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Interviews
Malevolent Creation - Dave Culross
04/06/07 || Global Domination
This interview was done by ex-staffer/cocksmoker Chazz.
Dave Culross is a name that shouldn’t really need any introduction. He has a style and sound that even non-drum nerds like me can recognize. Dave’s been a part of the scene for years, playing on releases by Suffocation, Incantation, Disgorge, Hateplow, and most notably, he’s a long time member of Malevolent Creation. As if that wasn’t enough, Dave is now putting his skills to the test in his greatest achievement yet… talking to us. Ok, maybe not the greatest, but he was cool enough to answer my stupid questions and comes across as a pretty killer individual. Enjoy.
GD: Ok, let’s start this shit off right. I want to hear about the new album, at the time I’m writing this, I imagine it’s finished as far as recording goes. What can we look forward to hearing on this tenth Malevolent Creation album?
Dave Culross: It hits on all of the different sounds and feels achieved on several of the past records. We have songs with riffs in the vein of the “Ten Commandments”, “Retribution”, “Stillborn”, “Eternal”, etc. You can also expect to hear some of the fastest, most aggressive death metal this band has ever put out!
I’ve noticed that not only is Jason (Blachowicz, bass) back in the band, so is Brett (Hoffmann, vocals) and Jon (Rubin, guitars). I don’t know why Jason or Jon left, but I remember there being some bad blood when Brett was booted that first time… did you guys all “click” right away when you sat down to all play together that first time again. What was that like?
Everything was already cool since so much time had passed, and everyone had worked out their differences, now, years ago. When we jammed together for the first time in 12 years, it was as smooth as it was when we were playing it in years past. It felt special, because of the smiles on everyone’s face when we were playing, because it was sounding so sick, so immediately!
Being from Iowa, I’ve got to ask about your special guest on this album, Mick from Slipknot… how did you hook up with him?
We have known Mick since he was in “Body Pit”, his old death metal
band, many people may not know about… He was, and still is, a huge
Malevolent fan. Years ago, he had asked us if, someday, he could do
something on one of our records. So we have a cool spot in this new song
called “Deliver My Enemy”, where there is about a 30 second blank spot
where neither Jon, nor Phil, had put a lead in… We sent a rough copy to
Mick. He went over to Sid’s house (#0 in Slipknot) and tracked a killer
solo that compliments the music and Jon’s earlier solo in the same riff,
as well, and he still unleashes the fury!!! All people who know Mick’s
playing should know what to expect out of him. The same goes for us. We
didn’t play a Slipknot style song, and have Mick guest on it… It’s
brutal!
So compared to all the other Malevolent Creation albums, what does “Doomsday X” have that none of the other albums had?
I would have to say a super fresh vibe, with all of the songs being rather new to everyone. We were still arranging stuff as we were tracking, so it got a really natural flow, where nothing sounds forced or out of place. There are also quite a few riffs which you could refer to as hooks, because you totally find yourself humming them when the album is finished.
Do you do play any other instruments or do any writing for Malevolent besides your own drum parts, or is the band mainly Phil Fasciana’s music/lyrics? And about Phil, do you guys really call him “Barbara Streisand”? I talked with some people who know and have toured with him and they all call him that, you have to admit, there is a resemblance.
Phil, Jon, and Jason all wrote pretty equally on this record. They each composed full songs on their own, and then showed them to each other as we were rehearsing in the 3 days before we tracked. I only wrote drum parts on this record, no guitars. I do play guitar enough to get my ideas out, as I have in the past on both Hate Plow, and Suffocation. Phil does not write lyrics. It is all Brett. Jay may have written lyrics for one of his songs, too. And as far as the whole Barbara thing goes, nobody in the band calls him that, really. Someone said something of a resemblance once, but it got old. Ha…ha… and Jon looks like Jim Morrison…
You took some time off from Malevolent and touring a few years ago, why was that? At the time were you planning on coming back at some point, or had you planned to “retire” for good. Also, how well do you think Tony Laureano handled your drum parts on the live album (“Conquering South America”)?
I took three years off to raise my son. I wanted to do the right thing for Malevolent too. I didn’t think it was fair to just play on the albums, and not tour for them, when I was the one people wanted to see playing my parts. I didn’t think I was going to come back to playing full time, touring, etc. I figured I would do some studio shit, and clinics. To be honest, I have only seen a few minutes of the “Conquering” video, and what I saw was good. I heard the bass drums had issues, though, with triggers misfiring. I know Tony always played my parts pretty true to form, though.
Malevolent tours in Europe quite a bit, how does a tour there compare to a US tour? Are the venues and accommodations still a lot better in Europe? What about the fans?
