Monday Metal Mayhem PodCast Interview with Mike Smith… {enclose mike_smith_11_05_07.mp3}
You can keep up with Mike here:
www.purevolume.com/SUFFOCATION
Suffocation, an American death metal band, fused the predominant rhythmic styles of early death metal and grindcore, with complex song structures to start a new subgenre of music, considered brutal death metal by some. Suffocation is placed amongst peers Immolation, Incantation, and Morpheus (Descends) as being part of a genetic fragment of death metal known as “New York Death Metal”, or “NYDM” for short. The band was formed in 1990 and since then released a couple of highly-regarded releases on the once death metal powerhouse label “Roadrunner Records”, as well as their last EP “Despise The Sun” on a smaller label . Of note is also their debut EP “Human Waste”, which was the first official release on Relapse Records in 1991. Suffocation resumed full time activity in 2004, releasing the album Souls To Deny on Relapse Records and embarked on a substantial world tour. A music video for the song “Surgery of Impalement” has been featured on video outlets such as Headbanger’s Ball and Uranium.
Winter 2006 brings you the devastating new release from death metal legends and extreme music pioneers SUFFOCATION, simply titled Suffocation. SUFFOCATION (Frank Mullen – vocals, Terrance Hobbs – guitar, Guy Marchais – guitar, Derek Boyer – bass, Mike Smith – drums) is, simply stated, one of the most influential and emulated bands in the history of extreme metal. SUFFOCATION has recently finished touring as part of the annual Sthress Tour along with SHADOWS FALL, POISON THE WELL and more. Immediately following their Strhess dates, the band will embark on an 11-city European Tour that includes performances at Up From the Ground Open Air Festival, Mountains of Death Festival and Els Rock Open Air amongst others before returning to the States for a massive fall tour with FEAR FACTORY.
11/27/06 – SUFFOCATION has unveiled the first video, for the track ‘Abomination Reborn’, from it’s brand-new self-titled album. The video was directed by Frankie Nasso: Hatebreed, Mudvayne, Misery Index…
Other Videos:
– Suffocation: Surgery of Impalement
Mike Smith Interview:
SD.com: Do you have any specific daily practice routines or rudiment combo’s you warm up with?
MS: At this point, we do so much touring that it seems that I am never far from tourshape in regards to practice. I dont need to really spend nearly as much time in the basement as I did in the past. The most i really touch on at this point is keeping loose and my limbs up to speed. I set the metronome to 220-260 range depending on how I feel and do single strokes with both arms and both legs to keep them accustomed to the demand once they are fluent, your Blast/Grind and double bass should fall into place accordingly. Really as long I keep my muscles loose im all good to go at anytime.
SD.com: Out of all the stops on the upcoming US and Euro tours, where are you looking forward to the most, if anywhere?
MS: To tell you the truth every stop is a good time for Suffocation , its been a long while since we’ve had bad turnouts or bad crowd reactions at our shows. California is always a great time, the atmosphere is just right always, but like I said every spot has represented for us in the past. Canada is always a ravenous stop on any tour as well. New York goes unsaid, thats our hometown.
SD.com: What is the one part of your kit that can’t ever be replaced?
MS: My Hi-hat Ride combo that I use on my left side. Its the one one setup that has to be no matter what set I play on and is the reason most cant play comfortably on my set and vice versa. I play ride and hi hat on both sides of the kit but the left is definitely used the majority of the time and is a custom setup I must have. Thank you Gibraltar for making the product to make my setup easy.
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
MS: Dave Lombardo, Niko Mcbrain, John Bohnam, I used to think Lars Ulrich back in the day when Metallica was the heaviest at that time. All Jazz drummers. Other than that I cant come up with any others. itoook what I needed from their styles and was off to the races for myself. I definitely Prefer to listen to less so as to concentrate on myself . It just works best for me.
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
MS: I dont have favorites, we are all doing the same thing in Death Metal at this point. Some just have more taste and choice than others. but we are all top caliber and more capable than most in any other Genre.
SD.com: Can you tell us 3 CD’s in your current personal rotation?
MS: Atheist-Unquestionable presence
Black Dahlia Murder- Miasma
Deicide- The stench of Redemption
Suffocation-Suffocation ( I continue to study my own so I know what to do and what not to do on the next release.
SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
MS: I make a point to make sure if im in the public eye that I am playing my best always. The basement is where we do any Fuck ups. We play these song 100’s of times and i look at it as there should be no excuses why it wouldnt be played effortless and error free by this point.
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
MS: Relax ,stretch and keep all those looking to just party get high and redirect my attention, out of my personal space. Which is usually the backroom or tourbus. Im out to do a job ,so I take it seriously until the show is over. After that ill bug the fuck out with the best of them.
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
MS: Practice, more than the next man. When i started i would lock myself in the room , put on the album that I wanted to follow and stayed until I noticed the task getting easier. follow yoour natural rhythm and strive to identify yourself through the drums. Ive never taken a lesson in my life which is why my playing style is different than most .If I went to school for it ,I probably would be playing cross handed like the majority of drummers. That wasnt natural feel to me so i starrted open handed and that has been my style since. It works perfect for me. There is no one right way to play. Its up to your personal feel and goals. Practice.
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
MS: Slipknot. their stage show is alot to take in all at once, which is why they are where they are i suppose.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what else would you want to do with your life?
MS: Race motocross professionally if i could turn back time, its a young mans sport but “I could have been a contender” but my parents decided on drums instead. Or I would get a job in a record company, they need someone responsible enough to find and represent the Death metal genre properly. We’ve been underground too long. Somebodies not doing their job properly.
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