Matt Greiner | Vic Firth Drum Set Artist

Matt Greiner

August Burns Red

I started playing drums when I was 15 years old. By the time I picked up sticks I had already fallen in love with drumming, I just hadn't been given the opportunity to actually play until I was already into my teenage years. I was drawn to heavy music, namely the metal genre. My reasoning was very simple; I loved odd time meters and fast double bass. I started August Burns Red when I was 17 years old. We have been a band for 16 years, have traveled to 6 continents and over 40 countries, and have had more success than we ever bargained for. If you ask my mom what our greatest accomplishment has been I think she would say our double Grammy nominations. Drumming has taken me further than I ever imagined and I'm so grateful to be along for the ride!

Matt Greiner

in 3

1

MOST MEMORABLE NEXT-LEVEL PERFORMANCE

I was recording our record sophomore release entitled Messengers in Nashville, Tennessee in a professional studio setting (for the first time). I remember starting the session by recording a song called Composure. I got to the end of the 1st take and looked to my left through the window into the control room. Our producer, Tue Madsen was smiling from ear to ear, telling me through the talk back microphone that we were done with that song and could move on to the next. I laughed and replied, "That was just my 1st take! You can't just record a single take and move on." He smiled and exclaimed, "With that performance I beg to differ." I don't know what kind of coffee I drank that morning but recording the songs on that record came rather effortlessly to me. Meanwhile, I've been working my butt off ever since to play them up to speed!

2

WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVITY?

What drives my drumming creativity is drumming. It may sound too simplistic but sitting down and playing drums drives me to be more creative.

3

WHY DO YOU CHOOSE VIC FIRTH?

Vic Firth makes a consistently sold product. My grandfather always used to say, "Buy the best and cry once." If I don't know any better I would think he's talking about Vic Firth!

Behind the kit

The Break Down Series - Matt Greiner plays White Washed

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