Monday Metal mayhem PodCast Interview with Eric Park… {enclose eric_park.mp3}
You can listen to and keep up with Eric here:
http://www.myspace.com/devourment
November 2006 – Eric just finished recording with Hyperion. Check it out!
Eric Park was born April 20th 1986 in the small town of Krum, Tx. At age 12 he was given his first drum set and began his involvement with his high school jazz band. During the first few years he recieved lessons from Travis Knepper and Matt Thompson which helped Eric grow as a drummer. Eric always had an interest in the more extreme side of music and at a young age contstantly pushed himself further to achieve his goals.
At the age of 15 he joined the Louisiana based death metal band Suture. Through much ridicule from older musicians, Eric went on to record a full length as well as other split cd tracks and played many out of state shows with Suture. After leaving Suture at age 17, he took over the drum position for Tx based death metal band Hyperion (formerly Scarline) and is still currently playing drums for them.
Although having no albums and only the drive to become one of metals most creative acts, Hyperion has managed to play with some of death metals top nationals. Hyperion plans to release plenty of fresh material and endure rigorous touring to become a major player in the world of extreme music. During shows with Hyperion, Eric was scouted out by James DelGado of texas based grindcore band Kill the Client, who was to engineer the upcoming sophmore album of Dallas’ own underground legends, Devourment. Replacing previous Devourment drummer Brad Fincher, Eric has made his mark as a exceptional replacement and creative force behind the banner of Devourment.
http://www.youtube.com/v/-GLicsuw8qc
With a brand new line-up and Eric behind the kit the unit has never been stronger. In 2006 Devourment was signed by Brutal Bands to release the widely anticipated 2nd full length “Butcher The Weak”. Devourment has been promoting the album since its release with many out of state shows / fests and plan for worldwide tours in 2007. Now at the age of 20 Eric is determined to help drive Devourment and Hyperion for years to come.
Eric Park Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Eric Park: I started playing when I was 12. That same year I recieved my first
drum kit.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Eric Park: I played in the concert and jazz bands during middle and high
school. We didn’t have any drum corps unfortunately. Our jazz program was
very well put together, it was a wonderfull experience.
SD.com: Ever take any lessons?
Eric Park: I studied under Travis Knepper for about a year off and on when I
began playing, and then a few years later under Matt Thompson (King
Diamond) for a brief period. Both were amazing drummers and great
teachers.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Eric Park: Damn . . . that is a tough question to answer. Too many, but I
would have to say as far as metal drummers go….Sean Reinert, Bobby Jarzombek
Derek Roddy, John Longstreth and Anders Jakobson
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Eric Park: Alright, I guess on the last question you werent necessarilly
meaning drummers, so on this one I’ll go with bands. Once again too damn
many to name all . . . Carcass, Cynic, Death, Spastic Ink, Broken Hope, Athiest, Nasum, Immolation,
Nile, Origin, Suffocation, Malignancy, Sublime Cadaveric Decomposition,
Napalm Death, Regurgitate, Impaled, Spawn of Possession, Drudkh, Cephalic
Carnage, Psycroptic, Disgorge (mex.), Ani Difranco, Kaki King, Cancer
Conspiracy, Emperor, Marduk. im going to stop right there cuz ill just keep going.
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Eric Park: Immolation – Harnessing Ruin / Exitium – Outsourcing Morality /
Drudkh – Autumn Aurora / Spawn of Possession – Noctambulant / Ani Difranco – Dialate
SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Eric Park: Theres been a few nights that Ive felt my playing was better than
others, but none that I felt were my best. I feel the need for improvement
always.
SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
Eric Park: Erik: Yamaha, Spaun, Gretch, Sonor for drums. Paiste, Sabian for cymbals.
Wuhan all the way for chinas.
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Eric Park: Lots of cigarettes, water and running around making sure Ive got all
my shit for the stage. Haha . . . but usually that and Molher strokes with
my hands and feet to get loose.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Eric Park: 20 minutes worth of practice a day is better than none.
Thats the one I have to tell myself.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Eric Park: Thats definately hard to say. Its a toss up between Derek Roddy and
John Longstreth. I’ll leave it at that. As far as band performance . . . I would have to say Immolation.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
Eric Park: Ive always wanted to be a studio engineer, and I have always been
fascinated with forensic science. Since being in the medical field takes
years of classes and Im lazy, I would probably try to do the studio
engineering thing. Hopefully doing that in the near future as well as
music. Death metal drumming doesn’t exactly pay the bills . . . maybe one
day.
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