He was born in Stockport, not far from Manchester. When 8-9 years old he moved with his family to Teignmouth, a small town on the Devon 'riviera'. He plays just one instrument within the band's music: the drums. He began at about 11, when he was struck by a jazz band performing at school. He can also play a little bit of guitar. He also tried his elder sister's electronic keyboard at the age of 5. Through his sister, who was attending a School of Arts, he begun to have his first contacts with the world of art, although it wasn't at all related with his future job. As he says in an interview, "When I was a boy, music was something I heard on TV."
At school Dom's first band was named "Carnage Mayhem" (as a Michael Jackson's song). Meanwhile he befriended Matt Bellamy, who played guitar but didn't have a stable band and when the old guitarist gave up, Matt was faced with the chance of entering Dom's band. After two years of drop outs, only Dom and Matt remained and they convinced Chris Wolstenholme to form part of the band as a bass player. Chris used to play drums in another band and with a great "spirit of sacrifice" he began to play bass.
Dominic was inspired by drummers like Stewart Copeland, Roger Taylor, Dave Grohl and Buddy Rich. Grohl can be outlined as a significant influence to Dominic. His taste in music is wide: he loves Jimi Hendrix, Pavement, Radiohead, Queen, dEUS, The Smashing Pumpkins, as Primus, Rage Against the Machine, Green Day, to more recent bands such as Limp Bizkit.
In the first months of 1994 "Gothic Plague" were born, followed by "Rocket Baby Dolls" (Dom: "They all had death metal names but we all played cheesy pop!"), and then finally Muse. From then on, things got more serious for Dominic and the others.
Tragedy struck Dom's family in 2004. His father Bill, being one of the band's greatest fans came to watch their performance at Glastonbury 2004, a concert which lead-singer Matt Bellamy described as "The best gig of our lives". Just after their performance finished, Bill Howard collapsed from a heart attack and died, as he said the support from his family and fellow friends-bandmembers meant a lot to Dominic recovering.
Quote: "I like music because… it makes me feel the most free I've ever felt in my entire life and gives me the freedom to do anything without much consequence."
Assassin
Dominic Howard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The time has come for you
To shoot your leaders down
Join forces underground
Lose control
In increasing pace
Wantonly waste
Whatever they say
These people are torn
Wild and bereft
Assassin is born (yeah)
Oppose and disagree
Destroy Democracy
Lose control
In increasing pace
Wantonly waste
Intention erased
Whatever they say
These people are torn
Wild and bereft
Assassin is born (yeah)
The song "Assassin" by Dominic Howard is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the state of politics and society. The lyrics speak about war and violence, and how people feel helpless and powerless in the face of corrupt leaders who don't listen to their needs. The lyrics call for people to take action and fight back against the system, to join forces underground and shoot their leaders down. The chorus repeats the phrase "lose control" and describes how people are increasingly desperate, willing to do whatever it takes to make a difference. The final line, "Assassin is born," is a statement of empowerment, declaring that individuals have the power to bring about change, even if it means using violence.
Overall, the song is a call to action and a warning about the dangers of ignoring the needs of the people. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of democracy and the potential consequences of allowing corruption and injustice to go unchecked. The lyrics convey a sense of anger and frustration, but also a glimmer of hope, suggesting that change is possible if people are willing to stand up and fight for what's right.
Line by Line Meaning
War is overdue
The impending conflict is long overdue
The time has come for you
You must now take action
To shoot your leaders down
Remove your leaders from power
Join forces underground
Come together secretly to plan your actions
Lose control
Surrender your inhibitions
In increasing pace
Quickly and uncontrollably
Wantonly waste
Carelessly use without concern for its depletion
Intention erased
Original ambitions have been completely abandoned
Whatever they say
Do not be swayed by their words
These people are torn
This population is divided
Wild and bereft
Unruly and without guidance
Assassin is born (yeah)
A person is created to carry out a political killing
Oppose and disagree
Confront and have opposing views
Destroy Democracy
Bring down the democracy
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATT BELLAMY, MATTHEW JAMES BELLAMY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
www.DrumsTheWord.com
You can check out a TON of other Muse video drum lessons here if you like... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3DuwuZ7o4w&list=PLLphLKeP1R_JJyx0LYJw7Ak5s5qIFDHm2
stupidasscomputer1
The only issue Im having with this bit is getting the speed up. My foot always seems to fall out of spot at that speed and starts hitting with my right hand.
www.DrumsTheWord.com
Thanks, mate. And yes, I've been playing around with my set up for years now. What I use on my own kit when playing live is something I'm now very comfortable with. Thanks for your suggestions anyway though and happy drumming to you for 2013!
Jacob Webb
This is really awesome, thank you! Would you have any tips on speeding up triplet speeds with the bass drum too?
Angus Drummond-Smith
Thanks didn't realise that was the Bonham triplet, something my drum tutor has asked me to learn recently although he didn't call it the Bonham triplet haha
Cobrakai77
Great video! Nice teaching style, and you have a pleasant speaking voice makes it good for learning. Thanks
Henry Richardson
Awesome tutorial, thanks!
Sean Galway
Good lesson, thanks. I actually bought the drum package a while back, its good. Have you done "Late in the evening" yet?
Jerome Phiffer
Holy crap after almost 27 years you're the only other person I've heard of like that other than myself. lol I find it to be troublesome since I started learning drumming because when I'm practicing off a kit, I always naturally use my left foot, but I'm right handed. I'm working through it though... slowly lol
DanBC
I got this down by playing guitar hero xD but DAMN! great lesson and very cool fill! :D