As part of our feature on openly gay drummers, drummers Dave Montana, Mike Fass, Chris Ohnesorge, and Luis Illades talk to us about their experiences in the music industry, why there are still so few openly gay drummers, and what it's like being a guy magnet.

AfterElton.com: Are gay rock drummers just as much of a sex-symbol as straight rock drummers? Are you the dude-magnet in the band?

Dave Montana: I can tell you that I did get a lot of attention especially when drumming for No You Turn. I recall this one gig we had at gay bar in Puerto Rico called Souvenirs where at the end of our first set guys had been lining up drinks on the side of the stage for me. I also got quite a lot more "air time" than some other members when we did television. That said, I've never considered myself a sex-symbol or dude magnet but I love the attention. Who wouldn't?

Chris Ohnesorge: I think drummers are always the secret sex symbol of any band because they aren’t right up front able to wow the audience with their rock moves. I personally have to be airlifted from every show we play due to the screaming hordes of male groupies desperately trying to get five minutes of sexy time with me. It’s quite taxing but I love rock-n-roll, so I’m willing to put up with it. Okay maybe not. I do know our straight bass player has a ton of male admirers in the audience. But that is because he’s always turning around and shaking his ass while he plays.

Mike Fass: I seem to notice that. Of course, for me nowadays it may have more to do with the fact that I'm a popular nude bear model. No matter whom I back as a drummer in concert, invariably I meet Drummer Bear fans after the show. However, the personal reaction had always been pretty much the same before I became Drummer Bear. And it doesn't seem to matter how unattractive I am at the time, as long as I'm kicking the crap out of the drums before a live audience.

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this but, no matter how much deodorant I slap onto myself before a concert, by about thirty minutes into a show I smell like the devil, man! I also look like somebody dumped a barrel of water over me; I get really drenched with sweat! You really don't want to get near me until after I've hit the showers but they always seem to catch me backstage.

I recall one particular show I did with Edible Soul where, after the musically apocalyptic crash of the final chord, a very well dressed and attractive lady approached the stinking, fatigued and soaking wet disheveled heap I'd just been reduced to, threw her arms around me and kept kissing me. That says a lot for the power of music, I guess. Also, I've lusted after other sweaty men behind the drums over the years myself.

Luis Illades: I don't know if that is necessarily true. I tend to get very sweaty and make ugly painful faces while playing so i don't think I'm particularly attractive to the audience while playing. I think sex symbols tend to be clean and mannered and gentile, no? Behind the drums you tend to be bestial and aggressive (but suave as all hell).