Sick Drummer Magazine

Keep up with Brandon here:

myspace.com/mirrorofdeadfaces
youtube.com/xblastbeatsx

Around the age of 12 my cousin gave me these little bongo type drums and I would just screw around on em for fun. when I was 6, I would sit in front of the t.v. and watch skid row videos and cinderella videos and be totally inspired. I have always loved music, bass, and guitar. Bass and guitar were actually my first instruments, but there was something about drums that always caught my attention. it was the intensity and energy it brought to music.

My first year out of high school a jazz drummer/rock drummer of mine was selling his tama rockstar, so I saved up and bought  it. I practice to drummers such as: Joey Jordison, Abe Cunningham, Dave Lombardo, Derek Youngsma and David Silveria. Joey Jordison inspired me to get a double bass pedal, then I started playing double bass. I started in my first band with Mitch Lucker (current singer of suicide silence) in a band called "Dying Dreams". We all kinda split up and wanted to persue other things. I then met up with Chris Garza to form "Suicide Silence". We jammed a few times and I moved to bass guitar, then vocals and it wasn't fun. Then, after that I joined "The Final Burden". I stuck with them for 2 years and moved onto a band called "Plague of Sheol". I played with them for about 3 years. The band just fell apart. "XdeathstarX" was the next band I joined and recorded "We Are The Threat". it was successful at the time. I got to do gigs like Hellfest and New England Metal Fest and do some good tours. I left for personal reasons. I am currently drumming for "Mirror of Dead Faces" and it's great. check it out!

Brandon Trahan Interview:

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

BT: i was about 21

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

BT: nope. i really wish i did. i am thinking about doing it now

SD.com: Who are your top 5 metal influences?

BT: kevin talley, shannon lucas, derek roddy, george kollias and john longstreth

SD.com: Who are some other of your favorites?

BT:Inferno,Mark castillo,zach gibson,etienne gallo, navene koperweis,john bonham,danny from intronaut, marco minneman...pretty much everyone elses favorite drummers as well haha

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

BT: soulfly-dark ages, cannibal corpse-bloodthirst, aeon-rise to dominate, gorelord-ALL,hour of penance-the vile conception

SD.com: What do you do to warm up before a show?

BT:isolate myself from everyone and practice singles, doubles, and flams with my feet and hands

SD.com: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have effected your playing?

BT:no i dont, ive been natural for the time being of playing. i tried to read music and it hasnt affected my playing but it definitely encouraged me to want to learn

SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?

BT:i love pearl and tama. i also love ziljdian and paiste

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

BT:be a nerd and sit on you tube and learn every thing you can from instructionals and all that hahahah. it worked for me. bottom line though, never give up and do keep practicing....to a click that is. always

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

BT:damn. ummmmmm......derek roddy with hate eternal and the killswitch engage drummer...he played everything hit for hit and he didnt even play to a click and his timing was just flawless

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

BT:gosh, thats the worst question ever for a drummer haha. i'd like to go to school for graphic design or be a cage fighter.