I know that Animals As Leaders is an acquired taste, but I have tons of respect for their drummer, Matt Garstka. So naturally, I have to tribute him now and then. Credit to SumerianRecords for the artwork surrounding the album cover.
For those viewers not familiar with Animals As Leaders and the one and only Matt Garstka: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2ubFhivaED0.html .
I heard a wise drum instructor say this to his student drummer once. When approached by someone who wants to critique your playing, ask them to personally demonstrate to you the improvement they are suggesting. Anyone can critique you with words. It's the person who can personally demonstrate the improvement he is suggesting who is more deserving of your consideration. This is true in martial arts, and it is true in musicianship. Pay heed, grasshopper.
Devikah haha I'm just playing though, you really are good, I just saw matt live recently and shiiiiit no one plays this song like him. Gotta give it to ya for even attempting it. Keep on rockin!
No problemo, Kemosabe. I was just returning what I was receiving. When people compare me with other drummers, I have only one response: "Dang, I love how far I've come in five years". That's all that matters to me. Next five years, batter up! ^_^
FIVE YEARS?! Okay. You're doing pretty great for five years!! And good on you for having the confidence to get out on the internet and showing what you've built in that time! Respect for sure
I've only just discovered your channel, and am ashamed it has taken me this long. First saw your Whiplash and Caravan video, and thought you were awesome. Then saw your Everlong video, and that was it. Hooked!
Well, I am still only getting into different styles of music, but Everlong is my all time favourite song. Saying that, you are infinitely much more pleasurable to watch than Mr Grohl. Sorry, Dave.
Only you to make me woke up at 2 AM (in Brazilian time) to watch your killer AAL drum cover! I dig your preference to make challenging covers with odd times and complex fills! ;)
LOL Always good to see you, Fernando. I blame my parents for that: I have their DNA which makes me bored with nonchallenging stuff. Be well, my friend. ^_^
Oh my goodness!! You have the perfect balance of beauty, fun & cuteness... And on top of that you're an amazing drummer!!!! I never knew girls like you actually existed.
Thank you, Reynaldo. Independent arm and foot movement is probably the most challenging aspect of drumming for me. But if you love polyrhythmic songs, you gotta do what you gotta do. ^_^
I try with both taste and wittiness, but I also try to show truth and respect when I can. That's why I subscribed, because you're extremely talented, and I love that you play different styles.
Garstka has always had such an interesting style, very odd rhythms and technique, an innovative sound throughout the whole group, with tempo and style changes constantly and never a solid best for longer than about 7 or so seconds. This is one of my favorite videos you've made, you killed it on this tribute!
There is only one way to eat a huge elephant: in small bites. Same thing goes for polyrhythmic pieces. Believe me, there were LOTS and LOTs of small bites here. ^_^
SLOW DOWN. I feel this video is getting a lot of likes and views based on the fact you're a girl (I mean as little offence as possible) You have little feeling of velocity or accent. You need to slow down everything you're doing and begin to see every action as a deliberate and thought out one. Right now this sounds like a wall of choppy messy noise, the structure is their but the sauce to create the whole mix is missing. SLOW IT DOWN. You're rushing everything. Go back to singles/doubles, do it all again, try to get your ghosts to about an inch from the snare. Practice technique.
When I tribute a band or drummer, I generally play at the same tempo that the original artist played it. I.e. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Tfn575rvSf4.html . If I run into Matt Garstka, I'll be happy to pass on your suggestion to him. Thanks. ^_^
You might play it at the same tempo but it doesn't sound the same tempo. I feel i'm being constructive with my criticism. You really need to slow down and look at 'feeling' and also 'tempo' as two separate yet equal things. I'm trying to encourage you here more than anything, there are worse comments people could leave on youtube. Your structure is ok but your application is lacking, get a programme like audacity, slow the whole track down by 40-50% and start from scratch, even pick out the triplets, slow a triplet pattern down, 1+a2+a3+a1+a2+a3+a etc. Find down beats, up beats, 1/4 notes, 1/8th notes etc, it'll really help your playing. Right now it's hard to find the definition between each note you're playing so it gives you a much more raw sound. Personally opinion, take it if you like or leave it if you'd prefer that.
Just watched some of your videos and read your "about" tab and your playing is REMARKABLE for only 5 years on the drums. Instant sub! Will be watching...and I learning I reckon, from here on out ;-)
Ok, I saw your Whiplash/Caravan covers and was impressed, but decided to subscribe immediately when I read the name Animals As Leaders in your videos. Congratulations! Just one question: how long did you took to get that good? Sorry for the bad english... Oh, and make some Periphery and some Meshuggah too! ^^
Your English is very understandable; don't apologize for it. I like both bands. They both have great drummers, so I'll be looking at them in the future. And the answer to your question can be found here: ru-vid.comabout . Thanks. ^_^
Gosh, you have such an unusual style and talent...it's hard to describe...it's a slightly off-time and complex beat, but yet controlled and expressive...I really like the way you look over at the camera...you are so captivating and mesmerizing...so fresh and unique...sorry to ramble on, there's just something about you. Awesome job!
