We recently got in touch with Garon Howe, drummer for Hailbrook Hollow and I Declare War. Garon was featured on our Favorite Drumming Albums of 2024 List for his work on I Declare War’s Downcast, vol.2. If you are not familiar with his work, please do give him a peep! He’s doing some killer stuff.
Garon’s Links:
www.facebook.com/hailbrookhollowofficial
www.facebook.com/Ideclarewarmetal
www.instagram.com/hailbrookhollow
www.instagram.com/ideclarewarband
Garon Howe Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Garon: Probably around three years old, I was brought up on the drums because my dad is also a metal drummer. I often joke that I could play before I could even walk! I would attend nearly all of my dad’s rehearsals. That’s pretty much how I learned drums; I just watched him play. He played on a massive 11-piece kit with two 26” kick drums. He was a monster behind that kit. It dwarfed me. I started straight into double bass playing on that kit, so there was never a transition for that. At that age (around 5 or 6), I assumed everyone played double bass!
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Garon: I was encouraged by both of my parents to join the drum corps, but at the time, all I wanted to do was fast double bass and blast beats. Drum corps didn’t interest me much, but looking back, I kind of wish I had. Those guys end up being absolute monsters behind the kit. I spent those years playing in a metalcore band called “Decade of Defeat.” It was shortly after that when I formed my “at-home” melo-death band, “Her Name Was Disaster,” which is what is now Hailbrook Hollow.
SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
Garon: My number one will always be Dream Theater by a landslide, more specifically Mike Portnoy. I owe so much to him as far as my playing goes; even in deathcore, I still try to incorporate things I’ve picked up from his playing. Out of all the years I’ve emulated him in basically every project I’ve done, I have never met the man! Maybe one day I can personally thank him for all he’s done for us drummers. Other influences include Slipknot, Mudvayne, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Queensrÿche.
SDM: Who are some of your other favorites?
Garon: The list is vast! I grew up on the classics handed down by my dad. Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Alice In Chains, and, of course, my dad’s touring band, Raising Cain. I basically learned to play drums listening to their “Crusade 96” record.
SDM: Let us know 5 bands in your current personal rotation.
Garon: Dream Theater, Queensrÿche, Coheed and Cambria, Protest the Hero, and Megadeth.
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Garon: I used to never warm up before a show. But since I joined I Declare War in 2016, I’ve been warming up before every show. Deathcore drumming should be an Olympic sport, lemme tell ya. I usually grab my sticks and beat on something, whether it be a practice pad or a chair in the green room, as fast as I can until my hands lock up. Rinse and repeat. I’ll also do some leg stretches to get my legs loose.
SDM: Do you read music? Whether you answered yes or no, please tell us how it might have affected your playing.
Garon: I do not read music at all. I’m completely self-taught, and I play by feel. Definitely wouldn’t hurt to know how, but I think I get by just fine without it!
SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?
Garon: I play Tama drums, and I’ve recently been filling out my kit with Meinl cymbals. I use Trick Pro-1V pedals, Remo drum heads, and Pro-Mark 2B nylon tips. I’ve been a loyalist to Tama, Remo, and Pro-Mark since day one. Endorsement or not, you’ll never see me using anything else!
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…
Garon: Play often. As much as you can, to keep the rust off. I always try to make my drum parts interesting. As long as it serves the song, I think a little extra creativity goes a long way. Think outside the box. Your signature thing is somewhere outside that box, find it!
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Garon: In 2015, I saw Korn perform their entire first record at Knotfest. They sounded absolutely perfect. Incredibly tight. Still to this day, the best performance I’ve ever seen live.
SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?
Garon: I try to do everything that interests me. I’ve also played guitar for over 20 years, I am a lyricist, artist, mechanic, handyman, writer, songwriter, graphic designer, actor, and a smattering of other things. We are here for such a short time, so I try to do everything. Even if I’m bad at it, I can still say I tried.
