It's obvious that drummer Richard Christy – who enjoyed stints in Death, Iced Earth and Burning Inside before becoming a beloved member of the Howard Stern radio show and launching his latest band, Charred Walls of the Damned – is not in Kansas anymore. Christy himself was leavened in America's breadbasket, but he pursued his passion for metal (and eventually stand up comedy) by moving to Florida in 1996, and eventually to New York City. The native Kansan was happy to give Noisecreep three pieces of advice for other struggling, fledgling metal musicians hoping to make good.

Practice. It may seem like a no-brainer, but even after he made it, the skinsman continued to hone his skills. "Even as I was touring, I was practicing three hours a day by myself on the drums. It takes tons of practice, so dedicate yourself." Christy still played drums every other day, even though he moved to the Big Apple and his music career was simmering on the back burner, "just to keep my chops up," he said.

Get tangled up in the Web. While Christy had to move to pursue his death metal calling, you don't. "With the Internet, it doesn't matter where you are. You can get noticed and join a band just through YouTube. If you are a drummer, put your video up to get your name out. A video audition is another opportunity. Look at Slipknot. They are still based in Iowa. They didn't move or leave their home to try and make it big in New York or L.A."



Smile.
"Don't take yourself too seriously. Everyone plays for the love it, so find other people that you have fun jamming with, and with the same goals."

Christy is also pursuing a stand up comedy career, something he fostered through his Stern show antics. "While I've been on stage playing drums, comedy is scarier because you're solo and no one else can cover if you screw up," Christy admitted. "It's given me more confidence."

More From Noisecreep