MEINL DRUM FESTIVAL 2015 - Matt Garstka “Ka$cade” - Animals As Leaders

The cymbals Matt uses are:
14” Byzance Vintage Sand Hat
18” Byzance Jazz Extra Thin Crash
18” Byzance Jazz Medium Thin Crash
06” Byzance Brilliant Splash
22” Byzance Extra Dry Medium Ride
16” Byzance China Prototype (stack bottom)
18” Byzance Crash Prototype (stack top)
20” Byzance Extra Dry China

[@lumpusman]

as a "drummer" i think i can say this without shame i just cried a little

[@Szabby999]

Untill I saw him play I thought I was a drummer. But now I think I'm just a kid fidgeting on drums...

[@ignacioarfelimusic]

im not a drummer but i still cried

[@scott12at]

Tears make the best lubricant..

[@jay-tea415]

that left fucking hand!!!!!!!!!

[@iBaraban]

totally tears of joy

[@AbeCastDrums]

Matt Garstka is easily one of the best drummers from his generation.

[@snusk741]

and he plays metal luckily:D

[@godplayer5336]

Abe Castellanos and he is sooooo cute

[@Abrahamhamham]

His generation? Man, this guy might be one of the best drummers ever. And he's only 29.

[@ledgy69]

@@Abrahamhamham he's the best alive rn IMO.

[@wb3991]

ledgy69 him and Chris turner are absolutely insane

[@leonardovarella9728]

everyone is always saying about how technical Matt Garstka is (which is ridiculously true) but please someone say something about how this man is a heavy hitter, HOLY SHIT!

[@siuleopouesi5794]

Understandable for a drummer who loves to keep a back beat. Heavy hands are usually the case

[@biodigitaljazz1]

Doesn't help those are like 17" cymbals.

[@sdrbox]

and so accurate too!

[@looksirdroids9134]

It isn't really heavy hitting when it's basically the standard.

[@thomasgendron3875]

@@looksirdroids9134 have you seen how much everything is shaking lol

[@ununoctiu]

Matt's cymbals are hammered during the playing...

[@tiyenin]

See how the set wiggles? Crazy.

[@ununoctiu]

tiyenin POWAAAAA! :D

[@jaggy-snake]

He bought them as solid ingots

[@tomasfava8052]

Best comment ever

[@monkeyrilla]

Shhhhhh, its a seeeeeecrettttt

[@poppapunker6238]

Matt's playing has been thoroughly applauded... can we take a moment to appreciate that snare tone?! Good lord.

[@amneenja5720]

it is pure OOMPH

[@guillaumeroussel4845]

Well spoken

[@timinglongevity6162]

Matt Garstka is the evolution of drumming

[@MrJmer77]

+Timing Longevity Totally, dude.

[@MegaMrBaiano]

+Timing Longevity matt is sooooo great but, pls take it easy..

[@guillaumeroussel4845]

Check out Eliott Hoffman of Car Bomb you will also love him

[@JuanCarlitoMendoza]

AND THIS IS HOW YOU SLAY!!! Matt is the man!

[@siuleopouesi5794]

Juan! You're also the man bro!!! I watch your lessons on Drumeo and on Facebook! Awesome stuff and contribution to drum community!

[@MusicProductionJS]

I don't think there's actually enough hours in a day between 8 years old and 26 to physically be this good at the drums...unless you're Matt Garstka

[@19RaxR91]

+MusicProductionJS I guess you havent heard about Tony Royster Jr., Thomas Pridgen, or a lot of other drummers who went/goes to berkley.

[@MusicProductionJS]

+CisforCock Ye heard of all those, all amazing players. Berklee definitely doesn't make them world class drummers. Dedication and hardwork does. It's just amazing how much work Matt has put into his craft

[@19RaxR91]

+MusicProductionJS Well, your original statement kind of sounds like "only Matt Garstka can do something like that", which is what I disagree with. On a different matter, I agree about Matt being a deticated and hard working drummer, there is no questioning that, but i also think that he has a natural gift, since his playing seems so effortless - that he doesnt think about the rhythms which comes out of him.

