Keep up with Sam here:
Sam started playing the drums when he was in the 5th grade. Fascinated with what one could do with drums, he would practice from his little school band book as much as possible, learning the simplest of rudiments. During his seventh grade year he would get his first drum set from his very supportive parents and become attached. He started some bands during those years just to play around with, nothing serious. His 9th grade year he joined the metal band “Resecration” out of Bonney Lake Washington. After a year of that, Sam’s favorite local death metal band “Embalmed”, was in search of a drummer. Just for the hell of it Sam tried out. Hopes were not high because he was 4 years younger than all of them. Soon after trying out, to Sam’s surprise, he became a part of the official lineup. Now, the 16 year old drummer is playing local gigs around Washington with “Embalmed” and hopes to hit the road soon.
Sam Murphy Interview:
SD.com: When did you start playing drums?
Sam: I started in the 5th grade on the concert snare, just like everyone else. But for some reason I took it way to seriously and would practice rudiments and things all the time. Then at the beginning of my seventh grade year I got my first full kit.
SD.com: Do you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Sam: Yes I do. I play in the school band, and plan on playing drums for the jazz band this upcoming semester.
SD.com: Have you ever taken any lessons?
Sam: No I haven’t, just listened/watched and played. Kind of went with the monkey see monkey do approach.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Sam: Derek Roddy, Thomas Lang, Dennis Chambers, George Kollias, Hannes Grossman
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Sam: Chris Adler, Danny Carey, Tomas Haake, Derek Roddy, and My main man Nick Pierce.
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Sam:
Tool-10,000 days
Lamb of God – Sacrament
Spawn of Possession-Noctambulant
Hate Eternal-Behold Judas
Nile-annihilation of the wicked
SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combos regularly?
Sam: yeah, all your basic rudiments like paradiddles, flames and drags, in different combos. I think it’s important to be able to play all of those because it trains you to play ridiculous patters on the kit.
SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?
Sam: Ha, I’d have to say the six inch Zil-Bell. Its makes for great accents. You can hit that thing before you go to bed and when you wake up it will still be ringing.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…
Sam: Well, seeing as though I am a young drummer, I d have to say KEEP GOING. Never stop learning and NEVER think you’re as good as you can get. And of course practice, practice, practice.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Sam: Hannes Grossman, the drummer for Necrophagist. That guy is a machine.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what else do you want to do with your life?
Sam: I have thought about teaching music or possibly something in the producing industries. But for now I just want to get through school. We will see what happens.
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