DAVE HALEY – …what defines success?

Etter at Erik (LEGION OF THE DAMNED) utfordret Dave (PSYCROPTIC), får vi nå vårt første innslag fra kontinentet down under i denne serien med intervjuer av trommiser. Dave er nok et ukjent navn for de fleste av oss her oppe i det kalde nord, men gutten spiller i band som så absolutt ikke burde være ukjente. Han trakterer trommene i både PSYCROPTIC og THE AMENTA samt ABORTED og RUINS.

 

ET – When did you start to play the drums?

DAVE – When I was in grade 7 at school. I was 12. Got my first kit at 13 and started to get lessons when I was 15.

 

ET – Why did you start playing drums?

DAVE – The class needed a drummer. All the boys in the class lined up to see if they could play a ‘straight 8’. I was the only one who got it first time, so I became the class drummer.

 

ET – How old were you when you got your first drums/drum set?

DAVE – 13, and it was a Pearl Maxwin. Crappy old kit.

 

ET – How often do you practice?

DAVE – Not so much these days, but I want to get back into it. I try to get in about 30 mins to an hour. I used to do 1 to 2 hours each day, but I’ve been too busy lately.

 

ET – Which drummer did you look up to when you were young and is there anyone today that you admire more than the rest?

DAVE – First drummer I really looked up to was Lars Ulrich. Once I started to get more into drumming I started to listen to metal players like Pete Sandoval, Sean Reihert, Gene Hoglan as well as jazz/fusion players like Virgil Donati, Dave Weckl, and so on. Obviously players like Virgil Donati cannot be overlooked…but as far as metal goes my faves are Derek Roddy, George K, Hellhammer and so on.

 

ET – What kind of equipment do you use? Which equipment is in your ears the best?

DAVE – I’m endorsed by Yamaha drums and Paiste cymbals, as well as Axis pedals. It’s the equipment I would be using even if I didn’t have a deal as they are great products. I love to play them.

 

ET – Which qualities do you think is most important to succeed as a drummer today?

DAVE – It’s a very subjective question, because what defines success? A successful drummer is one who is very happy with what they are doing and who is motivated to progress.

 

ET – Have you ever played a solo during a gig?

DAVE – Not during a band gig, but I had to play at a drummers festival – a solo performance. It’s not something I’m very comfortable with.

 

ET – If you haven’t become a drummer, what would you most likely been doing?

DAVE – Probably got a really good job making a lot of money…the opposite of what I’m doing now – hahaha

 

ET – Do you workout a lot?

DAVE – No, not really. I should because it would help out with stamina I guess…

 

ET – Do you have any special rituals you have to go through before you enter the stage?

DAVE – I always try to warm up by myself to get psyched up and focus. Nothing that is set in stone, but I always loosen up.

 

ET – Which releases have you been a part of so far? (Band name, title, release year)

DAVE –

PSYCROPTIC – “Isle of Disenchantment” (2001)
PSYCROPTIC – “Scepter of the Ancients” (2003)
PSYCROPTIC – “Symbols of Failure” (2006)
RUINS – “Atom and Time” (2004)
RUINS – “Spun Forth as Dark Nets” (2005)
THE AMENTA -“Occasus”
ABORTED – “Slaughter and the Apparatus” (to be released)

 

ET – Before we end this, you now have the opportunity to challenge another drummer to take part in this series. Pick a drummer and explain why?

DAVE – I pick Jan Axel (aka Hellhammer) as he is an exceptional drummer and I think it would be great for people to have a perspective on his playing.

 

Siden Hellhammer for tiden er opptatt i studio sammen med resten av Mayhem, måtte Dave velge ut Romain fra Disavowed som erstatter. Hellhammer får vi eventuelt prøve igjen senere i Blast Beast serien når han får tid.