You can keep up with Paul here:
www.myspace.com/paulcollierdrums
I am a drummer based in St. Louis, Mo.I begain drumming at the age of 5 and started playing jazz at an early age. I Became engrossed by Buddy Rich and the techniques and possibilities of jazz. As I got older I gravitated to more aggressive musical styles. I have always tried to push the limits of myself and what I already know, maintaining a very physical and high energy drum style and approach.
By combining the intricate techniques of jazz/fusion with aggressive, modern death metal I can apply my style successfully in a powerful live performnace as well as in the studio. The past few years I have drummed with the death metal band Ornament of Disgrace.This band was more technically based ,brutal death metal. We released two E.P.’S , the last of which garnered strong reviews in Metal Mainiacs magazine, as well as in Europe. Ornament of Disgrace’s live shows have included sharing the stage with Nile, Hate Eternal, Deicide, Behemoth, Vital Remains, Origin, Cannibal Corpse, Deeds of Flesh , Dying Fetus, and many others in this genre. Now in 2007 I have moved on, puting a more modern aggressive death metal project together
Upcoming musical plans are to developa side jazz project that has been in the works, as well as to continue to develop my playing and for an eventual drumming book/dvd, that will focus on independance and linear concepts on the drumkit, advanced dbl.bass concepts, and developing speed and power in extreme drumming situations. Aside from other current band work, I am always available for professional session work and touring.
Paul Collier Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Paul: I began playing at age 5.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Paul: Yes, got into school band, but the program I was in was very boring early on.My drumming lessons were great, but then in Junior High and High School, I played in jazz band, as well as got into Drum Corps.I was on the Snare Line and I highly reccomend that to anyone! A serious workout for your hands, mental discipline,and to this day, some of those sticking techniques are with me.Doing that, my hands just flew!
SD.com: Ever take any lessons?
Paul: I took lessons at different times in my life. I began early on , and got some solid fundamentals.Your basic stickings and rudiments are the building blocks of your playing.You need those.So due to my love of the drums, I stayed with that.Later on, I stopped formal lessons as I wanted to get into dbl. bass , heavier drumming and teachers where I was had no idea how to teach that approach.So, my faster drumming styles are all self taught, though I still to this day am a student of the instrument.The more you put into it, the more you learn about yourself!
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Paul: Top Five Influences: these are five guys who all at one point greatly opened my mind to their unique approaches and still influence me.
1a.Buddy Rich-For absolute passion and no bullshit, just purity and timeless technique.I am forever learning from his work and will until I die!
2a.Tommy Aldridge-the man who turned me onto the concepts of playing double bass , and he just floored me when I saw him live . Great technique, such a powerful style, incredible live performer.He is 57 now, playing better than he ever has and to this day, NO ONE can touch him!
3a.Terry Bozzio-what a visionary! He taught me to learn the rules, then throw them away and be yourself! His sticking technique and his cymbal work, specifically with Chinas and noisier sounds always appealed to me.Terry’s dbl bass playing was also a major factor in my foot technique on two kicks.
4a.John Bonham-power and groove.I learned to” feel” drums, and time, more by listening to him than anyone else. He could make the drums swing in any groove , in any rhythm.How can you top him?
5a.Elvin Jones-His work is also timeless.Playing with Coltrane all the way to his later work until he died…just amazing! I learned how to phrase my parts, play off of, and with other instumentalists from him.How to improvise and color the music…reagrdless of style.
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Paul: Actually those 5 are major favorites but have to add Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati, Mike Mangini, Jack DeJohnette,Vinnie Colaiuta, Cozy Powell, Mikkey Dee, Snowy Shaw, John Longstreth, Dave Lombardo, Derek Roddy, Flo Mounier, Pete Sandoval, Tony Laureano,and the work of Henry Rollins without a doubt!
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Paul: Five cds in current rotation:
Terry Bozzio -Chamber Works
Hate Eternal-King of All Kings
Buddy Rich-Swingin’ New Big Band
Nile-Annihilation of The Wicked
Decrepit Birth-And Time Begins…
SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Paul: Its hard to name just one night of playing, but ONE of the best was a show opening for Deicide a couple years ago at Pops, in Sauget , Illinois..It was Deicide, Hate Eternal and Krisiun.What a brutal bill, it was like” death metal school” for all the drummers in the audience there that night! The set was brutal and fast,felt like I was on fire! – killer crowd, and I remember looking off to the side of the stage as I played and all the drummers on the bill were watching and it was just a great night.Every band that night destroyed and thinking about that show, still inspires me.Hate Eternal stole that show, and though Erik Rutan is a guitarist, his playing is a major inspiration to my drumming.
SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
Paul: I only play one brand of cymbals:Paiste.I have played them since I was very young.They are incredibly dynamic and very precise. Superior consistency.Paiste is a company with a unique and individual vision and I share that vision, and their concepts of sound.No limits with them.
For drums I currently use a Tama Artstar Custom kit, but have a longtime affinity for Sonor drums.I have a couple of their snares, including an older Ferro-Manganese snare thats a BEAST! I bought my Tamas about 5 yrs ago, as at that time Sonor wouldnt custom make me my 26″ kicks drums.Now, with their SQ2 line, that is possible. You just cannot beat Sonor drums. I also use Pro mark oak sticks-only ones that last!
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Paul: My pre-show ritual consists of intense stretching.I am an avid runner, so I know the importance of that. Streching , and hitting my practice pad, triple expresso doesnt hurt either!
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Paul: One thing for younger drummers to remember is to have determination! Look you have to be focused, and always do your best.There are so many good drummers today, and you have to be on top of your game.That requires determination w/ discipline.Dont ever let anyone tell you you cannot play a certain way, or that you cannot achieve your goals.You can! We all make mistakes, but learn from them and keep going.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Paul: The best live drum performance I saw in person myself, was Mikkey Dee w/ King Diamond.This was in 1988 , on the THEM tour.That recording is Mikkey’s best performance , and the following tour was just unbelievable! I remember him just exploding onstage , with every hit! Brutal dbl.bass work, Kit shaking, sticks breaking…he had that look on his face where he was in “the zone”. No one could touch him, he played flawless, and his drum solo brought the house down! His drum tone on that show was one of the best I EVER heard!
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
Paul: If I had to stop…well life would not be worth living I think!
But honestly, I think I would be a personal trainer.I am a healthy guy, am a running freak, a serious runner. I try hard to find ways to connect the physical and mental on the kit, and that pertains to fitness and health also.So mabe in that field.
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