Blake Richardson

Keep up with Blake here:

www.myspace.com/betweentheburiedandme

 

Cartland Blake Richardson is a professional drummer from Winston-Salem, NC.  Playing drums since he was 11 years old, he became an immediate fan of 90’s grunge music.  Being inspired by bands such as Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins, his passion for heavy music grew as much as his love for drumming did. After taking lessons for several years from local jazz percussionist/drummer Robert Crutchfield, he developed his skills and started playing out with his first band “Glass Casket” when he was barely 17 years old.  After significant touring throughout the US, he graduated high school in 2003 and attended NC State University for two years.

After getting an offer to play drums for home state friends, Between the Buried and Me, he helped to start writing the bands third full length album “Alaska” and finally left school in 2005 to tour full time. Since then, the band has toured relentlessly. Sharing the stage with friends in Black Dahlia Murder, Bleeding Through, Every Time I Die, and Dillinger Escape Plan helped land them a spot on Ozzfest 2006 with System of a Down and Ozzy. After seemingly endless touring to support his first album with Between the Buried and Me, the band began writing for their fourth studio album entitled “Colors.” This album helped push the band, as well as Blake’s drumming style, into the more progressive metal element. Not going unnoticed, the band’s developed new sound and groundbreaking new album helped earn them a spot on the first ever “Progressive Nation Tour”, featuring Dream Theater, Opeth, and Three. To this date it has been the most memorable and inspiring tour the band has ever done.

Throughout his career, Blake has been inspired by numerous drummers and musicians.”My constant feed of inspiration from musical idols and colleagues helps me maintain a fresh perspective on drumming.” Playing with a band of people with the same goals and musical aspirations as him, helps to inspire him even more.  “I find comfort knowing that there are many drummers out there that blow me away. That’s the only way that I can get better!”

 

Blake Richardson Interview:

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

Blake:  I think I got my first kit when I was 11 years old.  But if you count beating on desks, books, and the dinner table, then I probably started playing straight out the womb!

 

 

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

Blake:  I did percussion for our high school symphonic orchestra for 3 years.  It taught me a lot about theory and such, many things that I never would have learned.  Getting to perform compositions with forty to fifty other people was also a lot of fun.  I never did marching corps although, looking back, I wish I had.

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Blake: in no particular order…

– Terry Bozzio
– Dennis Chambers
– Dave Grohl
– Simon Phillips
– Youtube.com

 

 

 

 

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

Blake:

at the moment my top five are…

– Tomas Haake
– Ken Schalk
– Morgan Agren
– Virgil Donati
– Jimmy Chamberlin

 

 

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

Blake:

-Blotted Science – “The Machinations of Dementia”
-Clint Mansell – “The Fountain Soundtrack”
-Mew – “And the Glass Handed Kites”
-Wintersun – “Wintersun”
-Bjork – “Homogenic”

 

 

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

Blake: Back in the day I used to do a ton of stretching and stick exercises and such.  But lately I just try and jam out on a pad for about 10 minutes before we play.  This gets my arms and hands warmed up just enough without wearing me out. I still like to stretch my arms as much as possible before playing, as well as after playing.  I just try not to do too much before our set.

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Do you have a special diet or any weird requests while on tour?

Blake: Nothing really weird.  I just try and load up on as much carbs as possible.  I used to rely on a redbull right before I play but I’m trying to get out of that habit.  That junk will kill you.  But yeah, carbs is where its at for me.  It gives me enough fuel so that I don’t have to rely on caffeine.

 

 

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

Blake:  There were two shows that I can remember that I think I had my best playing.  One was our cd release show for “Alaska” in Charlotte, NC in September 2005.  The other was an extremely small off date show from ozzfest in 2006 somewhere in Kansas or something.  It’s a shame I can’t remember where it was cause I pretty much shredded that night!

 

 

SD.com: You have been known to play in more than one band, do you still juggle, and if so how do you make it happen?

Blake:  It’s definitely not easy. It requires a lot of planning. I just try and sqeeze in Glass Casket sessions in between BTBAM tours or whenever else I can fit the time in.  I also try and do fill ins for my friends bands and stuff.  It’s fun.  I think drummers should try and branch out as much as possible.  It’s always good to apply your skill to different bands
and styles.

 

 

 

 

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

Blake:  I’ve been a fan of Tama Starclassic Maples for a while now. I have a Pearl Masters maple at home that I used to tour with.  I will never git rid of that thing.  It’s definately one of my favorite kits. Sabian cymbals are pretty much where it’s at for me. They have a very wide range of sounds, everything from metal crashes to china splash combinations.

 

 

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

Blake:  I’ve always had a motto when it comes to drumming: “Impressing yourself is what matters most, not impressing others.”  When you sit down on a kit, concentrate on something YOU want to accomplish.  Don’t sit there spending hours a time to try and get some cool stick trick down or some other gimmick.  Playing drums is about playing drums, not putting on a show.  But try to have fun with it too!

 

 

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

Blake:  I’ve toured with so many bands that have incredible drummers and give great live performances.  But as far as me being a spectator from the audience, I would have to say one of the best live performances I’ve seen was Ken Schalk of Candiria back in 2002 or 2001 at the Brewery in raleigh. That guy doesn’t mess around.  He hits hard as well while still being very smooth.  He just shredded when I saw them live.  To this day its one the best shows I’ve ever seen.

 

 

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

Blake:  Wow that’s a tough one.  Maybe a couple things.  I would probably get more heavily into recording/producing other bands.  I would still like to be involved in music as much as possible.  But if that wouldn’t work out I suppose I’d go back to college and finish out my degree and pursue something else.  But I don’t even want to think about doing that right now!  I’ve always had a personal dream to be a UPS truck driver some day. They get payed mad cash and get to drive around all day, be outdoors, get excersize.  What more could you ask for in a job?