Keep up with Matt here:
https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehollow/
Matt DeGroot is an up and coming Metal/Death/Grind Drummer from the heart of Illinois. At the age of Fifteen Matt and his band, Beneath the Hollow has already shared the stage with such national acts as DevilDriver, Gwar, A Dozen Furies, Mnemic, Goatwhore, Exodus, and Arsis. Starting at the age of seven Matt was raised around a musical family. With a father who played in bands, he always had an array of drummers around to watch and learn from. Now with a unique style developed from a mix of old school Pantera groove and the intense blasting styles of today’s death metal leaders, Matt DeGroot, and his band are making a name for themselves in the Midwest and even further around the county. Check out Matt and his band’s latest release “Epidemic” Available now.
Matt DeGroot Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Matt: I was only 7 years old when my dad got me my first drum set for my birthday.
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Matt: No but I wish I would have.
SDM: Who are your top 5 influences?
Matt: Vinnie Paul, Lord Marco, Brett Batdorf, Tim Yung, and Chris Adler.
SDM: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Matt: Vinny Paul, Deric Roddy, John Bodom, Shannon Larkin, ect. There are too many to really list.
SDM: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Matt: Pantera (Great Southern Trend Kill), The Faceless (Akeldama ), Divine Heresy ( Bleed The Fifth ), Suicide Silence ( The Cleansing) and Through the Eyes of the Dead ( Malice)
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Matt: I do all the stretches that Lord Marco shows on his DVD and i hook up my Axis AL-2 Longboards to my bass drum, set up my snare, and sit there and practice for about 10 to 15 minutes.
SDM: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Matt: Yes, we were playing with Gwar, Devil Driver, and A Dozen Furies at the Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
SDM: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
Matt: Yes, my favorite brand of drums is Pearl, and my favorite cymbals are Paiste.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Matt: Take every bit of advice from any type of drummer, such as jazz, metal, rock n roll anything to improve your drumming skills, and also buy any instructional videos.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Matt: I would have to say Iron Maiden.
SDM: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
Matt: I would go into the recording and producing music business.
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