Ex-SLAYER Drummer DAVE LOMBARDO: 'Lately, I've Been Really Into All Aspects Of Funk'

February 27, 2014

Jason Saulnier of Music Legends recently conducted an interview with former SLAYER and current PHILM drummer Dave Lombardo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Music Legends: What's new in the life of Dave Lombardo?

Lombardo: Well…. this year is off to a strong start. I've been doing a lot session work and writing, staying very productive. I have a clinic tour coming up soon… looking forward to that. And I'm really anxious to release my second production with PHILM. It's titled "Fire From The Evening Sun".

Music Legends: In the near future can we expect to see something new from PHILM?

Lombardo: Absolutely. As I mentioned, we have a new album coming out. We don't have a definite release date but we are hoping before June. We already have six songs toward our third album.

Music Legends: Your drum tones has always been identifiable to you. Is there certain things you prepare in the studio yourself, like mic techniques or anything?

Lombardo: Not really. No muffling on my tom to give a more open and resonant sound. Other than that, I really don't do anything special. I like to keep everything as natural as possible.

Music Legends: As a fast drummer, certainly on all your works with SLAYER, is there special training to be this fit throughout the years?

Lombardo: I try to eat healthy (for the most part). I do a lot of walking and skateboarding. No real training to speak of; I just stay off the couch.

Music Legends: What would be some of your main influences today?

Lombardo: Lately, I've been really into all aspects of funk. THE BUDOS BAND, etc. I've always been into James Brown, but I've been listening to him a lot more lately. I've also been reaching into my vinyl collection and listening to some of my favorite punk albums... DEAD KENNEDYS, CIRCLE JERKS, BLACK FLAG.

Music Legends: Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?

Lombardo: It varies from one band to another. If you travel by tour bus or plane, you get to the hotel earlier and tend to have more time on your hands. Extreme boredom happens when it's like that, so I'll do a lot of walking and exploring the city. If the band is traveling in a van, it's a little more hands-on. Definitely more work, because you have to do your own driving, but it can be a lot of fun. A typical day would be, arrive, check in to the hotel (if we have one that day),rest a little, sound check, dinner, interviews, meet-and-greets with press, contest winners and such, show, get on the bus and head either to the hotel where we will have an early lobby call… or just head to the next venue. It tends to be a blur.

Read the entire interview at Music Legends.

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