Adam Marko
Adam Marko, international endorser of the MEINL cymbals and NATAL drums.
Having started playing drums at the age of four, Adam grew up in a musical family and graduated at the Kőbánya Music Studio which is one of the biggest universities of jazz/rock music in Hungary whereby his band Special Providence were formed. Having an approach, by putting music as a priority over virtosistic individualism, allows the band to represent a unique music, a mixture of the modern jazz, progressive-rock-metal, electronic styles in a new light. They are undoubtedly a band highly recommended, with their huge dynamic stage presence and aura for any listener to digest. Special Providence have performed at the London Jazz Festival in 2009, at the Crescendo and ProgSud in 2010 and countless other gigs in Europe and South America. Besides his own band, Adam is one of the best employed session drummers in Hungary able to take on various styles from hip-hop across pop to metal. The musical diversity and individuality in music are the two keystones in his playing and his music.
Marco Mammoliti – Can you briefly explain how your drumming career began, also what was it that originally attracted you to the drums?
Adam Marko – I grew up in a musician family, my father is a cello player and my mother plays on violin. This way the music has determinated my childhood and my life, I’ve spent lot of time on rehearsals and concerts with them and I’ve fallen in love with drums immedately. I’ve started to play on drums when I was around 5 years old, and I really felt that this is the intstrument I was born for, so I seriously decided to be a professional that time already. As my parents were classical musicians I’ve started with classical music and then of course in the age of 14-15 I got totally shocked by the rock music and then turned towards it.
MM – Who or what are your drumming influences ?
Adam Marko – Even though he is not a drummer my icon was always my father, he inspired me throughout my carrier mostly with his approach and persistent work. I’ve been influenced by lots of drummers: Ian Paice, Mike Portnoy, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers, Paul Vertico, Gavin Harrison just to mention the biggest names.
MM – When did you start working with Meinl cymbals?
Adam Marko – I’m endorsing Meinl cymbals since 2013, which was a huge step up in my carrier and a real dream has came true with it. Meinl is the most innovative, modern and open-minded company with an amazingly good team that does its job with such a passion, professionalism and enthusiasm. I’m really honored and glad that I can be a part of their family.
MM – Which is/are your favorite MEINL cymbals?
Adam Marko – My fav’s are the Byzance series, especially my 22” Dark Stadium Ride and the MB20” crashes and china. They’ve got mind blowing sounds.
MM – Can you describe the composition of your cymbal set?
MM – I’ve seen that you are much into video recording. Your videos are very well done. How about creating a collaboration with Planet Drum and some video lessons for the readers?
Adam Marko – That would be awesome, I would really love to collaborate with you guys and make some great stuff. I’m sure that the readers won’t need to wait so long for the first video 😉
MM – You are a young drummer, what are your plans for the future in order to make the world notice you?
Adam Marko – I’m working on it hard to get more visibility and to be more known in the drummer community worldwide. That’s why I’ve made the videos and I’m about to release new ones soon. I’ve got lots of requests to do clinics and performances Europe-wide and I’m gonna launch my website soon.
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MM – Looking at your choice of equipment, I know you’ve got sponsoring and endorsing deals with other companies other than Meinl. Could you tell us a little bit about each component of your equipment?
Adam Marko – Yes, I’m also endorsing UK’s NATAL drums since 2012 and they are producing drums and hardware of the highest standard of quality. Great bunch of guys and their support is incredible, I’m so grateful to them I’ve got a Bubinga Kit (22” 10” 12” 14” 16”) which has an amazingly powerful and warm sound.
MM – What have you been working on recently and have coming up?
Adam Marko – Actually, I’m very busy as a session drummer, the festival season running so I’m playing a lot now. I had a really successful clinic tour in April in Hungary, also recorded some albums with various artists. Now the biggest project for me is to record the new album of my band Special Providence in July, it’s gonna be an extremely progressive stuff with lots of drumming. Than I’m gonna participate on a music course as a lecturer in Brno, Czech Republic, and than tons of gigs and tours in the summer and I just got the info that I’m gonna perform at the Drumworld Festival in Netherlands on the 14th of September which is one of the biggest drumevents in the EU! I’m really looking forward!
MM – Many thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Have you any final words of wisdom to say to the Planet Drum community?
Adam Marko – Dear drummers and drum lovers here! Just love what you do, have fun, be persistent, practice and play a lot and never give it up, everything is possible!
