Keep up with Shawn here:

www.myspace.com/funebrarum

After a failed attempt at guitar when I was 12, I decided I would be better fir for drums. Somehow, I convinced my parents to get my a drumset, and I've been playing ever since. I've played in and out of black and death metal band, and currently play with death metal band, Funebrarum, and the experimental rock group The Ciem Show. Besides those two groups, I have also been doing live and studio session work around NJ, performing anything from thrash, punk, surf and reggae. All these different aspects make up who I am as a drummer, and keep me learning new things all the time.

Shawn Eldridge Interview:

SD.com:  How old were you when you started playing?

Shawn:  I got my first drumset when I was 13, so, nine years.




SD.com:  Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Shawn:  I was in jazz band for about a week, but didn't have the patience at the time for the structure.

 
 
 
 
 
SD.com:  What do you enjoy playing more, jazz/funk or metal variations?

Shawn:  It depends on the band I'm playing with. Usually, I tend to lean towards fusing jazz and funk into my metal playing whenever possible.

 
 
 
 
 
SD.com:  How much of your jazz influence, do you feel shapes your beats, in the different metal bands you play with?

Shawn:  That influence always plays a part, but I usually try to play what the music calls for.

SD.com:  Who are your top 5 influences?

Shawn:  Dave Lombardo, Sean Reinert, Tomas Haake, Bill Bruford, and Joey Baron.






SD.com:  Assuming that influences doesn't mean favorites, who are your favorites?
 
Shawn:  Dale Crover, Stewart Copeland, Dave Grohl, Carl Palmer.




SD.com:  Let us know 5 CD's that are in your current rotation

Shawn:
Ulver-Shadows of the sun
Fantomas-Amenza Al Mundo
Spires that in the sunset rise-self titled
The Austerity Program-Black Madonna
John Zorn-Naked City




SD.com:  Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?

Shawn:  Filling in for a rock/reggae band, at some dive in Manhattan. I was completely on that night for whatever reason.

SD.com:  Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?

Shawn:  Zildjian cymbals, and Premier Artist Maple drums.





SD.com:  If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be...

Shawn:  Listen to as much different music as possible, practice every day, and play with as many people as you can.





SD.com:  Who gave the best live performance you've ever seen?

Shawn:  Meshuggah, every time I've seen them.




SD.com:  If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?

Shawn:  Draw comics, or play bass.