The open mind of Dave Tedesco (Solace Of Requiem, Penetration)



Today for you BRUTALISM readers, I have a special treat. I am interviewing Dave Tedesco who has drummed for many cult bands including but not limited to Solace Of Requiem and Penetration.

Dave, I would like to thank you for taking the time to be interviewed.
Well, I would like to thank you for having me.

Excellent, why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?
Basically, I have been playing drums for about as long as I can remember. I became serious and started practicing intensely when I was entering High School. I grew up around my father who owned a Jazz studio (Tedesco Studios) which he has been doing since way before I was alive. That is a really great experience to grow around all these great and famous Jazz musicians; people were flying around all over the world to make music at my house. Their insight and knowledge about the music industry about the music industry is invaluable. Not to mention the tips of them teaching me their style, which is different from the typical Metal scene which is limited by uncreative drummers repetitious patterns which have been proven as successful formulas by legendary figures such as Pete Sandoval, Derek Roddy, George Kollias, Frost and Horgh.

I had a brief history with a few local artists spanning throughout High School, but none of that which amounted to anything too serious. Then once I was graduating High School and signing up for College I met Jeff Sumrell (Solace of Requiem), he had a couple of tours lined up, one in the US and one in Europe; suddenly college didn’t seem too interesting. This was the beginning of my professional career.

How did the local bands lead to the international success that you’ve become?
Well, everyone has to start somewhere. I have learned things through playing with local acts, which were older (and more talented), which allowed me to hone my techniques. I also had a lot of free time when I was younger to do my daily practice routine and make sure everything I was constantly practicing. It allowed me to get into music and focus on creating a truly unique and brutal style.

Which musicians have influenced the typical “Dave Tedesco” style, which we have become so accustomed to hearing?
The biggest musicians who have influenced me have been: my father (Tom Tedesco) and my drum teacher (Gregg Bendian) who have both taught me to be extremely open-minded and taught me so much about the basic principles of rhythm and time(not to mention business, which people often forget is a large importance in the music industry). Of course, I am also heavily influenced by the extreme drummers such as Flo Mounier, Derek Roddy, Tim Yeung and Inferno but at the same time you can’t forget about guys like Billy Cobham, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams and Terry Bozzio. Those are all just drummers of course, I get into a little bit of everything, electronica, guys like Aphex Twin, Shpongle, Squarepusher, Venetian Snares; especially the dubstep scene which has risen over the years and Fusion which was pioneered by John McGlaughlan and Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Tell us about your future plans.
The next thing I am doing is this European tour with Solace of Requiem, supporting the original Resurrection. I am really pumped for this, we have put a lot of time and effort into this tour which we know will become a success. Simultaneously with this tour, we will be releasing my first recorded work with SOR entitled “The Great Awakening” which was recorded and produced in 2007 by the great Andy Classen (Belphegor, Krisiun and Rotting Christ).

As far as activity with Penetration goes, we have been on a hiatus because Jesse killed someone. Now that his legal issues have been settled he has been planning a tour, we just haven’t received much information yet, He has a CD which needs to be finished mixing and mastering. It will come out but the date is undetermined.

Do you care to explain about Jesse killing someone?
This type of question should be asked to Jesse, but I can give you a brief rundown of the legal situation. Basically, someone broke into house and attacked him when he was sleeping. Jesse keeps loaded guns around his house and it did not end well for the assailant.

Any last rites for the BRUTALISM readers?
I hope to see you all out at our shows, if you see me make sure to introduce yourself.. I love meeting everyone … thanks for the support from fans, friends and bands… Kong and the BRUTALISM family

Thank you for taking the time to be interviewed, it was a pleasure.
Make sure you all keep the scene alive and keep heavy music an integral part of all of our lives.
Interviewer: Kong
Dec 17, 2010
Next interview: The lifestyle of Evocation

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