Keep up with Vagelis here:
I was born in 1982 and have always been a music freak. I played piano for six years at a young age then switched to drumming and soon started practicing a lot. I've always been fascinated by fast,violent thrash and death metal bands with high skilled musicianship and wanted to do the same. I Started Inveracity with the guitarist 11 years ago and was also one of the founding members of Dead Congregation. My first recording was the Inveracity demo cd in 2000. I have toured twice with Inveracity and played numerous shows and festivals with both bands.
Vagelis V Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Vagelis: I was about 15 when I started drumming seriously. I was taking piano lessons for 6 years sometime before that.
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Vagelis: No, just sneaked into a thrash metal band quickly.
SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
Vagelis: Dave Lombardo, Pete Sandoval, Dave Culross, Mike Hamilton, Doc(RIP).
SDM: Who are some other of your favorites?
Vagelis: Gene Hoglan, Mike Smith, Brandon Thomas, Tim Yeung, Carl Michael Eide, George Kollias, James King, Romain Goulon, Robbe V, Tony Laureano and the list goes on.
SDM: Let us know 5 CD's that are in your current rotation
Vagelis:
Metal:
Brutal Truth – Need to control
Suffocation – Effigy of the forgotten
Hate Eternal – Conquering the throne
Dim Mak – Enter the dragon
Vile – Stench of the deceased
Other:
Incubus – S.C.I.E.N.C.E
Incognito – Positivity
US3 – Hand on the torch
Snoop – Doggystyle
Organized Konfusion – The extinction agenda
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Vagelis: All I need is a pair of sticks and a pad plus a good 20 mins before going on stage. I'm always down for good jokes while at it to help me get in the mood.
SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have effected your playing?
Vagelis: I can read some basic stuff, I believe good music comes from the heart though. However reading music can help make things faster in some occasions.
SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?
Vagelis: I use Axis pedals, a mix of Sabian and Zildjian cymbals, pro mark sticks, a Pearl master's studio kit and a D4 Alesis drum module for bass drum triggering.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Vagelis: What everyone says. Better tight and slower than sloppy and faster. Everyone likes a tight drummer no matter how fast he is. Focus on control and speed will come easy. Be as creative as possible. Listen to other kinds of music, there are always drummers who can kill it and practice with good musicians, word.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you've ever seen?
Vagelis: I cannot forget the first time I watched Dave Culross play with Malevolent Creation, about 12 years ago. Or watching Pete Sandoval for the first time… Which was totally shocking.
SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?
Vagelis: Musicwise, I would play bass no doubt. Maybe I would be a DJ or cook? who knows! haha. Other than that I'm into basketball.
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