Keep up with Matt here:
www.myspace.com/mattbyrnedrummer
www.myspace.com/hatebreed
Hatebreed drummer Matt Byrne lives to drum and drums to live. Judging by what he’s done behind the kit for the past decade, it comes as no surprise that Byrne is one of the most accomplished, most dedicated, and well-respected drummers in the heavy metal scene today.
His deft rhythmic style and versatility – he’s not limited to just playing metal- makes him a prime candidate to work in the studio and in the live arena with plenty of artists of all genres during Hatebreed off/down time. Sure, Byrne has made a name for himself through his work during Hatebreed’s unforgiving, devastatingly brutal live shows, and by playing fierce, fast ‘n ferocious music, where the drums beats are fired off like blasts of heavy artillery, but he’s capable of so much more, and can suit his playing to fit any other style of music. Few can cop to such a feat, but the easy-going yet heavy-handed Byrne can.
Byrne, who writes monthly lessons in a column for DRUM! Magazine, got his start taking private lessons for 4 years, before deciding to go off and do his own thing. He was studying to become an elementary/special education teacher at SUNY Plattsburgh and was 3 months away from completing his degree until the urge and the passion to play music full time overcame him.
He played in early metalcore band All Out War from 1999 through 2001, before joining Hatebreed, permanently filling the often-unstable drum position in this powerhouse band. During his time with Hatebreed, one of the metal and hardcore scene’s premiere live bands, Byrne has toured the world several times over, enjoying 4 stints, including one on the main stage, on Ozzfest, the summer’s biggest, most high profile metal tour. He also performed as part of the “Blacktooth Bash” in May 2007 at the House Of Blues in LA; the all-star event was a tribute to the late, legendary Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, and Byrne served as the “house” drummer for the evening, playing Van Halen, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, Pantera, and Iron Maiden covers with members of Slipknot, Alice In Chains, Shinedown, Rob Zombie, Queensryche, and Judas Priest.
As part of Hatebreed, Byrne has amassed other accolades and nods. Hatebreed was nominated for a “Best Metal Performance” Grammy in 2004 and received a SESAC Performance Award for Supremacy in May 2007, and the band’s music has been featured in various movie soundtracks and on video games, among them Headbanger’s Ball: The Revenge, Freddy Vs. Jason, The Punisher, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Byrne also graced the cover of the October 2006 edition of DRUM! Magazine.
Clearly, from all of these accolades and accomplishments, Matt Byrne is one of the leading hard rock drummers of his generation.
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Matt Byrne Interview
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
MB: I was about 14 when I began playing drums. I tried my hand at guitar a couple years prior and failed miserably. I guess I just don’t have that finger/eye coordination. Then again, a metalhead kid isn’t going to be very stimulated by taking guitar lessons from a church lady playing somber, religious tunes on an acoustic guitar!!! So yea, drums were a lot louder and cooler.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
MB: I never did the school band, marching band, etc. At my school, the music program was full of nerds. I didn’t feel I could relate to them or anything they were doing. I opted to take private lessons at the local music spot. I had a great teacher who not only taught me the music i was into but the “technical, by-the-book” stuff, as well.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
MB: Dave Lombardo(Slayer). Derek Roddy(Hate Eternal, Today Is The Day), Gar Samuelson(Megadeth), Gene Hoglan(Dark Angel, Death, Strapping Young Lad), Igor Cavelera(Sepultura).
SD.com: Who are some other of your favorites?
MB: John Bonham(Led Zeppelin), David Garibaldi(Tower Of Power), Stewart Copeland(The Police), All of the James Brown Drummers, Neil Peart(Rush), Jack DeJohnette(Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett)
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
MB: Failure- Fantastic Planet, As I Lay Dying- An Ocean Between Us, The Sword- Age Of Winters, Tortoise- TNT, Testament- The Formation Of Damnation
SD.com: What do you do to warm up before a show?
MB: My pre-show habits change from tour to tour. Currently, I’m not really warming up at all and I find that it keeps me fresh and energized for the entire show. I’ll pick up the sticks and start doing some single strokes about 10 min before hitting the stage but that’s about it.
SD.com: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have effected your playing?
MB: Yes, I do read music. When I began taking drum lessons, my teacher insisted on it and I thank him for it. I believe it’s important for a drummer to have a basic understanding of written music. It will only better him/her as a player. There are situations where one may not be able to interpret a beat, fill, etc. by simply listening to it. It’s nice to have the option of being able to map it out on paper, dissect it and see what is actually being played. For me personally, one of my greatest honors as a drummer was being asked to submit monthly lessons to DRUM! magazine. I write out the text and I write out all the music. I get to explore numerous drumming concepts that I wouldn’t otherwise get to do if I didn’t know how to interpret written notation.
SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
MB: Currently, I’m using TAMA drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks and Evans Drumheads. I feel that these companies make some of the best products on the market.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
MB: Play with as many people as you can. No matter what type of music it is, no matter what type of club/bar/basement it is, no matter how old anybody is, etc. Music is social. Every person that you play with will teach you something. Everything from professionalism to dealing with differing personalities. Be a sponge. Get as much experience as you can..
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
MB: I would have to say Dave Lombardo. Hatebreed has toured with Slayer 6 times over the last couple years and I never missed out on a night of watching Dave jam. He’s 110% energy and it’s so great to watch.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
MB: It’s hard to say at this point because I can’t imagine doing anything else. I suppose I would continue on with my degree in Special Ed/Elementary Ed. Maybe I would try to open my own business or something…be my own boss type thing. Drumming is my life!!!
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