INTERVIEW WITH

Words : Sina Najaflou - Lisa LaFountaine

Marco Minnemann

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Started playing organ at the age of 6, then switched to drums and guitar at the same time at the age of 11. Marco’s fame as one of the extraordinarily talented drummers and composers, reached him at the age of 19 all the way to Munich. The first ‘cross-over’ band “Freaky Fukin’ Weirdoz” offered him a position as drummer in 1992, in connection with a major deal with BMG-Ariola. The “Weirdoz” were the originators of so-called ‘cross-over’ music.Also the “Weirdoz” had a gig with Nina Hagen on the album “Mao Mak Maa” where a fantastic cover version of Ian Dury’s hit “Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick” was created. Marco then was booked to play a Nina Hagen tour.

His work as an educational book author along with Rick Gratton brought out 2 books including the award winning and in many magazines as ..1 voted “extreme interdependence”. Also one of his DVDs “extreme drumming” won polls and achieve Marco a Telly Award.He did a trio drummer tour with Terry Bozzio and Chad Wackerman in 2006. Marco played with death metal band Necrophagist in 2007Marco received the titlestory of Modern Drummer Magazine June/July 2007 and the Brazilian MD Issue August 2012. He lent his voice to the August 2008 “Metalocalypse” episode “Snakes and Barrels”.

MARCO MINNEMANN

www.MarcoMinnemann.com

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ET’S TALK ABOUT STEVEN WILSON'S NEWEST ALBUM , "THE RAVEN THAT REFUSED TO SING (AND OTHER STORIES)". HOW WAS WORKING WITH STEVEN WILSON ON THIS ALBUM ? FOR YOU, WHAT IS THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERFORMING "GET ALL YOU DESERVE" LIVE AND PLAYING A SESSION WITH STEVEN WILSON?

MARCO :IT WAS ACTUALLY REALLY COOL BECAUSE THE PROCESS WAS QUITE EASY AND STEVEN LET ME TOTALLY DO MY THING WHICH I REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND SO HE SENT FIRST OF ALL THE DEMOS, THEN I WAS PLAYING DRUM SET AND THEN I SEND HIM THESE THINGS BACK AND THEN HE BUILDING ON TOP OF THAT OR ACTUALLY WITH THE BAND AND THEN WE LEARN THE SONGS AND START TO RECORD THEM SO THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE PROCESS WHICH WAS VERY VERY NICE AND EASY AND ALSO VERY MUSICALLY AND RESPECTFUL AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "GET ALL YOU DESERVE" LIVE AND PLAYING SESSION WITH STEVEN WAS NOT MUCH DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY KIND OF SYNC AS THE BAND AND THEN WE BROUGHT THEM INTO THE STUDIO AND PLAYED IT LIVE IN THE ROOM, SO THAT WAS REALLY COOL OF COURSE OVER-DOUBLES DIDN'T MAKE STUFF LIKE THAT BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY A LIVE PERFORMANCE I HAVE TO SAY.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON TOUR WITH THE STEVEN WILSON BAND SUPPORTING THE ALBUM. HOW IS THE FEEDBACK SO FAR FROM FANS, BEFRIENDED MUSICIANS AND PRESS? WHICH SONGS GOT THE MOST INTENSE LIVE REACTION SO FAR?

MARCO :I'M NOT TOURING WITH STEVEN WILSON BAND RIGHT NOW ANYMORE, I'M TOURING WITH JOE SATRIANI RIGHT NOW AND MY OWN BAND THE ARISTOCRATS WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME OF COURSE , IT'S MY BAND AND I ACTUALLY DID TOUR WITH STEVEN WILSON SUPPORTING THE ALBUM AND THE FEEDBACKS WERE VERY NICE AND THE SHOWS WERE CREATIVE AND BEAUTIFUL I THINK , AND THE SONG THAT GOT THE MOST INTENSE REACTION WAS OF COURSE THE "LUMINOL" THE WAY HOW IT SHOWS TAKES OFF ITS KIND OF INTENSE AND I REALLY LIKE IT.ANOTHER SONG I REALLY LIKE IS "PIN DROP" AND THEN "THE WATCHMAKER", I CAN DO MANY STUFF THERE THAT I LIKE. AND ANOTHER SONG IS HOLY DRINKER THAT IS KINDA COOL.

L

INTERVIEW WITH MARCO MINNEMANNSINA NAJAFLOU - LISA LAFOUNTAINE

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I WATCHED THE MAKING OF "THE RAVEN THAT REFUSED TO SING (AND OTHER STORIES)"; WAS THAT WAS WHOLE PROCESS FOR RECORDING THE ALBUM ? I HEARD STEVEN SAY THATIT DIDN'T TAKE A LONG TIME FOR THIS ALBUM.AS A DRUMMER, DO YOU WANT ADD SOMETHING INTO YOUR PARTS NOW?

