Keep up with Nick here:
www.myspace.com/desecratethefuckinghour
www.purevolume.com/desecratethefuckinghour
I was introduced to drums and music in general since I was just a couple years old. My parents got me into really awesome music at a young age and I’m glad they did, or else who knows who I would be today. My dad was a bass player in a lot of bands so I always thought that was bad ass and thats what really influenced me to play music. I started off learning how to play songs by playing with tapes and cds of my favorite bands. I started jamming with friends and always had bands through out middle school and high school My band now I have been in for almost 4 years.
I would say my drumming style is fast and hard hitting. I grew up as a drummer idolizing the showmanship of Tommy Lee so I also love incorporating stick tricks, but I would say playing drums tastefully is key.
I’m only 19 now and playing drums has allowed me to meet so many great people, travel the country performing, and just have the greatest time anyone could possibly have. I will never stop playing drums and I can’t wait to see how far it takes me.
Nick Shabatura Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Nick: I got my first set, a Ludwig Rocker, when I was 9. Between ages 9 and 11, I learned whatever Led Zeppelin and Motley Crue songs I could in my bedroom By age 12 I played my first show and haven’t stopped since then.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Nick: No, and just like every other drummer, I wish I did. If you’re a young drummer reading this you should at least try it out. If it’s not for you that’s cool, but it’s not like it can make you worse.
SD.com: Ever take any lessons?
Nick: No, I’m completely self taught which has its good side and bad, but I plan on taking lessons soon. I really want to become an all around great drummer, and learn as much as possible about music.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Nick: Man 5 is rough… Derek Roddy, Thomas Lang, Thomas Haake, Marco Minnemann, Nick Mason
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Nick: John Bonham, Tommy Lee, Neil Peart, Derek Roddy, Terry Bozio, Johnny Raab, Mike Portnoy, Thomas Lang, Nick Mason, KC Howard, John Blackwell, Marco Minnemann, Thomas Haake, George Kollias, Bill Ward, Mike Smith, Steve Jordan… man this could go on forever.
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Nick:
Hate Eternal – I Monarch
Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon
Odious Mortem – Cryptic Implosion
Misery Index – Retaliate
Botch – An Anthology of Dead Ends
SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?
Nick: Whenever I feel like I need to really work my chops I will buckle down and concentrate on certain exercises to improve what ever I want to work on. Most of the time, whether it’s on my kit or my practice pads, I just turn the metronome on and jam whatever feels like coming out of my limbs.
SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?
Nick: I’m really in love with my snare drum haha. It’s a 14 x 8.5 Tama Artwood with a 9 ply maple shell. I can basically get any sound I want out of it, from really deep and warm, to really quick and sharp. Other than that, I’d have to say my Axis AL-2 longboards, Paiste 22in Dark Metal Ride, and my section of effect cymbals are really things that keep me from getting bored with my set up.
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Nick: I put my practice pad on my snare and hook up my Axis AL-2 longboard pedal to a kick pad and just get loose. Usually I’ll just practice a lot of single strokes and paradiddles with a metronome.
SD.com: Tell us about your Band, and where people can find out more about you guys:
Nick: The band is Desecrate The Hour, we’re a touring metal/death metal band from just outside Chicago, IL. The 5 of us went to high school together and started this band back in the beginning of 2004. We’ve been able to play with a lot of bands we look up to and plan to keep going until we get where we want to be with music. You can check us out and contact us at the following links.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Nick: Honestly, I would say to just try to learn from everyone and everything around you. There’s an endless source of information out there and it’s not going to come to you. Never be afraid to ask questions or feel dumb that you need help from an outside source. It’s a great opportunity.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Nick: Man, I’ve seen way too many shows I can’t even try to rank them. I’d say the best live performance I’ve seen by a band we’ve played with was Misery Index in November of 06. They opened up their set with Retaliate, and man… they fucking ruled hard.
SD.com: Where can people purchase your CD?
Nick: You can order it through our myspace page or at any of our shows.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what else would you want to do with your life?
Nick: I would be a guitar player or bassist. If I couldn’t play music I’d try to get a walk on try out with the Chicago Bulls haha.
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