Keep up with John here:
www.myspace.com/johnnybombblast
I guess what made me want to play drums was watching my cousin play in his garage when I was like 6. I saw him sitting behind this wall of drums, making thunderous sounds and I thought to myself that is what I want to do. After countless hours of watching my cousin and nagging my parents for a drum set, they finally gave in a got me a 1968 blue sparkle Tempro. It’ wasn’t the greatest kit and I had to improvise on cymbal stands by hanging cymbals from ropes using the rafters, but I finally felt like I had my own wall of drums to pound on. I spent countless hours in my room listening and playing along to every bit of metal and rock I could get my hands on. Finally after the solitude of being in my room and trying to perfect my craft I found a few friends to jam with.
After many years of failed bands and countless shows, I finally encountered the current members of Held Under. The vibe I got the first time we all jammed together was amazing, I finally felt like I had found a group of guys who were on the same page as me musically. After seven years and three albums Held Under is still running strong and we have a long road ahead of us. Allthough, at first, Held Under was my main project, I was recently given the opportunity to join the Mass death metal legends Burial. By branching out to other areas of the metal field I feel I have improved my playing in leaps and bounds.
I don’t know what the future holds for me, but my plan right now is to play drums until I physically can’t any more, bring the music I love to the kids who want to here it. And hopefully inspire some kids along the way to do the same thing I did, pick up a set of sticks and create music that makes you want to pound someone’s face in.
John Glassbrenner Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
John: I started playing at 6 or 7. I Got my first kit at 8.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
John: Yeah, I was in the school band for about a week, until I decided to challenge my band teacher to a drum off. He didn’t like that too much.
SD.com: Ever take any lessons?
John: No, I’m self taught.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
John: Mike Smith, Derek Roddy, Dave Culross, Tim Yueng, Gene Hoglan.
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
John: I have a ton of them, the five already mentioned, along with John Longstreth, Flo Mournier, Dave Lombardo, Mike Hamilton, Chris Adler, Robbie Nudo, Chris Mahar, Bob Beulac, Lord Marco, and the list just goes on and on.
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
John: Decrepit Birth /And Time Begins, Deeds Of Flesh /Crown of Souls, Suffocation /Suffocation, Braindrill /The Parisites and Organ Harvest.
SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
John: It’s hit or miss on this one man. I’ve had some nights where I thought I actually screwed the whole show up and when we got done the guys were telling me I totally killed. Guess I’m my own worst critic. If I had to say best playing ever, I would have to say the night we played here in Albany, NY on one of the first reunited Suffocation shows. My chops were on that night. I just had a really good vibe from the room. The place was packed, and I look over and see the members of Suffo were chillin watching myself and Held Under play and I was just thinking, “Dude, don’t fuck up!! Your idols are watching you”.
SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
John: I’m endorsed by Saluda Cymbals so obviously they are my first choice in cymbals. I’m also endorsed by UnReal Drums and they are building me a custom kit as we speak. I’m looking forward to the experience of playing a kit built to my specs, because up until my endorsements I’ve always played Tama Drums, I’ve just pretty much felt that I got the best sound for metal with Tama. I have two other endorsements which have really helped to improve my playing, they are DB Drum Shoes and Hansenfutz Practice Pedals.
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
John: I usually warm up on my practice pads/ Hansenfutz pedals by doing some rudiment stuff and liner techniques. Then I go into my blast beats to get my speed up. I do stretching too which is really important to loosen up. My warm up usally takes about 30 min.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
John: First I would say practice when every you can, be it by yourself or with your band. The more you practice the better you will be and the less fatigue you’ll have. I practice every chance I get even on my breaks at work. And with practice comes drive, you have to want to be the best you can be. And by drive I mean getting yourself out there, talking to every drummer you can and putting it all on the line. And last but not least get your self a good support system, because in the end that give you the added push to be your best.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
John: Hands down it has to be Mike Smith. We played with Suffocation in Albany when they first got back together. He didn’t miss a beat the entire show!! He totally floored me, he was tight as hell and his speed just got better with age. I was impressed to say the least.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
John: I would probably go the the local hardware store and by the shortest lead cord I could find and hang myself……just kidding!! To tell you the truth I would diffnetly stay in the music business. it’s just apart of who I am. I would try my hand at booking or promotions, I know the scene and the people in it pretty well. I would even take a shot managing a band if I got the chance. Produceing would also be great, I have always wanted to start and underground lable and if I wasn’t spending the time on stage drumming what better way to get the metal out the the masses then with your own lable!!
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