Keep up with Jon here:
I was 13 when i got my first kit. Already listening to lots of punk, hardcore, and death metal i was attracted to playing fast…everything else was put on the back burner in sacrifice for attaining speed.
After about a year of practicing i started various lame bands with local guys…the only thing noteworthy previous to my current efforts were The Cold Beyond and Nuclear Powered Satan in which i played some decent shows and recorded my first demo tapes. I also played on Liturgy’s Dawn of Ash in 2003/2004.
Currently Im playing with Foetopsy, Brodequin and Mincemeat. All of which will have new releases and various fest appearances in the US and abroad in 2008.
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Jon Engman Interview:
SD.com: Can you even say which band you have enjoyed playing with the most?
Jon: I enjoy all the bands that I’m a part of. Sure they’re all death metal/grind projects but they all have a different vibe from each other…foetopsy is fun because i can let loose and its very straightforward, brodequin is super fun because of the challenge…its really hard to say
SD.com: Foetopsy has had a busy year, where have you seen the best response?
Jon: I think we went over well at this years Maryland Deathfest. For getting an early slot the room was pretty packed and everyone seemed to have a good time.
SD.com: I have seen you blast at incredible speeds, without using the ‘one haded roll’ technique. Any tips on how you do that?
Jon: Thanks! My ‘technique’ kind of created itself over time as I tried to get faster. Its basically a french grip, and a combination
of a controlled forearm/thumb twitch, and rebound of the stick. Sorry. I’m really bad at describing the mechanics of it.
SD.com: Do you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Jon: Yeah. I played in marching band, symphonic orchestra/band. I considered it somewhat lame at the time but looking back I’d be lost without it.
SD.com: Have you ever taken any lessons?
Jon: I took the mandatory lessons in high school/middle school to be in band, but other than that I had private set lessons for about 2 months when I was first starting…thats it.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Jon:
Scott Hull – drum programming for Agoraphobic Nosebleed
Otto Wicklund – ex Setherial/ex In Battle
the guy that played on the Flesh Parade demos
Alex Hernandez – ex Immolation/ex Fallen Christ
drum programming for Pantalones Abajo Marinero
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Jon:
Danny Herrera – Napalm Death
Lille Gruber – Defeated Sanity
Henning Paulsen – Resection
Dan Osborn – Inherit Disease
Patrick Roberts – ex Gorguts
Jim Roe – first 2 Incantation cds/ Disciples of Mockery
Pete Chavez – Slaughterbox
..this could go on for days
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Jon:
raison d’etre – the empty hollow unfolds
impure – hemicoporectomy
anenzephalia – noehaem
archon satani – in shelter
incapacitants – ministry of foolishness
SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?
Jon: No. I usually just sit down and get to the whole kit right away. I’m impatient like that.
SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?
Jon: My kick trigger pad. I don’t see myself using real bass drums ever again.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…
Jon: gravity blasts…ugh. please avoid. Other than that, play for you band not over it…drummers that overplay can ruin bands just like a bad vocalist or guitar player that does too many solos.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Jon: James King with Viral Load at CIM this year. absolutely incredible, amazing, unreal etc.
SD.com: Aside from drumming, what else do you really enjoy doing?
Jon: I dont have any hobbies outside of music really. I do alot of noise and dark ambient recordings under the name Bruxism, and like to play guitar quite a bit. Other than that I like being iso and listening to weird records by myself…sounds pretty exciting huh?
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