Sick Drummer Magazine

 

Keep up with Matt here:

www.myspace.com/mongoliandeathworm

 

 

I started playing the drums when I was 14. My first kit was a red PDP with some cheap Sabian cymbals. I really got inspired to take drumming seriously after I heard drummers like Dave Lombardo and Chris Adler. The idea of double bass was brand new to me, and after hearing what metal drummers could do with it, I was inspired to get a double pedal for myself. After about a year of watching drum videos and playing along to CD’s, I joined my first metal band, Pretorius. We starting playing shows almost every week and created a large following.  We recorded a CD in 2005, but then broke up shortly after. I eventually upgraded to a bigger Tama Rockstar double bass kit and added more cymbals. I started getting into more diverse music, which helped me become a more diverse drummer.  I am currently playing in an industrial metal band called Sickroom, and spend most of my time writing music for my solo project, Mongolian Death Worm.

 

 

 

• More Video from Matt: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=deathworm0

 

 

 

Matt Duncan Interview:

 

 

SD.com: When did you start playing drums?

Matt: About four years ago.

 

 

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

Matt: No. I've never been interested in it.

 

 

SD.com: Have you ever taken any lessons?

Matt: I just started taking lessons recently, and they've really helped me out a lot.

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Matt: Gene Hoglan, Thomas Lang, Pete Sandoval, Joe Morello, and Derek Roddy.

 

 

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

Matt: George Kollias, John Blackwell, and Steve Gadd.

 

 

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

Matt: Enslaved-Isa, Impaled-Mondo Medicale, The Devin Townsend Band-Accelerated Evolution, Dark Angel-Darkness Descends, and Angel Corpse-Exterminate.

 

 

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

Matt: Yeah. I usually go through my drum books and pick out a few paradiddles to play.  I try to always play everything normal first, and then do the same pattern starting with my left hand.  I also do different double bass patterns and fills.

 

 

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

Matt: Either my AAXplosion 14" and 16" crashes or my two Pearl Eliminators.

 

 

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

Matt: Every time you practice, force yourself to play new things that are hard for you. A lot of times for drummers, practice means playing really easy fills or beats that are fun and sound cool. If you do this then you'll never progress. Force yourself to learn something brand new everyday.

 

 

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

Matt: Twisted Sister

 

 

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

Matt: I've been playing piano for about three years and I have recently started playing guitar. I spend most of my time writing music for my solo band, Mongolian Death Worm.  I also play a dangerous amount of Metal Slug Anthology for PS2.