Dave Culross is a name in the extreme metal community that is synonymous with a drumming legend. Spanning a career of over 20 years, playing some of the most intense music on earth! Dave has captured a title in the industry as a leader, a pioneer, and a true inspiration to metal heads worldwide. He plays with intensity, precision, lightning speed, and amazing control.
When Dave was only 4, he took piano lessons; at age 9, the drum lessons started. He was blowing past everybody in his school music class. He then took private instruction from 3-time DCA snare drum champion and hall of Famer Bill McGrath Jr. His instruction with Bill taught him the discipline he needed to focus his talent. for six years, he learned to read and write music and focus on his stick control. Finally, at the age of 12, he got his first drum set.
Inspired by early metal influences like Quiet Riot, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, and Rush, Dave knew what he wanted to play in his heart. He wanted to push the envelope in extreme metal drumming. Sine 1995, he has put his mark on the heavy metal scene. With bands such as Malevolent Creation, Suffocation, Incantation, Gorgasm, Hate Plow, and more… Dave pioneered a style that is emulated and admired by some of today’s biggest names in metal drumming.
Today, he is an active member of Malevolent Creation, Hate Plow, and Storm. The new Malevolent Creation record “Doomsday X” is slotted for an early ’07 release on Nuclear Blast, with a massive world tour schedule to follow. The tour will be starting in Europe in February 2007 on the Domination Tour.
Furthering his endorsement in 2001 with Vic Firth, he was recently offered a signature stick. Dave has been an Axis Percussion endorser since 1993 and an endorser of GMS Drums since 1995. GMS is currently crafting Dave’s custom, one-of-a-kind drum set for the 10th Malevolent Creation album. He also plans to start doing some drum clinics, appearing in upcoming drum festivals, and possibly putting together an instructional DVD, for people to learn how he actually plays live, and what he records!
Dave Culross Interview:
SDM: Congrats on the Vic Firth Signature sticks! Can you tell us a little about the process of getting a signature stick?
Dave: I have been a VicFirth endorser for about 6 years. Marco Soccoli approached me about the stick. To be honest with you, I was not expecting it at all. It’s very cool of them to offer a signature stick for me. I use a 5A nylon tip and am happy with that stick, so I am not trying to customize it.
SDM: I remember hearing that when you moved from Rochester to Florida, you actually lived with Sean Reinert for a while. If this is true, can you tell us something about that experience?
Dave: I never actually lived with Sean. I am friends with him. Back when I lived in Florida, I was given the chance to hang out with Sean at his warehouse. At this point, I learned a lot about his playing style and how he pulled off some of those crazy beats and nuances. It was a real privilege and an honor to learn from him, being such an influence on the days that I was able to jam with him.
SDM: Do you have any specific daily practice routines or rudiment combo exercises you warm up with?
Dave: I do a lot of single-stroke rolls, both with my hands and feet, starting slow and gradually getting faster. I sustain a SMOOTH max speed for 15-20 seconds and gradually slow back down. I work double stroke rolls with my hands. Before I even pick up a pair of sticks, I stretch my fingers and hands.
SDM: Can you talk at all about your past and future role in Malevolent?
Dave: I have always been honored to play with Malevolent. Many people did not understand or know why I stepped away for a couple of years. To make a long story short, I wanted to be home to support my family and be there for my son. It is hard to rely on the salary of a touring musician. It was much more stable for me to run my contracting business, be home, and still be able to jam. Regarding my future role with Malevolent, I didn’t really quit; I just did the recordings and could not commit to any touring. I am sure you will see more of me with Malevolent in the future.
SDM: It’s a bit different than what you’re used to; what’s it like playing with Storm?
Dave: Storm is cool for me because I get to play stuff I cannot fit in Malevolent. Storm has a lot of open groove beats to allow the vocals and the guitars to really jive. In death metal, everything goes by so fast, that I do not get a chance to play some of the double stroke rolls and little tricks I can do when I have more time. For those that do not know, Storm is my side project in New York. I wanted to experiment with playing something heavy with a tonal singer. It has its metal roots, and it is in the vein of Down, Crowbar, Godsmack, and Manson, All mixed into one.
SDM: What is the one part of your kit that can’t ever be replaced?
Dave: My Axis pedals and hardware. I can always get new Axis pedals, but I cannot replace the feel of an Axis with any other pedal.
SDM: For those who don’t know about Crazy Larry, would you tell us about him and how he influenced you?
Dave: Larry was the one that introduced me to blasting with two feet. Before I moved to Florida, I blasted with one foot. I started blasting when I was about 13. By the time I met Larry, I was blasting for 5 years and was pretty fast. Larry showed me a very impressive blast. By alternating your feet, you were able to push your hands faster. With one foot, you tend to tire faster. Using the alternating foot technique, I found I could blast forever and not get fatigued. Larry had a genuine balls-out attitude that showed in his playing, which was a significant influence on me.
SDM: Who are your top 5 influences?
Dave: Starting early on, it was Alex VanHalen, Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot), Charlie Benante, Lars Ulrich, and Dave Lombardo. As I got older, my influences changed, of course… Currently, they are Steve Smith, Vinnie Colaiuta, Bobby Jarzombek, Gene Hoglan, and Kai Hahato (ex- Rotten Sound).
SDM: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Dave: I would have to say, at this point, they are about my favorites as well. I have many others that I enjoy listening to, such as Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, Kirk Covington, and Virgil Donati, just to name a few.
SDM: Can you tell us 3 CDs in your current personal rotation?
Dave: Vital Tech Tones, Spastic Ink, and Terrorizer – World Downfall.
SDM: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Dave: One of the best nights I remember was opening up for Cannibal Corpse when they were filming their first MTV video for “Staring through the eyes of the dead” in Buffalo. My local band at the time, Disgorged, opened up. I was really psyched to be doing that as a 16-year-old. We all had smoked a fat bowl of “cheese”. Everybody in the band was in the same frame of mind, and we went on stage in front of a packed house.
SDM: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Dave: I usually do a warm-up of about a half hour. Just air drumming with sticks in hand if I do not have my practice pad with me. I usually do a running motion while sitting to warm up my legs/ feet. If I have a kit at my disposal, I will warm up behind that.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Dave: Surround yourself with musicians who are better than you if at all possible. Interaction with musicians that are better than you will push you to limits you will never find on your own. Be it from a teacher or musicians you jam with.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Dave: The best drumming live performance I have seen was Steve Smith at the Buddy Rich Tribute clinic. The Best Band live performance I have ever seen was Pink Floyd during the Delicate sound of thunder tour.
SDM: If you had to stop drumming, what else would you want to do with your life?
Dave: Ride my YFZ450 Quad with my Boy on his little 50CC Quad, hoping he will become a pro someday! He lives for Quads, and I want to support him in what he likes.
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