Sick Drummer Magazine

Keep up with Samus here:

www.myspace.com/66samus

According to my parents, I have been drumming since I was in diapers. Before I discovered Metallica and Slayer when I was ten years old, I was playing basic rock stuff like Lynyrd Skynyrd/Allman Brothers Band. When I was fourteen, I discovered “double-bass.” I was listening to bands like Dream Theater and Slipknot.

I then discovered blast beats, etc when I was seventeen and I heard drummers like Nick Barker/Derek Roddy. Black Metal pretty much changed my life. I also play jazz/fusion type stuff, but it’s never as much fun as blasting my ass off. I work at a music store, so I pretty much practice every single day. ROCK!

Samus Paulicelli Interview:

SD.com: When did you start playing drums?

Samus: Well, my parents always tell me that I've been playing since I was in diapers, but until I see video proof, I think they are full of shit, haha. I know I started when I was a little kid, but I never got serious until I was fourteen.

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

Samus: I played snare drum for school bands from 5th to 8th grade. I also played snare for two years for the high school drumline. I loved it, but I never had time to practice on the actual kit, since the drumline rehearsed six days a week.

SD.com: Have you ever taken any lessons?

Samus: I started lessons when I was eight years old. When I discovered double-bass at the age of fourteen, there were no teachers around who specified in it. I stopped taking lessons and learned everything about double-bass on my own. I have been teaching myself ever since.

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Samus: Derek Roddy, Nick Barker, Marco Minneman, Dave Weckyl, and Jason Rullo.

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

Samus: Hmm...pretty much same as above.

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

Samus:
1. Killswitch Engage - As Daylight Dies
2. Ensiferum - Ensiferum
3. Slayer - Seasons In The Abyss
4. Norther - Death Unlimited
5. All That Remains - The Fall of Ideals

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

Samus: The same techniques and exercises I learned from Derek Roddy. Strict hands/feet exercises with a metronome for thirty minutes straight. That pretty much warms me up. After that, I usually just rock out for a few hours.

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

Samus: My 6'' Zil-Bel, haha.

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

Samus: Never ever stop practicing. NEVER!

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

Samus: Dave Lombardo and Slayer in Feb 2007 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. The stage presence was just amazing.

SD.com: Aside from drumming, what else do you do with your life?

Samus: I work full-time at a local music store. I love playing Basketball, running, frisbee and just having a good time with beautiful fiance Jennifer.