Jazz Drummer Reacts: Matt Garstka-Monomyth (Animals As Leaders)

[@crispinmcsticks]

Here’s ya analysis: “Where’s one? I’ll tell you where one is. Wherever the fuck Matt decided to yeet it this time.”

[@hughneutron5303]

matt doesn't need a metronome. the mentronome needs a matt

[@MetallicOpeth]

I've come to discover that with this type of music, as a drummer, trying to sit there and count it out or put it to a music sheet is utterly pointless. this is the kind of music where you have to just know the song inside and out, from beginning to end and not even think about counting. that's what I did in my band and we had all sorts of crazy time signature stuff going on.

[@garrettmillerdrums]

Yup, I miss too much trying to count. 🙃

[@deliciousmentalfudge]

@@knockitoff I saw from Tosin that actually this track was mostly written by Matt composing drums and then guitar was written to go with it

[@Rachel-rq7ci]

Definitely not a drummer here. I'm thinking if you're learning the drums and sound like this, you suck. But if you're doing it in purpose, it's amazing! 🤣

[@Schatje79]

@@Rachel-rq7ci I've been drumming for 27 years and this is funny as hell, cheers! lmao

[@iangillies711]

I learned Arithmophobia and thats precisely how I learned it lmao

[@CriticalReactions]

"I'm not gonna be much help on this one" I said pretty much the same thing. When my counting was getting to 10, 11, 12 and I still hadn't heard a pattern reset I knew I was out of my depth rhythmically 🤣 The dude's just a beast on drums with a mind for rhythm on another level.

[@jakel7213]

Ayyy Brian!

[@selks9155]

Hello! and welcome back to another episode of critical reactions, with your host Brian

[@CriticalReactions]

@@selks9155 Heyo! Seems I'm becoming a little more well known 😅 Fun fact, Garrett Miller is the person who inspired me to do Critical Reactions. This was the first time I had seen actual information being included in the reaction format.

[@selks9155]

@@CriticalReactions hey! Big fan dude! Keep making vids, more matt garstka, alex rudinger and greyson nekrutman😅

[@mattdrewdrums]

I'm not one to rank artists or give them stupid labels like "greatest ever", but god damn I am tempted to with Matt Garstka. I've been infatuated with his playing for years. He has studied and is capable in so many genres. He has used all of his knowledge to create one of the most original, pioneering styles. He is so damn clean, and funky, and groovy, and powerful, and blazing fast, and tasteful in his playing. His taste in drum tone and cymbals is impeccable. The man is like the perfect mix of finesse, technicality, and originality. Wtf more could you want from a drummer? He's like the Messi of drums in my book. Some drummers are talented, some are hard-working, and some are influential and original. Garstka has all 3 abilities, in spades.

[@gapplebees]

I agree 100%. Can't think of a better drummer

[@TheHomieFedSmoker]

Blake Richardson, Matt Garska, Danny Carey, Jon Theodore are the best of the newer generation IMO.

[@patrickftw8464]

100% spot on

[@ryukan250]

@@TheHomieFedSmoker Awesome to see Jon Theodore mentioned, dude is a beast, especially his work with Mars Volta

[@ryukan250]

@@TheHomieFedSmoker I'd add Baard Kolstad, Chris Turner, Jamie Saint Merat, Jay Postones to that list

[@DahakaCL]

Super glad to see Garret enjoying a reaction again, this made my day even when i'm not a fan of Animals as Leaders.

[@aaronthomas7664]

@@knockitoff I'm dead

[@danielbarnes547]

Ya, they suck. HA.

[@aaronthomas7664]

Did he delete his comment? Too bad, it was a good one.

[@nickpryme]

its sort of the general consensus of the drumming community that matt is just beyond pretty much everyone right now. been following matt for practically a decade now and everything he does still blows my mind

[@drummeralex9198]

Yeah I literally can’t think of anything he can’t play. Maybe Despacito.. oh wait, AAL’s even played that live. Well then nope, he’s done it all.

[@krisiscove]

It is because Matt has somehow convinced time to follow him instead of the other way around....

