Keep up with Darren here:
If you listen to the music we make in Veils, it is all very frenetic and with that kind of metal, there tends to be a lot of emphasis on blast beats and rapid double bass, with very little variation. I have always been more diverse in my style than just sticking to typical metal drumming and I like to try out lots of ideas at practice until I find something that isn’t particularly obvious but really fits well. Obviously there are times when you need to stick to the norm but I like to think I have found a good balance and all my drumming compliments the songs on the EP really well.
Initially I had never actually intended to become a drummer! I started at music college about 6 years ago and I originally played guitar, but I found that nobody else could play drums on my course when I got to music college, so I decided to give it a go and I have never looked back since then! I am always trying new things in the practice room and always pushing myself to be able to do harder things whether its just in practice, recording in the studio or playing live.
Darren Pugh Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Darren: 16 maybe 17 im not too sure.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Darren: No, I only started playing drums at college and the only training iv ever had has been playing in bands.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Darren: Probably Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Vinnie Paul (Pantera), Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and Gene Hoglan (Death, Strapping young lad), I think these are the drummers that have influenced me the most over the years, I try not to copy these players but i think some of what they do come through in my playing just through consantly listening to them whilst growing up and learning to play the drums..
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Darren: Chris Pennie when he was in Dillinger escape plan, Brendan Morgan (Misery signals), Derek Roddy (Hate eternal), Shannon Lucas (The black dahlia murder) and Vitek (Decapitated).
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Darren: At the moment i am listening to Miss Machine (Dillinger escape plan), Death Magnetic (Metallica), Puritanical euphoric misanthropia (Dimmu borgir), Organic hallucinosis (Decapitated), and i have been listening to Vulgar display of power (Pantera) at least once a week since i was about thirteen.
SD.com: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Darren: Not much really il occasionally sit down with my sticks playing along to the band on before us or whatever music is being played at the venue, but other than that i usually just have a few beers and just relax and get ready for the show.
SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Darren: I’m not too sure about that one there are a few that i can think of where the whole band has played pretty well but i think my show would either be a show with Veils in zavvi which is downstairs in the arndale centre in Manchester, we headlined that show and i dont think i missed a beat on that one. Also another good show was with my old band Everette, we played a really shit club in a place called Wigan and the place was just packed out we had all had a few drinks before the show and for some reason we all played really well that night.
SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
Darren: I’m not too fussed about drums to be honest over the years i have had more pearl drum kits than any other for some reason tho. My favourite brand of cymbals are Paiste, i have been using Paiste rude cymbals for about four years now and they have never let me down.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Darren: Practice and try to play in as many different bands as you can and play with as many different musicians as possible.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Darren: There have been a few performances what have really blown me away but one in particular is watching Dan Foord from Sikth. One of my old bands that i was in played with Sikth a few years ago, i think i was only about 18 at the time and hadnt been playing drums very long at all, but i watched Dan from behind the stage and i was completely blown away, after seeing that i think i just sat in my room for about 6 months learning how to play properly.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
Darren: Either get one of my mates to run me over or maybe sell all my gear and play guitar.
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