October 22, 2020

Welcome to Into The Pit…’s historical first interview entry. It is such a monumental event, that we decided to not go with just one, but 3 of today’s most amazing drummers and incredible souls to kick this off! Austin D’Amond, Russell Ray and Wade Murff honored us here at Salsaman Photography’s - Into The Pit… to do a 3 part interview that connects each of them together. We hope you enjoy!

Into The Pit…: Who has been your biggest influence as a musician?

Austin D’Amond: Man that’s always been a tough answer for me. I have so many. From Pantera - Dr Dre , there’s just too many to have a biggest . There are many “biggest”

ITP: What was your first drum kit?... And have you ever rocked a kid drum kit (i.e. Mickey Mouse, Dora the Explorer, etc)?

AD: Tama Rockstar, late 80’s model. No, but you got me thinkin I need a cartoon kit now

ITP: Double Kick Drum or Double pedal?

AD: Double pedal, it’s always been my bread and butter

ITP: Most memorable moment(live)?

AD: First time Bleed the Sky played Europe . We never played in front of that many people before.

ITP: Most embarrassing moment(live)?

AD: Stopping at the beginning of a song the first time I ever played with Chimaira I believe the song was called “The flame”

ITP: Top 5 songs on your current playlist (Spotify, Apple Music, Etc)? What is one guilty pleasure song you listen to?

AD: Ghostmane, Dealer, Ramirez, Suicide Boys, Yüth Forever

ITP:  Do you use a click track live?

AD: Yessir

ITP:  What is your biggest vice?

AD: Food, working out, nature

ITP:  If you could be a drummer in any band [past or present, and other than your current band(s)], which would it be?

AD: Emmure

ITP: You have played many festivals, what would be your dream festival to see? (5 bands past or present)

AD: I’ve already played one with everyone imaginable every one but Metallica

ITP: What do you like to do outside of music (hobby), that most people would not associate you with?

AD: I love goin’ to AA meetings. My recovery is first before all else.

ITP: We see you are involved with 'Let There Be Rock Schools'.... Can you tell us more about it?

AD: Yeah man, I work there on my off tour times. It’s basically an all performing based rock themed school!!! We get into lessons and teach them cover tunes as well and they all get together on the weekends and jam as a band. We offer all types of different packages!!  We also do recordings!!! It’s such an amazing place to work at!!! Giving back to these awesome peeps, young and up is simply the best blessing I’ve ever received!!!

ITP: Was being on the cover of Tranquility Today, your first time gracing a magazine cover solo? How was that experience?

AD: I don’t think that ever came out

ITP: We see you have a Shred Sober line of clothing....what motivated you to do it and how is it going? Where can people find the Shred Sober merch?

AD: Shred Sober is something I thought of early on in my sobriety. I look at it like I wanted to start owning my sobriety the same way I owned my addiction, with a strong intense passion. I see it as a way to get the elephant out of the room and just love your new life!!!

You can find all things Shred Sober at MerchLive and SpreadShirt

ITP: To wrap up this interview (part of our 3 part series of drummer interviews) we would like to give you the opportunity to help us ask a question of the other drummers.... 

Your question for: Russell Ray (Redd Star)?  

AD: What style of drumming do you also play around with that people may not know?

ITP: ...and your question for: Wade Murff (Doyle)?

AD: Do you lift with Doyle? Dudes a beast and a half!!!!

BONUS ROUNDS - 

*Question from Wade (Doyle):

“DevilDriver’s music is intense. The drumming is amazing and really energetic most of the time. Do you have to eat properly for the shows? What do you eat before you play?”

AD: Haha!!! Yeah it’s definitely a workout!! I try to eat minimally to be honest. Maybe a banana and some peanut butter an hour before the show. Something that hits quick!!! Then I’m usually starving right after the show!!!!

*Question from Russell Ray (Redd Star):

“What are some of your 2020/2021 personal goals of growth as a drummer?”

