Drummer's Spotlight: Shiva (Rudra)

The world of metal places strong emphasis on the instruments that are involved in the creation of the music - be it guitars, bass, drums or keyboards. In this series, we talk to a number of drummers to have them share with us their experiences and their views on matters pertaining to their craft.

This week, we talk to Shiva, drummer of the original lords of Vedic metal, Rudra.

HMT: Hi Shiva! Thank you for being a part of our new column of Heavy Metal Tribune! To start this off, perhaps you could introduce yourself and the bands that you have been involved in, and are currently involved in?

Hello Heavy Metal Tribune. First of all, let me thank you for featuring me in your column. I wish HMT success in all endeavors, both present and future. Keep the metal flame burning!

Ok, I am Shiva and I play drums for the band Rudra. To date, I have recorded 6 albums with Rudra, the latest one is scheduled to be released early next year. I had also (or still will if time permits in the event the band makes a comeback) played for Graycode (one demo), Kaliyuga (one full length album) and Shatriya (2 albums). Rudra is my present band and I have no other projects at the moment.

Would you like to share more about your personal musical history? Did you start off your musical journey as a drummer? What was it that made you decide to pick up drums?

Well, I started off as a listener and I still am an avid metal listener as metal (music) forms part of my life! Actually, I am also a fan of pop, rock, dance and other alternative music. I am open to all kinds of music as long as there is groove in it. Since young, I always dreamt of being a singer and not a drummer. It so happened one day when my poly classmates and I wanted to try out playing some hard rock music in a jamming studio at Bukit Timah. I think it was called Viva music studio. We were all big fans of glam rock and early generation thrash music. So we booked a room and wanted to try playing the different instruments. None of us had formal training or exposure playing musical instruments, and we had a go with whatever instruments that was available in the studio. It turned out that I played the drums with more groove and feel than the others and so I became the ‘Drummer’.

Were you self-taught, or did you have formal training on the drums?

I am self-taught. But I do read a lot on drums and listen for advice from other drummers. I guess now the younger aspiring drummers have the luxury of internet, i.e. YouTube and other sources of information on drumming on the web.

Who are some of the drummers that have had huge influence on your playing style?

Dave Lombardo, Paul Bostaph and Neil Peart. I am a big Slayer and Rush fan so that explains it. In fact, part of the reason I become fan of a certain band has got to do a lot on the drummers and their style of playing. If the drummer is awesome (in my opinion i.e.), I will take an interest in the band. :)

Being one of the more prominent and experienced drummer in the Singapore metal scene, what do you think are some of the difficulties that most drummers in Singapore face?

Thanks for the compliment. First of all, we drummers in Singapore hardly can get our kit on stage for gigs. We have to use whatever that is provided by the gig organizers. We can however, present them with our technical rider and stuff but those are really for big shows and nothing is certain until the gig day. For metal music, most of the time the gigs are smaller and it is really a hassle bringing our stuff and setting up the kit. So we will have to make do with whatever that is given to us. Sound system also is another major headache. And Sound check is another problem as most of the time we don’t have enough hours to get it right.

What are some of the most common misconceptions about being a drummer?

Well, in metal drumming, to the mainstream listener we are a bunch of robotic machine gunners going on and on with our blastbeats and double bass. What they fail to realize and listen to is that we are keeping up with the speed and heavy riffing that is required to keep our music fast and heavy and not lose the intensity. The overall energy that is involved in making the music intense is phenomenal and if we do not deliver, the band does not sound good.

What is your favourite/dream setup?

My dream set up would be really to keep it simple and position everything in a way that I can play the drums blindfolded for a whole gig. I am still working on it.

Playing in Rudra, fusing eastern beats into your drumming style, how has it aided in your growth as a drummer?

I should thank the band for giving me wonderful riffs for me to work with in the first of all. I have in my own opinion, established a trademark Rudra beat pattern that is used in all the 5 albums. I hope I can come up with more in the future. I am also now exploring using drum pads and samples in the future.

What is the thought process or writing process when coming up with the beats for Rudra songs? Are the guitar riffs written first, or do you give an idea of how you want the beats to be before songs are written?

It is a mixture actually. Sometimes I do come up with some interesting drum patterns and we will write a riff over it. But in most instances, the riff is written first before my drum parts are put in.

Finally, what are some of the tips that you can give to aspiring drummers, and those who wish to pick up drums in the future?

Drumming is an art. Enjoy it. Learning to play fast in hyper blast speed of over 300++ BPM is not the way to go. Playing with great groove and simplicity is the way to go. Slowly explore the different patterns that other drummers do and then create your own different patterns. Finally, explore different sounds and arrive at a distinct sound for the band and yourself.

Related articles:
Views from the Pit: Rudra @ Kalaa Utsavam
Video: Rudra @ Baybeats 2010
Views from the Pit: Rudra @ Baybeats 2010
Interview with Rudra

Rudra on the internet:
Official website
MySpace
Facebook

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