[@trash_bender420]

Him, Morgan Simpson of Black Midi, and Yussef Dayes are my top 3

[@Diesel_Budgie]

@@drummeralex9198 Please, please tell me there's a video of that on the internet?

[@bigrob966]

Don't sleep on Elliot Hoffman!

[@lza5735]

Feels like you're enjoying doing this again man. You love to see it 🙏

[@ScarsUnseen24]

Yesssss I'm glad you're sharing some Jord! Been a propagandhi fan since around 1997 or 98.

[@sanoroth]

Matt WTFstka

[@propagandhipod8797]

Thanks for the shout out, buddy! Episode is edited and going live at 3 AM EST!

[@Ey3OnYouN00B]

3:52 reaction start

[@DjDown1984]

Yes, huge propaganghi fan from the UK here "a piece if advice, if you're cast on thin ice, you may as well dance"

[@benharris144]

Happy to see you back dude!

[@squidandchips]

"I'm not gonna be much help on this one, y'all...." I feel your pain, sir!!

[@ritual301]

Hell yes, so fucking awesome to find out you are also a Propagandhi fan. They are amazing and are one of the few bands who I have listened to since the 90's and their music has not watered down one bit. They are just bad ass as they were back then. And you are very right about their lyrics. Smart fucking dudes (and dudette, now!). I'll definitely check out that podcast. Your videos are always great. Hope you have continued getting some gigs lately. Take care!!

[@orufus12]

5:30 Garrett is like fuck it, I am just a viewer too.

[@garrettmillerdrums]

That's all I've ever been but had to go and notice things so now I gotta be an analyst 😄

[@amaterasu86]

I would seriously love it if you started doing an analysis series instead of just trying to figure it out on the spot you have some really great insights and even if its not the entire song or perfect i think it would still be awesome to do on certain songs that you really enjoyed

[@DrVonHein]

You Lucky sob..Im watching your channel for a while now, and i've heard the name Propagandhi come along a time or two..but dude..!! Didnt know you were a fan! And you've actually met and talked to them!! Big kudos to you .😎👏🏻

[@metal4ever0609]

A surprising amount of their music is in 4/4 but just like Meshuggah it’s the most f’d 4/4 you’ll ever hear

[@grimecube]

I remember someone told me Bleed was in 4/4 and I was like 'Oh fuck you, you think I'm stupid?' Suffice to say, the irony of that statement caught up to me in the end.

[@danielcolautti170]

Yeah same with Vildhjarta, they make 4/4 sound super weird

[@gSWG3R]

No not really... this isn't like Meshuhhah where most of its 4/4 buried under plymeters. This song for example is in 9/8 for the most part.

[@metal4ever0609]

@@gSWG3R Yes really, Luke Holland said it himself when he was learning their music, he asked them about certain parts and was surprised to find that many parts were in 4/4, I’m talking about their whole discography not just this one song

[@metal4ever0609]

@@gSWG3R of course they use different timings bro, but not everything is bouncing time signatures around all the time like you think it is, simplicity is the key to complexity

[@pranakhan]

YES I was hoping you would cover this & bam! There you is. Nice Job!

[@albertjacobs4312]

Gives you goosebumps listening to all these incredible drummers 😳 thanks Garrett

[@nofam]

Matt and Chris Turner are apex metal drummers for me - this was the full package, dynamic, funky and cerebral all at the same time!!

[@rowangraves7327]

Dude...agreed theyre my 2 favorite drummers behind larnell

[@faronhemlock]

I love your reactions bro, always make me laugh. Happy Holidays!!!

[@TheLarousse89]

Lol. "I didn't take enough acid to figure this out on one go" is the realist talk I've ever heard.

[@Imban3z]

I lost it when you said you said Propagandhi is one your fave bands! I immediately left to listen to the podcast... will be back soon for Matt!

[@keithgough6605]

Hope you liked the interview/episode!

[@JibriCabell]

sick! Glad to see you do a newer AAL vid

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

"I did what I could!" Dude, that's the story of my friggen life!

[@highandtight5544]

Glad you're well, Garrett!!!

[@archerdoubleO]

That's the difference with Meshuggah though: no matter what they do, like 99% of the time their main groove is just that, a main groove, fourths or thirds (or seconds). Personally I like that more bc you have interesting patterns over a groove that's always just straight and you can feel pretty fast even as a new listener. Meshuggah will always want anyone to know where 1 is, because that is the point.

