Matt Garstka Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Animals as Leaders Drummer | MetalForge
Matt Garstka Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Matt Garstka, Animals as Leaders' virtuosic drummer. Explore his jazz-fusion approach, polyrhythmic mastery, and influence on modern pr...
Quick Facts: Matt Garstka
| Band | Animals as Leaders |
|---|---|
| Genre | Progressive Metal / Djent |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Meinl |
| Drum kit | DW Collector's Series |
| Snare | DW Collector's Series Purpleheart |
| Sticks | Vic Firth Matt Garstka Signature |
Matt Garstka Biography
Matt Garstka (born April 27, 1989, in Westfield, Massachusetts) is an American drummer known for his virtuosic work with instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders since 2012. His playing seamlessly blends jazz fusion, electronic music, and progressive metal, featuring complex polyrhythms, intricate ghost note patterns, and innovative use of dynamics.
Garstka joined Animals as Leaders after the departure of original drummer Navene Koperweis, bringing a jazz-educated sensibility to the band's technical instrumental music. His approach—combining traditional grip, linear independence, and a deep understanding of metric modulation—has made him one of the most influential drummers of his generation. Beyond Animals as Leaders, Garstka is an in-demand educator and session musician.
Career Highlights
- 1989: Born April 27 in Westfield, Massachusetts
- 2007: Began studying at Berklee College of Music
- 2012: Joined Animals as Leaders, replacing Navene Koperweis
- 2014: Released "The Joy of Motion" with Animals as Leaders, first album with band
- 2016: Released "The Madness of Many" to critical acclaim
- 2017: Featured on Modern Drummer magazine cover
- 2018: Began extensive educational content creation and clinic touring
- 2019: Named one of the most influential drummers of the decade by multiple publications
- 2022: Released "Parrhesia" with Animals as Leaders
- 2023: Continues international touring and education
Style & Influences
Matt Garstka's drumming represents a new paradigm in progressive metal—combining jazz sophistication with heavy music intensity. His approach emphasizes feel and groove within complex frameworks, making intricate patterns accessible and musical.
Key Influences:
- Vinnie Colaiuta: Jazz fusion versatility
- Steve Gadd: Precision and feel
- Tony Williams: Jazz innovation
- Jojo Mayer: Electronic-influenced acoustic drumming
- Aaron Spears: Gospel chops and independence
Signature Techniques:
- Linear independence: Each limb operating independently in different patterns
- Ghost note vocabulary: Extensive use of subtle notes for texture
- Metric modulation: Seamlessly shifting between tempos and feels
- Traditional grip in metal: Unusual choice that influences his touch
- Polyrhythmic stacking: Layering multiple rhythmic cycles simultaneously
- Dynamic contrast: Extreme range from whisper-quiet to powerful accents
Gear Highlights
Matt Garstka is endorsed by Meinl Cymbals and DW Drums, having switched from Pearl to a DW custom shop kit in September 2021, with a Tama Speed Cobra double pedal as his hardware. His setup reflects his fusion approach—versatile, dynamic, and designed for the full range of expression required by Animals as Leaders' music.
Current Setup:
- Drums: DW Collector's Series (mixed Collector's Series wood species and shell configurations, per DW custom shop)
- Snare: DW Collector's Series Purpleheart
- Cymbals: Meinl Byzance series (including Dual Hi-Hats, Extra Dry crashes, Sand rides)
- Hardware: Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal
- Sticks: Vic Firth Matt Garstka Signature
- Heads: Remo (Ambassador Coated)
Setup Philosophy:
- Smaller drums for responsiveness and articulation
- Meinl Byzance cymbals for dark, complex overtones
- Traditional grip influences positioning and angles
- Minimal setup compared to many progressive drummers
- Focus on quality of sound over quantity of drums
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Matt Garstka use?
Matt Garstka's drum kit is a DW Collector's Series custom shop build, mixing Collector's Series wood species and shell configurations, which he switched to in September 2021 after playing Tama for his first two Animals as Leaders albums. It's anchored by a DW Collector's Series Purpleheart snare, cutting through dense odd-meter passages.
What drum set does Matt Garstka use?
Matt Garstka's drum set centers on a DW Collector's Series custom shop kit and DW Collector's Series Purpleheart snare, driven by a Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal for the intricate, ghost-note-laced double bass patterns central to his linear independence. Meinl Byzance cymbals and Vic Firth signature sticks round out the setup.
What cymbals does Matt Garstka play?
Matt Garstka plays Meinl Byzance Series cymbals: 15" Dual Hi-Hats for nuanced, washy articulation, 18" and 20" Extra Dry Medium Crashes for quick-decaying accents, and a 22" Dual Ride for complex rhythmic definition.
What hi-hats does Matt Garstka use?
Matt Garstka plays 15" Meinl Byzance Dual Hi-Hats, chosen for the nuanced, washy articulation that suits his ghost-note-heavy, jazz-fusion-infused playing.
What snare does Matt Garstka use?
Matt Garstka's snare is a DW Collector's Series Purpleheart model, part of the DW custom shop kit he switched to in September 2021.
What sticks does Matt Garstka use?
Matt Garstka uses Vic Firth Matt Garstka Signature drumsticks, his own signature model developed with Vic Firth.
What bass drum pedal does Matt Garstka use?
Matt Garstka drives his double bass patterns with a Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal.
What drumheads does Matt Garstka use?
Matt Garstka uses Remo Ambassador Coated drumheads across his DW Collector's Series kit.
What band is Matt Garstka in?
Matt Garstka has been the drummer for instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders since 2012, appearing on The Joy of Motion (2014), The Madness of Many (2016), and Parrhesia (2022).
What hi-hats does Matt Garstka use?
Matt Garstka uses 15" Meinl Byzance Dual Hi-Hats for nuanced, washy articulation, mounted on his DW Collector's Series drum kit and drum set.