Sterling Junkin Interview

Sterling Junkin has been playing drums for 20 years and has been/is affiliated with such bands as Infuriate, Id, Widower, and Venereal Baptism.

Sterling had a long tenure of playing with central and south Texas bands during his time in the state but now lives elsewhere in the US.

Sterling has recently been posting a ton of video play-throughs on the Sick Drummer Magazine Facebook Group, and we have to say… wow.

SDM: How old were you when you started playing?

Sterling: 11 or 12. Got a free drum set from a friend.

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

Sterling: No.

SDM: Who are some of the bands you’ve played with?

Sterling:

Id
Infuriate
Narcotic Wasteland
Laughing and Lying
Widower
Vaginal Bear Trap
Venereal Baptism
Whore of Bethlehem

SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?

Sterling: Kevin Paradis, Simon Schilling, Frost, Derek Roddy, Lee Harrison.

SDM: Who are some of your other favorites?

Sterling: Jeff Porcaro, Dave Weckl, Phil Collins, Robin Stone, Tony Laureano, Dave Culross, Vijesh Ghariwala, Lille Gruber, Abe Cunningham, Trym, Joey Jordison, etc. etc…

SDM: Let us know 5 bands in your current personal rotation.

Sterling: Steely Dan, Artificial Brain, Defeated Sanity, Nasum, Noisy Neighbors.

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

Sterling: Push-ups, jumping jacks, yoga positions, hand unisons 10 minutes, heel down 16ths for 10 minutes, slow to fast for 10 minutes, Wim Hof breathing exercises.

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

Sterling: Yes. I never use it, but it’s good to learn for transcribing and sharing music.

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

Sterling: Currently, I am playing:

Rech Cymbals Nuclear Line.

Yamaha Stage Custom Noveau shells and Yamaha hardware.

Mapex Black Panther Maple snare 13″ x 6.5″

Evans Ec2 toms and Genera dry snare head(s)

Goodwood 2b nylon tip.