[@Lord_Beego]

Looks like you’re having fun with this one. Glad to see you maybe feeling a bit better these days.

[@chilledpenguins8381]

Matt makes my head hurt every time i listen to or watch him.

[@timit2thelimit]

Always glad to see your take on this stuff

[@villings]

whoa hey, I'm gonna give Propagandhi a listen now!

[@propagandhipod8797]

GREAT BAND!

[@duhduh14]

Matt is a fucking beast. One of the greatest today!

[@cmrdjn464]

There's tons of people who have crazy good analysis skills but that's not why I follow you, I follow you for your sense of humor and enjoyable reactions. You don't have to be a hard analysis channel, there's already people doing that. Just be you

[@christophdavis71]

T-shirt idea: "don't ask me where 1 is... shrug emoji"

[@NunSuperior]

"Don't ask me where one is. I dunno." is T-shirt worthy.

[@steveanderson887]

Propagandhi is one the best bands out there been a fan for forever and as a drummer I'd love to hear you talk about Jord. I'll check out the podcast

[@propagandhipod8797]

It's coming out tomorrow! It's audio-only, so you can find it on spotify, etc tomorrow!

[@keithgough6605]

Hope you dig it, Steve! We've got a lot of episodes out, with some really amazing guests. I had a blast chatting w/ Garrett!

[@Chonsu247]

Great to see you again. :) Maybe you can turn up the volume of the videos, you watch a bit ;)

[@garrettmillerdrums]

Heard, chef!

[@brinepacer]

I love that you mention the time signature his head is in. I feel like listeners so often gloss over it.

[@CryMyName100]

wellcome back dude

[@heyzeushoards1405]

"fkn crazy" Say no more. Been listening to AAL for a long time and they still twist my musical brain to the point of almost snapping.

[@evilervcowart6234]

I'm self taught, and I've never been able to get into counting time signatures; I have made attempts to do so, but honestly it is quite distracting and detracts from the enjoyment I get from playing. The best approach, for me, is to simply memorize every detail of a song (not only the drum parts but what the other instruments and vocals are doing, as well)...as much as is within my ability, anyway. I'm only offering my preference, not implying that it's superior. Different strokes for different folks and all that jazz 😏🥁🤘

[@Schatje79]

I'm self-taught too and honestly, this is often how I go about it as well. Very seldomly do I actually need to focus on the count. I prefer (and enjoy more) learning the song so well, I can play it in my sleep. I can just lose myself in the music; let muscle-memory and my internal-metronome take care of the rest! :D

[@athmaid]

@@Schatje79 I learn prog on guitar like that. Problem is that it makes getting back into the groove if you slip up a lot harder imho

[@alexeypolevoybass]

That approach is as unmusical as it could get. Matt can count all this shit, and he's able to write that down on a scoresheet. Not sorry, but you're not a musician. You're a pretender with drumsticks.

[@athmaid]

@@alexeypolevoybass people really out here gatekeeping music. Gtfo you clown

[@alexeypolevoybass]

@@athmaid I'm merely pointing out that you can't both have skill and no clue about how to count to your drum parts. Good luck getting a job in music with this attitude.

[@the6ig6adwolf]

Canadian punk rock legends Propagandhi 🤘

[@_misterwilly]

