Sick Drummer Magazine

 

Keep up with Mike here:

www.myspace.com/gutturalsecrete

www.myspace.com/gutturalfitz

 

 

I began playing around with the drums at age 16. I was fascinated with bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura,etc...I put together my first real band during my first year in Highschool with 4 of my closest friends at the time. We called ourselves State of Punishment, playing mostly original thrash metal songs. We played together from 96`-99`playing local shows in Las Vegas and even landing an opening slot for Dave Lombardo`s band Grip Inc. in the summer of 99`. In early 2000 I jammed with John Aaron(GRAVEYARD BARBEQUE) and formed The Evil Geniuos Thought Project. We recorded a low budget demo but eventually went our seperate ways in 2001. Between 2001 and mid 2002 I practiced solo and began listening to alot of extreme death metal which influenced my drumming tremendously. That's when I met up with fellow sicko Blue Jensen and we formed Guttural Secrete.

 

After setting the line-up as a five piece, we recorded our demo in 2003. Then in 2004 we signed with Unmatched Brutality Records. Sinching our lineup down to a three piece we recorded the Artistic creations with cranial stumps mcd which was our first release with our label. Playing local shows at various bars and clubs around the vegas valley plus an appearnace at the Gathering of the Sick 04` in albeqerque,NM, we began writing material for our first full-length album, "Reek of Pubescent Despoilment". During that time we met up with other fellow sicko Randy Thompson and made an appearance at the Maryland Deathfest 05`. We released Reek of Pubescent Despoilment in early 06` and have added another great addition to the band since then, our bass player Matt Goldberg. As a solid 4 piece we have a busy 07`which includes a number of dates in California in late Jan with Devourment and an appearance at this years Openair Deathfest in Germany june 9 07`.

 

 

Mike Fitzgerald Interview:

 

 

SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?

Mike: I started playing drums at the age of 16.







SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Mike: Unfortunetly no.

 

 

SD.com: Ever take any lessons?

Mike: I never took lessons, i just played along with cds of bands i listened to when i first started playing. I would put on headphones and crank metallica or sepultura and try to play what they played and stay in time.

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Mike:

1.Neil Peart  
2.Dave Lombardo
3.Derek Roddy
4.George Kollias
5.Ricky Myers

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn't mean favorites, who are your favorites?

Mike: I really enjoy listening to Jesper Frost from Iniquity, Tim Yeung, Mike Smith, Raymond Herrera, Gene Hoglan, Sean Reinert, the list goes on....

 

 

SD.com: Let us know 5 CD's that are in your current rotation

Mike:

Iniquity-Seranadium
Rush-Power Windows
Gorguts-The Erosion of Sanity
Cynic-Focus
Spawn of Possession-Noctambulant

 

 

SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo's regularly?

Mike: I practice mostly single stroke rudiments for my hands and feet. I also practice doubles and triplets around the kit. I like to practice 16th note and 32nd note patterns with my feet at about 140-180 bpm for as long as i can to keep up on my control, consistency and endurance.

 

 

SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?

Mike: I would have to say my cymbal arrangement. I have three different chinas on my kit that have their own tone and voice.They sound great when i use them in the right context of our music. All my cymbals are Zildjian.

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Mike: I like to warm up for about a half hour before we go on. I like to strech first for about 10 min and then practice rudiments with my hands and feet for about 20min to get the blood flowing.

 

 

SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be...

Mike: Try to be open minded to all styles of music and drumming. There are so many things you can learn from listening to different genres of music. Put together a practice routine and play it every day. Play until your arms and legs burn and try to practice with a metronome to keep time. And last but not least, play with heart and feeling!

 

 

SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you've ever seen?

Mike: That's a tough one but i would have to say Dream Theater on the Gigantour 05`. Compared to all the bands that performed on the bill they just displayed such  superior musicianship and showmanship. Not to mention, their killer sound!

 

 

SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what elsw would you want to do with your life?

Mike: Probably learn another instrument!

Thanks for the interview and profile Ian and thanks to everyone who has supported me and Guttural Secrete in one way or another!!!