MARCO :I'M QUITE HAPPY ACTUALLY WITH HOW THE WHOLE OF THE ALBUM TURN OUT I GOTTA SAY AND SINCE WE ARE READY AND KNEW THE SONGS BECAUSE WE DEMOED THEM, SO IT WAS PRETTY MUCH LIKE PERFORMING LIVE, WE CONCENTRATED PRETTY MUCH OF COURSE ON THE STUDIO FACILITIES , THERE WE GOT GOOD SOUND AND EVERYTHING WE CONCENTRATED IN 2 SONGS A DAY SO THAT WAS THE PRETTY MUCH THE PROCESS.

YOU WORKED WITH STEVEN WILSON ON ONE STUDIO ALBUM, DID YOU PLAY WHAT YOU WANTED OR DID YOU PLAY PARTS STEVEN HAD WRITTEN?HOW WAS PLAYING GAVIN HARRISON PARTS ON THE 2012 TOUR?

MARCO :WELL , I COULD PLAY WHAT I WANTED PRETTY MUCH, STEVEN REALLY LIKES ME TO JUST DO WHAT I DO AND THAT'S TO ME OF COURSE THE MOST FUN BEAT AND HE REALLY APPRECIATES ME AS A MUSICIAN

AND WITH MY CREATIVITY TO BRING MUSIC SO I WAS PRETTY MUCH COMPLETELY FREE HAND, SO I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THIS AND VERY COOL TO WORK WITH HIM IN THAT WAY.WELL, IT WAS FUNNY BIT BECAUSE I WASN'T PLAY GAVIN HARRISON'S PARTS ON 2012 TOUR , IT WAS FUNNY BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY ACTUALLY KNOW ANYMORE HOW THESE PARTS EXACTLY WERE BECAUSE I DIDN'T REALLY PLAY THEM THAT WAY BECAUSE THE MUSIC I LISTENED TO , I DIDN'T KNOW WHO PLAYED DRUMS ON THEM BECAUSE THE ALBUM BEFORE WHICH WAS CALL "GRACE FOR DROWNING" AND I DON'T KNOW WHO PLAYED DRUMS ON THAT ONE ! BECAUSE STEVEN SENT ME ALL THE SONGS AND I JUST LISTENED TO THEM AND MADE MY OWN PARTS ACTUALLY LOVE IT , I HAVE TO BE HONEST, WE DIDN'T PLAY ANY OF PORCUPINE TREE, AND I DON'T KNOW HONESTLY STEVEN SONGS THEM , ACTUALLY I DO KNOW ONE IT CALLED “RADIOACTIVITY TOY” CAUSE WE PERFORMANCE THAT ONE LIVE. SO I WAS NOT TO WORRY TO PLAY ANYONE ELSE'S PARTS , IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO KIND OF JUST BE CREATIVE WITH WHATEVER GOT DELIVERED . BUT IT SOUNDS VERY COOL EVERYTHING I LISTENED TO WAS VERY FUN TO LISTENING TO, SO BUT AGAIN THE MACHINE OF OUR BAND WAS KIND OF BRING IDENTITY, WHICH I GUESS EVERY MUSICIAN LIKES !

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THROUGH THE YEARS, IN YOUR STUDIO ALBUMS, WE CAN HEAR A GREAT JAZZ SOUND. I THINK THIS COMBINATION BETWEEN JAZZ & ROCK (METAL) WILL BE OUR FUTURE MUSIC. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A PIONEER IN THIS SORT OF MUSIC ?

MARCO :THANK YOU FIRST OF ALL FOR SAYING THAT !I THINK I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT OF CONCRETELY ABOUT PIONEERING SOMETHING ,YOU KNOW I MEAN WHAT I KIND OF I REALLY ALWAYS DID , I HEAR THE MUSIC THAT I WRITE IN MY HEAD, AND HOW I WANT TO HAVE IT , THEN I JUST WANT COMPOSE IT AND REALIZE THAT WAY , YEAH OF COURSE IN MY ROOTS WHEN I WAS GROWING UP TO LISTENING TO THE MUSIC , WAS QUEEN , LED ZEPPELIN, MILES DAVIS, FRANK ZAPPA AND ALSO SLAYER AND ALL THESE COMBINATIONS OF COURSE MIXED TOGETHER AND MADE KIND OF FORM THAT STICK IN MY HEAD , AND THEN MAKE MY OWN LANGUAGE , I ALSO APPRECIATE RYUICHI SAKAMOTO WHO IS GOOD COMPOSER.

TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE GREAT ARISTOCRATS ! YOUR FIRST ALBUM WAS INCREDIBLE.WHAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND THIS BAND?