AD: For me and this whole Covid thing, my goals with drumming have just been to keep playing and keep my stamina. I work on the little things but for me, a positive mentality is everything while playing!!!

Into The Pit with…

RUSSELL RAY

Redd Star

Into The Pit…: Who has been your biggest influence as a musician? 

Russell Ray: My biggest influence ever in music has always been and will always be my dad. He still plays music everyday. He is the one that showed me that music is therapy whether you're playing a gig, writing, practicing, or rehearsing. It’s about what's going on inside. It keeps me connected to my purpose-“Playing the Drums!”

ITP: What was your first drum kit?... And have you ever rocked a kid drum kit (i.e. Mickey Mouse, Dora the Explorer, etc)? 

RR: My first kit ever was built by pulling all the patio furniture into the house in front of the fireplace and putting the couch cushions on them. Then I grabbed my moms clothes hangers and used them for sticks. I would play along to records that I loved-and yes that was my first kit. My mom was always pissed when she came home and all her clothes hangers were gone, with all of her stuff on the floor of the closet. My dad wondered why we were always out of firewood....well I needed the fire for the show hahahahahahah. Guess that answers both questions.

ITP: Double Kick Drum or Double pedal, and why? 

RR: Depends on the style of music for me. I played in a bunch of metal bands and I LOVE the violence of playing 2 kicks (The Energy). When I play Rock I still do double bass rhythms but I prefer 1 Kick and a double pedal as I go for punch. Different feels for different styles.

ITP: Most memorable moment(live)? 

RR: I will name this one for a few specific reasons. Las Rageous 2018. At the time it was my 1st experience playing a festival of that size with soooo many great bands that I grew up listening to. But what was most important was that my Dad and a close family friend of ours flew out for the show. My dad has always been my biggest supporter and he used to take me to shows and rehearsals all the time when I was a kid. This time I was able to show him that I could do it on my turf.

ITP: Most embarrassing moment(live)? 

RR: I would say playing The Knitting Factory in LA somewhere in 2009. I was playing in Green Jelly at the time. I had learned 17 songs in a very short time and then went out on the road for a bit. This was the last show of the run and everything was going great until....We went to go into a song and my mind went blank. I could not for the life of me remember how it started. Somewhere towards the end of the set. So I thought I will play a punk rock beat and as I hear the riff I will be good to know where I am at....Wrong! I started playing and nobody else in the band did. They all turned around and I just kept jamming. I realized I had to go into a quick solo to play it off. When I stopped the bass player leaned over the kit and said “ WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?” “I DON’T KNOW!” I responded. But the guitarist caught on and started playing and we were back in it. Sold out show HAHAHA That was something.

ITP: Top 5 songs on your current playlist (Spotify, Apple Music, Etc)? What is one guilty pleasure song you listen to? 

RR: I will go by band and title- 

1.Slaves (Prayers)

2. Sonic Syndicate (Burn to Live) 

3. Bring Me the Horizon (Ludens)

4. Godsmack (Bulletproof) 

5. Blink 182 (Darkside) 

Second part of the question would be answered, 80’s pop playlists. Great way to start the day.

ITP: Do you use a click track live? 

RR: Depends on the band. I use the click for bands that run tracks and light shows. Everything is sync’d to the show. When I played in blues bands I didn’t and for some older metal bands that I played in we used a click for practice and went balls out live without it.

ITP: What is your biggest vice? 

RR: A particular memory. My best friend passed away in our apartment in 2017 while I was on tour and it changed everything. Time has helped but I miss my bro so much and it’s crippling at times. I will never get over it. I just learn to live with it, and I choose some unhealthy paths during that period. But I am in the best place I’ve been in a long time and I am feeling positive about the future.

ITP: If you could be a drummer in any band [past or present, and other than your current band(s)], which would it be?

