Justin DiPinto

 

Keep up with Justin here:

www.myspace.com/pyrexia

http://www.pyrexia.us/

www.myspace.com/onefootmafia

 

 

 

 

My history in the world of playing this style of music goes back to early 1990 when I first discovered Terrorizer and Morbid Angel as a freshman in high school.Thats when I decided one kick drum would no longer cut it.With the addition of more pieces on the kit and a new found drive,so began the push towrd the fastest,heaviest things I could invlolve myself in.

 

In the following years,many different groups would keep me busy.Most of all a band that went by the name Evocation for a bit.Around 1992 we played the local scene for a year or so with a decent amount of original songs,as well as covers of Chapel of Ghouls(MA),Suffer the Children(ND),and Dead Embryonic cells(Sepultura).Many small projects would follow.Nothing that ever evolved. The first incarnation of a serious group,and still a big favorite of mine to this day,is my first love,Violence of Action.Hailing from Wilmington,DE and basically a trial-and-error form of grindcore,Violence was my first group that had a following and played out regularly.This was roughly 1996-ish. Enter a few years later.Violence of Action’s energy had slowed almost to a halt.After losing members and without a real scene to play in,the band called it quits.During the slow time I became in contact with neighbors Divine Rapture.They at the time were looking for a full time guy and I really liked the material.So soon after we recorded a three song demo and played a handfull of shows between the New York and Baltimore area.

 

After a good run the DR relationship came to an end.After some downtime,I was asked by friend Derek Roddy if I may be interested in playing for Malevolent Creation.That was pretty much a dumb question.So after a few months of cd trading, “The Will to Kill” was born.Due to scheduling conflicts,as well as financial burdens,leaving for any touring became impossible.After missing many great opportunities,that chapter closed.   Back up north,Insatanity of NJ had inquired about doing some work,and so began another short lived,although brutal stretch.Soon to record drums for the next release.Look for it. Immediately following the departure from Insatanity,New York’s Pyrexia peaked the interest.  As with Malevolent, Pyrexia had always been a long time favorite and there was never a second though about joining. To date there has been the recording of “Cruelty Beyond Submission”, featuring three new songs and remastered old ones, as well as the recording of the newest full length,due out in the begining of the new year on Unique Leader Records.

 

During a slow period in Pyrexia’s life,I was asked by long time friends Mortal Decay to lend a hand in recording and some shows.Soon after,the album “Cadaver Art” was complete and a month-long European tour followed.Now a full-time member with Mortal as well as Pyrexia,and with a record on the horizon as well as another European tour,things are looking to be quite busy in the coming months.

 

 

 

 

 

Justin DiPinto Interview:

 

 

SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?

Justin: I started as young as I can remember. Around 3 or 4 I used make makeshift kits with pillows. And of the old pot and pan sets,too. But formally I started some lessons on the kit and snare work at around 5 years old.

 

 

SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Justin: Never in the Drum Corps,but school band from 4th thru 8th grade. Then in high school I was in both Jazz band and Marching Band. Our high school band was/is one of the top schools in the high school competition circuit. A.I. duPont ,btw.

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Justin:

Ginger Baker
John Bonham
Nick Mason
Pete Sandoval
Jimmy Chamberlain

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?

Justin: Besides the above-mentioned: Jon Theodore,Neil Peart,Steve Gadd,Mitch Mitchell,Phil Collins,Proscriptor McGovern,Michael Shreive,Steve Smith,Danny Carey,Mike Bordin,Carmine and Vinny Appice,plus the usual suspects of death metal.

 

 

SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation

Justin:

1. Journey-a mixed cd of early songs with Greg Rollie on vox.
2.Absu-Barathrum
3.The Red Chord-Clients
4.Nile-Annihilation of the Wicked
5.Mortal Decay-Forensic (still learning some stuff)
Plus- I just hooked up Sirius in my car so the 80’s and new wave stations are a favorite.

 

 

SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?

Justin: I honestly remember the bad stuff.I dont try but it stays with me longer. Theres been a ton of awesome nights,but I think some of the best have been when the crowd and everyone in the group is on the same page and the energy is right.

 

 

SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?

Justin: Actually yes. The kit I play is made by Spaun Drums.Its a maple kit in honey amber. 8-10-12-14-and a pair of 20’s. My cymbals are various types of Zildjian K’s,with the exception of my Paiste 2002 ride. My pedals are axis A longboards.

 

 

 

 

SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…

Justin: Play at all costs. My biggest regrets have been decisions in my life that took time away from my playing. When I was younger,I would cut school to go home and play for hours. My routine as a teenager was 4-5 hours every day. Now I can only wish I had that time. So just put in as much time as you can and learn as much as you can. Different styles-learn them,mix them up,integrate that into the stuff you already do.

 

 

SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?

Justin: Pete Sandoval at a handful of Covenant-Era shows. Three come to mind that were about as perfect as I could ever hope to be.

 

 

SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?

Justin: Most likely I would stay in the music field and run live sound or engineer in a studio. My other option would be to open my shop for car audio and high performance stuff.

 

• Justin’s Setup

 

 

Spaun Drums custom maple in Honey Amber

8X7-10X8-12X9-14X12 toms

2-20X18 kicks

Snare:

Pearl Chrome Shell 14X6 1/2

Heads:

Remo Emperor batter on toms, Evans resonant on bottom.

Remo CS Coated Ambassador batter on snare, Remo snare side.

Remo Pinstripe Bass batter on kicks, Evans EQ3 Resonants.

 

 

Cymbals:

Zildjian K-14″ Custom Dark Crash,16″ Custom Dark Crash,16″ Dark Crash Thin.

Zildjian K/Z-13″ Hi-Hat combo.

Zildjian A-14″ New Beat Hi-hats,18″ China Boy High.

Zildjian A Custom-10″ Splash.

Paiste 2002-20″ Power Ride.

Wuhan-12″ Mini-China (2).

Unknown-18″ China-Type.

The occasional sawblade and/or cowbell.

Hardware:

Axis A longboard (2)-about 95% spring tension,factory beater distance,Danmar felt beaters.

DW 9702 Dual combo boom stand (2).

Pearl Power Shifter Remote Hi-Hat system.

Custom made side mini-rack/stands for floor toms,ride,hi-hats,and misc. cymbals.

Pearl Snare stand-old as hell.

Throne custom covered in BMW Sheepskin by Rayco Auto Service!

Misc:

Cases by SKB-all drums and Gig Rig.

Alesis DM5 drum module, Roland TD Kick triggers,Roland VS-2400 with SI-24 sidecar.

Microphones-Shure Sm-57,Sennheiser E604 (6).