MARCO :I SHOULD SAY MOST OF IT WAS BECAUSE OF OUR BASS PLAYER BRYAN , BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED WAS BASICALLY WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING PLANE , BRYAN HAD A BASS PERFORMANCE AT NAMM ,ACTUALLY IT WAS A BASS PERFORMANCE IN A CLUB NEAR THE NAAM AND SO HE WANT TO KIND OF GET IN TRIO TOGETHER AND SINCE I ACTUALLY PUT A TRIO TOGETHER FOR A RUSSIAN GIG THAT WE DID WITH BRYAN BELLER AND GREG HOWE , WE HAVE THIS TRIO GOING SO I BROUGHT THESE GUYS OVER TO RUSSIA, AND THEN BRYAN DECIDED TO HAVE A BASS BASH ,AND THEN GREG CANCELED TWO WEEKS BEFORE WE HAVE THE SHOW , SO WE WERE LOOKING FOR A GUITAR PLAYER OR WE HAD AN OPTION TO CANCEL THAT SHOW AND WE WERE REALLY CLOSE TO DOING THAT AND THEN SOMEBODY RECOMMENDED GUTHRIE AND I WAS LIKE , WAIT A MINUTE , I REMEMBER THIS GUY’S NAME , BECAUSE SOMEBODY ACTUALLY IN RUSSIA PLAYED ME GUTHRIE AND I WAS LIKE “WOW , YOU KNOW.. LET'S CONTACT HIM” AND BRYAN CONTACT HIM AND HE REPLAYED AND HE SEEMS TO BE REALLY DELIGHTED AND HE WAS LIKE “ I KNOW YOU GUYS AND WHY NOT ?! LET'S DO IT” AND THEN WE STARTED PLAYING AND IT WAS JUST MAGIC, YOU KNOW RIGHT FROM THE GET GO ,IT WAS JUST FANTASTIC , AND THE REACTION ON THE SHOW WAS REALLY OVERWHELMING , EVERYONE BROUGHT 3 SONGS ONTO THE TABLE AND THEN WE PLAYED THEM LIVE AND SO AFTER THAT WE DECIDED TO KEEP GOING AND KIND OF DO AN ALBUM EXACTLY WITH THAT SAME FORMAT SO THE FIRST ALBUM WAS WRITTEN BASICALLY AND SEPARATELY IN OUR HOMES AND THEN BROUGHT TO THE TABLE IN STUDIO , WORKED A LITTLE BITE OUT , AND THEN RECORDED , SO NOW ACTUALLY THE NEW ALBUM WHICH IS ACTUALLY RECORDED , OF COURSE YOU KNOW VERY MATURELY AND THINNESS COMPOSING WISE,

IT SOUNDS VERY MUCH DIFFERENT AND WE ARE VERY VERY HAPPY WITH OUR NEW RECORD , IT'S JUST CALL "CULTURE CLASH" SO WE ARE ABOUT TOURING RIGHT NOW , THAT WILL BE STARTED IN FEW DAYS .

YOU'VE TOURED WITH THE ARISTOCRATS FOR SUPPORTING THE NEW ALBUM. HOW IS THE FEEDBACK SO FAR FROM FANS, BEFRIENDED MUSICIANS AND PRESS? WHICH SONGS GOT THE MOST INTENSE LIVE REACTION SO FAR?

MARCO : WELL , SO YES WE ACTUALLY DID ALREADY PLAY SOME OF THE NEW MATERIAL A FEW MONTHS BACK AND NOW WE ARE STARTING TO GETTING TO MORE TOURING AND WELL , AGAIN ALSO STEVENS BAND AND REACTIONS ARE VERY NICE , CAUSE BAND SOUNDS BETTER THAN ALWAYS AND IT SOUND MORE INTENSE AND ITS LIKE INSTRUMENTAL BAND WITH SONG WRITING THAT COMPLETELY ARRANGED KIND OF STUFF AND ITS REALLY COOL.LET ME SEE WHICH SONG GOT A GOOD REACTION , BLUES FUCKERS , ROCK TO CAKES AND CULTURE CLASH , AND WE HAVE A SONG CALLED DANCE OF AIRSTOCRASTS THAT IS COMPLETELY UNUSUAL STUFF FOR US.

INTERVIEW WITH MARCO MINNEMANNSINA NAJAFLOU - LISA LAFOUNTAINE

“WHEN I WAS GROWING UP TO LISTENING TO THE MUSIC , WAS QUEEN , LED ZEPPELIN, MILES DAVIS, FRANK ZAPPA AND ALSO SLAYER AND ALL THESE COMBINATIONS OF COURSE MIXED TOGETHER.

Marco Minnemann

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WHICH SONG IS YOUR FAVORITE ON THE ARISTOCRATS ALBUM, EXCEPT "BLUES FU*KERS"?