RR: Pantera!!!!! Soundtrack of my life. RIP Abbott brothers

ITP: You have played many festivals, but what would be your dream festival to see? (5 bands past or present) 

RR: Pantera Fest would be the name and Pantera, they would play these albums in their entirety from top to bottom. Cowboys From Hell - Vulgar Display of Power - Far Beyond Driven - The Great Southern Trendkill - Reinventing the Steel. 5 sets

ITP: What do you like to do outside of music (hobby,etc), that most people would not associate you with? 

RR: I am also a writer. I worked at a publication for years in Los Angeles. I was interviewing bands, doing show reviews, and album reviews. I am working on a movie script as well as my first self help book which will be released sooner than later.

ITP: With the streaming of music these days, I have heard musicians say they are in the "t-shirt business" now, heavily relying on the merch business to survive. Some musicians / artists have started up their own personal line of merch too on the side, do you have any plans to do something along this line for yourself? 

RR: I have something up my sleeve but we will discuss that as it comes into fruition.

ITP: Have you ever destroyed your kit during a show? If so, do you only do it on the final date of the tour... And how amazing does it feel to go full "animal" doing it?

RR: I’ve never destroyed any of my kits though when I played in Green Jelly for awhile I had people dive into the kit destroying it and myself multiple times hahahahaha. Some people have discussed the rack I currently use for set up. It’s a protection barrier at this point hahahaha.

ITP: I understand that you’ve moved on from Vyces, and are currently working on a new project called REDD STAR. Can you give us any teasers of what we can look forward to?

RR: Yes I left VYCES and I’m currently 1,000% dedicated to working on REDDSTAR which was formed in the spring of 2020. We are currently getting ready to release our first single “STFU” produced by Sahaj Ticotin (Motley Crue/RA). The video was shot by Brian Cox (Bring Me The Horizon) and the EP is in post now.

ITP: To wrap up this interview (part of our 3 part series of drummer interviews) we would like to give you the opportunity to help us ask a question of the other drummers....

Your question for: Austin D'Amond (DevilDriver)? 

RR: What are some of your 2020/2021 personal goals of growth as a drummer?

and

Your question for: Wade Murff (Doyle)? 

RR: What is your daily routine on the road to stay healthy?

BONUS ROUNDS - 

*Question from Wade (Doyle):

“What types of drum beats during choruses do/did Vyces fans react to the most? More basic beats, or more “djent-y” types of beats?”

 RR: What I’ve noticed live is that the audience tends to Rock out Harder Energy wise during bouncier beats, and some Djent-y beats however we like big chorus sing-alongs as well which I will tend to leave room for the vocals. Check out our single “Nocturnal” it’s a mix of those styles and vibes.

*Question from Austin (DevilDriver):

 “What style of drumming do you also play around with that people may not know?” 

 RR: I like to play the blues. I was in a Blues Band called “The Dog House.” We played songs from Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmy Hendrix along with our originals. We performed in the south east of the U.S.A and we performed at Mardi Gras in NOLA. We were all 21 years old and it was one of the best times of my life. I still enjoy playing the blues. It’s a different emotion and will always be one of my favorites.

Into The Pit with…

WADE MURFF

Doyle

Wade on YOUTUBE (a must see!)

Into The Pit…: Who has been your biggest influence as a musician?

Wade Murff: Honestly, the first record that I obsessed over was Cheap Trick’s “At Budokan”. First, the album cover was cool and the gatefold opened up and had some really cool shots of the band playing live. But, the screaming girls in the audience was sooo intense that it almost sounded otherworldly—it was electrifying. I knew, when I sat listening to that record and looking at those live shots, that I wanted to play in a band.

 But, really soon after that I discovered Van Halen. Then it was on. I bought 1984 first, then my cool mom found Fair Warning at a yard sale and brought it home for me. I still love that band so much. Doyle and I talk about Van Halen all the time on tour. Haha. It’s like, you can hear ONE guitar lick or ONE snare drum hit and know instantly that it’s Van Halen. Doyle said something interesting about Eddie Van Halen. He said, “Man, there are a lot of people that can play Eddie’s licks note-for-note, but the real magic is in how he plays those notes—only he can do it.” Doyle’s right! The same can be said for drummers. There are hundreds of drummers that can play “Angel of Death,” but nobody really hits the single-stroke bass drum rolls like Lombardo. It has this old school style, his particular tuning, and his feel.

