Momo De Monster blew our minds when we first saw him play drums. We believe it was Derek Roddy that we first saw share a video on social media, which now makes sense after reading the interview question replies. We immediately reached out to Zian (Momo) and let him know we were interested in featuring him on the website but had to have parental or guardian permission to do so, as he’s a minor. Zian and his parents took the time to sit and record and send us a video telling us it was not only not a problem to conduct the interview but how honored and excited about it they were. It was seriously one of the most genuine, honest, cute, and humbling videos we have ever received. Thank you, Zian and family. It’s an honor to feature you. Zian is 11 years old at the time of this interview. Amazing.
~Hello! I am Zian Brew Pilapil (A.K.A. Momo De Monster), an 11-year-old drummer from the Philippines. My Dad said when I was eight months old, I liked watching drum videos instead of cartoons, which children are accustomed to at that age. I love watching the videos of Derek Roddy, George Kollias, Eloy Casagrande, Flo Mounier, etc., because I like what they do with their hands and feet. At least that’s what my Dad said.
A fast few years later, my Dad and Mom wanted to buy a drumkit, but they could not afford to buy those things; my parents said they found a way to have my kit because they saw I had potential in drumming; that day was a very incredible day that I received stuff from my parents at first, my Dad taught me a simple groove, and I continued teaching myself.
When I was in grade school, our principal said I would perform on the school campus; At that time, I was very nervous. That was the first time to perform in front of many people. However, our school principal was delighted with my performance, so he gave me a medal of appreciation. As time passed, I transferred to another school in that school, I met my teacher, who also loves music, and we planned to form a band in school with my schoolmate, and we competed in another school, and we won; after that, I jammed with the local bands here in The Philippines.
Why do I like metal songs? One day my Dad played a song on his Mp3 player. I heard a very loud song, and I loved it! I quickly took a drumstick, went to my drumkit, and tried to follow that song. Sitting on my drum kit, I was disappointed because that song played with double bass, and then I asked my father to buy a double pedal. I remember my Dad told me again we could not afford to buy that, and a past few months later, a guy was selling a secondhand double pedal for a very low price, so my Dad bought it quickly. I started practicing double pedal when I was six years old. The first metal song I attempted to play was Raining Blood by the band Slayer, followed by Cannibal Corpse-Hammer Smashed Face, etc. That’s where my passion for metal drumming started.
For now, we are very grateful to all the companies who sponsored my gear, like TAMA DRUMS, NU-X, etc. All companies and all people who help me, you know who you are. Huge thanks to Sick Drummer Magazine for allowing me to get an interview.
We got the name “MOMO” from a neighborhood dog named momo, and then we just added “De Monster” to make it scary 🙂
Zian Brew Pilapil Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Momo: I started playing drums when I was five years old, seriously playing at seven years old.
SDM: Do you play in a school band or any drum corps? Did you ever take any lessons?
Momo: Yes! We formed a band in our school with my teacher and schoolmate. I took lessons for about a month with the great guy from Yangon, Myanmar.
SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
Momo:
Thy Art Is Murder
Slipknot
Meshuggah
Veil Of Maya
Animals As Leaders
SDM: Who are some of your other favorites?
Momo:
Slaughter To Prevail
Whitechapel
Obscura
Born Of Osiris
Cannibal Corpse
Carbomb
Archspire
The Black Dahlia Murder
SDM: You make a lot of drum videos. How many do you have, and which ones were the most fun? Which ones were the hardest to cover, and why?
Momo: I have more than 100 drum videos on my social media account. The most fun drum video I made is a Slipknot song because I feel I’m insane when I wear a mask. But, behind that mask, I’m laughing and enjoying it all. My most challenging drum cover, I think, “Bleed” from Meshuggah, was a big challenge for me.
SDM: If you were a little older right now, who are some of the bands you would like to play with?
Momo: If I were a little older right now and had been given a chance to play with some of the bands I like, I would want to play with Thy Art Is Murder, Veil Of Maya, or Meshuggah.
SDM: Let us know five bands in your current personal playlist – favorite records.
Momo: Thy Art Is Murder (Hate album)
Slaughter To Prevail (Tostolom album)
Carbomb (Meta album)
The Devil Wear Prada (Zombie E.P.)
Meshuggah (Nothing album)
SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have affected your playing?
Momo: No! for me, it’s really good that you can read music, but for me, I use OUIDO; I just listen to my ear.
SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?
Momo:
I use Tama Hyperdrive Superstar, NU-X Dm210 for my electronic kit, and Armada Trojan B8 Cymbals. My pedal is Pearl P-922 single chain double pedal. I hope someone sponsors me soon. For drumsticks, I use Vic-Firth Metal because I like heavy sticks.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to other young drummers, what it would be…
Momo: All I can say to all young drummers who want to learn is it takes effort be patient, and above all, don’t give up; you also need support from your parents and use them as inspiration, and most of all… use your God-given talent.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Momo: I’ve only watched one live performance, and that was SINSAENUM. I met the late Joey Jordison at that concert! So for me, it is very memorable.
SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?
Momo: I enjoy biking, skating, swimming, and playing Minecraft on my phone.
SDM: You also play guitar. How long have you been playing?
Momo: I’ve only been playing guitar for about six months if I’m not mistaken, but it’s not serious.
SDM: Do you play any other instruments?
Momo: Yes! I also know how to play some bass and want to learn the keyboard.
Zian’s Links:
