Max Guerrero, the drummer of ‘Revenant,’ is our newest featured drummer interview in cooperation with ReverbNation. Since 2017, Sick Drummer Magazine has been working with ReverbNation to find new, talented drummers via a contest run on their website. We sifted through over 600 entries and are happy to introduce the winner that was chosen this time, Max Guerro of ‘Revenant.’
If you want to enter, create a ReverbNation profile page and watch the Industry Opportunities section for our next cooperative! Good Luck ~ SDM
Max’ Links:
Personal IG: @maximus_cuts
Band IG: @revenant_music_official
Max Guerrero Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Max: I started playing drums at 13-14 years old.
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Max: No, I did not. I have no formal education playing drums, I’m entirely self taught, I did however play guitar in a high school jazz band.
SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
Max: My top 5 metal influences as a teenager definitely started with Dave Grohl and Matt Mingus (of Dance Gavin Dance). Once I started getting into heavier music, Vinny Paul, Joey Jordison, and Mario Duplantier.
SDM: Who are some of your other favorites?
Max: Right now, my current favorite drummers are Eloy Casagrande, Jay Wineburg, and Ali Richardson. My favorite metal bands are Bleed from Within, After the Burial, and Madball. Favorites from other genres are Anderson Paak, Cormega, Superheaven (formerly called Daylight), Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Ravyn Lenae.
SDM: Let us know 5 albums in your current rotation.
Max: In rotation now, Bleed from Within, Gojira, Jinjer, The Damned Things, and Downpresser.
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Max: Before a show, I ALWAYS Stretch the absolute shit out of all my limbs for a good 20 minutes and drink lots of water. I’ve also found it helpful to throw on headphones and drum on a pad to a couple of random songs from other bands to get loose, rather than just playing rudiments or a strict “warm-up routine.”
SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have affected your playing.
Max: I have no idea how to read music specifically for drums. I can read music for guitar, but I am pretty bad at it. Personally, I’ve always learned best by ear and memory, followed by lots of repetition. I think the most important part of being a good drummer comes down to lots of practice, especially with metal; no one cares whether or not you can read it so long as you can play it.
SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?
Max: Right now, I use all Meinl or Paiste cymbals, Axis Longboard double kick pedals, a 5-piece Ludwig Centennial with the 24inch Kick and a Black Beauty snare, Remo drumheads and Promark sticks.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Max: If I could tell younger drummers one thing, it would be that there is no right or “one and only” way to get good. Everyone has to find a way of learning that works uniquely for them so long as they DO THE WORK. The only thing that is undeniable is you can’t get better if you don’t put in the time and practice.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Max: lol. Shamelessly, I have to say the best live performance I can remember is Paramore at the Warfield in San Francisco in 2009/10, right after they released Brand New Eyes when the 2 brothers were still in the band. That performance was flawless.
SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?
Max: Aside from drumming, I am a huge MMA fan, and I’ve been a barber for 10 years. I own a shop here in Park Slope Brooklyn (slope cuts). I also go to a lot of metal/hardcore concerts and stand-up comedy.