[@MusicProductionJS]

+CisforCock Didn't mean to come across that way it was meant as a humorous comment, plenty of great drummers about. He probably picks up concepts and patterns at a slightly faster rate than most people but there's no substitute for the hardwork he's put in. He won't think about the rhythms because they're all incorporated into his muscle memory - and in this case he's playing a structured song with next to no improv.

[@Meinstantics]

+CisforCock I'm sure he has, Matts pocket / creativity is next level.

[@andrewfolts250]

At 1:30 I thought for a second that he was losing the track. Then I realized...this is Matt Garstka. He doesn't lose the track, the track loses him.

[@cwh244]

The lighting guy must be a Hendrix fan. That purple haze is fucking intense, holy shit.

[@olafosthusmorrison5888]

dj0nt

[@bradstoonz4703]

I guess a Prince fan. Purple rain vibes.

[@Kabz8]

As a guitarist, I find Matt's playing so inspiring and motivating. 10/10

[@aloispot1062]

Kabz8 Same 10/10

[@JayCord00]

Kabz i would say 12/10 haha 😉

[@JuanRamirez-qf1qr]

+badcrowJC actually it's 5/4

[@NoBandsLand]

It's weird, I'm a drummer and I saw Guthrie Govan in a clinic a few years back and found it the opposite, he's an incredible player, was a great clinician and a lovely guy, but I watched and though, "I can never be that good at anything" and found that quite sad

[@florentmartiniere]

@@NoBandsLand you shouldn't be sad. GG and MG are quite uplifting

[@KolegaMaistor]

He's literally toying with this song as if it wasn't complicated enough to begin with. What a beast. And a really humble and awesome guy too.

[@totu376]

As a guitarist, I come to animals as leaders for the drums, Matt is ahead of his game.

[@damiangomez8540]

I'm a drummer and I come to animals as leaders for the drums too, gotta show some love for those guitars too

[@rafanj824]

​@@damiangomez8540some love? All the love in the world buddy, and the drums too, it's unbelievable!!!

[@johnjones3648]

Saw Matt play at the Generation Axe show last night. Phenomenal!! To be able to play for all 5 guitarists and their unique styles and do so for over 3 hours takes true talent. I am now a huge fan!!

[@the6ig6adwolf]

He ended up with severe carpal tunnel and had to leave that tour. Luckily Mr JP Bouvet was able to step in learn all the parts for all five guitarists in a week and the tour continued! check out JP's KZbin channel to watch the vlog, it's awesome.

[@sloyer666]

...JP Bouvet is amazing too man 2 of my favourites xD

[@taunokekkonen5733]

04:50 christ those left hand off-beat crashes are great. Totally made my day.

[@HolySticks10]

One of the few people that can make super busy chops groove at the same time... one of the best right here :)

[@Seabree]

1:37 left foot working two pedals.

[@blackcitadel37]

Sometimes he just can't hold his powers properly and let it escape a little.

[@joeyhathaway8447]

literally just rotating your left heel 45º

[@rocesboyanthony5343]

Rolyat I thought of that technique but I never knew how to execute it. Or if any body did it?

[@joeyhathaway8447]

@@rocesboyanthony5343 I see that as a vocabulary issue :)

[@kevinmeli]

@@joeyhathaway8447 What?

[@kickthebabylmo]

I love the edit he did to the song at 3:08 ; that super heavy and slow groove over that light and fast ambient guitar riff just sounds beautiful. There's not many drummers with both ridiculous technique and the musical vision like Matt.

[@jessenicoletta4160]

I just love watching how much fun he is having while playing this. You can see that what he plays brings him joy

[@infinitelight111]

The Joy of motion!

[@jaggy-snake]

I’ve only just started playing drums and watching this has already made me better.

[@andyham6094]

Definitely my favorite Meinl festival video so far. This sounded so good turned up to the max on the headphones. So sick.

[@BkWDrums]

If I'm ever half as good as this guy I'll be happy

[@penkatadrums]

+BkW Are you willing to practice half as time as he is?

[@BkWDrums]

+penkata drums I'll definitely practice as much as I can!

[@penkatadrums]

Man I just checked out your channel and I can honestly admit that you put me to shame!! And you are only 16!!

