Influences:
Tommy Lee-Motley Crue
Nicko McBrain-Iron Maiden
Scott Rockenfield-Queensryche
Rat Skates-Overkill
Gear:
Drums-Tama Swingstar 8 piece, white (east coast). Tama-Rockstar 5 piece, red (west coast).
Cymbals-Zildjian Platinum high hats, crashes, splash and ride, Paiste china.
Hardware-Tama rack,
Yamaha-Bass Drum Pedals,
Gibraltar-Double Bass Pedal.
Sticks-Vic Firth 2b’s.
Drum Heads-Remo,
clear pinstripe.
Currently Listening To:
Queensryche-Hear In the Now Frontier
Pantera-Vulgar Display of Power
Iron Maiden-Rock in Rio DVD
And what ever your mom has in her CD player!
Q. How did you get involved with Magus Beast?
A. "I was good friends with Agressor’s original drummer, Dave Barkow. Dave said he would be leaving band and I should go try out. This was 1988 and I knew Dave was an amazing drummer and I did not think I could keep up with his playing. I went to the Music Building in Jamaica, Queens to meet the band and play along to Assault Attack and a song we don’t do anymore, Battle Cry. I think I got the job because I was the only one who auditioned."
Q. How does you living in Arizona affect the band?
A. "Well it’s good and bad. Since I don’t live in New York anymore working on new material suffers a bit. With the help of computers I’m able to get the new material sent to me so I can work on it at home. We have been together for so long that we can just pick up where we left off as far as rehearsals go. The good part is since I’m on the west coast it has opened up our fan base. We are in the process now of bookings shows in Phoenix and LA."
Q. How far has the band come musically?
A. "We have come a very long way as a band. Each member has grown and gotten much better at their instrument. We all have the same goals in this band. Basically none of us want real jobs anymore and music is all we want to do. To get to this goal it means practice, practice, more practice and some luck. I feel from where we started to where we are now is night and day."
Q. What is your favorite story about playing with Magus Beast?
A. "I would have to say playing a battle of the bands at a high school in Bayside, Queens. It was one of our very first shows together. We did not know a soul at this show but we went up there, played and ended up winning the battle. We still have the trophy in our studio."
Some of Steve's favorite websites:
