Page 33 - Sick Drummer Magazine Issue 29 - Hannes Grossmann

Gojira - Anything: Mario Duplantier is a beast! Super technical precision and super powerful.Decapitated - Blood Mantra: Always loved Krimh, but the new guy kills it. Heavy riffage is always welcome in my opinion.Dimmu Borgir - Death Cult Armageddon: Nicholas barker has some very tasty drumming on this album.Pearl Jam - Vitalogy: Dave Abbruzzese is a very underrated drummer. I was so into him as a young drummer. Awesome cymbal accents and an awesome live presence.SDM: What’s it like being a big rock star now having techs and roadies? Do you still ever load in and load out yourself?Pete: Haha, I wouldn’t consider myself a big rock star. But, I do not have a tech. I set up my kit every day. There are stage hands and loaders that help us load in and out of the venues, which is definitely helpful.SDM: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How old were you when you started drumming and what was your first kit?Pete: I started drumming when I was very young. I got my first kit at 7 years old, and it was a CB500. It was handed down to me from my Mom’s cousin. I had already learned to play on my bed by setting up pillows in place of drums, so I was ripping right away! I’ll never forget the day I got those drums.. Thanks Mom & Dad!SDM: Are you self-taught or did you take some lessons?Pete: I was self-taught for the first few years, but I began taking lessons at age 10 to prepare for joining jazz band. I needed to read sheet music and that began my lesson taking. I took lessons until age 17.SDM: Were you always interested in playing thrash metal?Pete: Not at first. I began drums playing mostly rock and roll. Once I “mastered” drumming rock music, I moved towards punk and then I found metal. Once I heard the double kick and intense drumming I was hooked!SDM: Who are some of your drummer influences?Pete: Some of my influences include: Mario Duplantier, Igor Cavalera, Kevin Talley, Paul Bostaph, Dave Abbruzzese and Carter Beauford.SDM: Tell us about joining up with Havok.Pete: When I joined HAVOK I was at a point in my life where I really wanted to get back into music. I had been to college and graduated with a Graphic Design degree. There were no jobs around, so I randomly looked online for metal band looking for drummer and David’s ad came up. I sent him an email and he sent me mp3s of two songs; D.O.A. and Morbid Symmetry. I videotaped myself playing the songs and the rest is history.SDM: Pete what endorsements do you have, and what kind of kit do you currently use?I’m endorsed through Pearl Drums. I use a custom Reference kit in Arctic White with black hardware. Sizes are (2) 20” x “18 kicks, 10” x 9”, 13” x 11” and 18” x 16” toms. My snare is a Pearl Premium Beaded Bell Brass 6.5” x 14.” I use all Sabian cymbals, mainly AA and AAX. My favorite the 13” Fusion Hats.SDM: Do you trigger your drums and why or why not?33