Steve Flynn

Keep up with Steve here:

 

www.atheistmusic.com 

 

 

 

 

Raised in Sarasota Florida, Steven Flynn has been a percussionist for 25 years.  He was inspired to play drums upon hearing, for the first time, Rush’s “La Villa Strangiato” from the “Hemispheres” album.  Steven would say that “it struck me like a thunderbolt.”  Once he heard that song, he said it was like “an inexplicable need to play that overwhelmed me.” 

 

Steven was a founding member of the now “legendary” progressive-metal band Atheist.  Formed circa 1984, Atheist’s music, most often noted for its extremely complex rhythm section consisting of Flynn and “phenom” bassists Roger Patterson and Tony Choy.

 

Following the death of Atheist’s bass player in 1991, Steven recorded with Atheist what has come to be recognized by most in the music industry as the “yardstick” by which all technical/progressive metal bands would be measured: “Unquestionable Presence.”  The material had been written prior to Patterson’s death and was recorded with then-Cynic bassist Tony Choy.  However, following subsequent national tours in support of Unquestionable Presence, Flynn decided, after a decade of playing layered with the tragedy of Patterson’s death, that it was time for a break.  Flynn went on to college to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

 

Steven currently lives in the United States, in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA, with his wife of twelve years and two daughters.

 

Current Gear:

 

Drum Kit Mapex "Pro M" 

22” Bass Drum

8” 10” 12” 14” 16” Toms

14” X 5 1/2” Birch Snare

13” and 14” LP Stainless Steel Timbales

LP Wood block

LP Cowbel

Ride, hi-hat, 3 crash, splash, and China cymbals – ALL Sabian Brand

DW 9000 Double-Bass Pedal

Vater Hickory 5B wood-tip sticks

 

 

 

 

Discography:

 

 

 

Steve Flynn Interview:

 

 

SDM: How old were you when you started playing? 

 

Steve:  I was 15.  It might sound odd for how it happened.  One night when I was 15 I happened to listen to “La Villa Strangiato” from the album “Hemispheres” by Rush on headphones.  When the song was over, I turned to my mother who was sitting next to me and said I have to play drums.  It was like I was struck with a thunderbolt.  It felt like a calling. 

 

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

 

Steve: I played very briefly in my college jazz band, but I was too busy with Atheist to give it any time.  Plus, the college band just wasn’t my thing.

 

SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?

 

Steve: Neil Peart, Gene Hoglan, Clive Burr, Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich

 

SDM: Who are some other of your favorites?

 

Steve: Steve Smith, Gadd, Dave Weckel, Danny Carey, anybody in The Mars Volta, Hannes Grossman, Richard Christy, Ventor, Charlie Benante, 

 

SDM: Let us know 5 CD's that are in your current rotation

 

Steve: Reign in Blood (Slayer), Master of Puppets (Metallica), Exit Stage Left (Rush), Energetic Disassembly (Watchtower), The Grand Illusion (Styx)

 

SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?

 

Steve: I don’t have a regular routine – though I should!  I typically find myself sitting on a drum throne just doing single-stroke rolls on a pad (or my leg) and a steady stream of 16th notes on my feet.  I try to do this for at least 20 minutes prior to playing live.

 

 

 

 

SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have effected your playing?

 

Steve: I do read, but it didn’t have any impact on my playing.  I have never written down anything I wrote on drums and I’ve never studied tabs to learn.  Everything I’ve learned or written has all been by ear.

 

SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?

 

Steve: I have a Mapex Birch kit.  It’s dark cherry.  I have 8” 10” 12” and 16” toms.  I have a single 22” kick with a DW 9000 double pedal (I still have yet to find a pedal to last for very long without the linkage wearing out!!!).  14” X 5 ¼ birch snare. LP brass 14” and 15” timbales and wood block.  I have all Sabian cymbals – a mix of series (AA, AAX, etc.).  I have 3 crash (18” 16” 20”), heavy rock ride (20”), 14” hi-hats, 10” splash, 18” china.  I also play Vater 5B wood tip hickory sicks.

 

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

 

Steve: Creativity is key.  You will never be the fastest, the most coordinated, the most on time or any other “most.”  There is always, there always was, and will always be somebody better at certain mechanical skills.  However, what there are very few of are creative drummers.  Obviously, you must focus on the core skills that will allow you to realize your creative vision, but apply your craft in a way that few others do.  Then you will stand out!

 

SDM: Who gave the best live performance you've ever seen?

 

Steve: I’ve seen so many amazing performances, but I’d have to say it begins and ends with Neil Peart.  While I’m clearly biased, his combination of precision, execution, and creativity is hard to match.

 

SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?

 

Steve: Cooking, SCUBA, exercise, read non-fiction, and video games.

 

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Вместе с нею,-он кивнул в сторону Маргариты.

На тринадцатый вечер осады Аламута Бертран был в полном отчаянии.

Ты надежно защищен даже от самопредательства.

Если не хочешь, можешь не снимать, ответил сэр Оливер в восторге от того, что "Скачать бесплатно игру камень судьбы"ему удалось так ловко "Скачать кукрыниксы хрустальный мир"провести людоеда.

Затем еще три кривые линии, вслед за ними прямая.

Идеальное место для разговора с самим собой, если у тебя есть, что сказать.

Да, именно этим "Эффективное плавание. Методика тренировки пловцов и триатлетов"маршрутом шел Ларик.

Мне даже показалось, "Умри со мной"что из его "Правила сочетания цветов в одежде"рта посыпались искры.

Все это тебе "Хорватия"пригодится, добавил мистер Параден со смешком, "Компьютерная томография. Базовое руководство"когда вернешься сюда и начнешь надписывать конверты.

Это "Парфюмер звонит первым"единственный аэропорт, достаточно большой, чтобы "Откровенные рассказы странника духовному своему отцу"принять нас.

Посреди побоища в "ДНК неземной любви"кресле с высокой "Великая Отечественная война 1941 – 1945 год. Сборник военно-исторических карт. Часть 3"спинкой восседал, улыбаясь и потирая руки, "От волшебного фонаря до видеокамеры"сам мистер Эрисон.

Ругаясь и дразня, твари схватили убегающего собрата.