ITP: What was your first drum kit?... And have you ever rocked a kid drum kit (i.e. Mickey Mouse, Dora the Explorer, etc)? 

WM: My first kit was a Pearl kit of some kind. It was a full sized 4-piece and I would stand up to play it. I was 4 years old when I started getting interested in playing drums. My dad had an old kit laying around and I guess I was super attracted to it. I played for long periods as a little kid. Very tolerant neighbors. Haha.

ITP: Double Kick Drum or Double pedal, and why? 

WM: Double kick, by a longshot! First, two independent pedals feel better to me. Second, a double kick is more metal. Period. For Doyle tours, I have to use the 4-piece Pearl kit. It’s a really nice kit, and I really don’t mind bringing less equipment, but I’d rather play a big kit.

People like to get on you about that—playing a big drum set. “You don’t need all of that gear,” they’ll say. I don’t buy into it. Okay, fine. Maybe you’re right. But maybe you’re wrong! I use everything on my practice kit, which is an 8-piece with a ton of cymbals. Why do I have to slim down? Why do I care what other people think? I don’t! I LOVE big drum sets.

ITP: Most memorable moment(live)?

WM: There have been a few times when I’m playing a Doyle show and he comes by, stops in front of me and gives me a big Paul Stanley face, like the “Oooooo” look on his mouth and raised eyebrows. It honestly makes me laugh while we’re playing. He’s a blast to share the stage with.

ITP: Most embarrassing moment(live)?

WM: When I was a teenager, I was in a metal band called A.D. We played a show in Eugene, Oregon at a venue called WOW Hall. My drum throne was in REALLY bad shape and toward the end of one of our songs, the back leg actually came unhinged and I fell off the drum riser backwards. Totally embarrassing. I asked people how it looked later on and nobody saw it happen!

ITP: Top 5 songs on your current playlist (Spotify, Apple Music, Etc)? What is one guilty pleasure song you listen to? 

WM:

1.     Kreator – Phantom Antichrist

2.     Daath – Destruction-Restoration

3.     Killing Joke – Euphoria

4.     Korn – H@rd3r

5.     Arch Enemy – Nemesis

A good “guilty pleasure” artist for me is Justin Timberlake. I really like his songwriting and structures, especially the stuff he did with Timbaland on “The 20/20 Experience.” He doesn’t give a shit about pop song structure sometimes and I appreciate that. I mean, the songs on that record are almost all over 7 minutes long and they have great builds and interludes. I know it’s a popular sentiment, but JT’s fuckin talented.

ITP:  Do you use a click track live? 

WM: Yes. I LOVE click tracks. I use a click when I practice too. The way I see it, when you constantly work with perfect time, you start to master it—you internalize it—and then you can get creative with it. I’ll give you an example of what I mean. So, there might be some drummers that tend to have a “fatter” feel than other drummers. This is often because they tend to play right on the back of the beat—like a couple milliseconds behind it. John Bonham comes to mind. Sean Kinney from Alice in Chains is another example. When you work with a click, you can experiment with where you choose to play on that click. It’s rad. PLUS, in a live situation, you can sync backing tracks to the music and add to the overall show.

ITP:  What is your biggest vice?

WM: Coffee. Hands down. No shame. I fucking love coffee and I do not watch my caffeine intake at all. Haha. I gave up drinking and drugs long ago, so it’s all I got!

ITP:  If you could be a drummer in any band [past or present, and other than your current band(s)], which would it be? 

WM: Led Zeppelin.

ITP: You have played many festivals, what would be your dream festival to see? (5 bands past or present) 

WM: My dream festival would be KISS, Judas Priest, Slipknot, Pantera (original lineup), and Rammstein. That type of show would be incredible to see because the music and stage shows would be relentless. I think the Hollywood Bowl would be a cool venue.

