Keep up with Seb here:
I was born in Abano Terme, in the province of Padova (Italy) in 1984. My interest in drums began when I was 13, then I got my first kit at the age of 15. I started as a punk-rock drummer, then I discovered metal and I fell in love with its vibes. At the time I used to learn lots of my favourite songs, spending all my afternoons practicing in my basement. I’ve been studying drums for 7 years and now I’m going to become a drumming teacher. In November 2004, after a long period in a cover band, I joined Soulpit (melodic death metal). We released our first Ep “Trapped into the soulpit” on March 2006, obtaining good reviews. Now we’re working hard on new stuff in order to record our first full-length. More to come… Check out our website!
Seb Sartorello Interview:
SD.com: Your “Trapped Into The Soulpit” was the top demo in the December issue of Grind Zone Magazine. Do you feel this exposure helped you and the band?
Seb: Certainly the Grind-zone’s top demo and the other good reviews we received have been very useful for Soulpit: in the last few months we had the possibility to play live very often, we got more attention from metallers and underground web-zines. Also the Myspace community has been really helpful to spread the name of the band abroad, for example, the tracks of our Ep are passed through lots of American underground radios since May 2006. An exposure of my band also means an exposure for me.
SD.com: When did you start playing drums?
Seb: My interest in drumming started when I was 13. I used to listen to punk-rock music in my bedroom, doing air drumming and tapping along the beat with a pair of drumsticks I did by myself. Then I began to play on buckets in my granny’s garage and finally I got my first drum kit at the age of 15.
SD.com: Do you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Seb: Unfortunately in Italy school-bands are not common, I mean there are very few schools which have a drum corp or stuff like that. However the first guys I played with were all coming from my secondary school’s classroom, we started playing some covers from Guns n’ Roses and Metallica. The first time I played live was on a school party for the end of the academic year.
SD.com: Have you ever taken any lessons?
Seb: Yes, It’s 7 years that I’m studying and taking lessons. Right now I’m attending the Italian Accademia della Musica Moderna, in order to get the degree as drumming teacher. There I study every type of music, from Latin to Metal, taking lessons from the Italian drummer Davide Bettella.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Seb: When I was a kid I was attracted by the powerful style of Nirvana’s Dave Grohl. Growing up I discovered Metallica and I got crazy for them. Then when I was 16 I formed a Metallica cover band, I was really interested in Lars Ulrich style, he had a lot of influence on me. I also loved his drumset and his attitude on stage; I remember I learnt more than 60 Metallica songs! Later I discovered who I use to call the Masters in Metal, 3 amazing drummers that did a lot to my playing style: Gene Hoglan, Igor Cavalera and Vinnie Paul.
I think that Gene Hoglan’s sound influenced a lot my style especially as to concerns the technical aspect. I really love his drumming and his self-confidence feeling while playing. I always keep one of his suggestions about double b. playing in my mind: “It has to be 90% mental, 10% physical”. Igor Cavalera and Vinnie Paul are two incredible drummers, they had a strong influence on the sound of their bands, also their drumming is unmistakable. I’ve been influenced by their precision, loudness and musical taste
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Seb: My influences are also my favourites, but talking about favourites I’d like to mention some other great drummers.
As to concerns extreme metal I’m really impressed by George Kollias (Nile, Sickening Horror) drumming. I’ve noticed a big carefulness in his movements (fingers and wrists). I also know that he developed an interesting workout about double bass playing. Another great extreme metal drummer who I recently saw playing live is Hannes Grossman from Necrophagist: I was impressed by the strong dynamics he is able to maintain while blasting on the snare. Kevin Talley is also a good sick drummer that I discovered listening to Misery Index; I hope to see him in action during a gig as soon as possible. Moreover going back to the classics, one of my favourite drummers is Mikkey Dee from Motorhead. He is just amazing.
My list would be too long, the last (but not least) ones I want to mention are the crazy Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour) and Daniel Erlandsson from Arch Enemy.
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Seb: Right now (Feb. 2007):
1. Wintersun – Wintersun
2. Amon Amarth – With Oden on Our Side
3. Strapping Young Lad – The New Black
4. Node – As God Kills
5. God Dethroned – The Lair of the White Worm
SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?
Seb: Yes I practice a lot, I pay a lot of attention to my hands. When I warm up I do lots of exercise about rolls and double strokes; at home I regularly use to work on rudiments like flams and paradiddles. As to concerns feet, generally I try to do the same exercise I do with my hands, then I start to mix hands and feet fills. I also do a lot of coordination exercises, not only playing snare-cymbals combinations but also using bass drum and hi-hat.
SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?
Seb: Definitely my Tama SC Maple 6,5”x14” snare. I love its sound, it also sticks out very well during live gigs. I use Remo Controlled Sound skins on it. By the way I’m also really fond of my Tama SC maple 18”x22” bass drum: it has an incredible punch and a well-defined sound (Generally I don’t use triggers during live shows). The skin I use on the bass drum is the Remo Powerstroke 3.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…
Seb: I’ll give you some, one is not much…
1- Never give up. Even if you can’t play on a real drum kit, just keep on playng and practicing on pillows or whatever you want. Drumming is something that you feel inside firstly.
2- Study rudiments and practice costantly. Studying all the types of music will improve your general ability and self-confidence with the instrument.
3- Speed’s not the only important thing in metal, pay a lot of attention to the movements, especially to your hands. Dynamics are also very important to get a good sound.
4- If you play in a band, try to spend a lot of time with the other musicians. Being in a band is not just about doing reharsals and playing. In a good band there must be a feeling between the musicians, a common message to give, in order to obtain the best final result.
5- Never stop dreaming.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Seb: As to concerns individual drummers I remember a Virginal Donati’s clinic here in Padova in 2002. That man is completely sick, he is a genius, really a talented person. About live gigs I was very impressed by the perfect performance of Joe Nunez with Soulfly at Metalcamp Festival – 2005.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what else do you want to do with your life?
Seb: Drumming is my first interest. Unfortunately this cannot be my job right now, I’m 22 and I hope to become a drumming teacher in the future, otherwise to work in a recording studio. However I’m also college graduated in foreign languages, so probably I would work with something involving travels and relationships with foreigners. The most important thing is never give up!!! Stay Sick.
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