Former SLAYER Drummer DAVE LOMBARDO Doesn't Mind Playing Smaller Venues With PHILM

Former SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo says that he doesn't mind playing small clubs with his new band PHILM, calling the experience of performing at intimate venues "a lot more exciting" than being on stage in "a sterile environment."

Asked by UK's Planetmosh in an interview conducted after PHILM's September 7 gig in London if it's hard "to be almost starting again from scratch" after being in SLAYER, Dave replied: "I've done it before. I did it back in 1995 with GRIP INC. We were playing clubs then, and what I've learned is that it doesn't matter if there are 10,000, 30,000 in the crowd, or 50, it's those people that are watching you that matter. Those are the people that are going to remember those shows, even in the smallest places. They're going to remember that day for the rest of their lives. 'I remember I saw you years ago at this really small club. It was hot and sweaty.' That, for me, is a lot more exciting than playing a sterile environment where you're catered to and driven around and you really don't see the city. I'm dragging my gear through the streets of London. I've got my drum pedal and my suitcase, but that's great; it's not a big deal for me. So yes, it is different, but I enjoy both extremes."

He continued: "I'll play the club kit, their house drum kit, and I'll play my own kit. Sure, it's a little disappointing, the heads aren't that great, but it's a drum kit, so I can at least play. It would be terrible to turn up and there not be a kit I can use so I can't play — that would be very disappointing. The opening bands let me use their snare and their cymbals — they really helped me out and I really appreciate that. The poor guy, I used his snare and I left all these dents in the drum. He was about to leave, and a couple of the guys said 'Thanks,' so I asked where the drummer was, and he was in the van, so I told him I was really sorry about his snare, and told him to drop me a line with his address and 'I'll get Evans to ship you some drum heads.' I asked if I'd broken the cymbals but he said no, and he had checked them, but I said if anything shows up as damaged, let me know and I'll get Paiste to send some replacements. I hit harder than the norm. I tried to hold myself back at least a little bit."

Lombardo was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the band's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band.

PHILM released its sophomore album, "Fire From The Evening Sun", on September 16 (one day earlier internationally) via UDR. The band's lineup is completed by guitarist/vocalist Gerry Paul Nestler (CIVIL DEFIANCE),and bassist Francisco "Pancho" Eduardo Tomaselli (WAR).