[@BkWDrums]

+penkata drums Aha thanks! I'm getting there, I'm getting better everyday and it's hard with school and stuff but there's always time to practice. Matt is a massive inspiration to me

[@penkatadrums]

BkW Yup, same here! Write me if you need something bro, would be glad to help!

[@JerryNordstrom]

So clean, so precise with very interesting off time grooves.. just love to hear and watch this guy play.

[@avealotoaso4381]

Still one of my favorite performance by Matt. Amazing kit, cymbals and sound overall! Matt is super technical and I love it!

[@scott12at]

Matt Garstka is such an inspiration. He's inspired me to stop playing drums.

[@marceloserra6321]

best modern drummer in the galaxy... PERIOD

[@LeVezz]

I heard there is a band in a distant galaxy called Humans as followers .

[@sounomt]

Everything about this performance is truly inspiring. Thank you Matt for making me want to get off my ass and practice.

[@Alex__H]

I'm always coming back to this video cause there's definitely some magic here with how he plays and hes definitely one of the greats.

[@NowanCabal]

1:43 Cameraman: this is too much for me, im going home..

[@zBranMan]

LMAOO

[@Tykxon]

XD

[@LooseGooze]

+Nowan Cabal xDDDD

[@speckon]

+Nowan Cabal At 3:43 he is like "Nah, fuck that, I am just watching this guy raping his kit!" xD

[@NowanCabal]

+Speckon McBacon lol he got a stalker XD

[@inherentmetal2446]

It blows my mind how much power he packs with his playing. Especially while continuing to be that consistent

[@alexkulp9727]

His consistency is insane... Insane I tell you!

[@lausonmorgado980]

I think this is the best drummer performance I've ever seen! Matt Garstka is a Legend

[@JACGdrummer]

All I can say is thank you Matt for your amazing skills and creativity we are lucky to hear this kind of drumming!! BEAST!! +Matt G

[@tyomkaf]

audio and video quality are absolutely flawless as well as Matt's insane skill

[@izzyxallegro]

everything about this from his playing to the sound of his kit is simply perfection.

[@daedalus_20v]

Can't help but smile every time I watch this dude play.

[@JD-sc7bd]

Super cool down to earth humble drummer. Met him after the show here. Talent for sure!

[@AboutFalling]

That is some raw goddamn talent right there. All three of them are fucking geniuses and I love their music!

[@directtalk1]

Brilliant.....and once again I'm annoyed to see people giving thumbs down. I blame their parents

[@neelverma7139]

Matt Garstka is definitely one of the best, if not the best, drummers of our time

[@seangriffith1514]

I think it's flattering drummers like Luke cover Matt's raw talent but I don't get that cold chill down my spine unless I'm seeing Matt perform this art. also Matt sick save at 3:45. Lol. love your style dude. I never thought a human could possibly provide acceptable inspiration to the masterful programming of the original AAL design. but. Matt. dude. you slay.

[@Diesel_Budgie]

As a non-drummer, I can't detect anything wrong around that timestamp...please enlighten me? (Also, you're welcome for reminding you to watch this video again)

[@timpaultom405]

As a drummer he executed that damn near perfectly and was not a save but a dope ass lick.

[@abnelgray7739]

nowadays, too many drummers focus on chops and think that’s what makes you good. but there’s real skill in technicality, independence, displacement, which is the epitome of Garstka. strive to be like Garstka, Bouvet.. these are the masters.

[@Sushii_God]

This guy is the real fucking deal, no errors, straight precision and skill. Greatest of our time no doubt.

[@macdrummer4984]

how can you even learn such a song? it hurts my brains

[@techdeth]

+Dr. Oshawott drummers wouldnt lol not even close

[@techdeth]

Tooth and claw is by far the easiest man

[@bjorksven]

+Tech Deth That one is pretty easy (relatively speaking), but this one and the woven web are also not that hard.

[@Drewsparkwhitworth]

+Dr. Oshawott As a drummer who finds speedy chops very difficult I think Air Chrysalis the easiest to play, once the metric modulation is broken down its pretty straightforward, plus I really dig a triplet based groove!

[@Drewsparkwhitworth]

+Dr. Oshawott Any tips for improving chops?

