GODSMACK Drummer: 'We're Living The Good Life'

Alan Sculley of The Kansas City Star recently conducted an interview with GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

On touring theaters versus playing in big arenas:

"Sully [Erna, GODSMACK frontman] and I have a difference of opinion on that. My favorite venues to play as a drummer are the smaller venues because I can actually feel the crowd's energy more. I can see people's faces and watch people sing along with the lyrics. That's what I get off on. But he (Erna) likes the big places, the big arenas and stuff.

"We've got massive pyro and a nice, big stage, moving platforms. We didn't pull any punches on this one, that's for sure."

On whether GODSMACK can continue its string of platinum albums:

"Of course I would love to be in the biggest band in the world and all that jazz. But I think we need to be glad where we're at, try and just put on the killer shows and get back in the studio and make another record. If this thing sells a million copies, then I'll be very pleased. … We have to be successful. We can't flop on a record. As long as we keep pulling platinums, we're good to make another one. If we keep making records and keep doing it, and if it's in the cards for us to have that breakout record, then it will happen. But if not, we're living the good life."

On GODSMACK's latest album, "IV":

"It's a more bluesy record, for sure. But I think it's got the toughness of GODSMACK. It's got to retain that because we understand the whole fan base thing. At the same time, as musicians, we're basically almost a decade into this band, and we don't want to be going through the motions and be bored. So we're trying to be able to play some music that we all grew up loving and listening to, which definitely had a more blues flavor, like (LED) ZEPPELIN."