MARCO :OH, THAT'S A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER! BECAUSE, EVERYONE WRITE SONGS, OF COURSE, WELL BLUES FUKERS THING'S FOR LIKING IT, IT'S A FUN SONG YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST ARISTOCRATS' ALBUM, RIGHT? MAN! IT'S HARD TO ANSWER THAT THING! I WOULD PICK MY FAVORITE SONGS FROM THE FIRST ALBUM TO PLAY FROM EACH OF US, SO OK, FOR BRYAN I WOULD GO WITH PROBABLY "SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY" IS A REALLY FUN TUNE TO PLAY FROM GUTHRIE'S BEATS MAYBE I WANT A PARROT OR SOMETHING AND BAD ASTEROID PUT THAT FROM HIM AND FOR BLUES FUCKERS THEN FROM ME, "BORING! I’M IN THE BACK" THAT'S ACTUALLY A FUN SONG TO PLAY, TOO, BECAUSE IT HAS ALL THOSE FUNNY METAL PARTS.

WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE WORKING WITH GREAT MUSICIANS SUCH AS GUTHRIE GOVAN AND BRYAN BELLER?

MARCO :WELL, WITH THAT TRIO, WHAT IS REALLY COOL IS THAT WE RESPECT EACH OTHER SO MUCH, FIRST OF ALL, AND THAT GOES ACTUALLY ON A VERY DEEP MUSICAL LEVEL. ALSO, WHAT IS VERY INTENSE TO WORK WITH THESE GUYS IS THAT,

PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING, I RECORDED AT HOME ON MY INSTRUMENTS THEY OF COURSE PERFECTED ON THEIR INSTRUMENTS AND BRING SO MUCH LIFE TO IT AND SO MUCH OF THEIR STYLE! SO, YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH PLAY ANYTHING WITH THEM AND MAKE IT SOUND GOOD, I MEAN WHAT A LUXURY! SO I’M ACTUALLY THANKFUL EVERYDAY TO HAVE GREAT MUSICIAN AROUND LIKE THEM.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH STEVEN WILSON FOR ANOTHER SESSION AND TOUR?

MARCO :YES! IT WOULD BE GOOD TO DO THAT AT SOME POINT, BUT NOT RIGHT NOW! I MEAN I WILL BE BUSY PRETTY MUCH INTO THE END OF 2014, SO I DON'T THINK I WILL HAVE MUCH TIME TO DO ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT FOR ARISTOCRATS AND JOE SATRIANI BY THE TIME. BUT YOU NEVER KNOW! YOU NEVER KNOW! (LAUGHING)

WELL, THE NEW ARISTOCRATS ALBUM IS DONE, IT'S CALLED CULTURE CLASH, AND IT WILL BE COMING SOON. WHAT IS DIFFERENT OR NEW ON THIS ALBUM? HOW DID YOU WRITE THE SONGS (TOGETHER OR SOLO)?

MARCO :YEAH! EXPLAINED THAT ALREADY IN AN EARLIER QUESTION, THIS TIME ACTUALLY WE KNOW, EACH OTHER'S TASTES, AND WHAT WE LIKE TO PLAY ALOT BETTER AND ALSO, THE SYMBOLS OF THE BAND SO WE KIND OF PURPOSELY WROTE SOMETHING

INTERVIEW WITH MARCO MINNEMANNSINA NAJAFLOU - LISA LAFOUNTAINE

THIS TIME ACTUALLY WE KNOW, EACH OTHER'S TASTES, AND WHAT WE LIKE TO PLAY A LOT BETTER AND ALSO, THE SYMBOLS OF THE BAND.

Marco Minnemann

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THAT WOULD SOUND THAT WE WOULD FIGURE EACH OF US WILL HAVE FUN POINT SO, AND WE RECORDED THESE SONGS TOGETHER IN STUDIO NATURAL ALSO AS A LIFE BAND WE WROTE THEM SEPARATELY SONGS AT HOME EACH OF US THREE SONGS AGAIN AND WE BROUGHT THEM TO STUDIO AND WORKED ON THEM.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON TOUR WITH JOE SATRIANI FOR HIS LATEST ALBUM. HOW IS THE FEEDBACK SO FAR FROM FANS TO YOU AS A DRUMMER FOR A SOLO ALBUM?

MARCO :OH, YEAH! WELL, IT'S ACTUALLY BETTER AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE, TO BE VERY HONEST I THINK THAT'S WHAT I CLEARLY CAN SAY BECAUSE JOE SATRIANI HAD A DRUMMER, JEFF COMPETALY WHO'S FANTASTIC OF COURSE, AND HE WORKED WITH FOR DECADES I THINK. SO, YEAH I KNOW IT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF DIFFERENT LINE UPS AND YOU WERE WITH DIFFERENT MUSICIANS AND I KNOW THAT WAS LIKE A CAR, BAND INFORMATION, SO YES OF COURSE YOU THINK LIKE: OOH! HMM I HOPE THE PEOPLE WILL ALSO LIKE WHAT I DO!(LAUGHING)OH WHAT I WILL BRING TO THE MUSIC AND I REALLY HAVE TO SAY ALL AROUND THE REACTION IS VERY VERY NICE SO I'M ACTUALLY QUITE PLEAS WITH THIS AND YEAH COME OUT AND SEE US MAYBE, OR CHECK US ON YOUTUBE, BUT I THINK I'M ACTUALLY QUITE PLEAS WITH THIS WHOLE KIND OF TURN-OUT.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WRITE A SOLO ALBUM LIKE SYMBOLIC FOX, IS THERE MORE RELAXATION ? HOW MUCH TIME DID YOU SPEND ON THIS ALBUM? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS THAT COULD LEAD TO A POTENTIAL NEW SOLO ALBUM? I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU DID A TOUR FOR YOUR SOLO ALBUMS.

