Ali Richardson

Keep up with Ali here:

www.myspace.com/bleedfromwithin
www.myspace.com/paradoxmetal
www.myspace.com/citiesandskylines

Aged 18, Ali has progressed from small time drummer, to upcoming talent with his bands Bleed From Within, Bodicea’s Grave and Cities and Skylines. Living just outside Glasgow, Scotland, Ali has played drums for a mere 5 years yet continues to impress around the country. He qualified for Young Drummer Of The Year 2006 making the Top 40, being the only candidate from Scotland and in March 2009, he is set to study at Drum Tech, the world renowned drum university in London, England.

With the Bleed From Within album set for release early 2009 and Cities And Skylines recording at Long Wave Studios in Wales, the next few years are a great oppourtunity for Ali and a chance to finally make a name for himself in the music industry.

 

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Ali Richardson Interview:

SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?

Ali: I started jamming with my friends about 13. It was pathetic excuse for a drum kit, but it gave me a chance to experiment realize how and what I was going to end up playing.

 

 

SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Ali: School orchestra, playing jazzed up covers of movie soundtracks etc. It was a valuble experience, and took me over to Europe. I definetly believe in keeping your options open, especially as a drummer. It’s important to understand different genres, and be versatile in your playing

 

 

SD.com:  Who are your top 5 influences?

Ali: Chris Adler, Dan Foord, Benny Greb Tim Java, Jose Pasillas

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?

Ali: Drummers who can just lock in with a rhythm, showing great groove and power are always the ones that get me. Benny Greb is unbelievable behind a drumkit. The sound, the feel!? It’s incredible. Chris Adler truly pioneers modern metal these days with unique patterns and his placement of rhythm. Dan Foord is a machine who can pin point every note on a guitar with his feet! A genius! There are so many amazing drummers around right now its hard to put a finger on a select few … I could go on for hours

 

 

SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation

Ali: Death Of A Dead Day by Sikth
Are You Serious by Dead To Fall
Light Grenades by Incubus
Grebfruit by Benny Greb
Altered genesis by Blood Red Throne

 

 

SD.com: What do you do to warm up before a show?

Ali: Warming up has never a big part of my live show!? Iv told myself a million times I need to start stretching etc. but it makes drumming seem like too much of an unpleasant experience!? I love my parts, and every song is a pleasure to play … I usually like some time to myself, like standing at the side of the stage staring to where I will be sitting in the next 10 minutes, or sitting quietly in a corner somewhere sipping on a cold beer … gets me in the mindset for a show ha!

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?

Ali: Without a doubt, the last Bleed From Within tour in a town called Hitchin, in South England. The venue was Club 85, and it’s a class venue. I’d never played anywhere like that before. I got a surge of energy from start to finish. Every note was perfect and the whole band felt the same way. Amazing performance, loved it!

 

 

SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?

Ali: My kit is a Pearl Export that Iv played since I started drumming 5 years ago. Its a bit of a mess now, but I’ve seen worse. I’m hopefully upgrading to DW toward the end of the year. I’ve seen a few bands play their kits, and they sound different. Punchy and loud, the way it should be. As for cymbals, it has to be Sabian. The AAX and HHX ranges are fantastic. So bright and cutting. I do however play a Zildjian Oriental Trash 14″, and a Z Custom Mega Bell 21″ … those two cymbals set my kit apart from others in terms of sound. The mega bell is a monster that will never break and gives me constant stick definition no matter what pattern I may play. And the Trash is just the right balace between aggression and brightness

 

 

 

 

SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…

Ali: Practise; I dont do it enough, and I feel as though im cheating myself, because I notice the difference between not playing for a week, and playing for 5 days a week. Practise definetly makes perfect. Listen to lots of different music; I would say this to any musician. Keep an open mind when it comes to music. Dont shut yourself off from other genres and styles just because you think they sound crap or your pals dont like it. Your a drummer. Forget the music, and put yourself behind the kit on that song. Its a huge learing curve when you start getting into new music. Your mind opens up to new rhythms and concepts. Its make drums more exciting

 

 

SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?

Ali: Adam Jarvis of Misery Index, Tim Java of Dead To Fall and Dan Foord of Sikth are all phenomenal live drummers. Their sound, power and styles are like no other. I was in a trance watching these guys play. Adam Jarvis could blast for hours with so much power and aggression in his playing. His stamina is immense. Tim Java plays with feel and strength, you could hear it all around the venue, and Dan is just a robot. Picking out every guitar not flawlessly with his feet. Immense

 

 

SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?

Ali: I wouldn’t stop drumming. Full stop. But I suppose if i lost all my limbs, or something along those lines, I’d move into Production and open a studio of some sort?! Couldn’t imagine life without drums to be honest?! Haven’t thought about that. Lets hope it never happens eh?