You can keep up with Mike here:
www.myspace.com/genocausttucson
Mike Wyatt began playing drums at the age of fifteen inspired by the likes of bands like napalm death,morbid angel and carcass. He began to experiment with the drums on his own. A few years later (1994) he received a Disinhumed demo from one of his friends..tried out and landed the position..for 4 years or so he opened up for Oppressor, Gorguts, Incantation, Vital Remains and many others until the band fell apart.
About 6 months go by and he and the legendary, Phil Hampson of Nuclear Death formed a project called Whorror. They recorded a demo, 1001 lesbian nights and that band fell apart .Mike then got sick of the way things were going and moved from Phoenix to Tucson to join a brutal act called Genocaust. Just when things were looking up for Genocaust..things fell apart.
Just when Mike was getting ready to give up on death metal he met Dean Van Lunen(guitarist of Bound By Blasphemy)and they recorded the first demo, "The Rebirth of Sickness" (04). Things started going in the right direction… Merchandise was made..tour van paid for..and by the time Mike recorded the second demo..full lenght(The Apocalypse is Nigh)it got picked up by the legendary Quabalah productions. The album should be out late October, early November 06′
Mike Wyatt Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Mike: 15
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Mike: No
SD.com: Ever take any lessons?
Mike: Not one.. I’m 100% self taught
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Mike: Mike Smith, Dave Lombardo, Pete Sandoval, Tony Laureno, Mick Harris… in no particular order
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Mike: See above..all these guys shred
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Mike: Suffocation(self titled 2006)Sleep Terror(Probing Tranquility) Beneath the Massacre(Evidence of Inequity) Vital remains(Dechristianize)and Gorguts(Considered Dead)
SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Mike: Damn..it’s a lot easier to remember the worst for me… I’d say the best time had to be locally at the Rock in Tucson with Sleep Terror, Infliction and Victimas
SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or
cymbals?
Mike: Mapex as far as drums go..and lately Sabian cymbals..anything AAX or HHX..and Axis longboard pedals all the way!
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Mike: I just try to stay as relaxed as possible..do a few stretches for the wrists and elbows (so it doesn’t hurt on the initial hyper blast)
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Mike: Never give up..practice at least 3 times a week and a couple of hours at a time..and you can never stop learning
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Mike: Dave Lombardo with Fantomas..amazing
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
Mike: Open up a smokeshop/metal record store
Leave a Reply