Keep up with Dave here:
Dave Haley started drumming at around age 11 as the class drummer for the grade 7 band, due to the fact that he was able to play a ‘straight 8’ beat – thus making him the drummer by default. For the first 2 years of playing, drums were just something Haley did twice a week in music class at school. After receiving his first drum lesson, his eyes were opened to the endless possibilities available on the kit. He then persuaded his parents to buy him a drum kit at age 13. After a couple of years of practice, Haley started his first metal band with his younger brother Joe and a couple of friends in 1998. Dissiminate played locally in Tasmania and recorded a demo.
Unhappy with the musical direction of Dissiminate, Dave and Joe started Psycroptic in 1999. Since 1999, Psycroptic have released 3 albums “Symbols of Failure” (2006), “Scepter of the ancients (2003) and “the isle of disenchantment”. Added to this, Psycroptic have toured Australia and Europe numerous times. Dave also plays for Ruins, and with The Amenta and appears on the Aborted album “Slaughter and the apparatus”.
Dave Haley Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Dave: I was about 11 when I first started to play. It was kind of by default as our class needed a drummer. The teacher needed a drummer and basically who ever could hold a beat was the drummer. I sat behind the kit, and could play a ‘straight 8’, so I became the class drummer.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Dave: Since I went to a very small school the whole class basically played in the band. I was the drummer in grade 7 and 8. For those 2 years all I played was the same damn beat (haha).
SD.com: Ever take any lessons?
Dave: I started to take some lessons at about 14, as I wanted to learn more on the kit. As I lived out in a country area I had no other drummers to show me anything, so I couldn’t improve. Once I started getting lessons I realized that there was so much that could be done on the kit. I took lessons on and off for about 2 years.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Dave: Well, I would say Dave Lombardo, Derek Roddy, Gene Hoglan, Dave Weckl and Lars Ulrich
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Dave: My fave players would be Virgil Donati, Derek Roddy, Gene Holgan, Steve Gadd, Johnny Rabb, Steve Smith, Hellhammer, Richard Christy, Dave Weckl.man, the list is endless. I try to take things from every player I see and hear. Even people who don’t necessarily play drums can be influential.
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Dave:
Dark Funeral – Attera Totus sanctus
ACDC – Highway to hell
Suffocation – Despise the sun
Angelcorpse – the inexorable
Immortal – Battles in the north
SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?
Dave: I try to do a lot of single stroke rolls with my hands and feet. I have a click track setup that I play to as often as I get time which isn’t enough!). Its just to practice my double bass drum singles really. I don’t do nearly enough practice as I would like to. I would like to really explore other styles of playing and bring these influences back into metal.
SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?
Dave: Haha, the bass drums. Or more specifically, my Axis pedals. They rule. They are without doubt the best pedals available in my opinion.
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Dave: I try to do a lot of single strokes with both my hands and feet, as well as stretching up as much as possible. Some times it is hard to do with all the other stuff going on, but I at the very least stretch up. I usually have a pair of sticks in my hands for the hour leading up to actually playing, just to kind of loosen up and get in the mood of playing.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Dave: If you don’t have a metronome, then get one! It’s the best practice tool ever created. The metronome cannot lie, it cannot pretend that you played well, and it doesn’t flatter you ego. It tells it how it really is (haha).
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Dave: Virgil Donati with Planet X, hands down. The show was at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne. I think the show was actually recorded and released as their live album. He (by the looks of things) was in a very relaxed and happy mood, and his playing reflected this. It was awe inspiring.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what elsw would you want to do with your life?
Dave: I dunno.I’d probably have a cool job and make good money – the complete opposite of things now!
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