Keep up with Mike here:
www.myspace.com/extremedrumming
My name is Mike Curl and Im originally from Imperial Beach CA, Now living in the San Francisco Bay Area. I currently play drums in the death metal band Angel Guts. I started playing drums at about 15 years old. What got my interest in playing fast and heavy was going to shows when i was a kid and watching bands like Testament, Slayer, Kreator, DRI, Gorguts and Death.
Shortly after air drumming for the first few years i got my first drum kit when i was 15, it was a 5 piece 1950 something gretsch, 1 cymbal, no hi hats and no ride. How was i to learn! Eventually as the years went on i got better and so did the drum sets. I wanted to model my playing style after some of my favorite drummers which now is an older style of death metal drumming. I like to stick to my roots, especially now since everyone is getting faster and more technical. I enjoy listening to all types of music ranging from classical to smooth jazz to death metal.
Mike Curl Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Mike: I was about 15
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps? Mike: No, Always wanted to though SD.com: Ever take any lessons? Mike: I did for a short time SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences? Mike: Well, I’m kinda old school so i would say Paul Bostaph, Jurgen Reil, Dave Lombardo, Donald Tardy, Gene Hoglan
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Mike: Richard Christy, Sean Reinert, Paul Bostaph, Derek Roddy, Steve Smith, Gene Hoglan, Neil Peart, Brooks Wackerman
SD.com: What are 5 CD’s in your personal rotation?
Mike: Carcass(Heartwork) Death(Human) Gorguts(Considered Dead) Unleashed(Midvinterblot) Origin(Echoes Of Decimation)
SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Mike: There has been so many shows in the past to choose from, so recently it was back in november 2006 in concord CA when we played second to Incantation and Internal Suffering. What an honor!
SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
Mike: I really enjoy playing Yamaha drums, They sure can take a beating. I use a variety of cymbals but my favorites are sabian.
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Mike: Lots of stretching.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…
Mike: Get a metronome, headphones, practice everyday and listen to as much music as possible! Don’t limit yourself.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Mike: Thats so hard to say since theres so many great bands out there. I would say Death, the sounds of perserverance tour.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what else would you want to do with your life?
Mike: I would like to work around drums, Build them or even sell them
Leave a Reply