Drummer extraordinaire Dave Witte kindly took some time away from the 387 bands he plays in to answer some questions for Drew Ailes. If you're not familiar with Witte, he's done time in such bands as Discordance Axis, Municipal Waste, Burnt By The Sun, and Melt Banana, among many others.
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How are you enjoying Virginia, being from New Jersey?
I am enjoying it quite a bit as it is a little more relaxed and warmer than NJ. I think the music scene is better here than in NJ as well.
What can you tell me about the Burnt By The Sun reunion? Why the change of heart and what were the circumstances surrounding things to begin with?
It was something that needed to be done for all of us. Being in that band is a great feeling and with life long pals there are always ups and downs. So we went through a down period and that has passed. Now it is time to make the third record and see what happens. With everyone on the same page that band can not and will not be full-time, things are easier this time around as the main reason for the disbandment in the first place was that the band couldn't tour full time.
Why the decision to return to Matt Bayles for the new record?
Bayles has done us right each time and we are comfortable with him. It was the obvious choice to stay with him.
Was there ever a moment when you realized that there was a good likelihood of you spending a large part of your life hitting objects and making noise?
I guess at some point. For the longest time though I thought I was going to be a BMX rider, haha. I rode a lot before I discovered drumming. I also enjoy cooking quite a bit and wanted to be a chef for the longest time.
What is the first band you were ever in?
My first bands were The Remnants and Mordor in 1988/89 and went on to the second groups which were Well Aware and Final Judgement which turned into Human Remains. I was always in more than one band at a time.
Are there any bands you've been in that the majority of people might not aware that you've been tied together with?
I was in a band called Major Burns which was a cool quirky indie rock thing, total acquired taste. I was in Anodyne briefly, drummed for Alec Empire, was in Incantation for like 2 days and was in Cattlepress (while I was in Lahborher) for like 2 weeks.
Which band has allowed you to be the most experimental in your playing?
I'd say Human Remains because at that point, that was when I was learning the most. Melt Banana really lets me have a good time too, it's tough playing with them because there is so much other cool stuff happening. Sometimes I find myself zoning out on Agata's guitar and almost lose my spot.
If you were forced to choose, which band would you say you've been most entertained by?
My current band, Municipal Waste. Those are some funny dudes I am in a band with. It's definitely the funnest band I have ever been in. Discordance Axis is a very close second because it was constantly moving.
I haven't heard much concerning you working with Aghoraphobic Nosebleed, is that still going to pan out the way it's been planned thus far?
No that won't happen, Agoraphobic Nosebleed will most likely always be a studio band and I just have way too much going on in my own world to help out. I think they should play out with a machine and keep it real, haha.
I've talked to a lot of people who are wondering if you'll ever work with James Plotkin again. I've read in the past that it was difficult enough arranging both of your schedules to do just the limited work you two have done together.
James and I actually spoke about doing another Phantomsmasher record not long ago. That's really exciting for me because I think James is a real genius, he has such a creative mind.
One time I emailed James Plotkin and asked him how to play the accordion. He never responded. Why do you think that is?
James probably gets thousands of emails and that one may have slipped through the cracks I suppose.
A fellow drummer wanted to ask about your one-footed blasting method. According to eyewitness accounts, you move your left foot behind your right foot and sort of cross your legs. What's the reasoning behind that? Is it just an old habit?
I really don't know how to explain that, it just happens. I think that sometimes when I'm really good and going, I really get into it and the leg comes up to balance me out so I don't fall over or something. Either that or I shift my weight so I can put as much force into the blast as possible. I really don't know.
What led you to play Trick drums? What other brands have you tried before?
I've tried everything and Trick is the best to me - super durable and their sounds are incredible. When I did the first BBTS album, I brought in a whole bunch of snares and the Trick snare outplayed them all within a few strokes. The people at Trick are also some the nicest and most caring people I have ever met and really love drums. They make me feel like family. Wait until you see their new bass drum pedal, it is going to revolutionize drum pedals as it is the most incredible pedal I have ever played or seen. See it at www.trickdrums.com
Seeing as how you're often referred to as a drumming hero by numerous musicians, who do you actually consider to be great drummers?
