Shrew: Casey Zampa

What is your full name and what instruments do you play?
Casey Zampa. I play the drums for Shrew. I also play the Saxophone, and the Guitar.

When and where were you born?
1980 in Paradise, California.

Where did you grow up?
Paradise and Chico, California.

What got you into playing music?
I have always wanted to play the drums but my parents made me take on the Saxophone in the 4th grade. I played all the way through high school. When I was a Sophomore or Junior I decided I was going to start playing the drums. With the help of a friend’s starter kit and some patience from my parents I taught myself how to play.

Do you have any other passions besides for music?
I am an avid Golfer and Snowboarder.

What, or who, are your musical influences?
There are too many to even begin to start, but lately my influences have been heavier metal like, In Flames, Killswitch Engage, Tool, etc., to more independent rock like, At the Drive In, Mars Volta, Glassjaw, to older classic rock like, Zeppelin, Hendrix, Chili Peppers (well they are not classic yet) and Cream. I am a huge fan of stuff from the Motown era as well. I love pretty much anything from the sixties, and a lot of old folk and Country stuff from Johnny Cash to Hank Williams, and Bob Dylan.

Who has been the biggest musical inspiration of your life?
Hmmmmm, I don’t really know. I have always been the biggest fan of Joey Jordison from Slipknot. That man has the quickest legs and hands on a drum kit!

Would you say music as a whole is getting better, gotten worse, or has remained the same?
After working in a music store for close to 5 years I have seen music get dramatically worse. The problem is that it is too hard to come up with original sounds. Everything has been done a million times. There have been a few shinning stars here and there but a lot of music that I have really started enjoying has come from other countries. Bands like Funeral for a Friend, Norther, In Flames, etc. Bands today seem to be watering down their original sounds to a more mainstream sound that appeal to the masses.

How did you come to join Shrew?
Shrew started when BoneGruel broke up and Faizal and I decided to start a group that would appeal to more of our musical tastes and standards. It was also to create a group that would be comfortable and conducive to our lifestyles. The problem with dictators in a band is that one person gets what they want and the rest are along for the ride. That is not my outlook on music and never will be therefore Shrew gives us our outlet to play what we want and not what someone else wants. Everyone gets to bring their musical tastes and influences to the table and we try to blend them all together to create a new and unique sound which I think we have accomplished.

What is your favorite part of being in Shrew?
My weekly release from the chaos and confusion of life. My drums are my life and I feel more at home behind my kit then mostly anywhere. I also enjoy the camaraderie between the boys in the band and myself. They are my best friends. Where else can you get six hours of enjoyment with almost no hassle?

What is your favorite Shrew song and why is it your favorite?
I love playing Consequence and You Over Me. I get to do a lot of fills and technical beats on these songs which is fun, but my favorite song is South of the Cement Ship which Faizal and I wrote. It is more of a sentimental song for me. The name comes from the place I have the best memories of my Mom.

What would be your dream venue to play?
I don’t really know. Anywhere that we would sound awesome. So, no outdoor venues.

Who would you love to accompany on your dream playbill and why?
Honestly, I really don’t know. It would be amazing to play with anyone.

Where would you like to see Shrew in the next 5 years?
Five years is a long time. God only knows where we will be. In my dreams we would have caught the attention of many people and possibly be doing a tour up and down the state for our first or maybe second album.

Casey Zampa - Drums

	What is your full name and what instruments do you play? Casey Zampa. I play the drums for Shrew. I also play the Saxophone, and the Guitar. When and where were you born? 1980 in Paradise, California. Where did you grow up? Paradise and Chico, California. What got you into playing music? I have always wanted to play the drums but my parents made me take on the Saxophone in the 4th grade. I played all the way through high school. When I was a Sophomore or Junior I decided I was going to start playing the drums. With the help of a friend’s starter kit and some patience from my parents I taught myself how to play. Do you have any other passions besides for music? I am an avid Golfer and Snowboarder. What, or who, are your musical influences? There are too many to even begin to start, but lately my influences have been heavier metal like, In Flames, Killswitch Engage, Tool, etc., to more independent rock like, At the Drive In, Mars Volta, Glassjaw, to older classic rock like, Zeppelin, Hendrix, Chili Peppers (well they are not classic yet) and Cream. I am a huge fan of stuff from the Motown era as well. I love pretty much anything from the sixties, and a lot of old folk and Country stuff from Johnny Cash to Hank Williams, and Bob Dylan. Who has been the biggest musical inspiration of your life? Hmmmmm, I don’t really know. I have always been the biggest fan of Joey Jordison from Slipknot. That man has the quickest legs and hands on a drum kit! Would you say music as a whole is getting better, gotten worse, or has remained the same? After working in a music store for close to 5 years I have seen music get dramatically worse. The problem is that it is too hard to come up with original sounds. Everything has been done a million times. There have been a few shinning stars here and there but a lot of music that I have really started enjoying has come from other countries. Bands like Funeral for a Friend, Norther, In Flames, etc. Bands today seem to be watering down their original sounds to a more mainstream sound that appeal to the masses. How did you come to join Shrew? Shrew started when BoneGruel broke up and Faizal and I decided to start a group that would appeal to more of our musical tastes and standards. It was also to create a group that would be comfortable and conducive to our lifestyles. The problem with dictators in a band is that one person gets what they want and the rest are along for the ride. That is not my outlook on music and never will be therefore Shrew gives us our outlet to play what we want and not what someone else wants. Everyone gets to bring their musical tastes and influences to the table and we try to blend them all together to create a new and unique sound which I think we have accomplished. What is your favorite part of being in Shrew? My weekly release from the chaos and confusion of life. My drums are my life and I feel more at home behind my kit then mostly anywhere. I also enjoy the camaraderie between the boys in the band and myself. They are my best friends. Where else can you get six hours of enjoyment with almost no hassle? What is your favorite Shrew song and why is it your favorite? I love playing Consequence and You Over Me. I get to do a lot of fills and technical beats on these songs which is fun, but my favorite song is South of the Cement Ship which Faizal and I wrote. It is more of a sentimental song for me. The name comes from the place I have the best memories of my Mom. What would be your dream venue to play? I don’t really know. Anywhere that we would sound awesome. So, no outdoor venues. Who would you love to accompany on your dream playbill and why? Honestly, I really don’t know. It would be amazing to play with anyone. Where would you like to see Shrew in the next 5 years? Five years is a long time. God only knows where we will be. In my dreams we would have caught the attention of many people and possibly be doing a tour up and down the state for our first or maybe second album.