MARCO :OKAY! WELL, I KEEP CONSTANTLY WRITING, YOU KNOW, IF I'M WEATHER ON THE ROAD OR ANY WHERE ELSE I ALWAYS HAVE MY STUDIO EQUIPMENT, WITH ME OR PART OF IT OR ACTUALLY YEAH WHICH IS FITS ON THE COMPUTER A GUITAR GP INTERFACE OR IN HOME OF COURSE, I RECORD DRUMS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS, TOO!

INTERVIEW WITH MARCO MINNEMANNSINA NAJAFLOU - LISA LAFOUNTAINE

AND I HAVE KIND OF WHOLE EVERYTHING AROUND HERE WORK WITH CUBASE AND KEYBOARD AND I HAVE ACTUALLY A GUITAR WITH ME SO I CAN PRETTY MUCH COMPOSE EVERYTHING AND RECORD. AND FOR ME IT'S JUST GREAT TO CHANNEL IDEAS TO JUST BRING IT INTO MUSIC AND JUST COMPOSER KEEP COMPOSING SOME STUFF LANDS IN ARISTOCRATS' FORMER AND SOME STUFF LANDS IN SOMEWHERE ELSE AND SOME STUFF LANDS ON MY SOLO EFFORTS, SO BASICALLY SYMBOLIC FOX OR ALL MY SOLO ALBUMS THAT I MAKE WELL THERE'S LIKE I THINK SO FAR, FIFTEEN OR SIXTEEN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT, I JUST KEEP COMPOSING I THINK THIS IS MY DUTY AS A MUSICIAN AND MY ATTITUDE, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LIKING WHAT I DO THERE ALL FOR MENTIONING IT AND WELL I BRING MATERIAL FROM THIS ALBUMS ALSO TO THE STAGE ACTUALLY AND MOSTLY IN FORM WITH MY THE REST OF THE ARISTOCRATS WE PLAY STUFF FROM OUR SOLO RECORDS, AND YEAH! IT'S DELIGHTING.

YOU'RE A VERY BUSY MAN, HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND PRACTICING DRUMS? WHAT DO YOU PRACTICE AT THE MOMENT?

MARCO :OOH! YEAH WELL, I TELL YOU WHAT? WHEN I'M ON THE ROAD, SPECIALLY NOW WITH JOE AND ARISTOCRATS, I CONCENTRATE ON PERFORMING LIVE AND I DO PRACTICE ON AND OFF IN THE HOTEL ROOM LIKE NEW PATTERNS THAT I DEVELOP I ALWAYS TRY TO PRACTICE VERY MUSICAL THINGS, SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS GOOD, EITHER WAY IF IT'S LIKE INDEPENDENCE EXERCISE OR SOMETHING I TRY TO KEEP IT MUSICAL BUT OF COURSE I WORK ON TECHNIC TO JUST STAYING IN SHAPE, AND DEVELOPING NEW LITTLE THINGS ALWAYS BRINGING SOMETHING NEW TO THE MUSIC, IT'S KIND OF COMPOSING REAL TIME ISN'T IT?(LAUGHING).

DO YOU QUANTIZE ON YOUR DRUM PARTS?

MARCO :NO, I NEVER DO! I NEVER REALLY QUANTIZE ANYTHING I PLAY. I MEAN WHAT I SOMETIMES DO, I PLAY ACTUALLY TO THE CLICK-TRACK BUT USUALLY, EVEN IF WE RECORD WITH ARISTOCRATS OR ALSO WITH STEVEN WE SOMETIMES DON'T USE CLICK-TRACKS IT'S LIKE THE WIPE OF ENTIRE THING IF THE TIMING OF THE BAND IS GOOD OR IF YOU HAVE A GOOD VISION OF TIMING OR WHATEVER AND YOU JUST FEEL RIGHT THEN I JUST RECORD.

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I NEVER REALLY QUANTIZE ANYTHING I PLAY !IF THE TIMING OF THE BAND IS GOOD OR IF YOU HAVE A GOOD VISION OF TIMING OR WHATEVER AND YOU JUST FEEL RIGHT THEN I JUST RECORD.