There are a ton. Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, Dave Lombardo, Nicko McBrain, Tim Alexander and Brandon Thomas have really helped shape who I am, but the most important to me is Phil Rudd of AC/DC. He is the best - the human time keeper. I learned how to play drums listening to AC/DC. There are lots of great drummers today who all have their own take on playing that excites me, but the guys who make me laugh the most are Brann Dailor, Chris Pennie and Jeff Eber of Dysrhythmia.
Are there ever times in your day where you're not working on a record or with a band? If so, what do you actually do?
I do normal things like any other person, ride a bike, cook, go to the movies. I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend. I love eating, so I eat a lot of different foods. I also love a good beer. Belgian beer is the best, no contest. I am really fascinated by cats, so I spend a lot of time watching discovery channel programs on them and check out various books on them. I also spend a lot of time with my own cats. Eddie & Linda Quorthorn.
Do you ever just get sick of drumming and want to do something like play cribbage? I had a friend try to kill me when he was drunk because I wouldn't play cribbage with him. He pulled himself by his arms out of his room, like Lieutenant Dan from Forrest Gump, with a knife in his teeth. But yeah, do you ever just get tired of drumming?
If I'm not having fun then it is tiring, but it is always fun so I don't get bored. I try to play a lot of different music so I am always entertained.
Who would win in a fight - Richard Dean Anderson as Macgyver or Richard Dean Anderson in Stargate?
Macgyver of course, that guy can do anything.
If you don't mind, could you outline some of your reasons behind your undying love for Leslie Nielsen?
I love him. He's so funny and his jokes really bust me up. I love really silly humor. My favorite is Wrongfully Accused - so great.
I've read you mention that you consider Ben Falgoust of Soilent Green to be a hero of yours. Besides his excellent taste in candy, what else do you feel makes him such a fantastic guy?
That man had so many difficulties in life that would make the normal person just give up or throw in the towel. Life really handed him a poor deck of cards in the last few years and he rose above and beyond and forged on. I have the ultimate respect for Ben and his desire to keep going. He is a very talented man and would hate to see him strapped down and not performing. When he's on stage, he's in charge...and you should see him eat Peeps.
What are your five top albums of all time?
There are so many great albums out there it is really hard to narrow it down to just five. The albums that I enjoy most and have done a lot for me are:
Rush: Moving Pictures
AC/DC: Back in Black
Slayer: Reign in Blood
Primus: Sailing the Seas
The Accused: Martha Splatterheads Maddest Stories Ever Told
What is one thing in your life that you're the most proud of, musical or otherwise?
I did my first Triathlon in 2003 and finished. That was incredible. Crossing the finish line was 100 times more intense than playing to the biggest crowd I've played to.
Do you have any real guilty pleasures as far as music goes?
I love Madonna, she is so incredible and sexy and I really love her album Ray of Light. The programming on that record is totally brilliant.
Any bands that you feel people should be on the look out for that you're not already drumming in?
Scissorfight and Annihilation Time, the greatest rock bands alive right now in my opinion.
Who is one person or band you'd like to see interviewed on Lambgoat?
A true drumming great named Will Scharf who drums for Keelhaul, Craw, and is easily in my list of greatest drummers alive. Now that guy makes me laugh on multiple levels. Do yourself a favor and get a Keelhaul record if you don't already have one.
Lastly, what lies on the horizon for Dave Witte?
Yes, there is yet another project, haha. Birds of Prey. Erik Larson of Alabama Thunderpussy approached me on the idea of a death rock band and I've always been a huge fan of what Erik does so I accepted right away. The line up is Bo of The Last Van Zandt, Ben of Beaten Back to Pure, Summer of Baroness and Erik and myself. It's like a southern fried death rock I guess, everything is really catchy, super fun to do and probably the most laid back project I've participated in. We tracked 10 songs, titled it Weight of the Wound and it will be released by Relapse sometime this year.
When you say southern-fried death rock, or even death rock in general, are we talking the death rock that's usually tied with sort of fringe goth rock, or are we referring to later-era Entombed death rock?
Entombed style, big time.
