

At Scorpion Percussion, we are proud to have artists and working professionals like Elijah representing the brand on the road. His mindset is exactly what we believe in: preparation, durability, consistency, and respect for the work.

Follow Elijah: @elijahlosch

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