SLAYER's LOMBARDO: 'I Have To Keep Doing Something That Is Challenging Or That Makes Me Think'

August 16, 2010

The Windsor Star recently conducted an interview with SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On SLAYER being as influential as ever nearly 30 years after its formation:

"It feels great to know what I'm doing out here matters and you know it is not just brushed under the carpet.

"I think a lot of our new fans went through all the bands they needed to go through to realize that these bands that are playing are real, they're not a studio production and they can perform onstage.

"I mean, you can feel the energy onstage so I think that's what makes this genre so timeless."

On how he keeps himself from growing stagnant:

"I have to keep doing something that is challenging or that makes me think. If not, I just go into cruise control and my mind starts wandering.

"Because of all the influences I have, I'm able to entertain myself and play these little different drum rolls inspired by different music for songs of ours that already exist.

"Probably 90 per cent of what I listen to is music other than metal, but I love performing it and I find that this other music influences me and helps me create a little easier; it's like fertilizer.

"After I went to Istanbul, Turkey, and hung out in the streets and shops, I went music hunting and found myself a few CDs that have great drum patterns so I've been listening to a lot of that lately."

On his plan to continue playiing aggressive music for many years to come:

"There's this band TARAF DE HAIDOUKS who play extremely fast and these guys are like 70 years old, so when they play live it's very inspiring and it makes me feel like I have another 30 years ahead of me.

"I want to continue playing, performing live, however it may be, whether it's with SLAYER or any other band I become a part of.

"I've realized within probably the last year, more so than ever, that this is where I belong, on the stage."

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