Brandon Tabor

 

Keep up with Brandon here:

www.myspace.com/theanalystmetal
www.myspace.com/saltthewound

 

 

I got my first drumset when I was twelve.  My cousin Chris sold it to my family for a couple hundred dollars to get me started so Chris and I could jam together.  I had always admired his talent and wanted to play like him.  Having no money for drum lessons, I listened to my favorite bands through headphones, and played along with their CDs, hoping to acquire their talents.

During middle school and high school, I played in a few bands that had the opportunity to do a couple tours, and self-release a couple CD’s.  In 2005, I got hired by the PBS Television station in Chicago, IL to record drums for a catchy jingle they were going to use in a public service announcement.  In 2006, I joined a band called The Analyst.  While in The Analyst I met some of my best friends in the band Salt The Wound, who I have toured with and played for on their Rotten Records debut album “Carnal Reprecussions” which will be dropping in stores February 2008. Shortly after recording for Salt The Wound, The Analyst signed to Innerstrength Records.  We, The Analyst, are currently writing our debut full-length album “Nightlife”, which will hit stores in May 2008.  In the mean time, we will be touring, recording, and writing; everything I had ever wanted.

 

Brandon Tabor Interview:

 

 

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

Brandon: I was twelve when I started playing, but didn’t really do much with drumming until I was around 15.

 

 

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

Brandon: No.  I wanted to play percussion in middle school, but so many kids signed up for it, they persuaded me to play trombone.  That didn’t last long.

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Brandon: Oh man, George Kollias (Nile), Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal), Bobby Jarzombek (Spastic Ink), Kenny Aronof, and Tony Royster Jr.

 

 

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

Brandon: Some of my favorite drummers to listen to are Shannon Lucas (The Black Dahlia Murder), George Kollias (Nile), Matt Greiner (August Burns Red), Cyrus Bolooki (New Found Glory), and Bobby Jarzombek (Spastic Ink). These drummers are all really solid, and I like the way the don’t stick with the norm.

 

 

 

 

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

Brandon: Lately I’ve been listening to “The Somatic Defilement” by Whitechapel a lot.  But some others include Dimmu Borgir – “Death Cult Armageddon”, New Found Glory – Sticks and Stones”, Between The Buried and Me – “Colors”, and All Time Low – “Put Up or Shut Up” (I’m sucker for pop-punk).

 

 

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

Brandon: First, I allow my self to zone out, and set up my kit.  I tune up my drums, and then pull out a practice pad.  I’ll usually watch the band that’s playing before us, and do rudiments to the tempo they’re playing at.  By that time they’re on their last couple songs, my band members and I go backstage and jump around, stretch, do push ups, or anything else to get our blood pumping.

 

 

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

Brandon: Oh man.  It’s hard to say.  When we played with Dying Fetus, in our hometown in November 2007, I was really hoping to impress this huge crowd, so I really focused my best.  That was one of the best crowd reactions we’ve ever had, so I would say it was that show.

 

 

 

 

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

Brandon: Not really.  I use Sabian and Zildjian cymbals, and Tama drums, but there are so many great products out there.  It’s hard to make one stand out from the other.

 

 

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

Brandon: Practice hard, and think outside of the box.

 

 

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

Brandon: Definately Zach Gibson from our friends in Abigail Williams.  He was flawless.

 

 

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

Brandon: I would find a way to start drumming again.  Nothing has given me more pleasure than sitting down behind my kit, and playing music for people.