Krzysztof Bentkowski

Keep up with Krzysztof here:

www.antigama.net
www.myspace.com/antigama
www.youtube.com/antigamaofficial

My name is Krzysztof Bentkowski and I’ve played drums since the 6th grade of the elementary school. In the beginning there were no significant bands but many different groups, from folk to fusion – I played everything I was able to play, exploring the secrets and gaining skills in percussion. In 90s I started playing extreme and experimental music and it finally resulted in creating Antigama, where I’ve played and composed up to now.

Krzysztof Bentkowski Interview:

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

K.B: I started playing when I was 12, maybe 13. It wasn’t drums but a bass guitar. I played with a friend and it was something in Joy Division’s style. Unluckily, after a year I got fascinated by a regular guitar. I bought the instrument and a simplest distortion and was tormenting my audio amplifier all the time.Unfortunately again, jamming as a guest at my friends’, I had the opportunity to sit behind a drumset and play “I Love It Loud” by KISS. That sealed my fate and drums became my main instrument. A few months later my parents bought me my first, totally shitty drumset made by Polmuz. Playing it was an unforgettable experience.

 

 

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

K.B: In elementary school I played different hits at ceremonies. Obviously, I had a kind of a band then but it was completely unobliging. Sometimes I played dixie style with people a lot older than I was. Then they wanted me to be in rhythm section when I went to a music school but I managed to avoid it – I had more important musical projects to accomplish.

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

K.B: The main and the most important inspiration for me was KISS. The total simplicity of their play and quite witty lyrics made me very excited. The next was The Exploited – when I heard this band’s first album “On Stage”, I was astounded. Good I still like it. GBH – this band impressed me a lot, the good English punkrock, they haven’t changed until this day, I love it. The Polish bands I liked were of course punkrock bands – Dezerter is No. 1, I think they have total protest songs but only on their first two cassettes and the first 7’’ single. The second Polish band is called Smierc Kliniczna, it’s excellent and psychotic so-called “New Wave”.

 

 

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

K.B: I have two faves: Peter Criss for his solo album in 1978 and Gene Krupa for all of his work. These are two men who changed my head and will always be masters for me. I really prize them as they had a total influence on my percussion play. They are still the role models for me and unequaled inspiration with their technique and feeling in musical artistry. Let’s face it, Gene Krupa kills.

 

 

 

 

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

K.B: Uncurbed “Punks on Parole”

Black Devil Disco Club – S/T

Kiss “Alive”

Motorhead “Bomber”

Extra Ball “Marlboro Country”

 

 

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

K.B: I try to play an exhausting rehearsal the day before a show and right before it I try to relax – I have total stage fright, my hands are shaking and the adrenaline rush exceeds the limits. I never do any warm-up, excercises or drumstick-wielding right before the show.

 

 

SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?

K.B: I still haven’t had such a gig, the most important one is still before me. Frankly speaking I prefer to feel insufficiency and not to be satisfied. It makes me go forward to this precision in playing; this is how I feel about it.

 

 

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

K.B: Of course, it’s Pearl. Currently I play their drums, the Session Series with six layers of mahogany. Great drums for every kind of music, if you tune it in the first place of course. I use different cymbals but my favourite are Paiste 2002 Rude. I’m also a fan of acryl drums but I don’t have any special brand on my mind.

 

 

 

 

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

K.B: Play, play and play. You have to work on your own style without blindly copying others, and without mathematics. The only expression of my emotions in music is the simplicity. There are times I don’t make it, but the most important thing is everyday exercise and commitment with your whole heart.

 

 

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

K.B: It was Death with Gene Hoglan at the Metalmania Festival in 1993, half a year after this show I still couldn’t recover admiring the skills of this drummer. I recommend sitting one meter behind the guy and watching him play, it was unbelievable.

 

 

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

K.B: I would be a sad and bitter old man. I hope this never happens.