Europe is different from touring the States, mainly because Europe has a stronger metal scene. That’s not to say the scene in the US is non-existent, but to drive double the distances, get paid less money and sell less merch makes you want to do Europe more often. Venues are similar. The accommodations are similar, as well. People in Europe just seem to treat us better, because we are not from their country, and they try to make us feel as welcome, and comfortable, as possible. They don’t have some of the common conveniences that we have here, like a 7-11 on every corner, so they hook you up before everything is closed. Everything closes much earlier than places over here.
I don’t know if you keep track, but do you have any idea how many live shows you have played by now? So far, which has been your biggest and/or best show? Do any stand out as being ones you’d like to forget?
I think the (last) tour ended up being 45 shows. The most stand-out show, in my mind, is London. Not only was the show sold out, with a crazy fuckin’ crowd, but my 4 year old metal-head son was there with my old lady. It was my birthday present from them (my birthday was the day before, which they were, also, there for). It was so good to see them, both! Spain had killer, crazy crowds too! I want to try to remember, not forget, shows. They are always fun to play, no matter how big, or small, they are.
Ok then, so of all the albums you’ve played on, from the old Malevolent Creation stuff, and including session work with Gorgasm, Suffocation etc., which one or two songs do you feel holds your greatest performance?
That’s a tough question. I would have to say my work with Suffocation was some of my best. I was surrounded by top-notch musicians, who pushed me to play at my best. The newest Malevolent would probably have some of my best playing on it as well. I am playing at my fastest, both hands and feet, and playing so many different kinds of beats.
Did you give any thought to trying out for Slayer when they were auditioning drummers? I’d find it hard to believe they (or Dave anyway) weren’t some kind of influence in your career at some time at least.
I had thought about it, and even went to the point of trying to get a hold of them through their management, but I was never able to speak to anyone on the phone, so I didn’t really pursue it after that. Slayer was an influence in my career since I was 13 (“Reign in Blood” era). Lombardo was shredding! His fills were so tasty, and his doubles were flyin’ for the time!
You are involved with another band, Storm, which is not at all like what people would expect considering your other (and former) bands. For those who have no fucken idea what I’m talking about, can you give us a rundown on Storm? Is this a “side band” or do you have plans on this being a more full time working band?
Storm is now done. I still jam with Steve, Chris, and Mike, but the band was just something to do, rather than busting out MORE death metal. We are not working with the singer, since he lacks communication skills, and is a fucking FAG who likes to wear eye liner. It was not our style, at all. I am doing another side band right now, with Chris Basile of Pyrexia, and Guy, of Suffocation. It is in the Suffocation vein…
GD note: This answer was totally unexpected. Looking at their MySpace page, one would think they are still together, in fact, someone was logged on the account when I checked out the tunes there. You heard it here first.
Any time I see someone listing the “favorite drummers” your name usually is in there somewhere… so who is on your list? Is anyone out there new to the scene really impressing you?
I have many drummers in my list of influences. Not many of them are
death metal drummers, though. Back when I started doing this, I was
mainly influenced by Terrorizer (Pete Sandoval), Carcass (Ken Owen), and
Cannibal Corpse (Paul Mazukewitcz). I took all of their styles, and
adapted some of their feels to my style. I am a mixture of Pete’s speed,
Ken’s creativity, and Paul’s straight forward brutal approach. Of the
past 5 years or so, I was really awed by the playing of Kai Hahto
(ex-Rotten Sound). Super technical abilities, without overplaying to
show off! He was playing some killer parts! I have always been a fan of
Steve Smith (Journey, Vital Information, Vital Tech Tones, etc.) He
plays so smooth! I try to be that smooth in my playing, which tends to
make me look like I’m bored (so I’ve been told), when I’m really trying
to play smooth, and consistent.
Could you name your top five metal albums that should be essential to buy for anyone who’s got the slightest interest in fine drumming?
Slayer- “Reign in Blood”, Terrorizer- “World Downfall” or Morbid Angel- “Alters of Madness” (both Pete), Death- “Human”, Death- “Individual Thought Patterns”, and Rotten Sound- “Still Psycho”.
Speaking of drummers, you knew Larry Hawke (RIP), and actually replaced him in Hateplow. I’ve always been real impressed with his playing on that “Everybody Dies” album. Was he in any way an influence to you as a drummer? I hear some similarities in your playing.
Absolutely! Larry had this all-or-nothing style that I loved. He didn’t care if people thought playing a blast with two feet was cheating, because he was probably playing faster than most of the people who gave him shit for it! It was as extreme as he could humanly move. He pushed himself. He thought playing fast was fun! He laughed when he heard his own songs being played back on recording, just because it was so fast! He did those super fast descending rolls I love to use so much also.
I’m not going to pretend to be some kind of fucken drum expert, but I do want to ask about your blast style… you use both feet during your blasts, right?