Marco Minnemann

INTERVIEW WITH MARCO MINNEMANNSINA NAJAFLOU - LISA LAFOUNTAINE

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HOW DO YOU TUNE YOUR DRUM KIT? DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL WAY THAT CAN HELP YOU FIND THE SOUND YOU WANT QUICKER?

MARCO :I PRETTY MUCH TUNE THE DRUMS NOT TOO LOW, EXCEPT FOR THE FLOW TOMS , I TRY TO MAKE TOM SYNC, SO BASICALLY THE DRUM HATS SOMEWHERE TUNE THEM THAT WAY THAT DRUM HEAD GRIPS AND THEN I FIND THE TONE THAT COMPLEMENTS TO SHELL AND THE SOUND OF THE MELODIC RANGE AND THEN I TUNE THE BOTTOM HEADS AND LITTLE HIGHER THE TOP HEADS AND KICK DRUM FAIRLY LOW BECAUSE I LIKE THE LOW SOUND ON THE KICK DRUM AND SNARE DRUM I TUNE FAIRLY HIGH BECAUSE I WANT IT SOUNDS CRACK AND MORE LIKE FUNKY STUFF. I HAVE NO SPECIAL WAY IT’S YOUR EARS AND JUST OVER THE YEARS EXPERIENCES THAT REALLY HELP YOU FIND THE SOUND YOU WANT AND WHICH SHELL & DRUMHEAD.

I WATCHED YOUR PERFORMANCE AT VLADIVOSTOK WITH THE GIRLS DRUM SQUAD, IT'S GREAT! I LOVE IT! WHAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND THAT?

MARCO :THANK YOU. WELL THAT WAS ACTUALLY KIND OF FUNNY BECAUSE IT WAS FIRST OF ALL NOT MY IDEA THAT WAS COMPLETELY CREATIVE ON THE SPOT, SO, WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE PHILHARMONIC DIRECTOR CAME TO ME AND SAID LIKE: HEY! THERE'S LIKE THIS GIRL DRUM SQUAT AND THEY'RE REALLY COOL AND THEY WORKED ON PIECES WOULD YOU MAYBE LISTEN TO THEM OR SOMETHING ASIDE AND OUR WORK EVEN SOMETHING OUT, AND I OF COURSE SAID LIKE: FUCK! THIS IS ACTUALLY A REALLY COOL IDEA, LET'S DO IT! SO, I INVITED THEM OVER AND I JUST STARTED TO LISTENING TO THEM, TO WHAT THEY DO, AND THEN I CAME UP WITH SOME IDEAS AND PATTERNS AND THEN THEY CAME UP WITH SOME OF THEIR PIECES AND SO WE DID THE OPENING OF THE ENTIRE SHOW OF ME JOINING INTO ONE OF THEIR PIECES AND THEN PLAYING AND SOME OTHER PATTERNS TOGETHER AND I REALLY ENJOINED THAT VERY MUCH AND IT WAS SUCH A COOL AND ALSO LIKE A DIFFERENT PROJECT WASN'T IT?

IF YOU COULD SUGGEST ONE DRUM METHOD FOR BEGINNERS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? WHAT STEPS SHOULD THEY TAKE TO BECOME A PRO DRUMMER THROUGH THE YEARS? WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR THEM?

MARCO :WELL, FIRST OF ALL, YOU GOT TO PRACTICE TECHNIC THERE'S NO WAY AROUND AND MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU GOT TO SIT, WRITE TO HAVE THE RIGHT TECHNIC AND ALSO LIKE STICK WISE AND FROM THE GRIP AND FROM THE FEET SO DON'T HURT YOURSELF AND IT'S VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO BREATHE RIGHT, SO, THAT YOU CAN BE RELAX BECAUSE IF YOU BE RELAX BEING AT THE DRUM-SET YOU CAN GET YOUR IDEAS ALL QUICKER. THAT'S ACTUALLY VERY VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CAN BE CREATIVE JUST LIKE BE COMPLETELY IN SYNC WITH YOURSELF THERE.

WHAT EXERCISES DO YOU USE TO IMPROVE YOUR DRUMMING SKILL?

MARCO :I JUST GO FOR A GOOD SOUND AND PLAY FOR THE ROOM AND EACH ROOM HAS A DIFFERENT SOUND AND TUNE YOUR DRUMS RIGHT, THAT'S ONE THING THAT INSPIRES YOU TO PLAY DIFFERENT THINGS. I SIT DOWN AND JUST DO EXERCISES, SPEED EXERCISES OR CONTROL EXERCISES AND JUST BEING FOCUSED ON GOOD SOUND, GOOD TIME AND CREATIVE IDEAS!

WHAT DOES YOUTUBE MEAN TO YOU IN THE EYES OF SUCH A SUCCESSFUL MUSICIAN? DO YOU SEE IT AS BEING SUCCESSFUL FOR A MUSIC CAREER?