[@adamcoe]

people watch this not realizing it is basically the drumming equivalent of reciting the periodic table by memory 25 times in a row but every 6th time through you stop at the 47th element and start again 3 times but on the 4th time through you go back to the 48th element and continue, then you do that whole thing twice and then again at the 96th element (48x2!) but then you only do it twice instead of 4 times because you're already times 2 so then continuing on you do the rest of the table based not on atomic weight as the table suggests but in the chronological order they were discovered. Pretty simple really, just count it out.

[@mr_wessumz]

Absolutely untouchable.

[@dalianmoya]

WhoDarestheMAN gamer he’s twice matt’s age. at that age matt is going to be even better. so stupid.

[@rookd1137]

Nothing will ever top this for me....I think this is the best thing I have ever seen

[@animusbeats3752]

Neil Peart was our drummer back then. Matt Garstka is the now drummer

[@ayusharipirala3121]

@WhoDarestheMAN gamer both are great drummers

[@hazardeur]

@@voltototo don't be a fool, man. Accusing a top tier drummer like Lang not to able to play dynamic means you either just never heard him do it (which is your fault, not his) or you actually think he can't do it, which is downright foolish. Have you seen the bands and acts he can drum for? They can get the best players in the world. Which is why he is there.

[@boblarry7879]

@WhoDarestheMAN gamer Lang is 22 years older than Matt. Matt at 52 will be a "better" drummer better being subjective. I love them both but time playing has to be considered. Just the fact that they are in the same conversation says a lot about Matt as a drummer.

[@taunokekkonen5733]

No one lays a tighter track than Peart. But my god are his solos boring. And just to be clear, our drummer back then was Porcaro or Gadd.

[@Surmoka]

@WhoDarestheMAN gamer comparing top class dummers A and B is idiotic. Just about as idiotic as the other guy here denouncing Lang out of simple ignorance.

[@t3hgir]

amazing sound quality, thanks MEINL! what can be said about Matt Garstka? Simply incredible drummer, he is the tightest drummer I've ever seen live not in a jazz context

[@peeeesus]

t3hgir lol you should see him in a jazz context!! He guy is phenomenal.

[@MattLemonsackMusic]

I feel lucky to have had this man’s kick drum thud through my heart in person. It took a minute for my heartbeat to shift out of 17/16 time, but it was an amazing experience

[@WooGnar]

Matt is amazing... whoever set his set up drives me mad that everything is bouncing to the more mellow of hits.

[@janilsonsa6096]

O Brasil está de olho nesse Mestre . The Boss of Drummer! Its amazing tecnic.

[@nicholashatzimanolis6360]

"ok so matt heres the deal, usual kit, same setup, just go kill it for us, sold out as usual, but uhh, we were a bit short on time for stage setup so we had to uhh, hah.... basically you're playing on a trampoline"

[@НиколаВеличковић-г3в]

After listening to Matt, I feel ashamed to call myself a drummer.

[@svelle37]

I know this is a joke, but don't ever feel that way. Music isn't a competition! It's okay to be not as good as someone who devotes their whole life to it ;)

[@Hugo_Lee]

That is the best sounding stack I've ever heard

[@j897xce]

His whole set trembles before him, the almighty drummer where cymbals bow and drum heads suffer for his glory.

[@Bman2706]

One of the best performances I've ever seen...

[@BrandonofRedemption]

Always a pleasure watching Garstka play, especially to an AAL track!

[@purgie]

Indeed, he is taking the instrument to a new level... Amazing..

[@BobbyDukeArts]

Dude's a cyborg. No other explanation make sense

[@darthvader11p]

Just watched El Estepario Siberiano cover this song and thought "Was that even better than Matt Garstka's Version?!" Then I watched this video. No, it was not better. This performance is god-tier.

[@michikatsutsugikuni4096]

Estepario is overplayed

[@Fitz1993]

I mean El Estepario missed notes in his cover lol... Meanwhile Matt's out here adding them in.

[@bradgantt1818]

Respect to the cover, but there is waaaay more going on in Matt's version.

[@HerbalistGuybrush]

El estefano is so overrated. Hes a meme drummer. Matt is a creative genius in his craft.

