Shadows Fall are about to hit our shores for a run of shows with As I Lay Dying, check out our International Tour Guide for all the details and snap up your tickets quick smart.

THE BASICS

Name : Jason Bittner
Band : Shadows Fall
Job In Band : Drummer
Website : www.shadowsfallrocks.com
Hometown : New York

THE BAND

What's the story behind the name?
It was taken from a book

How did the band come together?
Started in 1997 by Matt Bachand and Jon Donais (our guitar players), Paul Romanko joined on bass shortly after. The band released one CD with their vocalist Phil Labonte (of All That Remains) before replacing him with Brian Fair who joined just in time to record the band's first Century Media record "Of One Blood". I then joined in Late 2001 shortly before we went to record "The Art of Balance". The lineup has been together ever since.

How long has the band been around?
This lineup has been together for over 3 years, the band has existed since 1997.

Briefly describe your sound…
Metal influenced Hard rock! Hard Rock influenced METAL.

A few influences…
Metallica, Boston, Iron Maiden, Late 80's Bay Area Thrash, Aerosmith, Pantera…………………our influences are across the board

What's your current release? Tell us a little about it…
" The War Within". I believe it's a great record, and it totally shows the progression of the band…………………..sonically,musically, technically, etc.

OFF THE STAGE

When did you decide you had to be a musician, and how did you go about it?
When I was a kid listening to KISS.

What was your first band name and what style did you play?
My first band name ever, was Gladiator, I was about 14 and we played radio songs of 1984-86.

Tell us three albums you couldn't live without in your collection…
Slayer - Reign in Blood,
Rush- Exit Stage Left,
Maiden - Number of the Beast

Best piece of musical advice you've been given…
Don't sign until you read the fine print!!

Two groups/artists you'd love to take out on the road…
Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan

Favourite song of your group?
All of them

The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is…
Being back on stage with my band

The thing you least look forward to before a tour is…
Leaving my wife at home alone.

When your not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing?
Spending time with my wife, and puttering around the house doing things

ON THE STAGE / ROAD

What gear do you use?
Tama Drums, Meinl cymbals, ProMark sticks, Evans drumheads

Favourite place (city/town/country) you've played… and why?
Japan so far…….because we get treated like we're Metallica

Favourite venue to perform at… and why?
Too many to list

Who hogs the stereo in the van the most?
We fortunately do not travel in a van anymore, but when we did, it was pretty easy going as far as the stereo went.

Who in your group has the worst "bad habit" on tour, and what is it?
Sweaty clothes being left somewhere disgusting, usually in the back lounge or on someone's seat. I wont name names.

Most embarrassing moment on tour?
Wearing a neck brace for a week of shows after I pinched a nerve in my neck.

Give us a good quick 'on the road' story, funny, embarrassing, memorable, whatever…
My first time I ever puked on tour was after playing the funniest game of pool in my entire life with Dimebag (RIP) on the Damageplan tour last year. I think within the course of 45 minutes, Dime managed to make me drink about a half a bottle of Crown Royal, along with the mixed drinks he was buying for us………………"drink it or wear it!"

RIGHT NOW

What's getting the most spins in your stereo right now?
Steely Dan - Katy Lied, Slayer- Reign in Blood, Porcupine Tree - In Absentia

Tell us a band or artist everyone should check out and why…
Porcupine Tree…………because they're extremely good musicians, and the songs are great.

A word of advice to those slugging it out in empty pubs on Tuesday nights…
Don't give up