My Bio
Howie
Howard Barends my first an only drumteacher taught me what groove is as he mentioned that Flash was Thrash without the necessary basics, meaning that if it doesn`t swing it doesn`t do anything! …these words coming from a man who could easily groove a wallet out of every barowner`s pocket. That what was important to him back then is of my concern now… Thanks Howie for this important life lesson.
All that Music
Also I never forget his disappointed face when I mentioned bands like Kiss and Iron Maiden. He couldn`t understand the link between Steve Gadd/Manu Katché and Peter Criss/Clive Burr. I began to listen everything from pure Jazz to underground Deathmetal an everything in between and believe me, it never made my life easy listening all these kinds of music (moneywise/ and there`s a lot to catch up with), but it certainly made me a better musician…. period!
Take it all
Even now I can`t choose what`s more beautiful; a new CD by the Marsalis brothers with Jeff Tain Watts or Opeth with a tasteful Axenroth. Now experienced I play a little game called: “Best of both worlds”. For example: I can think of Peter Erskine, while playing blast-beats and polka`s with I.N.R.I., but also Sean Reinert playing Fusion with the Barstools…it gives that little edge. What I`m trying to say is that if you can`t choose…take it all (musicwise).
“Thanks for reading a short moment out of my life and see you somewhere in the world of music!”. - Martin