Yes.
Did you always play that way, or did you switch from one to two feet at some point?
I switched from one to two feet after hearing Crazy Larry blast on the Hate Plow record.
Did you find it to be a struggle to learn proper blast technique at first, or was it pretty natural for you?
Blasting always came easy, as far as the mechanics of it goes. That part of it is simple. The execution in playing it faster and faster is where I worked hard for years. I was playing the same speed as Pete when Morbid put out “Alters”, if not a little faster. That was with one foot. Switching to two was a little weird at first, but after a few months of practice it became easier.
Can you give a brief rundown on your drum setup? Do your live and studio setups differ in any way?
My kit has two 22” kicks, 12”, 13”, 14” mounted toms, 16” floor tom, and a 5.5×14” Maple snare to match the kit. Cymbals are all Paiste. I use 17”, 18”, 19” Rude Thin Crashes, a pair of 14” Signature Dark Hi-Hats, a 20” Signature Dark Ride, an 8” and a 10” Signature Splash, and a 2002 series 18” Rock China. My live set is the same.
Since you are a real pro, you have some endorsements, what do you currently endorse?
I am endorsed by Vic Firth drumsticks, Paiste cymbals, GMS drums, and Axis Percussion pedals and hardware.
How did you hook up with GMS, they aren’t exactly known for being a “metal guy’s” drum maker, are they?
No. They are a top end drum-set manufacturer, which tends to steer us
low-income metal heads away. I was working at a drum shop in Rochester,
NY, where we got a dealership if we bought three kits. So, I split my
drum set in two, and ordered a small, third, be-bop kit. I got my drums
at dealer cost, which was how I afforded them, back then. I got my
endorsement in ’95, although I bought the kit in Sept. of ’94. Now they
are giving me 70% off list (standard A-line endorsement).
Have you ever considered production an instructional DVD for drummers?
Yes, I am in talks right now with a company in Germany who wants to do my video for me.
Do you do many clinics or give lessons or any of that type of stuff?
I have not done any clinics, yet. I have had 15 students at one point in time, but since touring for months on end makes teaching difficult, I don’t have any, other than my son.
I heard you are pretty hardcore when it comes to quads and off-road riding. Do you participate in organized races? Ever considered going pro? Also, why is the YZF450 better than the TRX450R?
Yes, if I was not playing drums as a professional, I would probably be riding/racing quads. I have never raced in a season, because the fear of injury as a working man who has to provide for his family. I’d love to go pro, but it’s just not feasible. Shit, I did a 25’ step-up jump about 7 months ago that I ended up casing, and got flung from the quad about 20’. My lower back took most of the impact, since I was hurled over the bars. It put a real scare into me. I almost thought I had done some spinal damage at first, but it ended up being torn muscle and ligament. That made me tone down the whole desire to “go big”. In my opinion, the YFZ450 has the edge on the Honda because it is the faster, most race ready quad. Ergonomically, the TRX450 is a better trail quad. With enough modifications, either can be beasts!
I’d like you to finish this story if you could; the beginning comes from a Rob, the drummer of Vicious Art, in Dark Funeral at the time of this story.
...“we also did a show in Ventura, 1999. Here Malevolent Creation showed up before the show, and this is where the real fun begins The guys in Malevolent came to us back stage before the show and said something in the lines of: ‘I hear you Swedes know how to drink. Well, tonight is the night to prove it. I bet you we Americans will drink you under the table’, upon which two of the band members started drinking whiskey heavily straight from a bottle. We just looked at them, laughed, and said. ‘Yeah, cool, the bet is on. See you after the show’.”
“Well, after the show we did the usual back stage routine, just relaxing for some minutes, started sipping on some more beer. After a while we reminded each other of the Malevolent challenge, and started looking for the guys.”
“Yes, by now I’m sure you already guessed it. They were...”
Passed out drunk…? I remember the show, but I am not a drinker, so I wasn’t involved in that “challenge”. However, I will SMOKE anyone under the table, though! That is my challenge to whoever wants to step up with the Kind Bud!!
Here’s how Rob finished the story: “They were so pissed, half the band had already left, the others could barely walk, not to mention the blurry sludgy talking. Ha ha ha. So much for the Americans vs. the Swedes. I’d say we won on walk over, ha ha.”
Any last words?
Thanks for the interview. Hope to see everyone on tour in the future!
Thank you
For more information on Malevolent Creation:
www.malevolent-creation.com
You can also check out Dave’s MySpace Page he’s got some pretty cool videos and shit on there. If you drop him a a line, tell him Global Domination sent you.
I’d like to thank Ed Warby, Rob Lundin, and Jörgen “The Organ” Sandström for their help and suggestions on some of these questions.
