Michael Collins

Keep up with Michael here:

www.myspace.com/viraemiaaz

I began playing the drums when I was 8 years old. I’m currently 19 so I guess technically I’ve been playing for 11 years. I took lessons from a local drum teacher off and on for 3 years. When I was 18 I joined up with Viraemia in January 2008. I’m also a freshman at Arizona State University.

Michael Collins Interveiw:

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

Michael: My dad bought me a drum set when I was 8, but I never really played it. I started playing drums seriously when I was 14 or 15.

 

 

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

Michael: No. I regret it.

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 metal influences?

Michael: John Longstreth (Origin) and Dennis Rondum (Spawn of Possession) are definitely my biggest influences… but if I have to name 5, probably Dave Haley, George Kollias and Mauro Mercurio.

 

 

SD.com: Who are some other of your favorites?

Michael: The first death metal CD I ever bought was ‘Winds of Creation’ by Decapitated back when I was 13 or 14. Vitek’s drumming blew me away. After hearing that I was like… ‘oh shit, I need to start practicing more’.  So definetly Vitek. The new drummer for The Faceless (Lyle Cooper?) is pretty sick as well. Really tight live.

 

 

 

 

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

Michael:

Origin – Antithesis

Brain Drill – Apocalyptic Feasting

Spawn of Posession – Noctambulant

Devourment – Butcher the Weak

Condemned – Desecrate the Vile

 

 

SD.com: What do you do to warm up before a show?

Michael: I ALWAYS have to warm-up before I play. I just get out the practice pad and metronome and play 32 single strokes alternating on each hand for 1-2 minutes starting at 200 bpm.  I work up in increments of 5 or 10 bpm depending on how much time I have. For my feet I just play a single stroke 16ths for 1 minuet straight starting at 200 bpm and move up in increments of 10 bpm. I can’t stress how important warming up is for me.

 

 

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

Michael: When I was 8 my drum teacher spent a lot of time going over reading music. I’ve forgotten most of it but I’ve retained a basic understanding. All I can say is it definitely won’t hurt to learn.

 

 

SD.com: Can you tell us about the gear you use?

Michael: I play a pretty standard kit. The biggest difference is I put a side snare where a third rack tom would be. I also use a lot of bells/ cup chimes.

 

 

 

 

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

Michael: Buy a metronome… and use it

 

 

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

Michael: I’ve seen Nile live 4 times and every time George plays flawlessly.

 

 

SD.com: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?

Michael: Listen to music and go to shows!