Keep up with Matt here:
I started my drumming career the summer before my senior year of high school. I’m not sure why I wanted to play drums or why I even went threw with buying a set, but I’m glad I did. I think Mike Portnoy and A Change of Seasons had something to do with it. I couldn’t afford Cymbals so I spent my first six months not playing very much and at times regreting the purchase of my Export. It wasn’t untill I found myself in a Church after hours that I got my first Crash and Ride Cymbals, Mabye not my proudest moment but it got me going.
I spent my Senior year jammin with a couple guys playing covers and some of our own originals…. we were less than good. But I did begin to learn basic rules for drummin and for being in a band and respecting other musicians. It wasn’t until I turned 20 that I got into Bands like Origin, Nile and Odious Sanction. And when I heard John longstreth It inspired my to try new and more Brutal ideas at high tempo’s. I owe a lot of my inspiration to that Man as I’m sure a lot of us do. I then wanted to know what I was doing and I wanted to be able to perfom my parts tight so I took some Lessons to clean up some things. Lessons along side china buffett talks about theroy and all things music with my friend, Aaron, a Classical Guitaris got my mind wraped around music or mabye music wraped around my mind.
I found my playing and was really starting to develope my own style when I joined 3 amazing Musicians to make Fully Consumed the line up what it is today. After 4 years Fully Consumed has had our 3 song demo released on Magic Art Entertainment’s 4 ways of Brutality split. As well as our full lenght released on Epitomite Productions. As well as playing with Fully Consumed full time I did a short stint with Indiana based band Year of Desolation. We Toured for 1 month along side Darren Cesca and Burn in Silence. Darren showed me alot of the exercises that I do now on a regular basis. I plan on attending school this year for percussion and the persuit of not becoming stail in my playing.
Grind On…..!
Matt Behner Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Matt: I Bought myself a Pearl Export on my 17th Birthday but I didnt aquire any cymbals for some time after that, in fact I bought a Gibralter “Rock” Double pedal before I bought Hi-hats.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Matt: Ya, I Played Tuba in 6th and 7th grade.
SD.com: Ever take any lessons?
Matt: Ya, I’ve taken a few spread out over some time. I’ve taken some from a Cat named Kip Volans who is a monster Jazz, Big Band Drummer. I’ve also Taken some from Tommy Haywood a Musicians’ Institute graduate. And I was lucky enough to have an Opportunity to tour with Darren Cesca and Burn in Silence and he helped me with my pre show warm-up and tought me a lot of exercises to improve hand speed and efficiancy around the kit. He’s truly a Sick Drummer…!
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Matt:
1. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater)
2. Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)
3. Steve Shalaty (Oddious Sanction)
4. Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy)
5. John Longstreth (Origin)
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Matt: Man there are so Many great drummers that I enjoy Listening to from Eric Park to Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez. But Some of my Favorites are Johnny Rabb, Steve Shalaty, Carter Beauford, John Blackwell and Marco Minnemann. anyone who can lay down a sick groove can get my attention for hours.
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Matt:
1. Psycroptic : Scepter of the Ancients
2. Pink Floyd : Animals
3. Tenacious D : The Pick of Destiny
4. Unmerciful : Unmercifully Beaten
5. Odious Sanction : No Motivation to Live and Psychotically Enraged
SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?
Matt: Ya, I practice Single and Double stroke rolls, 5 and 9 stroke rolls. (especially 5) I try to improve my speed with Grave Diggers an exercise tought to me by Darren, I also Practice Exercises to Increase speed and Accuracy of Single Stroke rolls around the Kit. All to a metronome. And I like to just play and Stumble along new Ideas and Patterns.
SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?
Matt: I Love my 20″ Zildjian China Boy High….. So Does Fabio Ramerez..
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Matt: Well besides warming up not to many, mabye get a beer or two..?
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Matt: Push yourself and always be trying new and different ideas.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Matt: Theres a Tie… Origin from The Ohio Death Fest 2005 and Iron Maiden any time.
SD.com: If you ever stop drumming, what else do you want to do with your life?
Matt: I dont know… not pour Concrete.! Mabye a Teacher.
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