JOE NUNEZ (Soulfly) – Systematic progress to me is best while rehearsing alone

Joe Nunez er inne i sin andre periode i Soulfly. Han var først inne i varmen mellom 2000 og 2001 mens Roy Mayorga tok en pause. Hans andre og nåværende periode startet i 2003 og siden er det Joe som har vært skinnpisker i Soulfly. Han sier ikke så mye, men får frem at det er Slayers Dave Lombardo som er hans største inspirasjonskilde og at han faktisk vurderer å legge stikkene på hylla for en stund. Les mer om dette og litt til i The Blast Beast Series og Joe Nunez fra Soulfly.

What is the force behind you being a drummer, that is, what keeps you going?

The force that is behind me being a drummer is the high energy of the drums, music and fans.

You are playing in a genre where both technique and speed, together with groove, are important ingredients. What do you think is the most important of these?

To me, the most important ingredient in the type of music I play is groove and timing.

Which drummer has inspired you the most throughout the years, and what would you have said to him/her if you had the chance to meet him/her in person?

Dave Lombardo is the drummer that inspired me throughout the years. I met him already and said "thanks" for all the years of drumming and endless inspiration.

Which is best while rehearsing alone: systematic progress or full improvisation?

Systematic progress to me is best while rehearsing alone.

Do you have any "core rehearsal tips" that have given you a lot of progress in your drumming?

I have no core-rehearsal tips.

What is important for you while rehearsing new songs/riffs with your band? Is there something in particular you do or listen for?

The most important thing I look for while rehearsing are new songs or riffs is the feel and energy. From there, you can figure out which way you can go.

What is, in your opinion, the biggest challenges for extreme drummers (or, generally speaking, drummers), and what can you do to work them out?

In my opinion, the biggest challenges for extreme drummers come from playing at slow tempos while still maintaining their high level ability. Health too must be an issue.

Wrists or fingers? Heel up or down? Why?

I play with wrists, and heels up. It allows me to play off of the heads.

You must have rehearsed for an insane amount of hours to be as good a drummer as you are. Do you think it is worth it, and have you ever thought about quitting?

It's definitely worth the hours of practicing. However, I have thought of laying it to rests for a while.

While playing at a concert: are you 100 % concentrated about what you are doing, or do you notice some of the mood and energy among the audience?

While playing a concert, I am 100% concentrating on the entire band, fans, sound and playing all at once.

Is it expensive to become a drummer, and what does it take outside all that can be bought for money to become a clever and good drummer in extreme metal?

To become a clever and good drummer in extreme metal, I think you need to throw yourself into the fire, and absorb everything you can learn (of course with an open mind).

And then some about your equipment:

Which snare drum and configuration do you like the best? 12", 13" or 14"? And which material? Wood, steel, brass or bronze?

14' snare – hand hammered brass shell.

What kind of pedal(s) do you use? And which "settings" fits your style the best?

I play Premier 6000 double pedals with normal settings.

As always, we are rounding off with you picking the next drummer in these series. Pick a drummer, and explain why he/she deserves (!) to be one of our Blast Beasts.

I pick Sean Reinhart to be in your Blast Beast Series because he's an amazing drummer, and has influenced thousands.

http://www.myspace.com/soulfly