Here's a SPEED Interview Gorilla did with the Suffo Blast Man Mike Smith.

1. Hi Mike, how's it going in the Suffocation camp?
-- Things are steady in terms of being the band and keeping that intact, but definitely struggling in terms of the worth of the industry and all that it does or doesn't offer these days.
Between the decline of the CD's, touring revenue, economic depression, and creative drive because of the lack of.... Its a tricky situation. Being a father, homeowner etc. I'm sure you know time invested to this extent in anything had better be producing the fruits.

2. Any news on the DVD?
--It's more of a movie at this point now. It's taking way too long to come out but what I can promise is that it will be what the people need from Suffocation at this point of our career.
As soon as the video editor gives us the word of completion, The next step will be the major marketing rush that would have to be, something regarding how the musician earns will have to be fine tuned and put into play. We definitely wont lose the opportunity with this release.

3. When did you start playing drums?
-- I started playing drums at age 11. I had been slaying guitar years prior to that. Parents didnt want to invest in my motocross career so they decided to put up with the banging and ruccus instead. They are more than impressed as to how far I took it.

4. Who were your early influences mike?
-- Maiden, Zeppelin, Metallica, Van Halen, Black Sabbath,

5. When can we expect another CD? Tour?
-- when the industry shows any sign of promise that they've restructured their ways of making it worthwhile for the artist a CD will appear. As for touring, I cant say. Nothing makes any sense financially at all these days. If there were any other answer to give you, I would.

6. Before a show, what do you do to warmup?
-- I usually tell all the loudmouths and visitors smoking and drinking my liquor to get out and give me a minute to think in silence and out of view of anyone other than the band who still has a job to do. I may stretch my hamstrings out that's about it. Just being in a calm peaceful state is usually all I require prior too slaying.

7. What's your kit like today?
-- I'm glad to say my kits are all in perfect condition and set-up for me. DDrum, Gibraltar racks, Axis, Evans, Vic Firth and Meinl cymbals have come through amazing for me for years. I couldn't get through without their support. They are the only real asset to what we've done over the years. At the end of the day I can at least say I have more killer equipment than any of my neighbors on the block.

8. What size sticks?
--- Vic Firth 5bN signature

9. You guys have been jamming and slaying audiences since the late 80's. How much longer will you guys keep doing it?
-- Ill be doing it for ever, in what capacity will be determined. I have no problem writing songs in my own time and never leaving the house again if the new way to sell the music comes to light.
Suffocation the Brand isn't disposable. Neither are the fans who will always have interest in what we decide to come up with. Just remove the middle men and we should be able to keep it moving in some extent for ever.

10. The Suffo Blast!!!! Was it something planned out or did you just get in a groove and it was Spawned!!!???
-- At the time the drummers that existed were grinding. At that time if one did it, that meant it was no longer yours to do. So I set out to play a beat that enhanced the writing style of Suffocation. Luckily for me it was early enough in the Death metal genre to be the first of its kind. If I had set out to inspire an entire genre to play it, I would have definitely looked into the good ol' patenting route. By now I would be living much more secure from my efforts than I am at the moment. Damn it!!!!!!

11. Last .... What's a typical day for the Suffo blast King when your not on tour?
-- Raise my child, keep my house from burning down and in good shape, ride motocross out back as often as possible, I thank whomever that I am not cramped up in the 100's of shitty sewer back rooms that touring offers. Everyday is handling Suffocation biz of some sort, as well as working on spawning new means of earning from any and all opportunities a career in music should offer at this point. I lay drum tracks for side projects I'm hired for from home as well.
My next goal is to clean my slate of pending shit so I can lock myself in the studio for a year or so and just write anything that comes up. Suffocation, Grimm Real, etc on deck I'm sure.

12. Thanks Mike for this interview! Hope y'all play Chicago soon!
--- I'll definitely see you when we see you Kenny Ken. BLEEEEEEEEEEED !
Your a true DED REP brother. Those who don't know what that may refer too, hasn't been in the scene long enough to worry about it.

WORD!

Checkout Mike Blasting with Suffocation in the video below!