Ken Schalk

Keep up with Ken here:

https://www.facebook.com/ken.schalk.1

Candiria was initially formed in 1992 by vocalist Carley Coma, guitarists Chris Puma and Eric Matthews, drummer Kenneth Schalk and bassist Michael MacIvor. Even early on they were creating unusual music, with vocals that ranged from dry barks to rap. Candiria’s rhythmic guitar style consists of riffing with little melody interrupted by jazzy chord progressions during the jazz breaks. Ken Schalk’s drumming often consists of polyrythms. Michael MacIvor, in fact, may be the least metal-influenced member of the group, as apparent in his melodically complex basslines which frequently do not follow the guitar riffs.

Chris Puma was replaced by John Lamacchia before 1997’s Beyond Reasonable Doubt, while Lamacchia himself left the band after 2004’s What Doesn’t Kill You…, later rejoining the band. The latter album features a cover photograph of the band’s van after a heavy traffic accident it endured in 2002. It took the band members considerable time to recover from their injuries. Eric Matthews later left the band, in part, due to these injuries sustained during the aformentioned accident.

Drummer Ken Schalk has been involved in a free-jazz side project named Ghosts Of The Canal, who have thus far released two full-length albums, Sessions from the Flats (1999) and Five Episodes From the Subconsious (2002), as well as two non-album tracks which appeared on the bonus disc of Candiria’s The C.O.M.A. Imprint. He has recently married and left the band feeling it was his time to go and discover various new paths.

Ken Schalk Interview:

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

Ken: I was born to make music. it rushed into me deeply at young age. God wasn’t messing around with me. it was pretty clear by the age of 4 or 5, that i needed to make music. the first time i actually sat behind a drumset was at 8 years old. the age in which i started playing and never stopped was 13.

 

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

Ken: in the 9th grade at 15, i played in the junior high jazz ensemble.

 

SDM.com: Ever take any lessons?

Ken: after about 2 years of playing on my own, i took lessons for about 2 and a half years from an amazing drummer and great educator named Peter Pizzi. not only did he get me straightened out with developing great technique but he catered to my inquiries and never held back on giving
me his wisdom, knowledge and real world experience as insight for me to grow with. without his training, i don’t know if i ever would have become the drummer i am.

 

SDM.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Ken: my parents as one whole influence, pete pizzi, dave weckl, john bonham and tony williams

 

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

Ken: I love to witness passion be released. anyone who is expressing themselves through the pure motivation of their heartfelt passion for something is what excites me.

 

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

Ken: I’m always so busy working on music, i never have time to let lose with anything. naturally i enjoy the jazz station on the radio. and with ipods now, sometimes i’ll listen to my dub reggae playlist.

 

SDM.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?

Ken: I like to keep my practice sessions carefree and improvisational while focusing on all areas of development. basicaly, i improvise on the snare drum going through all variations of dynamics, stroking and grip techniques. slowly, i’ll start incorporating my feet and eventually the rest of the kit comes in. that last about 30 or 40 minutes. after that, i’ll take a short break and then make up stuff like tribal tom patterns over 16ths on the feet in odd time signatures or something. basically, just let my brain ponder thoughts and ideas for a little while. sometimes i’ll hit on something that
i may keep and practice to learn. other times it doesn’t lead anywhere and i’ll let it go. as an artist i know that i can’t expect myself to always come up with a great idea. sometimes our brains go nowhere. finally i’ll work on some beats that i may have neglected for a while. being a session drummer requires me to be lose and comfortable in so many beat environments that being selfish in my practice will only hurt my career. i also practice my didgeridoos, my piano and synth and my hand drums as much as i can. there will never be a day, no matter how much i learn or how tight i get, where practicing becomes unnecessary. i have to keep practicing to stay at the top of my game.

 

SDM.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?

Ken: I love all the components of the drumset. each one serves a unique and vital purpose. i could pick no individual element as my favorite.

 

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

Ken: before I play live or in the studio, i make sure i get my body loosened up. i play with a very liquidy approach and have to make sure my limbs are ready for that. muscle stretching is the key for my performance warm-up. as far as “rituals” go, if you’re speaking more from a superstitious perspective, i don’t do anything like that.

 

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

Ken: passion is the natural desire to do what’s natural to you. find the thing that is most natural to you and you will know why God put you on this earth. after you realize your passion, know this: there is no glamorous road to success or public recognition. there is also no school to each you how to handle it when you get it. be patient and take humble glory in every progression along the way to realizing the dream in your heart.

 

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

Ken: the best performance i’ve ever seen was JP from clutch at Irving Plaza in NYC, 2001. candiria was on tour with them and by chance, i was on my way back to the dressing room when JP went into a solo that was just on fire. without any thought i immediately got totally wrapped up in the moment.

 

SDM.com: I did a search on your name and found projects that you are currently involved with. can you tell us about these and what the links are to these projects?

Ken: last year I was asked to be on a compilation of metal drummers giving forth their own efforts outside of their respective bands. that was on MAGNA CARTA records and was called DRUM NATION, VOLUME III . I’m currently establishing a place in the session world out here in los angeles and i’m always writing music for myself.

 

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

Ken: play golf

John & Ian – thanks so much for the interview. the website is a great asset for drummers and musicians. in this world of digital replication, your dedication aids in the preservation of the live drummer.

Thank you and God Bless – Ken Schalk