Former Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin pushed back on claims that new hire Mike Mangini is “overqualified” for the job. The comments came via a YouTube livestream from Larkin.
Mangini, who is considered one of the most technically skilled drummers in the world, and was a member of prog-metal masters Dream Theater for 13 years while Mike Portnoy was out of the band, recently replaced Wade Murff. It was only earlier this year that Murff was hired to replace Larkin, who along with guitarist Tony Rombola retired from Godsmack last year.
Larkin, a member of Godsmack from 2002 to 2024, said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth):
“The talent level of Mike Mangini being supremely high in the drum world does not mean that Mike Mangini can’t come in and slam a drum like me or John Bonham or whoever plays a simpler style of music. And for what it’s worth, these people that feel this way, prog rock nation or whatever, they probably only heard the songs that everyone hears from Godsmack, and they don’t listen to the rest of the records where we’re not progressive, but we play more intricate metal riffs and songs, like ‘Locked & Loaded,’ like ‘Livin’ In Sin.’ I mean, I could name songs that aren’t just ‘Keep Away’ and ‘Voodoo’ and ‘Speak’ and ‘Cryin’ Like A Bitch’ or whatever. And I’m certainly not defending it, because you just look at success, people. And we were very, very successful, and Godsmack will continue to be very successful, whether it’s Mike Mangini playing the drums or Sully Erna, who played on the first two records and could play the drums if he wants anyway. But I know that Mike would not overplay and wouldn’t feel bored playing in a big rock band like Godsmack if it’s not… I just hate the word ‘overqualified’ in drumming.”
Larkin went on to add:
“It looks like Mike has joined the band. Is that forever? Probably. And I know if anybody can do it, Mike Mangini can do it. He has the beast in him, too, to be a big rock drummer and not have to do a zillion notes or something. So don’t underestimate big Mike. And he’s got a Boston accent, fits in with the the guys, I feel. And he’s an interesting drummer to watch, that’s for sure. He’s quirky. He does some cool, quirky, crazy shit back there. So he’s a showman. And he’s gonna be off the click. And he knows the push and pull, see? It’s experience.”
During the livestream, he went into depth on his concept of push and pull, referencing the fact that Godsmack do not use click tracks or backing tracks live, placing the tempo and other factors in the hands of the drummer’s live performance. He also cited this as a likely reason for Murff’s exit from Godsmack, which Larkin implies to have been a termination rather than him quitting suddenly.
He explained:
“My point, it’s about feel and vibe. You gotta have the talent to get the audition and get in there, but then, for whatever reason, Wade Murff, it didn’t work. And I watched the videos, and I was cheering Wade Murff on. What a great drummer and great dude. But sometimes it’s not about that. And I know he’s such a good dude, it wasn’t personal either. It wasn’t because they couldn’t get along or some bullshit. It wasn’t that. But Sully is a perfectionist. My boy, my friend Sully Erna is a perfectionist, especially when it comes to drums because he’s so good as a drummer.
The only thing I could see in any kind of criticism towards Wade Murff, as I watched videos back through the shows — every show’s online — was the interaction of tempo push and pull wasn’t as smooth perhaps, but Sully and I have been on the same page for over two decades playing live shows and making records together. And so what I try to explain to people about tempo and when you’re not a band that’s a click-track, backing-track kind of band…
If indeed Wade was making little mistakes even, but repeatedly, then I could see my perfectionist friend, Sully Erna, just probably realizing, it’s gotta be perfect for him or it’s not gonna be perfect.”
Larkin also touched on the reality that musicians who play for a living have concerns beyond just playing at the limits of their abilities, including things like home payments, retirement funds, healthcare, childcare and more, a reality that has only entered deeper precarity as the economy of touring has grown ever-tighter between travel and fuel costs, venue closures, merch cuts, and more.
Godsmack are currently finishing the first leg of their North American tour with support from Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy. The final show of the first leg is on July 3rd with the tour resuming on September 6th before closing on September 26th. Get tickets here.
Watch the full livestream of Shannon Larkin talking about Mike Mangini below.
