Page 17 - Sick Drummer Magazine Issue 29 - Hannes Grossmann

SDM: Howimportantisseatheightforyour playing?As long as I feel comfortable it’s all good. Things are way easier with the right seat height, especially for long double bass parts, but most of the time its still possible to keep on playing. My lower legs are normally angled around 100 degrees, while my feet are kept quite straight.SDM: What companies are you endorsed by? Tell us why you use their products.I play a TAMA Starclassic Maple Set, different series of MEINL Cymbals, PRO-MARK Sticks, EVANS Heads, ROLAND Electronics and HARDCASE cases. It’s all high-class stuff, so honestly it’s more about the relationships and my main contacts at those companies that make me continue to use them.To me this is way more important, as nearly every company has high-class products in their assort- ments. Nonetheless, all the stuff I actually use is perfect for the sound I need.SDM: Arethereanynewdrummersouttherethat you have encountered on the road that blow your mind?There are plenty of great drummers out there and all with special things I like in their playing. I really like watching Phil Dubois of Revocation or Annika Nilles, who is a german solo drummer. It’s easier to name some drummers that influenced me in different way. Besides classics as Dave Lombardo, Nicko McBrain or Charlie Benante, there are drummers that had a huge impact as well. Just as Dave Culross, Doc (Rest in Peace), Mackie, Mick Harris or Danny Schuler. They are all drummers that play with punch and have a unique style. That’s what I really like, to hit it hard!SDM: Howimportantisittohavetherighttypeof stick while playing live and in the studio?Really important. It took quite a while until I found the right sticks for me and I always played different variations of 5B sticks. But luckily Pro-Mark has just released the “Perfect Balance” series of sticks. Andthe RBH595TW model is just perfect. They could just add a version with round nylon tips, haha. Maybe that will happen some day.SDM: What sort of triggering and drum brain did you use on your last recording, and do you use live?Last I used was an Alesis DM4 module in combina- tion with Roland RT-10K Bass Drum-Triggers on a double kick set. Actually, I’m trying out some newer Roland equipment for fly in shows, but I am still in beta-mode myself, haha. They are just releasing some great new stuff that I need to check out, but I need way more time than I have at the moment.SDM: What have you been listening to for inspira- tion lately?I don’t look for inspiration for my drumming on records I buy. When I like the feeling on a record, I don’t care about the drumming itself. If it fits to the music perfectly, I am into it. The latest records by Man Lifting Banner, Implore, At The Gates, Godflesh or Lord Mantis are spinning regularly.SDM: Howsupportivehasyourlabelbeentothe band? What are some of your favorite bands on the label?Century Media is doing a really good job worldwide. They have bands like NAPALM DEATH, EYEHATEGOD, ASPHYX or AT THE GATES that I have been into for a really long time. Plus some newer bands such as TRIPTYKON or WHITERSCAPE that have impressed me recently and will keep on spinning on my turntable for a long time. Some people might say that record labels have losttheir usefulness in the business, as crowd funded projects also work, but as long as the collaboration is working well, there is no reason to change that.SDM: Whatisthemostcommonblastbeatyouuse? What’s your opinion on the gravity blast for your own playing?