New Artists Interview - Mike Harshaw

Interview by Phil Guay via email

Ok a little preamble before the interview, Mike Harshaw has been with Los Cabos Drumsticks for a few Months now, February 2014 to be exact.  He is a busy drummer with a promising future ahead of him.  

Phil:     When did you start using Los Cabos Drumsticks?

Mike:   I started using Los Cabos Drumsticks after I got home from Annihilator's 2013 summer festival run. After being over in Europe and using a ton of sticks I wanted to start looking into getting a stick endorsement

Phil:     Did someone introduced you to our product or did you find us on your own, if someone who was it and how did you meet them?

Mike:   I was initially introduced to Los Cabos sticks by Andrew Zenti. He was already endorsed by Los Cabos and I was in the market to try some new sticks. Actually to be honest I wasn't looking for new sticks...until Andrew convinced me to try a couple of his signature pairs. I did some practice sessions with them and fell in love. I have known Andrew for a long time now. I originally met him because I did some live session work for a band called "Warmachine" out of Toronto. Andrew was the original Warmachine drummer. We met at one of the shows and hit it off pretty quickly! Haha. Between Andrew's confidence in Los Cabos sticks and the fact that it's a Canadian company...I was sold haha.

Phil:     What Los Cabos drumstick are you Currently playing playing with?

Mike:   I am currently using the 5A Intense. I haven't decided between Red or White Hickory yet. I really like both types of wood. I have played White Hickory for most of my drumming career so switching isn't easy. I am very use to the feel and weight of White Hickory but I am really liking the strength and durability of the Red Hickory. So right now I am still deciding. Both fantastic sticks...nice to have options!

Phil:     What are your long-term drumming goals?

Mike:   Ever since I started drumming towards the end of elementary school my passion for music and drums has been unmatched by anything else. So far I've been really lucky to have performed some huge shows and done some major travelling. I hope to stay on this track and continue to play at a professional level. I want to continue improving my skills as well as continue to climb my way up in the drumming world. I hope to continue to play drums full time and make a living through drumming...playing live, recording, various session work and maybe get into teaching one day. 

Phil:     How did you get involved with Annihilator and how has the experience been playing with a metal act like them?

Mike:   I got involved with Annihilator through the bass player, Alberto Campuzano. Flo Mournier (Cryptopsy) was playing drums for them at the time and didn't have time for Annihilator and Cryptopsy. I did an Annihilator cover video for Alberto's blog and Flo ended up seeing it. Jeff Waters then saw the video and asked me to send a few more. I filmed and sent a few more youtube videos and I ended up getting the call from Jeff asking if I wanted to play 70,000 tons of Metal (the cruise ship metal festival). Of course I said yes...and what a first gig to play! haha!

Phil:     How did you find touring in Europe with Annihilator?  Was it your first time in Europe? What was the craziest experience?

Mike:   Touring with Annihilator has been nothing but a pleasure. The travelling is comfortable, the hotels are great, the food has been incredible and the shows have been the best I've ever played. I've been meeting lots of amazing people and have been travelling more in the last 2 years than I have in my entire life. It's always been my dream to play with a professional level band and tour the world...so it's been a dream come true. When we went to Europe in 2012 it was my first time. I think that may be one of the most memorable experiences. We were co-headlining a Bulgarian festival called LOUD Fest. We played right before Slayer. It also happened to be my Birthday. We had finished our set and we were standing side stage watching Slayer play a rocking set when our soundman at the time, Jakob Paubel, comes up behind me, taps me on the shoulder and says...."Not a Bad Birthday eh buddy?". That was pretty cool. Soon after that we went down and watched Slayer from the photo pit at the front of the stage. That was a pretty amazing moment for me. There has been many amazing and crazy moments but that one stands out to me since it was my 24th Birthday.

 

Thanks for reading and have a great day.  Please visit us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with Los Cabos Drumsticks news and announcements.

Phil Guay

Los Cabos Drumsticks