[@MoicHepa]

This group is so cool to watch and listen. Bravo l'artiste!

[@normanwilmoth7404]

Matt is hope for the young drummer generation for sure, excellent playing👍

[@arooo0131]

facial expression is as if his brain is melting

[@CodyHicken]

Anna H. *dancing

[@alexanderkopp6647]

Mine would be too if I was playing that

[@doublebassrox]

Its the advanced calculus he’s doing in his head at the same time

[@blackcitadel37]

No I think it got a good cooling system.

[@dingdong1619]

this guy has so much power and is so precise at the same time, unbelievable

[@ericsanger4408]

Believe it or not, he's gotten better.

[@alastairs3727]

just total precision, power, nailed this, nailed as nailed can be.

[@kirjian]

you think the original song is hard enough, but he goes even harder. levels, man

[@tephry]

As always, just an absolute monster. One day I will shake that magical hand.

[@macp988]

I cry when I watch all his videos :(

[@bigstef2010]

He hits those Meinl cymbals really hard. Good test. Incredible talent as usual.

[@tubadude07]

People think i'm weird for putting on youtube while a drive but the live audio is just amazing.

[@thesneakygamer4343]

The master proving once agin why he's the greatest. No one in metal is at his level

[@slawdog8]

just unabashedly melting this Festivals face of with technical metal drumming

[@Kinny_37]

1:02 still blows my mind every time

[@GaaraOfTheFunk606]

watched this so many times but only transcribing it now do i notice the left-foot-on-both-pedals trick he does in the fill at 1:37. the details! gift that keeps on giving

[@desmondbowen6283]

It’s just magic how you clearly see his ghost notes 📝 masterpiece 💪

[@jonathanhall7201]

The fill at 1:37 is insane

[@kumquatmagoo]

The fill at 0:00 to 5:28 is insane

[@jonathanhall7201]

kumquatmagoo I knew this comment was coming

[@KGFishyFingers]

Actually very easy

[@wb1065]

Alien technology! Seriously as a drummer for over forty years, I’m officially done saying I’ve seen it all. Amazing!

[@zacharymckenzie9442]

I’m so impressed by all of and it kick ass to hear a keys player! But you all are so giod

[@lunafiguereo5710]

No one tops this guy! He is the best!!

[@hellyeapyco]

my most favorite video on youtube by far!

[@thomasj3309]

5:12 - Puny little Macbook freaked out by the mighty Matt's drum and passed away... R.I.P.

[@warclownband]

really not into his band, but man ive found another new fav drummer. this guys a beast.

[@patrickwilliamson29]

Love the sound of that kick, so punchy but a huge amount of tone!

[@Perrylayne105]

I watch this almost every day. so fucking sick

[@Coastfog]

I have a somatic reaction to this, it's just such amazing drumming. It sounds kinda weird, but the feeling that comes closest is love, and I feel just fine with saying that I love Matt's drumming.

[@Leviplaysdrums]

I will never grow tired of Matt's playing. absolutely incredible to watch. Massive sound, probaby helps that he's bashing the fuck outta eeeeeverything

[@jamcorjeff1]

You kicked that shit up to a whole new level. Thank you !!

[@Distinguished_Djentlemen]

Matt this is still perfection!

[@samwerrell2104]

Those flam hits on the cymbals 😭😭

[@lisamitchell1355]

I love the sound of that kit

[@antnyneveruploads]

3:45 - 4:10 gives me chills every time I listen to this song

[@j00j]

Probably the best drummer i ve heard

[@TiyoAwok]

I Think I will vote for him for the best Drummer of all time 2021

[@mikewild9106]

It's already beyond incredible that anyone can play like this, and make it look so easy and soulful, but how tf can he move like that in a shirt? Man looks like he's about to introduce himself to your family as Matthew.

[@maj-lenaskagerlund3118]

This guy is full of fire 🔥 . And extremely talanted !!!

[@AllOneVoice]

All of this is phenomenal but a nice moment I'm loving is that little pick up full at 1:17

[@AndersonQuero]

No puedo dejar de ver este video :)

[@FrogJ]

His kit do be wobbling

[@technicalmetal28]

He's the most technical metal drummer of this era