Dear Mr. Miller, here are my suggestions for future videos. 1. Cryptopsy Damned Draft Dodgers Drum Cover by DavidDiepold -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/invQgH-XmZKeg6s 2. Lile Cooper Defeated Sanity cover -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYOQeGWngJ2sipo 3. Kevin Paradis - Sutrah -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3q2o4qLjZVqeZo 4. Alex Rudinger - Conquering Dystopia - "Ashes Of Lesser Men" -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/raS9m4Gafq2Hp9k 5. Lille Gruber - Defeated Sanity - Verblendung -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpPQh3iaa7Vsirs 6. Behemoth - Slaying the Prophets Ov Isa [Drum Cover] -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/iF7dlK2LrJiWatU 7. Mike Caputo - The Zenith Passage - Holographic Principle (drum cover) -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/poasp2igaKese80 8. INFERI - Within The Dead Horizon -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3uQoqOZeayMnqc 9. Cynic - Humanoid (drum playthrough) -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJOomJuqZr6MoMk 10. RINGS OF SATURN - Parallel Shift -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqqvaoKErJp-pNE 11. Nile - The Inevitable Degradation of Flesh Drum Cover by DavidDiepold -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4SbmKqil5ynp80 12. Lille Gruber playthrough -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3bSamuAjs2crLc 13. Alex Rudinger - MINDGAMES (Kaz Rodriguez) -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWmvoIJpgsRlY68 14. Chason Westmoreland - The Faceless - The Spiraling Void -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKHGg3iJZ51qZrc 15. Meshuggah Medley by Troy Wright -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKjbZqmOh72ea7c 16. George Kollias -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4GyqqmXi96qgpY 17. Archspire Cover -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2eroat9fZyIeLM

[@antalwahlers3574]

Yours was the first "drummer reacts" channel I stubled upon, and I have been returning regularly :) Dude! You absolutely NEED to watch MGLA - Exercises in Futility V. Thank me later ;) I wish you a happy new year!

[@brooksilg]

"BIG little ghost notes" ... ah yes, my favorite kind

[@Virvum_Juggernaut]

Some Thomas Haake style time signatures in this drum track.

[@andrewcoates4952]

I’m not a drummer, but a bass player but after many years of learning theory and such it makes me almost go back to the beginning when I realise that I’ll never be at these sorts of dizzying heights 😂 that’s okay however as there’s not too many pieces of music that make me do that

[@buttersstotch2561]

You are so cool, Garrett!

[@PsykeShow]

I've been a fan of yours for a long time! I would love to see some Alex Bent thrown in here too. He's the drummer for Trivium. Maybe Betrayer - Trivium? He has a playthrough on his KZbin channel. Although, "Sickness Unto You" has some fun latin beat in the midst of the metal breakdown, there's no video of it yet.

[@SimonDiversiform]

Nah man u just keep doin what you’re doing lol It’s always an honest reaction!

[@QuietWildernessFishing]

🤣🤣🤣 "whaat the fuuuuuck" says it all. Haha such a sik track and amazing drummer. 🤘

[@ericburatty9940]

Here's one for you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnOlp5iEba2iq5Y For full context this is part 2 of 3 of one long song, their Plague of Butterflies EP. Being a drummer as well, my initial reaction is how relaxed this guy stays on technical and faster notes. I also had a chance to chat with him before a recent show, but he uses a TON of rim shots, so his set up has to be precise enough to achieve that. Pretty sick!

[@benignism]

a fun song to headbang to this one.. haha

[@sdmdrums9275]

There’s a rock band drum video on KZbin for The song, the notes are pretty accurate, I’ve been using it to try learn the sucker.

[@hunterh889]

Sick, I was just thinking bout that. I need to download it myself and try it out lol.

[@haydndinsdale]

"Big little ghost notes!" hahahaha

[@derekschaap4010]

I came here wanting "where's one?!" and the garstka delivered

[@miscellanyman263]

Your reaction just confirms what I already knew a while back: that Matt Garstka is not of this Earth lol

[@nathanzaslow5614]

After this one, you gotta do Gordian Naught - Matt Garstka playthrough that just dropped. Absolute insanity

[@Dodgevair]

This is when the kit is used as a lead instrument. If Geddy and Alex are ever wanting to get the band going again...

[@luxchit3777]

I like to imagine his metronome just getting mad and giving up 30 seconds into any song he ever played

[@TeaspoonUlysses]

Everybody: "WHERE'S THE ONE, MATT!?"

[@Selkirk69]

Blotted Science Animations of.... the song Ingesting Blattaria (Hannes Grossman drummer) or Spastic Ink, Ink Complete album Bobby Jarzombek drummer

[@nurpirkadurtnapapadoop6324]

Prop are one of my favorite bands.

[@banananaz674]

For this song I don't even pay attention to the time signature much, I just memorized the pattern for the guitar intro is "1 2 ... 1 2 3... 1 2 3 .... 1 2... 1 2 ..... 1 2 3" XD

[@peternelson4719]

Yes! This song is sick!

