Dustin Hickey

Sadly, Dustin passed away on 3/27/21… Rest in Peace drum brother.

Dustin was born and raged in Rochester, NY. He started playing drums at the age of 3. He has played in many local bands since the age of 16. Nickel was the first band, but having to commute from Alfred University, it was a short stay with the band. The second band was Gumbo, where he started to play shows frequently and got more comfortable playing out. Then it was Psifer, Two days till nothing, which Dustin thought would be his last band.

A couple of hours before a benefit show for the death of Jon Paul (former Hate Machine/Omniblank drummer and friend) Dustin was packing up his gear and he fell and mangled his arm. He had four, 6 inch, metal posts screwed into his left arm. He was told that his drummin’ days might be over, but Dustin decided to do his next show with an external, metal fixture hanging out of his arm. He has been playing nonstop since. He is currently with Ghost. Ghost has been together for about 5 years, but Dustin was just recently added to the roster in mid-October. They are playing shows out frequently and just finished recording their newest cd.

Dustin Hickey Interview:

SDM:  How old were you when you started playing?

Dustin:  I was 3 years old when I touched my first drum set, actually it’s the one I’m playing today.

 

SDM:  Did you play in the school band or drum corps?

Dustin:  The school band wouldn’t let me play because I couldn’t read or write music.

 

SDM:  Ever take lessons?

Dustin:  Never, but Pat Ashby used to jam with my uncle’s band so I used to hang out and watch them and I picked up a little then. Pat moved to California to play with members of quiet riot.

 

SDM:  Who are your top 5 influences?

Dustin:  I’ve had many influences. Jon Bonham, Dave Lombardo, Chris Adler, Joey Jordison, Chris Golding (Sulaco)

 

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

Dustin:  Joey Jordison, Chris Golding (Sulaco) Dave Witte. Justin Foley

SDM:  5 CDs in your current rotation

Dustin:  Every Time I Die, Psyopus, Killswitch Engage, Mars Volta, and The Red Chord

 

SDM:  Do you practice any specific rudiments or combos?

Dustin:  blast beats(bomb blasting/grind beats)

 

SDM:  What is your favorite part of your drumkit?

Dustin:  It’s like asking what my favorite part of a woman is?…still thinking… Ok, I’d say the kick drum. That is the pulse…the heartbeat

 

SDM:  Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Dustin:  Drink lots of water and definitely stretch. Keep focused on the songs I’m going to be playing and I try not to cloud my head with a lot of other music before a show.

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

Dustin:  Don’t let anyone tell you that what your playing is “technically” incorrect. Play by heart, play by feeling. Play by soul.

 

SDM:  What is the best live performance you’ve ever seen?

Dustin:  Seen too many to count, but probably Pantera

 

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

Dustin:  I am already doing it. I went to school for electromechanical systems and that’s what I do when I can’t be drumming.