ITP: What do you like to do outside of music (hobby, etc), that most people would not associate you with?

WM: Lawyering! I’m a licensed attorney. Other than that, I’m pretty predictable as a drummer—I love the gym and eating right.

ITP: With the streaming of music these days, I have heard musicians say they are in the "t-shirt business" now, heavily relying on the merch business to survive. Some musicians / artist have started up their own personal line of merch too on the side, do you have any plans to do something along this line for you? 

WM: Yes!

ITP: Have you ever destroyed your kit during a show? If so, do you only do it on the final date of the tour... And how amazing does it feel to go full on "animal" doing it? 

WM: I’ve thrown my kit at the end of the last song on the last day of tour, but I’ve never gone full Keith Moon on it. At this point, I feel that trashing your kit is a little “hacky” because it’s been done so many times before for different generations. It doesn’t have any shock value left.

ITP: I enjoy watching your live runs while you are on tour, very educational. You seem to have a lot of knowledge of the locations you are in. Are you a big history buff?

WM: I love history, but I really just learn as I go. This comes down to my straight edge lifestyle, haha. I’m never nursing a hangover on tour so I’m up early and occupying myself with things. I started researching each city/town before we reached it on tour and then putting on my jogging shoes and running to certain locations to take in the history.

ITP: The other thing I have enjoyed on your Instagram (@wade_murff), are your horror type pics / mini video clips. Do you have any interest in acting in a horror flick or writing one? 

WM: That would be amazing. I love good horror movies. I really like using cameras and editing software/apps to put together creative stuff while on tour. I’ve always been way into movie-making and recording. When I was a kid, I used to record sound effects in stereo on my dad’s high-end stereo from the 70s. It was like a little movie sound effects studio I had going there. I’d record everything onto quarter-inch reel-to-reel, too! Nowadays, iPhones have everything, or at least there’s an app for almost everything, so you can really get creative.

I hope to have the opportunity to be involved in a horror movie somehow.

ITP: I have seen your logo with "O L O C"  on some of your images and sites. Can you give us some insight on what it means and its importance to you? 

WM: One Life One Chance. It’s a straight edge thing again, haha. You probably know that the movement started with Minor Threat and had various contributions over the years from people like Toby Morse of H2O. I live the straight edge life because I feel it’s best for me. It’s a reaction to the excesses that come with the music industry. Plus, I play better and have a great time on tour!

ITP: To wrap up this interview (part of our 3 part series of drummer interviews) we would like to give you the opportunity to help us ask a question of the other drummers.... 

Your question for: Russell Ray (Redd Star)? 

WM: What types of drum beats during choruses do/did Vyces fans react to the most? More basic beats, or more “djent-y” types of beats?

And

Your question for: Austin D'Amond (DevilDriver)? 

WM: DevilDriver’s music is intense. The drumming is amazing and really energetic most of the time. Do you have to eat properly for the shows? What do you eat before you play?

BONUS ROUNDS -

*Question from Russell Ray (Redd Star):

“What is your daily routine on the road to stay healthy?”

WM: I'm usually up early. Doyle and I get up around 8am. We're never hungover because neither one of us drink or do drugs. I drink a TON of water throughout the day and eat lean proteins and complex carbs. For supplements, I usually take BCAAs, glutamine, creatine, B Complex, C, and Zinc. I workout every day before we play--either using the Powerblock dumbbells and bench, running, or both.

*Question from Austin D’Amond (DevilDriver / Bleed The Sky / Chimaira):

“Do you lift with Doyle? Dudes a beast and a half!!!!”

WM: Yes! I lift with Doyle! Well, when we're rehearsing in NJ before a tour we'll work out together. There's a complete gym where we rehearse. We always bring the Powerblock Dumbbells and the bench on tour and load it into the venues with all of the other equipment. He'll work out on the floor while we're setting up, then come up for soundcheck. Then, we'll work out after soundcheck. I usually run after that.