MARCO :I GUESS IT IS, I GUESS YOUTUBE IS ONE OF THOSE PROMO-CHANNELS NOW, THAT YOU CAN LOOK EVERYONE UP AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY DO! SO, I THINK YOUTUBE IS THE LOOKING EYE THING, THAT EVERYBODY EXPERIENCES THAT IF THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO SHOW A FRIEND, WHERE DO YOU GO? YOUTUBE!SO, WE'RE USING THESE CHANNELS TO PROMOTE ARISTOCRATS OR OTHER THINGS WE DO, OR FACEBOOK! FACEBOOK IS ALMOST MORE IMPORTANT!

Highly recommended to listen Marco’sSolo album , “Symbolic Fox” ;You can buy it from iTunes storehttps://itunes.apple.com/us/album/symbolic-fox/id572988019

INTERVIEW WITH MARCO MINNEMANNSINA NAJAFLOU - LISA LAFOUNTAINE

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WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE FOR PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS IN IRAN OR ELSEWHERE WHO REALLY WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE WORLD OF DRUMMING? HOW CAN THEY CONNECT WITH OTHER BIG BANDS IN THE US OR EUROPE? FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE A SESSION PLAYER NOT ONLY IN IRAN OR THEIR COUNTRY, BUT RATHER THE WORLD.

MARCO :WELL THE WORLD HAS BECOME ALL REVIEWABLE! I MEAN IT DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE WHERE YOU LIVE.LOOK! MOST OF THE RECORDINGS I DO I THINK ALMOST 98% OF THE RECORDINGS I'M ON, I DO AT HOUSE! AND BETWEEN LOS ANGELES AND SAN DIEGO, THAT'S WHERE I LIVE, AND THEN I SEND THAT AROUND THE WORLD TO ANYWHERE! EITHER WAY, IF IT'S GERMANY, SWEDEN, ITALY OR IRAN.SO, BASICALLY, IF YOU'RE GOOD, IF YOU HAVE IDEAS YOU CAN BECOME SUCCESSFUL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! OF COURSE YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE, TRAVEL TO DO SHOWS, SOMEHOW YOU GOT YOUR NAME OUT THERE. BUT I THINK SPECIALLY NOW, WITH ALL THESE CHANNELS WE HAVE, IT'S AN EASIER TASK.

AT THIS TIME, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING TO? THE NEW ARISTOCRATS ALBUM?

MARCO :NO , ACTUALLY WHAT I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO LATELY, IS THE ENTIRE LED ZEPPELIN CATALOG AGAIN. BECAUSE THEY’VE JUST REMASTERED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCE TAPES , AND XTC , I ALSO ALWAYS LISTEN TO QUEEN , TEGAN AND SARA I LIKE THEM ,

WHICH IS FUNNY BECAUSE WE JUST MET IN ENGLAND ON THE ROADS , WE PLAYED IN SAME CITIES AND FRANK ZAPPA IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MUSICAL IDOL EVERYONE CAN HAVE HE IS FANTASTIC AND I ALWAYS LISTEN TO ZAPPA , WHAT ELSE..AH.. YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA , RYUICHI SAKAMOTO AGAIN AND HARUOMI HOSONO AND THE OTHER GUY I DON’T REMEMBER .(LAUGHUNG LOUD)TAKAHASHI (YUKIHIRO TAKAHASHI) OR SOMETHING !??!! ANYWAYS , AND I LISTEN TO CRAFT BERG AND IMPRESSIVE BAND , ONE OF THOSE WHO CAME UP WITH ELECTRONIC STUFF.

WHO WERE/ARE YOUR HEROES AND INFLUENCES ON DRUMMING?

MARCO :ITS FUNNY A BIT CAUSE I DON’T LISTEN TO DRUMMERS A LOT , ITS FUNNY AS IT SOUNDS , I PLAYED PIANO FIRST , THEN ORGAN , AND THEN GUITAR AND THEN DRUMS , AND MY DRUMS IDEA ALWAYS WERE COMES PRETTY MUCH FROM COMPOSING THING AND BEING CREATIVE WITH IT ,AND BROUGHT THESE IDEAS TO THE INSTRUMENT . BUT DRUMMERS I LISTEN TO A LOT ARE , BUDDY RICH VINNIE COLAIUATA , TERRY BOZZIO , SIMON PHILIPS , JOHN BONHAM (HE IS FANTASTIC)THESE GUYS ,HAHA. AND ABOUT MY PERSONAL LIKE , IT MIGHT BE QUEEN , THE BAND THAT COMPANIED ME IN ALL THESE YEARS , EVERYTHING IS SO DIFFERENT ABOUT THEM AND SO ENTERTAINING, THEY ARE KIND OF BAND THAT I BUY THEIR ALL KIND OF SPECIAL EDITIONS WHEN THEY COME OUT WITH DIFFERENT FORMATS BECAUSE I LIKE THEM SO MUCH .

