Twentyish Drummer Questions Volume Sixty-One: Matt Shitslinger!
Drum Interview!
1. How long have you been a drummer?
-16 years or so.
2. When/why did you decide to be a drummer?
-3rd grade. My dad had a set in the basement and one day I dug it out from behind the mountain of boxes and started teaching myself.
3. What kind of set did you play?
-Fibes.
4. What album(s) did you learn to drum to? If not an album, with whom? Or did you just bang it out?
-I learned to play to one song. Tom Petty - Free Falling. It was slower and simple and easy to learn new fills to that basic beat.
5. When you started out, did you buy so many accessories?
-I was into motley crue so I had to have a cowbell. I bet mom an dad loved that! But other than that I kept it basic.
6. Single or double?
-Double. DW 5000 with the double chains too.
7. Stick size/type?
-Cheap sticks. 5A. I break em too much to buy Pro Marks anymore.
8. Nylon tips, or wood?
-Nylon for sure!
9. What brand of heads do you prefer?
-Evans.
10. What is your favorite cymbal ever?
-The OLD Zildjians.
11. What are your thoughts on china cymbals?
-They’re alright if you don’t over use it! Just cuz you have one doesn’t mean it has to be in every song!
12. How about splashes?
-Cool for sneakin' in to fills every now and then. But again, doesn’t need to be in every song.
13. Where did you get your gear from?
-All sorts of places throughout the years. Friends. Shows. Guitar Center.
14. How do you feel about the statement “any drummer with more than a four piece set is an asshole?”
-It all depends on what style of music. I don’t need Neil Peart’s set to play punk songs but I’d like a bigger set if I was in a classic rock band.
15. I don't remember the specifics of which bands you are in that are active now.. What bands have you been in/are you in? Would you mind listing out a bandography for us?
-Well I’m currently not in a band. But I was in The Lockland Brakes before they called themselves The Lockland Brakes. Situation Red. 1984. Means to an End. The Fucks. D.B.P. and I’m sure there’s others that I’m forgetting…
16. Where is your best performance located? (This refers to physical media)
-The Situation Red album Three Locks on Every Door (Since the new stuff never got released.) It was the last thing I recorded on drums that actually got put out as a CD. And I try to keep progressing so the most recent thing I’ve recorded would be the best.
17. Who are your top three drummers now?
-As far as just good rock drummers? Not counting the technical guys? Matt Cameron, Steven Perkins, Matt Sorum.
18. Who were your initial top three drummers?
-Tommy Lee, Peter Chris, Alex Van Halen.
19. Have you ever actually stopped a cymbal crack?
Sorta.
20. Do you play any other instruments, or do you feel like a drummer should just concentrate on doing their drummer job well?
-I started rapping about five years ago under the name Grill Cheese, with a group called River City Ransom, Cheech Mob affiliated. New group called Unholy Trinity. And I still go down to the basement and make some noise with the drums! So I say if you’re multi-talented then do it! don’t give up one talent to focus on another, do both!
21. How do you feel about that “This drummer is at the wrong gig" video?
-If it’s the video im thinking of I think its great! He looks like he was having so much fun and that’s what this fuckin' music thing is all about!
22. What is your signature move?
-One handed triplet fills between the snare and bass drum then floor tom and bass drum.
23. What cd do you put in just because the drums are amazing?
-When I listen to music I listen to all of it, never just for one instrument. BUT, and this could change at any time, RIGHT NOW I’d listen to Nothings Shocking by Jane’s Addiction. Lotta tom work on that album. Especially Mountain Song.
24. What would be the most exciting fill in spot for you; the kind where you would puke from excitement before going onstage?
-Filling in for Matt Cameron with Pearl Jam. I would go fucking CRAZY!
25. Shoe preference or no shoe?
-Any shoe. Not heavy ass boots. But definitely not without shoes at all.
26. How do you feel about playing to a click track?
-I don’t like them anymore because I can do it without them. But they definitely taught me how to keep tempo and not speed up like I used to do.
27. Is there any better feeling than a freshly cleaned, shiny drum set gives you?
-Holding the first copy of an album you recorded on that freshly clean, shiny drum set!
28. Are you concerned at all about the type of wood that sticks, the kit, and. etc are made out of?
-Not really.
29. Do you use different sticks for different songs, depending on need?
-Nope.
30. What are your thoughts on triggers?
-They're good if they blend in and don’t sound outta place.
31. Fill in the blank:
Best word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming: Intense.
Worst word (phrase) ever to describe your drumming: Someone once said I was 'weak' for not being able to do everything I do with double bass on one foot. Obviously not a drummer himself.
Word (phrase) that you are aiming for while drumming: Impressive.