JOIN USDrumming up catchy sounds
Samuel, an engineering student of Cambridge Institute of Technology, has proved that nothing can stand in the way of his passion, which is percussion.
From practising with pens in classroom tables to receiving praises from Sivamani’s personal assistant, he has come a long way. But he feels that he has a long way to go.
Samuel took a penchant to percussion at a very young age after watching his father play the ‘bongos’ but due to the absence of a drum kit at home, he couldn’t practise enough.
However, this did not discourage him as he developed his skill for music and drums by listening to metal and hard rock throughout school, watching shows, ‘air drumming’ and practising with pens in classrooms. “My report card was always filled with comments about my practising on tables during school hours,” he recalls.
Soon he started visiting his church and jam rooms like Sound Glitz, Celestial and House of Sound, more often, because of the availability of drum kits there. He also became a drummer for the metal band ‘Devulge’ at St Joseph’s PU College, and currently plays for ‘Errorz’, a heavy metal band.
For someone who thought that he couldn’t achieve anything in the music world, he proudly says that his achievement includes headlining a show in Kerala and receiving appreciation from Shivamani’s assistant, who came to his room and congratulated him after the show.
His other achievements include playing at ‘Glorious Fest of Harmony’ in Palace Grounds, representing his college for fests in Jyothi Nivas College, Mount Carmel College, S.E.A College of Engineering, St Joseph’s Boys High School and St Joseph’s Arts and Science C. He has also played in clubs like Kira, Garage Jam and Blue Waves and was adjudged the best drummer of SEA College of Engineering in 2011. He has also played numerous drum solos at St Joseph’s Boys High School and Cathedral High School.
For someone, who started drumming since eighth standard, he says that he wants to take this up full time, though a lot of people have advised him to take up a professional course.
Taking inspiration from bands like ‘Green Day’, ‘Metallica’ and ‘Iron Maiden’, Samuel feels that due to the take-over of electronic dance music and DJ bands, the rock and metal live music scene has declined in the country.
“I think people should promote the rock scene because the City had great venues to promote international bands. The last band that came to Bangalore was ‘Metallica’, way back in 2011. People also have to go and pay at jam rooms to practise which deters many from jamming itself.”
A student of electronics and electrical engineering, when asked how he manages drums and drawing circuit diagrams, “I really have no idea,” he laughs.
“However, I try hard to keep both at pace. I topped one of the toughest subjects in engineering and though drumming is a competitive field, I believe in myself. I think I am doing okay so far.”