This Off Beat interview with Roy Mayorga was conducted by Craig Sternberg for the May issue of SD Magazine. Login on May 3rd and check out the remainder of the interview & tons more…
SDM: Most people seem to know you from your metal and hard rock bands, but you've played in lots of punk rock bands over the years as well. Tell us the fundamental differences between playing drums in a punk band as opposed to a metal band?
Roy: For me, I just approach both genres in the same way, with the same intensity. I just keep the second kick drum and chinas at home when I go to play punk… that's all.
SDM: Are the rumors true that Abloom might start up again in the near future?
Roy: Anything is possible, but I doubt it. If there was a demand for "A" show, sure, I would love to do it.
SDM: Could we see Medication possibly reunite for shows at some point in the future?
Roy: No, that's long gone, unfortunately.
SDM: Tell us about the classical film scoring you do, and your solo record that is in the works. Can we expect to hear you use these influences in your other bands at some point?
Roy: I put both the film scoring and solo record thing on hold because I got really busy with other stuff this year from touring with Amebix and writing new songs to contribute to the new Stone Sour record coming up. I'll get back to that another time, probably during the next break I get from Stone Sour.
SDM: What equipment are you using these days?
Roy: I use:
DW DRUMS – VLT collector series.
bass drum – 2×24"
toms – 10" 12" 14" 18" 20"
gong tom – 20"
Rata drums – 2×6"
Snare – edge 14"x6.5"
Cymbals – Sabian:
Prototype ride – 24"
AA crash – 19"/20"
AA hihat bottoms – 15"
Radia – various bells and mini chinas
HH China (Bill Ward sig) – 22"
Paragon china – 19"
VIC FIRTH American classic rock
Evans drum heads
Onyx on top toms
Ec1 on bottom toms
Reverse dot coated-snare
Hazy 300 snare bottom
EMAD 2 on the bass drums
Resonant on front of bass drums
SDM: Stone Sour is set to go into the studio early next year; how much input are you going to have in the songwriting process for this record? What can we expect the record to sound like?
Roy: As I have some songs, like I said, to put towards the next record… Shawn, Josh, Jim, and Corey are all writing as well… so we'll have a big batch of songs to choose from. What the record will sound like? Couldn't tell you. It's gonna be different from the last, that's for sure… we'll see.
SDM: In your off-time from Stone Sour, what musical endeavors do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Roy: Tour with Amebix on and off through 2009, record an EP in August with them, and continue to write for the Stone Sour record.
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