Thank you, Michael. I just cover other drummers, however. They get the credit for creativity; I just tribute their skills. Such as Matt Garstka: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2ubFhivaED0.html . Thanks again. ^_^
Devikah idk...I watched several of your other videos too...you're not talented...I had it wrong...you are very gifted! And I mean that...I watched you very intently and I'm not sure I've seen such a gifting...are you professional? If not, you should be! I have a feeling you're going to be big...but in your own way and I don't think you'll compromise large sums of money to play music you're hearts not into...I'm severely honored that you would even respond to my post...you needn't respond back to this...I just want you to think about where your dreams will take you...be careful who you trust and I hope to see you on the big stage someday...I'm not wrong here...all my best to you!!!
Thanks again, Michael. But I have to disagree with your description of "gifted". I am where I am today because of practice, not because of any gift. I have a couple of videos of when I started drumming 5 years ago, and I assure you they don't reveal any special gifts. To the contrary. I'm all about practice. Practice will take you where you want to go. If you're willing to do the practice to get there. That's my number one motivational message to my viewers: practice, practice, practice. ^_^
Devikah I like your humbleness and I agree with your concept of practicing...but some people can practice 23 hours a day and never achieve what you have...just because you're gifted doesn't mean you don't pay your dues or eliminate practice, it means it isn't a chore...it's your calling...you see, it's not what you do that determines who you are, it's who you are inside that determines what you do...That is what I see in you...I know this is strange to you...and if you really feel it doesn't apply, then disregard...but I'm not wrong in you...haha! Lol. Bye
Thanks for introducing me to this band. I don't usually like speed/technical metal, but these guys have such amazing musicality and diverse sonic influences that their music is hugely compelling and listenable. It's like if Allan Holdsworth formed a speed metal band. Tasty stuff. Great cover!
Woww another perfect AAL drum cover,you never cease to amaze me,Matt Garska would be proud of you jejeje ^_^ I was wondering,have you ever considered doing a Between The Buried And Me drum cover, I would love to see you make a drum cover of their song Ants of the Sky ^_^
Thank you. We all have tastes, right? And not all our tastes are the same. Why do I mention this? I'm not attracted to any metal that includes screaming, howling, or strange throat sounds. Can't explain why, but it draws my focus away from my drumming. Just one of my flaws, no doubt. And just being honest. ^_^
Devikah You're welcome ^_^ yeah I understand you, I at first wasn't much of a fan of that band coz of that i guess i prefered clean singing in progressive metal/rock,but then I just focus on the instruments,not the voice,and well me being a hardcore fan of progressive metal/rock,I learned to love that band and appreciate their music,and their drummer Blake Richardson that is an amazing drummer,although I do like a lot bands that scream,growl for example Amon Amarth,but I prefer a balance between clean singin and screaming and growl hahaha well I'm pretty open minded in music,well mostly in rock/metal and try to listen to diferent bands of diferent subgeneres to learn more jejeje but I do understand that everyone has their tastes jejeje
Love the articulation of those hats and ride. Solid cover, but that's nothing new. Man, I'm normally a Sabian guy, but the more I hear from Murat the more I want to give their "darker" cymbals a shot.
Still a lot of room of improvement. A lot. I can't really follow the song as the drums IS the heartbeat to any song..it was rather messy, cringey, all over the place with that awkward smile every now and then. Brave, to have claimed this as a tribute to Matt.
I like instrumental metal mostly. Screaming and hoarse throat sounds throw off the tuning of my heads (j/k). When your instrumentalists are top tier, you don't need a vocalist. Just my opinion. Thanks. ^_^
Great Job! Ya know... play this song again, with lighter sticks. You'll understand when you try. ;) As for the album cover.. it looks great. Who did it? Timmy?
(for this song) try using a 5A or even 7A stick. You'll feel more of the "finesse" in your tone. With regards to the Album cover... in your description, you "credited SumarianRecords for Artwork surrounding the album cover."
Thanks. I like to move my overheads to different positions to see what overall sound I get. You'd be amazed at the difference an inch or two movement can make. ^_^
OK Ms. Davikah... I'm watching the calendar and this month is almost up! I'm starting (actually it's been ongoing) to have more withdrawal symptoms. I hope there's a new video coming soon??????
