Simmons SDS-V

Phil Collins used Simmons SDS-V electronic drums during the mid-1980, accompanied by the SDS-V Drum Brain module.

It was through working with Robert Plant that Phil was encouraged to get into using the Simmons ahead of the Principle Of Moments tour - probably around Spring 1983. And while he was learning to use it, he tried out the Simmons on the Genesis album to produce some of the electric drum sounds, such as the drums on "Second Home By The Sea".

Live on tour, he had the Simmons set up (with the addition of an acoustic hi-hat) alongside his regular drum set so he could alternate between the kits.

The Simmons SDS-V also appears in places on the No Jacket Required record, as well as the Simmons SDS-7.

Quotes from Phil about the Simmons SDS-V
"'But I've always felt that a drum should look like a drum, should be like a drum, sound like a drum and feel like a drum - that's why I was late getting into [the] Simmons. I only got into them because Robert Plant wanted me to play them, and at the same time we were doing the last Genesis album [Genesis, 1983] and using them on that, so I became a big fan [of the Simmons]. But it's real drums I play the best.' (International Musician And Recording World, March 1985)"

"“I was originally very anti-electric drums. But (Robert) Plant wanted me to use them on tour with him, because (drummer) Barry Barlowe did two tracks on his album with Simmons, so I went put and got a set. In between my buying them and the tour, we recorded our last album (Genesis), so they were around, so that’s why I used them on 'Second Home By The Sea' and 'Silver Rainbow'. It just happened to be up for me to be familiar with for the Plant tour, so I used ‘em. It seems that every drummer who uses them has trouble with their wrists because it’s like hitting formica, but I’ve never had any trouble with ‘em.” (International Musician And Recording World Canadian edition, February 1984)"