GODSMACK SHANNON LARKIN 2003 INTERVIEW - ARTISAN NEWS 10 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE

[TV-14, Adult Language] In 2003, Godsmack released the album Faceless, which was the first to feature drummer Shannon Larkin. The 2002 switch brought a new dynamic to the band, and shortly after the album release we had a chance to catch up with Shannon. The band came out with dueling drums with Larkin on one kit and singer and former drummer Sully Erna on another. He talked about that, the new album Faceless, the challenge of being on the road, working on an acoustic album (which became an EP), advice for young bands, and a potential face-off between Foo Fighters and Godsmack... Enjoy!

Artisan News Service, ANS, is celebrating ten years as a source of music and entertainment news and interviews, and as part of our year in review we're presenting our archives to you, our fans and viewers.

QUESTIONS:
Let's start off with the tour and the dueling drum solo. How long did it take to get that together?

I know the whole trying to catch the sticks didn't work out in New York except for the very last one. However, the solo itself was excellent. Does it always work out that smooth?

You guys look like you're having such a good time up there but with drum solos they're tricky. They're either technically good, or they're entertaining. It's hard to get that balance.

Are you surprised a Sully's competence on the drums?

Oh, wow. Let's just go back to before you got into Godsmack. What went down with Amen?
Do you wish the guys and Casey well, are you still close?

That's funny... Don't get offended, and I don't exactly know how to put this... There is talk that Sully did a lot of drumming for the first two records... With that being the case is it a tricky thing to navigate with Sully? Does he dictate, or are writing drums your domain?

You mention coming in cold. You knew Sully, but what was the reaction of the other members. How is the dynamic?

Let's get to the acoustic album. You come in to that album having a full tour of duty so to speak, and you come in to do the acoustic album - some of those songs you weren't around for. What was your approach to doing them? I would think you'd have more of an outside perspective to maybe put a fresh spin on the songs...

You obviously are one of the most respected drummers. You paid your dues and have been in a lot of situations, and you also have the right mindset and the right attitude to being in this business. Were you always like this or was this learned from lessons along the way?
So, you're writing a book?

This is great. Have you gotten any offers to publish it?

Good luck with that. It sounds like a good read...

Are there any plans for him to actually release that?

Getting back to Godsmack, any plans for an acoustic tour to go along with the acoustic album?

...and a good talented, entertaining drum solo doesn't hurt.

What do you think has been the biggest challenged for you joining Godsmack?
How do you get into the mindset, is that what you do every time to get into the headspace, listen to music?

Being on the road all this time does this make Christmas and the holidays that much sweeter at home?
You a fan of Metallica? What's that going to be like going out with them?

Regarding the Rikki thing, people get stigmatized due to the music in total and their talent could get overlooked...

At this stage of the game in your career what's left for you to do?

Especially with the drum solo, it's like added value, people should not miss this. However, the Foo Fighters also do something like this, with two drum kids, but not like you do. Would you ever be up for a battle between you guys and Dave Grohl-Taylor Hawkins?

It's not as intricate and planned out as what Godsmack does

It's almost like the WWF tag-team match-ups...

Sully sort of bucked this trend, but still he doesn't do that either... Why do you think a lot of drummers -- and Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down was a drummer before they pushed him out in front -- why don't they have drummers, who start out drumming, do both at the same time ?

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