[@Quilt666]

I believe that you should react to Gabe Serbian of The Locust! Completely changed the way I viewed drumming, much like Zach Hill did before

[@zeigbert1743]

Him and Haake meet for coffee at an extra-dimensional cafe outside the bounds of time.

[@manifestgtr]

It took me a couple listens to hear that the first pattern is basically in 6/4. At least the hands…the feet are obviously based on a pattern that Tosin derived…it’s almost a bit of a palindrome with the “2 3 3 2, turnaround”…at least that’s how I feel it.

[@danmets7292]

Love it

[@amaterasu86]

Here it is, thanks lol

[@j.d.4697]

I could so easily hear where 1 was. Right at the very beginning of the song.

[@simpvicious875]

his playing is elegant as math

[@lee13whitehead]

Parallax drumming, mental

[@DandelionVolta]

They just uploaded a playthrough of the second single

[@keithgough6605]

If Garrett doesn't know what's happening on the kit, I'm Ralph Wiggum smiling while looking at my computer screen.

[@DaveBits]

You should react to Morgan Simpson of Black Midi, dude is absolutely bonkers

[@gibsongeetar999]

Came here to post this - please review Slow by Black Midi sometime!! Crazy good complex patterns over a solid pulse

[@XViTNg]

Bro. As a fan and a “unknown friend”. You need to manage or form a band named Hemiola with that font. Cause that shirt is fucking sick and the name is an incredible band name for a death metal or black metal band. I’d love to see a metal band with you as a drummer. Like instead of blasts and shit i would love to see what you would do with the math core riffs I write for my band. And call it hemiola. Cause if someone hasn’t already- that name is gonna get taken because of your channel

[@Diesel_Budgie]

I'mma start a band called "Big Little Ghost Notes"

[@connorisenberg2037]

HE DID IT!!!!!

[@jasonmacqueen1017]

Love watching your reaction videos, but it is criminal that no one has mentioned Darkside from Mgla, Kriegsmachine. I highly recommend Kriegsmachine residual blight.

[@ZediBaptista]

He's basically this generation's Virgil Donati in terms of mind fuckery

[@flabbergastmau]

The most important question in life......"where's one!?!"

[@Carnifex20]

If you like ghost notes, you'll love JD Beck. Especially since he plays with Ghost Note as well XD Also I didn't know Animals as Leaders had new material, time to check it out.

[@athmaid]

That kid can play

[@thevilifyingforce]

You do you and it's all you can do.

[@tylerwells2220]

You gotta check out Takashi Kashikura from the band toe. Monstrous player and I think you'll really dig his style

[@Angel68iou1]

Oh man you have to check out para mexer drum play through.

[@polarbear1011]

Dude! Dude! Dude?! Dude! Dude……. Dude?! Lmao that’s all I hear from this guy. Can’t keep up lmao

[@corvino630]

Me watching this video: "Oh thank God I'm not 100% an idiot shit drummer because even he is wondering where the 1 is"

[@Hbbldbbl]

I World suggest to react to "panzerballett - take five". It's definitely worth it :)

[@jcgellidon]

[@EiriUesugiKun]

Man ... too bad I can't give you more than one like. :D

[@MrJrowske]

Do Descent of Inanna by Aronious! I feel like you’d enjoy it.

[@S_Pat90]

If you count it by groups it’s easier. 2/3/3 2/2/3

[@marcovee82]

Check out the video he released yesterday of the play through of The Problem Of Other Minds. It's a slower jam but he kills it on the drums. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKiwm5qBr9-ApKs

[@KT-cz7rm]

Please do flo mounier if cryptopsy. Really any playthrough that pops up.

[@antonkovalenko364]

I'm just waiting for Garrett to announce that he has joined a death metal band. 😉

[@MrATolosa]

if you ever comeback, have a listen to The Reign of Kindo - Nightingale. Cheers!

[@EiriUesugiKun]

Still .. As a person who has no FUCKING clue what is going on, I like you trying to explain this.. So like to you.. C'moon... Who could dislike this content? o_O Really? WHO would dislike this?