4ARM Interview with Michael Vafiotis

XM: Let’s get you to start off by introducing yourself and the band to our readers? A short little bio if you will.
Michael: My name is Michael Vafiotis drummer of Australian metal band 4ARM. The band has been together since 2004 with 2 albums released with our third coming out shortly. Our style of music summed up briefly would be aggressive, spawned from our old school thrash metal roots with some modern crushing groove thrown in the mix.

XM: What has the band been up to this year?
Michael: We went into the start of the year with a bunch of songs we had written the year before and continued to write music for our third album til we finished in around April. Spent about a month in the studio after that recording the album and a further month mixing and finishing off the album. Seems so long ago now. We are so anxious in waiting for its release.

XM: “Submission for Liberty” is the bands 3rd album. What was the recording process like this time around?
Michael: A lot more stressful that’s for-sure. Being our third album there was an expectation not only from ourselves but our fans to produce an album that will get us recognition world wide and something that would compete with the bigger bands of our genre. In my opinion third albums really should be the album where there is no excuses. By now we should know what musical direction we should take, have our own definitive sound, be able to structure our songs correctly and so on. If the third album flops then its time to ask yourself, Am I good enough?, Is this band good enough? Also going the extra mile and having some big names work on the record we knew we had to produce a quality recording that would be acceptable for such engineers to work with. I guess this added pressure was a good thing as it pushed us that little more, making us not just settle like previously. Every note, beat and fill was scrutinized this time round. We took a lot more time recording the album, we basically tracked a song a day on the drums and took a lot of time making sure the vocals were right this time. It was once again myself and Danny who wrote the songs getting together 3-4 days a week collaborating ideas before entering the studio.

XM: When it comes down to making a new tune is there a brainchild or do you all submit a piece and take it from there? How do you guys create?
Michael: It has been and probably will always be myself and Danny writing all the material. Majority of the time we use the unorthodox method of coming up with a beat or groove on the drums first and then Dan would write the guitar line to flow with the drums. Groove is so important in music, and something that gets lost and forgotten about these days as I think a lot of bands try too hard to come up with music that stops and starts, placing unnecessary breaks in the flow of the song and confusing the listener a little too much. Whats wrong with the simple but effective approach to structuring songs these days???

XM: I love the artwork for the upcoming album! Who is the one responsible for this genius piece?
Michael: An amazing artist by the name of Brent Elliot White. He has been responsible for such great cover artwork like the latest Death Angel, Arch Enemy and a bunch of others. We really wanted to step up from not only the production of this album but the entire package. A great cover design really sets the ball rolling with the theme of the album and creates the initial interest for the soon to be listener. I felt the last cover artwork we did was a little boring and wanting to go all “fancy” on this one.

XM: I’ve read that band will be touring with Destruction. How did you guys land a spot on the tour? Did you seek them or vice versa?
Michael: We were asked and are lucky enough to be given the opportunity through the promoter of the tour. The tour will consist of Australias best “thrash” acts so we fit into this tour perfectly. Its Australias mini “Thrashfest” I guess.

XM: Being the first Australian artist to sign national endorsement deals with Ahead Drumsticks and Tama Drums puts you in a sweet spot! How did you hook up with the endorsements?
Michael: Never an easy thing especially with TAMA they dont really hand out endorsements just because you play TAMA drums. Its been an honor to be part of the TAMA family and be amongst such amazing artists. Ive always played TAMA since I picked up the sticks some 20 years ago and I guess the company had seen my passion, love and loyalty for their brand of drums. It has been a long process to get such a deal, a few knock backs on the way but glad I've aligned myself with them. Being the first Ahead endorsee in the country was a really proud moment for me also.

XM: How often do you practice and for how long ?
Michael: For myself drumming wise, I would try to practice an hour a day 5-6 days a week, just basically keep the chops up and not get rusty. As a band we go 2 days some times 3 depending if we have any tours coming up. In the studio we would try practicing for 3 hours, usually going over the set twice and ironing out things for the upcoming show. We are pretty focused when rehearsing, not much goofing around. “Get the job done” kind of attitude, which I am all for and think its important as a band to be switched on like that in practice as it helps at a show. If your all lazy and not focused when rehearsing then that will definitely show on stage. I have no doubts about this.

XM: In your opinion how long should it take to fully set up a drum kit for a show? What is the longest that any drummer should take? (we all know it takes a bit but some go over board) What’s your take on this?
Michael: I'm that overboard guy unfortunately. I know setting up a rather large kit takes somewhere between 30-45mins, which means you really got to prepare yourself early and have it all ready to go well in advance before doors open as most change overs are between 5-10mins for band to band. I make sure I do this every show. However small venues can be a big problem where there is no room for a 2.5 meter wide drumkit to fit backstage making the change over a mess and rush. This is where logistic issues arise and people get all shitty at each other in the mad rush. This is what really frustrates me when venues have inadequate space and or bad planning and expect miracles to happen from bands to set up in time. Problem is the crowd don't realize this and sometimes take it out on the band thinking they are too slow and unprofessional when its actually the venues fault. All in all, if the kit is all set up backstage it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to get it up on stage and ready to go.

XM: Are drums the only instruments that you play or do you play any others?
Michael: I can play guitar. I suck at it but think Im the next Vai.hahahah I dnt know how but I manage to make guitars go out of tune just from playing a simple chord. Ive actually been banned from the guys to use their guitars at any given time. I see them panic even if I hold it for them.

XM: What is your favorite recorded live drum solo?
Michael: Well there are so many, I remember as a kid studying back to front Lars Ulrich's drum solo from the Live Shit Binge and Purge DVD. I suppose my other faves are watching any drumming vids from Daniel Erlandsson (Arch Enemy), Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and Paul Bostaph (Testament) Have learnt so much from their performances and techniques.

XM: I ask all the bands the following question, “If you could have been involved in the writing, production or recording of any album which would it be and why?
Michael: Dr Feelgood. Can you imagine how much women would have walked in and out of the studio?? Also would have been amazing to see Bob Rock and Randy Staub make an album and see how they go about it. He has the most fattest sounding kick drum, I wanna know how he does it. Wouldn't change the writing process although Bobs producing on that album significantly whipped that album into shape from its pre-production versions.

XM: How did you first get in to Metal? I find that most people have a pretty interesting story.
Michael: Sitting nervously at the dentist when I was about 12 or so I asked a mate who was next to me in the waiting room to give me a listen to what he had playing in his walkman. At this stage I had no idea what Metal was. I'll never forget he had Metallicas “One” playing and instantly I was drawn into the sound. Was actually the perfect music to listen to, taking the edge off knowing your about to get your teeth drilled into. From that day on I have been listening to Metal ever since.

XM: Are there any bands that you would like to promote from your hometown, here would be a great place!
Michael: Recoil V.O.R from Sydney who are actually in the US for a few weeks doing some shows. Great bunch of dudes and a great band to see live.

XM: What’s in store for the band next year?
Michael: Well we will finally be releasing the album world-wide in January. We will have a film clip for the title track coming up as well. Touring wise we are looking at a month in Europe to promote the album and then another month in the US, mainly West Coast at this stage.

XM: On behalf of xplosivemetal.com I would like to thank you for taking a moment to answer a few questions with us. Is there anything else that you would like to mention?
Michael: Thanks for the chat !