Thomas Meeks

 

Keep up with Tom here:

 

 

I used to play guitar in a band called Explosive Diarrhea and in that band we used a drum machine, because in the Houston/Sugarland area there aren’t many drummers that are worth the time. I found a drum set being sold for cheap so I bought it and decided to immediately start a band with it, so Explosive Diarrhea was pretty much done and we started Torsectomy up. I’ve been playing the drumms ever sence. I learned pretty fast, i guess it just came natural. About 5 to 6 months after I started playing drums with Torsectomy, we decided to record our progress on the Scoured and Devoured demo and as of now, we just finished all the material for our next album, "Biblical Disgorgement". We are about to go record it! 

 

Thomas Meeks Interview: 

 

SDM: When did you start playing drums?

Tom: I started playing about 5 or 6 years ago,  When I couldnt find a drummer for my old band. So i picked it up and stuck with it. 

 

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

Tom: No, I really regret not getting into percussion in school. I would probably be alot better and alot further along. 

 

SDM: Ever take any lessons?

Tom: Actually as of recently ive been looking for a reputable drum teacher to take some lessons from. I want to be able to play any style when ever its needed. And im embarrassed to say this but i dont know how to read drumming sheet music. I would really like to learn how to do that. Ha 

 

SDM: Who are your top 5 influences?

Tom: Bobby Jarzombeck, Derek Roddy, John Longstreth, Vitek, Asgeir Mickelson

 

 

 

 

SDM: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?

Tom: Flo Mournier , Dobber, Asgeir Mickelson, Derek Roddy and George Kollias 

 

SDM: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation

Tom: Tom Waits (an album from 85′ the one with temptation on it) Nile (anihilation of the wicked) The best of Chicago, Habib Koit, and Ive had this one dying fetus CD stuck in the CD player of my car. Im really tired of it now but unfortunately it is stuck in my rotation. 

 

SDM: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?

Tom: Of course I try to warm up with lots of paradiddles and paradiddlediddles etc. But ive realized lately that warming up with slower funk and jazz stuff actually helps me tighten up my death metal. 

 

SDM: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?

Tom: My cymbals are my babies, I use stricly Paiste’s and oddly enough I like to use their prototypes that dont make the line because no one else has them and their still really nice. But i also pay constant attention to my snare because im picky about it being in tune.

 

 

 

 

SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…

Tom: Take everything you can get and get involved in the music/drumming community as much as possible and as early as possible because the older you get the less time you have to devote to it. 

 

SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?

Tom: Cryptopsy! I saw them their first time they ever came to texas and I got in the pit with a broken foot. 

 

SDM: If you had to stop drumming, what else do you want to do with your life?

Tom: Either get into promotions or start installing security again! haha You can actually make really good money installing security systems, but im pretty much counting on music so… cross your fingers for me!