INTERVIEW WITH MARCO MINNEMANNSINA NAJAFLOU - LISA LAFOUNTAINE

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YOU HAVE HUGE PERSONALITY, WHAT'S BEHIND THAT SMILEY AND LOVING FACE? WHAT HAS MADE MARCO MINNEMANN THE PERSON WE KNOW TODAY? WHAT IS YOUR IDEOLOGY IN LIFE ?

MARCO :WELL THANK YOU FIRST OF ALL “WHATS BEHIND THAT LOVELY AND SMILEY FACE ?” AH , I’M A VERY DARK CORRECTOR(COME ON MARCO WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT) . WHEN YOU LOOK CLOSER TO MY PERSONAL RECORDS AND ALL THE THINGS IN MY LIFE THAT’S WHERE I REALLY DEAL WITH THEM BUT HONESTLY I REALLY LIKE TO ENJOY LIFE , I LIKE TO BE VERY NICE TO PEOPLE , I GET ALONG VERY WELL WITH PEOPLE . I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS SPECIALLY IN MUSICAL BUSINESS IS TO HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH PEOPLE AND MOST OF THE TIME YOU CAN FIND OUT THAT REALLY GOOD MUSICIANS ARE FANTASTIC TO GET ALONG WITH AND THAT’S ACTUALLY REALLY IMPORTANT , CAUSE ITS RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE MUSICALLY AND PERSONALITY WISE , THAT ACTUALLY GOES THE SAME , YOU CAN BE TOTALLY IN SYNC WITH PEOPLE AND THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GO FOR .“WHAT IS YOUR IDEOLOGY IN LIFE?” DON’T WAIST YOUR TIME AND MAKES THINGS HAPPEN AND BE HAPPY WITH IT, THAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT , AND CHOOSE PEOPLE AROUND YOU THAT WORK TOGETHER WELL , TO GET SOMEHOW MENTAL MARRIAGE THAT’S WHAT I CAN COME UP AT THIS MOMENT. AND OF COURSE THROUGH EXPERIENCE YOU WILL LEARN , IT’S A DIFFICULT THING , IT’S YING YANG SITUATION . BEING FIRST OF ALL A MUSICIAN BEING ALWAYS ON TOUR AND THEN ALSO FINDING A PARTNER WHO KING OF “GETS IT” , I’M NOT MARRIED AND I HAD MET FEW FANTASTIC GIRLS , UNDERSTANDING THE ENTIRE LIFE . ITS REALLY

NEVER REALLY MAKE IT WORK EITHER THROUGH JEALOUSY ISSUES OR NOT UNDERSTANDING THE ENTIRE LIFE. ITS REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE DECISION THAT “I’M GONNA BE HOME AS A FAMILY MAN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT” OR “ I’M GONNA BE ON TOUR” AND THEN FIND SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTAND THIS AND BE ABLE TO BE WITH YOU , OR NOT, I HAD LOST MANY GREAT OPPORTUNITY , LOST MANY FANTASTIC GIRLS THAT I HAD TO DECIDED TO MARRIED AND HAVE KIDS IF I WANTED TO BE WITH THEM, BUT I DECIDED MUSIC , AND IT WAS JEALOUS THAT SOMEONE COULDN’T COMPANIED ME ONE THE ROAD OR HAD THEIR OWN CARRIER , OR THEY COULD END UP WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON LIKE SOME HIP HOP GUY (LAUGHING), THESE THINGS HAPPEN, AND I MET MANY FANTASTIC GIRLS ALL AROUND THE WORLD. BUT I NEVER MET ANYONE THAT BE THAT DEDICATED TO SAY, “YES I’M GONNA JOIN YOU ON TOUR , I’M GONNA LIVE THIS LIFE WITH YOU” AND WE TRUST EACH OTHER AND THIS COULD BE PERFECT ,ANYWAY. BUT MY IDEOLOGY IN LIFE , IS HAVING GOOD TIME , KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO BEST AND FOCUS ON THIS , BECAUSE THAT’S WHY YOU SUCCEED AND THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE LOVE YOU FOR .

AS A SUCCESSFUL MUSICIAN, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST LESSON OR PIECE OF ADVICE TO GIVE TO YOUR STUDENTS AND WHY?THANKS MARCO FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY!

My piece of advice is , never make a compromise with your musical taste, just look after for your neediness that’s what very important, play like yourself not like anyone else ,and if you are influence with someone , takes the best part out of it but form your own language. I never thought of copying anything, and I never tried to sounds like someone else and if I hear something good I will say “ that’s a cool element but I can do something different with It”. to me its like identity and that’s very very important , its how you become an idol , this is why we have great bands like Queen or led zeppelin because of all symbols that happened from influences but if created different element to it . so that’s actually a pice of advice completely do your world and make your own voice.

Marco Minnemann

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PHOTOS : CREDITS TO OWNERSWords : Sina Najaflou -

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