02/05/2008 – Interview with SILVER FIST

SILVER FIST is a Spanish Heavy/Power Metal band I got to know a few years ago, due to a review I had to make of "Avé Fenix". Last year I also had the honour of reviewing their latest album, "Tears Of Blood" and do an interview with guitarist Diego. Ivan (drums) was mentioned a few times and that made me think to ask him a couple of questions about his drumming, for which this Special was conceived.

01. When did you start playing the drums and what triggered that desire?

All started when I was 13 years old, I saw GUNS N' ROSES and METALLICA videos and I wanted to be like Lars Ulrich or Matt Sorum. Two years later I had my first kit.

02. How did you learn to drum: on your own or by taking lessons?

All I have learned was by myself, with the help of thousands videos. I never took any lesson.

03. Who are your influences (other drummers)?

Lars Ulrich, Cozy Powell, Phil Collins, Ian Paice, Justin Foley, Steve Gadd....and of course Buddy Rich.

04. When did you buy/get your first kit? Which brand/model was it?

I bought it when I was 15, it was a cheap kit, for beginners. I think it was a sub-label of Dixon.

05. How many kits have you had over the years?

I completed the first basic kit with another bassdrum (Ludwig) and two more toms (Sonor), and a lot of cymbals by Zildjian, Sabian and more.... The next kit I had was a Tama Rockstar metal-kit, with two bass drums, two toms, and two floor toms, with the Roadpro hardware, and Paiste cymbals.

06. Which kit(s) do you have now? (brand, model, skins, cymbals, hardware, ...)

Now I'm using the same Tama Rockstar, but only one bass drum, one tom and one floor tom, with the basic cymbals (Paiste, Zildjian & Turkish) and Iron Cobra Powerglide twin pedal. I used to play with the classic Remo pinstripe heads, but now I use the G1 coated Evans head for toms, and the EQ4 Batter Coated for bass drum, but I continue with the Coated Ambassador by Remo for the snare, wich is a "Black Panther" Birdseye Maple by Mapex.

07. Are you endorsed by certain brands?

No.

08. How important is it for you to have a realistic drumsound when recording or performing live?

It is very important, but I prefer to sound good and equilibrated.

09. Do you use triggers? Why (not)? If so, in which situations?

No, I like the real sound of a drum. To sound good you don't need any trigger, you only need to play with groove. Trigger is like a kind of play-back for me.

10. What makes a drumkit a good drumkit, in general or for the style you play? (material, setup, portability/movability, ...)

It must to be small, strong and hard for the travels, and with a good snare, of course (if this piece is crap, you're really fucked-up).

11. How much money can a professional kit like you use in studios or on stage cost? (rough estimation, despite different setups)

About 1500 EUR.

12. How often do you practise? Do you then also try new things or just maintain what you're already capable of?

I practise two or three times at week, sometimes nothing in two weeks and sometimes I play during 6 hours....I always try new things, I never play the same song with the same breaks, hehehe.

13. Do you stick to a certain style or can you play different styles?

I play Metal (Heavy, Thrash, Metalcore) with my band, but I always like to play songs by GENESIS, ASIA, or Pop bands, and sometimes I try to play some Jazz.

14. Any advice you have for starting drummers? Or something you'd like to share in general?

Keep your love for the music, it's the most difficult when you're into the bussiness.

15. For the 'famous'/very experienced drummers specifically:
a) Do you believe drums and drumming will evolve during the next five or ten years?
b) Do you believe instruments have reached a level where it will become stale or can it still be improved greatly?
c) What are the greatest weaknesses of drum kits now and what needs to be improved to reach a better sound or to facilitate the task of playing drums for you?

Only if you want my opinion, I think I'm not famous, hahaha:

a) Yeah, you can always listen something new, it is the best side of music.
b) I think there are no limits to anything with the new technologies we have today. The same with musical instruments.
c) Durabillity. If you want a drumkit for the next 10 or 15 years, you have to pay a lot of money. And sometimes it is not a guarantee.

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