Michael Justian

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Michael James Justian is a drummer that needs little introduction to the realm of heavy music.By the sheer force in his playing,he is the very definition of heavy.By the nature of his state of being and existing within the musical archetype,he is like a solemn stone.By the virtue of his collaborations with some of today’s premier heavy bands,his presence is undeniable.Michael,however,isn’t drawn to ‘heavy metal’ but rather heavy music.He has personally made a clear distinction between the 2 as he considers there to be a “tremendous emotional difference” for which he tries to convey through his intensity as a person,a performer and a musician.Though Michael has always maintained a reputation as a great drummer,he has preferred to do so in the confines of obscurity,rarely doing interviews and removing himself from as much of ‘the spotlight’ as possible.In recent time,he has made himself a bit more available and continues to write,record,tour and collaborate.

Michael’s history as a drummer extends as far back as birth and his career as a touring musician has since been a 10 year love/hate marriage.He,like most,came from humble beginnings and played in several local punk and hardcore bands as a teenager.Almost immediately after he graduated highschool,he was on tour.He steadily developed his reputation and experience as a drummer and eventually formed THE RED CHORD with Guy Kozowyk and Kevin Rampleberg and released the seminal ‘FUSED TOGETHER IN REVOLVING DOORS’ lp.After a long but successful 3 years,Michael parted ways to join the already established UNEARTH,where he helped them acheive an intensity in their sound as heard in their massively successful albums ‘THE ONCOMING STORM and 3:IN THE EYES OF FIRE’.From his experiences with UNEARTH,Michael learned many invaluable lessons,but ultimately didn’t feel as though he fit into their world.After 4 years,2 albums and countless tours,UNEARTH parted with Michael while on tour.

Despite alot of confusion and speculation,Michael chose to lay low after his departure from UNEARTH,refusing interviews and declining offers from other bands.Eventually,he re emerged to slowly rebuild his reputation,first by touring in the US and Europe with SHAI HULUD,then by working with a fierce up and coming band known as TRAP THEM.His work with TRAP THEM has led to the release of one of heavy music’s most savage offerings in recent years,the highly acclaimed ‘SEIZURES IN BARREN PRAISE’ To help support the release of the album,Michael has toured with TRAP THEM throughout the US,Canada and Europe.Now,he is focused on several music projects that include former and current members of such bands as Converge,Everytime I Die,The Red Chord,Nora and 108.He is also very intent on continuing to tour and remain busy with any band,artist or project that is interested in his unique perspective,experience and passion for all things ‘heavy’.

Michael proudly endorses TAYE drums,MEINL cymbals,VIC FIRTH sticks and AQUARIAN heads.

 

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Michael Justian Interview:

 

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

Michael: Almost as soon as I left the womb,I was hitting things in some syncopated way.I started setting up laundry baskets and hitting them with wooden soup spoons when I was 7 or 8 years old and got my first real drumset when I was 10.

 

 

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

Michael: Not really.I tried to assimilate into a drum coarse a couple of times, but I suppose I wanted to learn on my own. Now,I wish that I wasn’t so stubborn.

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 metal influences?

Michael: metal ehh. I like Dave Lombardo alot. I like Megadeths first drummer because he was actually a jazz drummer playing metal. I like guys that cross polinate different musical backgrounds with metal. I DON’T like guys that want to sound like a box of tic tacs when they play. Bill Ward,does he count? What about Ian Paice? Thomas Haake is sublime. Ken Schalk is a monster.

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Who are some other of your favorites?

Michael:  John Theodore(Mars Volta), Billy Cobham(Mahavishnu Orchestra), Tony Williams(jazz legend), Abe Cunningham(Deftones), Dennis Chambers(Parliment Funkadelic etc), Pistol Allen(Funk Brothers), Hal Blaine(everyone,Phil Spector), Benny Benson(favorite local drummer), Mitch Mitchel(Hendrix Experience), Mike Bordin(Faith No More,Ozzy), John Stanier(Helmet,Battles), Dave Grohl(Nirvana,QOTSA), Simon Phillips(Toto), Sim Cain(Rollins Band), John Bonham(Led Zepplin), Buddy Rich(duh)

 

 

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

Michael:
Talk Talk-‘Laughing Stock’
Bon Iver-‘Blood Bank ep’
Roky Erickson-‘The Evil One’
Spiritualized-Let It Come Down
Daath-‘The Concealers’

 

 

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

Michael: If I warm up at all, I clasp the sticks with my hands together and palms up so that my thumbs are facing outward, then I roll them first by bringing my hands toward me, then away from me until my arms fully extend and my hands are in the same position but with my arms completely twisted around. It’s one of the only stretches I do and its very effective. I also stretch my calf muscles and tendons by standing on the edge of stairs with my toes and lifting myself up. Your natural body weight stretches your tendons by dropping down and exercises your calves by lifting up.

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have effected your playing?

Michael: No I dont, though I really wish that I could sometimes. I feel like its effected my playing in a positive way by forcing me to think about what I’m listening to as opposed to what I’m reading or writing down. But I feel like it’s effected me in a slightly negative way because it’s construed as a handicap by many serious musicians and composers, and I’d rather not be percieved as inept or under qualified by anyone.

 

 

SD.com: Can you tell us about the gear you use?

Michael: I use the best gear on the market.

TAYE drums are designed by legendary drum craftsman Ray Ayotte and they destroy most of the drums Ive used in the past. The drums I tour with,the tour pro series, are perfect for the road.They’re punchy, focused and resiliant. Their snare drums are beautiful and their hardware is great. I urge every double bass drummer to get a set of XP pedals, they are flawless, the glide and stability of Axis coupled with the modulation and feel of Iron Cobra. They won Best in show at NAMM 2k6

MEINL cymbals are the best sounding cymbals I’ve ever used. The Byzance series is the perfect culmination of class, sophistication and power. They sit perfectly above the music and theyre never too washy, but they also know how to retain a certain warmth and sultry overtone that blends beautifully to softer textures. With more sizes and alloys to choose from than most others, along with an impeccable staff, everyone should be checking out MEINL cymbals

VIC FIRTH sticks are simply the best. With their countless innovations and perfectly paired sticks, they are unprecedented. I used to use VIC FIRTH sticks to record prior to my endorsement and their importance to my comfort level in the studio is immeasurable. Now, I very honestly probably wouldn’t play as well if I had to play anything other than VIC FIRTH drumsticks. I used to use rock heavies, but since I damaged my rotator cuff and pinched a nerve in my back, I’ve scaled back to 5b extreme heavies and I love the feel, weight and overall diversity.

AQUARIAN heads have only gotten better since I’ve been with them. Their kick and snare batters have always been some of my favorites, but since the addition of the Super 2 to their roster of heads, AQUARIAN is overall my choice. The Super 2’s are tougher than most tom batters and they actually sound better to me once theyre broken in and are a perfect combination of modern and classic. I’ve also recently discoved the Force 2 for the kick drum. I’ve always loved the super kick 2, but theres a little bit more slap with the Force 2 that I now prefer. I also love the Response 2 on my snares.

 

 

 

 

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

Michael: dont think… just play.

 

 

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

Michael: Neurosis,unquestionably. Watching a Neurosis show is like watching a woman give birth and seeing man walk on the moon for the first time. It’s fascinating, a bit frightening and life altering.

 

 

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

Michael: make it end.