Mauro Mazuera

I am a self-taught drummer and have been playing since 2000. I have played in different bands as a freelance drummer and full time with my main project, Goretrade, since 2006. I have played in live shows all around the main cities of Colombia, as well as in some cities and capitals of South America, most of those in Goretrade as the headliner band. I have opened for big bands in the industry such as: Krisiun (Brasil), The Orange Man theory (italy), Misery Index (USA) and Cannibal Corpse (USA).

 

In the year 2010 I participated in the making of the Goretrade`s album “Mistaken Conception” recording the drum tracks, also in the pre-production, some compositions and the design of the whole art for the album and merch for the record promotion. I am featured in the Goretrade`s video “Dead Man Walking” and I'm currently Goretrade`s full time drummer and a drum and percussion teacher. I am also a freelance drummer for live shows or studio recording, and art designer for Goretrade and some other bands.

 

 

Mauro Mazuera Interview:

 

 

SDM: How old were you when you started playing?

 

Mauro:  Since I have memory I have been always attracted to the percussion and drums sounds in all music, but it was till I was 13 when I had the possibility to ride one kit, but at that time I didn’t have one myself so I just listen to the music and practice in a “air drum kit” and in a rehearsal room where me and some friends use to pay for practice. At 15 I realize that this was more that just a hobby so I spend all my "high school prom-trip money" on my first kit and that was the best choice I could ever take.

 

 

SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

 

Mauro: Not in a school band, but I used to play with some friends with a nameless “band” that just play really simple covers, and we play a lot in our school in the sport days or cultural act, and occasionally get invited to play in another schools.

 

 

SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?

 

Mauro: The list is long but if I have to name drummers that have influenced my playing, they would be (in no specific order):

 

Danny Carey

Adam Jarvis

Flo Monier

Shannon Lucas

Joey Jordison.

 

 

SDM: Who are some other of your favorites?

 

Mauro: Masters and legends as Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, Keith Moon and groovy dudes like Thomas Pridgen, Taylor Hawkins, Tony Royster Jr., Brian Viglione, and the list goes on and on.

 

 

 

 

SDM: Let us know 5 CD's that are in your current rotation

 

Mauro: Currently listening and highly recommending:

 

Mike Patton: Mondo Canne 

Obscura: Cosmogenesis

Behemoth: Evangelion

Decrepit Birth: Polarity

The Mars Volta: The Bedlam in Goliath

 

As a bonus I must say that every now and then I take Pulling out the Nail from misery Index in my mp3 player for a nice morning walk.

 

 

SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?

 

Mauro: First over anything I just get pumped up with energy, with the will to play as good as I can and give it all to the audience, then the arm and leg stretching, you don’t know how important this is until you get a cramp in the middle of your set (lesson learned). 15 to 20 minutes of speed practice in a pad and pedal to a metronome, a few up and down jumps and ready to go.

 

 

SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have effected your playing?

 

Mauro: I do, (not expert level though) but I do it mostly for practice exercises, technique study or when im working freelance with other band and have no time to sit down and learn it from listen it, but when it comes to composition or live shows, I choose not to most of the times, I rather work over a metronome and let it flow. That way I write it in my mind and learn it beat by beat just by feeling it. But knowing it is very important, I believe in being a integral musician no matter the genre you play.

 

 

 

 

SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?

 

Mauro: Playing and touring in Colombia and South America, you don’t have to take your whole kit with you just take your cymbals, kick, snare and drum module, so my gig kit: Sabian cymbals: three crashes 12” 16” and 18”, two chinas 12” and 18”, two splashes 8” and 10” a 20” ride and a 14” hi-hat. 2 snares: a 14×6 maple Mapex and a Tama Metalworks 4×13. My kick it’s still a Tama Iron cobra but im looking to get a better kick soon. And an Alesis DM5 drum module. The set up I use is: 12” 14” and 16” rack toms, 18” floor tom and two 22” bass drums.

 

 

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

 

Mauro: I'm not very good giving advice, but when it comes to drumming I can say that the big enemy against a good drummer is being close-minded and radical about the music you listen to. You gotta listen to every kind of music once in a while, the world is full of rhythms and sounds and you can learn from every one of them. Practice, practice and practice, if this is something you wanna do, do it the right way. And remember you may be the guy at the end of the stage, but you’re leading a whole band.

 

 

SDM: Who gave the best live performance you've ever seen?

 

Mauro: one of the most extreme drummer performance I've seen was Krisiun`s Max Kolense when we open for their show here in Colombia! The speed and consistency on the hits and the endurance in the whole show, playing the last hit of the last song as hard and precise as the first hit of the first song… Well, that just inspires me.

 

 

SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?

 

Mauro: Im also publicist and graphic designer. I work most of Goretrades graphic art and PR – I did the whole “Mistaken Conception” album art and currently working with some other bands and artists, like ex-Animosity Evan Brewer. Also I’m a horror movie enthusiast and collector.

 

Goretrade – Dead Man Walking:

 

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