I chatted with Shannon Larkin from Godsmack about his musical tastes growing up and ‘cutting his teeth’ here in Baltimore.
When did you know you wanted to be a musician?
My parents were very musical. They weren’t musicians but they would play records all the time. I was around eight and I wanted to bang on stuff around the house. I would beg my parents for the K-Tel Records which had all of the radio hits from the time.
I remember my sister coming into my room once and told me that my music sucked. So she gave me “Hemisphere” by RUSH and the drums called to me. I admitted a few months later that she was right. “Rush rules, what do you have for me now?” She then gave me Led Zeppelin II and that was it. I KNEW I was going to be a drummer after that. I asked for a drum set at Christmastime and the rest is history.
What was it like coming into Godsmack?
I knew Sully so it was kind of just walking into a family already. By that point, I had some success in some other bands so I wasn’t scared of just jumping into performing in front of thousands of people.
What is your favorite song to perform and why?
I like “Straight Out Of Line” because it’s the coolest drum beat I’ve ever written.
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done in life?
What a question. ::laughs:: I guess getting covered in tattoos. The week I turned eighteen I got my first one. They hurt like a son of a bitch. If someone tell you they don’t hurt, they’re lying.
Godsmack released their debut album in 1998. Most bands would’ve gone on tour for the 20th Anniversary, but instead you guys released a new album. Do you consider that a re-birth of sorts?
Absolutely. The idea of going on tour and playing just that first album came and went when we put out a new record we wanted to support. “Awake” will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary next year, but we think we’ll wait to do something special for the 25th Anniversary.
Are you excited about your show here in Baltimore Saturday, July 13th?
Very, very excited. I’m going to see a bunch of friends I grew up with that I haven’t seen in a while. It’s always great to come back to where I cut my teeth and became who I am today.
Godsmack rocks MECU Pavilion Sunday, July 14th!
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