THE BIG RIFF - SCOTT SMITH THE DRUMMER OF PLAGUES (BLACK METAL) SUMMONER & THE AUTOMATA (METALCORE)
Nov 17, 2023
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Scott Smith, an amazing drummer and drum artificer, discusses his demanding recording process that yields amazing sounding results, bands like Plagues, juvenile delinquency, and the importance of breaks for recharging creativity. They explore drum artistry, the evolution of music styles, and the challenges and rewards of creating music in the metal scene.
Evolution of band name to Summoner for serious appeal and success with Magnetic Eye Records.
Memorable experience at Psycho Las Vegas with diverse bands like Sleep and Down.
Personal anecdotes about Las Vegas experiences, band interactions, and humorous drum tech moment.
Recording at God City Studio for nine songs split into two EPs with varied influences.
Band dynamics focused on intense rehearsals for tight performances and diverse musical influences.
Drummer's dedication to hard-hitting style, precision in recording sessions, and band's evolution in sound development.
Deep dives
Band Evolution and Recording Label Experience
The band's evolution from Riff Cannon to Summoner and their experience with recording labels, including Magnetic Eye Records, is highlighted. The process of changing the band name to Summoner in pursuit of being taken more seriously and the positive interaction with the label during recording is discussed.
Psycho Las Vegas Music Festival Experience
The band's performance at the Psycho Las Vegas music festival is described, including details about their flight out, accommodations at the Hard Rock Hotel, and the lineup of bands they performed alongside. The diverse range of acts, such as Sleep and Down, added to the memorable experience.
Vegas Adventures and Sound Tech Assistance
Personal experiences in Las Vegas, including a visit to a shooting range and interactions with other bands, such as Jones Down Masca and Earthless, are shared. A humorous anecdote about assisting a friend as a drum tech and tuning drums for a performance at the festival adds a lighter touch to the narrative.
Recording Adventures at God City Studio
Recording at God City Studio involved a full day session where the drums were tracked for nine songs. After staying overnight in the studio's apartment, it was decided to split the songs into two EPs. The first part showcases a more aggressive black metal sound, while the newer material draws influences from bands like Killing Joke, Catatonia, and October Tide.
Band Dynamics and Music Evolution
Band dynamics involved meticulous rehearsal sessions where songs were run multiple times to ensure tight performances. The evolution of Plaigs' sound reflects diverse influences, with the band exploring different styles and honing their craft through intense pre-production work.
Influential Bands and Pre-Production
The band's influences spanned bands like The Hexen and Killing Joke, each contributing to the unique sound of Plaigs. Songs like 'Path to Oblivion' showcased the band's attention to detail through pre-production efforts, ensuring that each element of the music resonated cohesively.
Drumming Style and Studio Preparation
The drummer's intense drumming style was shaped by a dedication to hard-hitting performances, focusing on muscle memory and precision during studio recording sessions. The band's commitment to practice and fine-tuning sets exemplified the meticulous approach to creating powerful and cohesive music.
Sound Retrospection and Growth
Reflecting on the band's growth and sound development, the recording process at God City Studio highlighted the band's evolution from meticulous pre-production practices to the final recording sessions. Constant refinement and attention to detail led to the creation of dynamic tracks that captured the essence of Plaigs' musical vision.
Recording Music During Covid-19 Restrictions
During the podcast episode, the difficulties faced by bands like Plagues in recording new music during Covid-19 restrictions were discussed. With the band members having to adapt to recording at home, using personal equipment, and even utilizing resources like Shawn's home studio for guitar recordings, the challenges of creating music in a pandemic era were highlighted.
Adaptability in Releasing Music
The podcast delved into the band's approach to releasing music in a digital age where attention spans are shorter and the demand for constant content is high. The discussion touched on the idea of releasing shorter EPs instead of full-length albums to cater to the current pace of consuming music, while also considering factors like changing production styles and the ease of digital distribution platforms like Spotify.
Musical Influences and Personal Anecdotes
The conversation veered into the band members' personal experiences with music, sharing anecdotes about drum kits, snare drums, and influences like the band Hanson. The banter showcased a mix of nostalgia for past music experiences, humorous exchanges about memorable shows attended together, and reflections on family connections to music and unique musical preferences.
Tonight's episode is one of the ones we were looking forward to recording since the very start. Scott Smith is a lifelong dedicated amazing drummer, drum artificer and long time friend. We talk a lot about drums, juvenile delinquency, Bleak Season, Invader, all the bands! There's a little background music provided by neighbors! We go over his demanding recording process that yield amazing sounding results as well. Strap in, turkeys - this is a fun one!
PLAGUES
https://plagues1.bandcamp.com/album/dystopian-misanthropy-vol-2
https://plagues1.bandcamp.com/album/dystopian-misanthropy-vol-1
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/plagues/1555757812
HRL
Join our Discord sever! Fans of the show can chat it up here - https://discord.gg/yXDFbHxp
We also have a Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/ItsaHardRockLifePod?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
ahardrocklife@gmail.com
dirtyrockrecords@usa.com
pelleklive212@proton.me
also
https://rumble.com/c/c-3065898
https://rumble.com/c/c-3023066
the livestream will be here
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552827200250
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