Ross Curtain, the drummer of ‘Just One Fix,’ is our newest featured drummer interview in cooperation with ReverbNation. Since 2017, Sick Drummer Magazine has been working with ReverbNation to find new, talented drummers via a contest run on their website. We sifted through tons of entries and are happy to introduce the winner that was chosen this time, Ross Curtain of ‘Just One Fix.’
If you want to enter, create a ReverbNation profile page and watch the Industry Opportunities section for our next cooperative! Good Luck ~ SDM
A few words from Ross: I’ve been drumming for around 20 years. I’m the current drummer for New Zealand’s 25-year running Thrash Metal band, Just One Fix. I joined a few years ago, around December 2020. As well as the Alternative Metal band Lakius, a new band that I joined around July last year! Both are based out of Auckland, New Zealand.
I’ve also previously been in the Death Metal band Silent Torture, Alternative Metal band Enoch and Post Metal band Helgorithms!
Just One Fix has just finished recording an EP titled ‘Submit or Death,’ which is due out on May 6th. I tracked the drums for this around a year ago with Dave Rhodes Productions. We have already released two tracks: God’s & and Devils and Your Own God Now!
As well as that, we’ve been playing plenty of local shows. Including recently opening for the Spanish Thrash band Angelus Apatrida with Australia’s Hidden Intent! Have also
opened for more local acts such as Bulletbelt and Shepherds Reign in the time since I’ve joined!
Ross’ Links:
https://www.facebook.com/justonefixnz
Ross Curtain Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Ross: I was around 11 or 12 when I first started learning drums. My parents got me involved with a Scottish pipe band, where I learned the marching snare. After a while, I moved to an American-style Drumline, where I also learned Bass and Tenors. I picked up learning the drum kit when I started high school.
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Ross: I didn’t play in any bands at school but started bands with friends I met at school, practicing in our garages, haha. The pipe band and Drumline were both outside of school as well.
SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
Ross: My top 5 would have to be:
1. Lamb Of God – Chris Adler
2. The Black Dahlia Murder – Alan Cassidy
3. Killswitch Engage – Justin Foley
4. Mudvayne- Matthew McDonough
5. Mastodon – Brann Dailor
SDM: Who are some of your other favorites?
Ross: I’m also a big fan of:
– Opeth
– Jinjer
– Trivium
– In Flames
– Linkin Park
– 8 Foot Sativa
– Blindspott
– Protest the Hero
– Dio
SDM: Let us know 5 bands in your current personal rotation.
Ross: I’ve definitely been cranking all these a lot while I’m driving around lately, haha.
1. Sleep Token
2. Spiritbox
3. Pull Down The Sun
4. Rise Against
5. Breaking Benjamin
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Ross: I can often be pretty bad about warming up before playing if I get carried away watching the other bands on beforehand, haha. But ideally, I like to find somewhere comfortable to sit and get my legs moving and warmed up. Then, I play some singles and a few basic rudiments to get my hands going. It often depends on how intense the start of the sets is going to be; you have to make sure you’re good to go, haha.
SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have affected your playing.
Ross: I’m definitely able to read music! Between the drumline, I also studied at MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand), where I learned a lot about theory. Learning to read has helped a lot with understanding how to make things fit together and how to break things down if things don’t seem to be falling into place. I also briefly had a go at teaching drums for a while, where knowing theory was a bonus… haha.
SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?
Ross: I have a couple of Tama Superstar kits, which I use frequently for practices, shows, and in the studio. Most frequently with Remo Emperors.
10”, 12”, 13” rack toms
14” and 16” floor toms
22” kicks
I have been using Paiste Cymbals for quite some time and had a run with Arborea for a bit.
19” and 17” Crashes
18” and 16” China’s
14” Hihats
21” Ride
I’ve been using Tama Iron Cobra kick pedals for a long time. About a year ago, I started using Collison Drumsticks from the UK. I use their 5BR size. I also have a Roland RT-30K drum trigger that I run through a TM2 and a Roland TD4 kit for practice at home that’s well overdue for an upgrade, haha.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…
Ross: As boring as they can be, practice rudiments and focus on technique. But always have fun, haha.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Ross: Stalker, from Wellington in New Zealand, blows me away every time I see them. They’re so awesome to see live!! Special shout out to Eloy Casagrande, who was previously in Sepultura. I haven’t seen him live, but I watched a lot on YouTube, haha. He really lays into those drums!!
SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?
Ross: I’m into a bit of gaming when I can. Mostly between Xbox and Nintendo. Halo, Zelda, Pokémon, haha. Watching movies/TV. YouTube takes up a lot of time, too, haha. Cold Ones, Hot Ones, Drumeo. There’s always something to watch.
