Batterie Magazine numéro 203

50 candles for "The Dark Side of The Moon" by Pink Floyd. The occasion was too good not to celebrate this masterpiece of contemporary music and the contribution of its too-often underestimated drummer. A true embodiment of British phlegm, Nick Mason is also the ultimate anti-rock star: "I'm not famous. I belong to an entity that is famous. It is completely different", he likes to repeat. Wielding irony with the same subtlety as his drumsticks, this discreet, humble character finds it hard to admit that he has helped shape today's music. The only member of Pink Floyd to have played on every album in their discography, Mason has always done his utmost to keep the band on course, even in the worst of times: "I'm like the ship's cook who stays hidden in his galley when the captains are squabbling on deck," he confided to us during a meeting at the legendary Abbey Road studio number 3 in London in June 2011. Yes, because in almost twenty years of existence, Batterie Magazine has been lucky enough to forge links with this great man. Although he gravitates in the highest spheres of the music business, the multi-millionaire has always been keen to remain close to the drumming community, and I personally had the chance to speak with him on five occasions. The first time was in 2005, for the release of his autobiography; I was 19 and petrified. Fortunately, Nick immediately put me at ease, agreeing to answer my fan questions in great detail and making the hour-long interview one of his most unforgettable. The following interviews were just as fascinating, as those with the legendary Vinny Appice, Dave Turncrantz (Russian Circles), Léo Margarit (Pain of Salvation), Franck Agulhon and Charlie Davot.
Happy reading!

Sébastien Benoits