Basic Info

Name: Steve Smith

Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Band / Artist / Projects: Beyond Terror Beyond Grace

Web / MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/beyondterrorbeyondgrace

Biography

Since an early age, music has been a big part of Steve's life, but he was first drawn to the art of drumming at the age of 11, when he first saw Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) play in Sydney. However, frustratingly, he was unable to purchase a drumkit until age 14, making do with the pots, pans and pens as a substitute. Unfortunately also, he was never able to recieve formal lessons. After 2 years of playing, he was particularly drawn to the heavier end of the musical spectrum, more specifically, extreme metal. Watching amazing players like Derek Roddy drumming in this style for the first time was a very eye-opening experience. The sheer speed, athleticism and endurance required in the genre meant that he was almost instantly converted, and he immediately sought about emulating these drummers in every way possible.

In 2005 after only 2 years of drumming, he placed 2nd in the Roland V Drums Australias Fastest Hands competition, clocking 1065 single strokes in 60 seconds.

It was about this time where Steve joined act Beyond Terror Beyond Grace. After extensive composition and rehearsal we made it our mission to leave their mark on the Australian and international extreme metal scene. After the release of their EP 'Still Human, Still Humane?' (2005), and their debut full length Extinction:Salvation (2008) (both on Grindhead Records), BTBG has evolved into a potent modern grind-core band drawing influence from both death metal and crust/punk styles to create a sound that is atmospheric, intense, and above all extreme. BTBG drumming encompasses an intense, chaotic, yet controlled and precise form of extreme metal drumming, with great emphasis on speed and creativity.

To date, BTBG have toured with metal giants such as Behemoth (Pol), Skinless (US), Cephalic Carnage (US), The Black Dahlia Murder (US), Kataklysm (Can), Ulcerate (NZ), Psycroptic (Aus), The Amenta (Aus), Blood Duster (Aus), and Insect Warfare (US).

On the back of Extinction:Salvation, BTBG have announced their first international shows in New Zealand (August) and first US/European tours in mid 2009, as well as continuing their extensive touring of Australia.
A new record is expected to arrive also in mid 2009, as BTBG are already well into the process of pre-production.

Steve and BTBG are firmly poised to have a major impact on the extreme metal scene both internationally and within Australia.

Gear Info

Drums: Yamaha Stage Custom

• 10" rack, 12" rack, 14" floor, 14" steel snare
• Pearl 12" Firecracker Mini - Snare

Cymbals: Paiste/Zildjian/Meinl

• 16" Zildjian ZXT China
• 14" Zildjian ZXT Hats
• 15" Zildjian A Custom Crash
• 10" Zildjian A Custom Splash
• 12" Meinl Byzance Splash
• 17" Paiste Dimensions Power Crash
• 14" Paiste Remote Hi-Hat
• 20" Paiste Ride
• 17" Zildjian Oriental China
• 8" Zil Bel (mounted on Ride)
• 8" Paiste Cup Chime (Mounted on A Custom Crash)

Hardware: All Yamaha stands/hardware

Pedals: Pearl Eliminator Double Pedal

Sticks: Vic Firth 7AN sticks

Skins: All Evans Coated

Electronics:

• Roland Kick Triggers
• Roland TD-3 Module