Danny Grossarth

 

You can keep up with Danny here:

www.myspace.com/stiflingneglect

www.myspace.com/stiflingdan

 

 

I’m not exactly sure we’re my fascination with drums and rhythm came from. I suspect it was the times when I would notice people clapping on the wrong beats during ‘clap along’ parts in large groups. I never understood why they didn’t realize that a clap is supposed to emmulate the snare drum for those parts. I wanted to make sure that I never made that mistake, but I digress. I should a strong interest in playing drums when I was in 5th grade. I was at a friends house and his father had a plethora of musical intruments available in the attic and we were always free to use them. Needless to say I hopped on the drumset and my early talent was noted. My parents bought me set of sticks and a drum pad, and that expanded to a drumset and drum lessons by the time I was in 7th grade.

 

I met my first guitarist that year and we wanted to start a pop-punkish band heavily influenced by Greenday. My first band was called Taint and we made quite a buzz for ourselves playing shows in backyards and local venues. Although I don’t play for Taint anymore they’re still kickin it. In high school, I met several musicians with similar musical tastes who I wanted to play with. At first there were the ‘jam sessions’ then they slowly became band practices. I knew I wanted to be in a heavy experimental band so I begain jamming with a few friends that I knew were on the same wavelength. This was the early stages of my current band Stifling Neglect. I also started up a project with a few other high school friends that was more on the ‘toolish’ prog/ experimental side called Aion. Eventually I commited to Stifling Neglect which is my true passion. I was always able to try things with ‘no holds barred’ in my band which has always been a part of our writing process. Eventually we developed local acclaim and I knew that I wanted to make playing drums my life. In Queens College I joined percussion ensemble and wind ensemble which opened my mind up to several other forms of percussive instruments and different sounds. When I transfered to The City College of New York I applied for the Sonic Arts Program which allowed me to meet other musicians who were not only into music, but also into sound in general. I graduated college and I am now proceeding with my musical career by touring, writing and practicing full time. I know drums will always be a part of my life.

 

 

Stifling Neglect is one of those bands that is difficult to put into any definable musical category. Together they bring an element of chaos, cooperation and compromise to the table. With a desire to play interesting, heavy music the members of Stifling Neglect find themselves mixing and matching various styles of music in their unique, aggressive sound. They derive roots and influences from funk, hip-hop, drum ‘n bass, to NY hardcore and metal. You can find the band flowing through free-form expressionist jam sessions, math metal odd time signatures, crowd moving hardcore grooves, and even skull crushing death metal breakdowns.

 

They have been able to subject audiences to their unique blend of sounds through their very energetic crowd-involved live shows. In a short amount of time Stifling Neglect has made a huge buzz playing in the local underground NYC hardcore and metal circuit. The growth of the band’s fan base can also be attributed to touring the country successfully in several D.I.Y. tours. The band has also been perfecting thier live act by warming up crowds at shows for big name hardcore & metal acts like Full Blown Chaos, Mastodon, E-Town Concrete, Candiria, Diecast, God Forbid, With Honor, 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Shattered Realm, Dead Water Drowning, The Acacia Strain, All That Remains, Darkest Hour, Bury Your Dead, and Sworn Enemy.

 

 

 

Danny Grossarth Interview:

 

 

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

Danny: I took a big interest in playing drums at age 10 or 11, but I didn’t get my first drumset until I was 13. I am 23 right now.

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

Danny: The only music I participated in through school, before college was the 6th grade band, in which played drumset. In order to be able to join, I had to lie and say I had a drumset at home (which I didn’t). I joined the percussion and wind ensembles in Queens College after graduating high school, but I still never used a drumset for school purposes. At school I was more into percussion and contemporary compositions, and at home I focused on the band thing.

 

 

SD.com: Ever take any lessons?

Danny: I took lessons for several years at the beginning. my teacher got me up to speed on reading drum music, and discovering new drummers and sounds.

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Danny: The main drummer that exposed me to the potential of a drumset was ken schalk of candira. Next would be danny carey of tool for his poly-rhythmic style and finesse. Then I’d say Mike portnoy of dream theater/ liquid tension experiment probably because of the variety of percussive sounds and moods he was able to convey. Chris Pennie of the dillinger escape plan for taking it to the extreme with finesse and finally Pat Mastelotto of king Crimson for the innovative fusion of electronic drums and programming.

SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?

Danny: I’ll just tell you my most consistent favorite bands/artists: Candira, Tool, Meshuggah, Gruvis Malt, & Pantera

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

Danny:

Nights Like These,
Killswitch Engage: “The End of Heartache”,
Emmure: “The Complete Guide to Needlework”
Karmakanic: “The wheel of Life”
Meshuggah: “Nothing”
Lamb of God: “Sacrament”

 

SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Danny: I remember feeling that way when my band Stifling Neglect played a show this summer at The Brewery in North Carolina. I dont know what it was…. maybe the crowd, maybe the sound, maybe the whole band was feeding it, but i felt like I was on fire that night. I truly feel like I didnt miss a note, and I was elaborating on fills and accents. (I wonder if anyone filmed or recorded that show…because I’d like to put myself to the test..ha ha)

SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?

Danny: I’ve been meaning to get new shells because I’ve had the same Tama swingstar since I started playing….sad I know. I am very open to experimenting with different brands. If I had the choice I’d probably get a nice Sonor kit, or maybe some DWs. I was exposed to Paiste cymbals through ken from candiria and I haven’t deviated much…as long as my wallet will let me. I always loved wuhan china cymbals too.

SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Danny: I try to stretch all my limbs about an hour before playing shows. I try to find a semi-secluded area of the club or parking lot to stretch…I dont know, I guess I just feel kind of weird stretching in front of people sometimes. I also try to sprint to and from a short distance to get winded a bit. I feel like it gets the adrenaline up, and the blood flowing. If I remember, I’ll do that 5 minutes before we start.

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

Danny: Dont just get into playing drums….get into rhythm in general. Theres so much out there so dont get caught up in listening to just one style or playing only one way. Keep your mind open to new things and new sounds.

 

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

Danny: I was always impressed with Ken of candiria. He can really work a small drumset and make it sound huge. He did that everytime I saw them play.

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

Danny: I always wanted to be an actor…just kidding, I graduated the city college of NY with a BFA in music so I hope to be involved in music in one way or another. Perhaps recording/ producing or teaching