This Mike Ranne interview is a continuation from the March 2010 issue of Sick Drummer Magazine. To read the entire interview, subscribe NOW and login for access to all issues, past and present!
Interview by: Noel Smart
SDM: Tell us about your studio project with your brother Todd from My Bitter End called The Huntress.
Mike: I’m actually not involved in that. It was originally Tyler from MBE’s band, but he left to do Dr. Acula full-time. My brother Todd joined on guitar a few months after that. Keep an eye out for them dudes, they’re gonna be huge. They remind me of new-era Hopesfall. Very catchy stuff.
SDM: Will My Bitter End ever record a new album with the same members, or with different ones?
Mike: Honestly, you never know, but I seriously doubt it, man. Everyone is just so busy with their own lives these days. We had three new songs written when we split. In my opinion it was the best MBE material ever written. Maybe one day we can record them, but it ain’t gonna happen anytime soon. We will however be doing a few more reunion shows in the future, so keep checking in!
SDM: Has your drum style changed since the release of "The Renovation" by MBE? If so, how?
Mike: Being in WATR and TTEOTD has definitely helped me improve certain things, especially increasing speed. One of the main things I still like to do is play alone and work on new techniques. I am currently learning how to do heel-toe doubles, and I’m doing pretty good with it! I also improved my gravity blasts by tenfold considering I couldn’t do them at all when I was in MBE [laughing].
SDM: What’s one thing you want to achieve through playing your drums, that you have not yet done?
Mike: Well, for starters, I’d really like to get more exposure in the drummer scene and become a familiar name brought up with the greats. Hopefully one day I will be recognized as one of the best in my genre, but if not, I love playing now like I did when I was sixteen and got my first kit, and that’s as satisfying as anything. I’d also love to be able to make some appearances in other drum mags and even do some clinics as well like NAMM and stuff. Not to mention travel overseas, since I haven’t had the opportunity to do that yet either, but that’s going to be happening soon. Thanks again for the interview, brotha. I always love talking with you and SDM.
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