SAGE Phillips

Favourite Fishsticks: 5B Hammer Blast & 5A Hoarfrost

I have found the Hammer Blast 5B drumsticks have a great weight and velocity, giving me the power I need to play heavy music. When it comes to the other side of my drumming, with pop, soul and funk, the Hoarfrost drumsticks give me the versatility required for music full of dynamics and depth. 

Fishsticks drumsticks have always stood out to me as an incredibly versatile brand. I was gifted multiple pairs of Hoarfrost 5A drumsticks over two years back, and due to their great durability, I am still using multiple of them today. During my time using them, I have had no problems with how they feel, no matter what genres I would find myself playing. The weight and strength they have let’s me play whatever I want, whenever I want with ease.

Aside from feel, these sticks look great. I have always loved the design and finish of them, and am proud to show them off, from on stage, to in the rehearsal room. The sleek black behind a bold and vibrant label makes them stand out in any setting. 

My preferred size would have to be the 5A HOAR FROST. It gives me everything I need without being too much, nor too little. 

Current drumming bio: 

My relationship with rhythm and music is as old as I am. Growing up with musician parents who played African dance music, I have never been a stranger to drums and percussion. My name is Sage Phillips, and I have been learning the drum kit for over ten years, starting in 2014, when my father started giving me lessons on his kit at home. 

Playing along to some of my favourite Alt, Indie and Classic rock tunes, I began teaching myself the drums through a mix of trial and error, YouTube videos and learning as many songs as I could. 

In 2018 I started taking lessons through the Fremantle College Specialist Contemporary Music Program, boosting my progress tremendously. Shortly after that, I discovered heavy metal music, quickly learning my first few Slipknot songs and getting my first double kick pedals.

Since 2020, I have been playing the drums live on stage all around the state, in many different bands ranging from Deathcore, Hardcore and Metalcore to Neo-Soul, Pop and Indie Rock. 

Drumming and music is and always will be my number one priority and a passion that I will nurture and grow for the rest of my life. 

Home town: 

Fremantle, Western Australia

Favourite styles: 

Deathcore, Hardcore, Rock, Funk and Metalcore.

Current bands: 

• Our Demise
• Siena Rebelo

Session bands: 

• Bloodstained Angel

Previous bands: 

• Sedative

Favourite line of Fishsticks:  

5BX Thunder Forces + 5A HOARFROSTS

Fishsticks scratch that itch of finding the balance between power and finesse. I sweat as much as the next bloke and the matte white finish helps keep these within my grip no matter the circumstance. The 5BX has so much power in its swing, and it makes it all that easier to crash cymbals with ease. The 5A line opens up my drumming for a faster and more technical approach on projects where that is needed.

BIO:

I picked up drums as a kid but it didn’t really click until I heard bands like Parkway Drive, Gojira, Nile etc. Something about the high intensity of those drummers made me want to do the exact same. I’ve played in a variety of hardcore/heavy projects over the years and lately playing shows and writing music for my band Wetwork.

Home Town:

Caboolture. QLD

Favourite Styles:

Hardcore/Death Metal

Current bands:

Wetwork + Struck Down. BRISBANE CITY HARDCORE ON TOP

Favourite Drummers:

George Kollias, Mario Duplentier, Lee Stanton, Jamie Saint Merat

Favourite Fishsticks :   5AXN Hyper Blast 

Perfect size, weight and feel indestructible.

Hometown: Whyalla, live in RADelaide.
First Kit: A second hand kit piece of shit that I added random pieces to.
Current bands: Hidden Intent
Previous: Deaths Boundaries, Tidal, Hawkai, Vault of Valour… etc
Favourite Drummers: Lars, Mike Portnoy, Sean Reinert, Gene Hoglan, Vinnie Colaiuta, Vinnie Paul, Nick Barker… the list is endless.
Favourite moments: Playing Big Day Out in 2006 with Metallica! First overseas tour to Finland. Playing/Visiting Japan. Touring and hanging with Nick Barker. Supporting Marty Friedman. Getting to tour the world with some incredible bands and meeting some killer people.

Favorite Fishsticks: 5BX Thunder Force

I love the size, weight, and durability that these sticks give me. When trying out sticks I wanted a something with extra length, power, and enough strength to resist constant rim shots but can be just as good with fast ghost notes. As someone who plays over 10 hours a day teaching and filling in for bands. These check every box off of my list for the perfect pair of sticks.

Bio: I've been playing ever since I was 4 years old. In the early stages of my life I listened to a lot of System Of A Down and Rammstein that was my gateway into the metal world. Listening to heavier styles of music I found that the drums were so aggressive and intense and it put a strong imprint on me. I always wanted to play drums for a living but I thought it was unrealistic until someone asked me why do I think it's unrealistic? I couldn't even give an answer so I just got up and started my journey. For me my true goal in life is to inspire others the way others have inspired me. If you put your mind to it and, if this is what you wanna do then you'll do it.

Home Town: Mobile, AL

Favorite Styles: Metalcore, Nu Metal, Drum & Bass

Previous Bands: Revelus, This Is Your God, Living In My Shadow

Favourite Fishsticks:  5BXN ThunderForce

When i first got given a pair backstage after supporting Bloodbath in Sydney, the first thing i noticed was the balance, it was a fantastically balanced stick, very well made, durable and fast. At that time i had a favourite signature stick of one of my favourite drummers which i had played for years, but i found myself reaching for the 5BXN ThunderForce pair subconsciously when i sat down to practice and never looked back. The Thunderforce is a heavier variant, which rewards you by pulling out tones on the toms and snare as well as feeling fast in the hands. I wish i had found these sticks years ago.

Bio:
I've been drumming for years in Canberra since highschool, playing in garage bands, funk, then rock and finally heavy metal. It's definitely a genre i feel you need to graduate into because it's a tough gig. 

Back in the early days playing in Shatterwrath at Narrabundah College, they had a really good music program there, and i was being taught all styles by one of the best drummers in Canberra, Joelyn Cox. Those good days where you're on the kit half the day in 3 different bands and getting drivethrough beer with your mates on the way home.

 Around that time i also formed Darkim, it was a local blackish/death band and we were lucky enough to play regularly in the local dive bar Rock Ape with the likes of Psycroptic, we thought that was as good as it gets. 

After a few years off for studies i was approached by James at a house party to join Claret Ash full time and learned what a professional band is like. Claret Ash had just released a record so i had to learn that and slot in. It was a couple of years of shows before i got to add my own flavour to a release which was The Great Adjudication album. That was intense and a ton of work, but very happy with the raw outcome, no quantisation or major edits, it was just blasts on my old 20 year old drum kit and shitty cymbal setup. 

The latest single and EP Gateways & Anemoia was a bit of a covid baby for us, i recorded the drums in a chicken farm studio in Canberra, surrounded by mountains on my new kit, and importantly, using my new Fishsticks. I flew through that recording and it was the easiest session on my hands i've ever had. We've just done a short tour in Australia and will head up to Japan to support Marduk on tour later in the year.

Home Town: Canberra

Favourite Styles: 80s space synth and black metal

Current bands: Claret Ash
Previous bands: Darkim, ShatterWrath

Favourite Fishsticks:  5B HAMMER BLAST

I utilise the 5B HAMMER BLAST sticks as I feel they are sturdy enough to handle my style of playing, and they are not too heavy, which allows me to keep my speed around the drum kit. The design was also a contributing factor to what drew me in to the brand, too, with the vibrant colours they use to enhance the aesthetics of their craftsmanship.

Bio:

I first started dabbling in percussion at the age of 12, that's where I felt that I had a natural aptitude toward the rhythm of drumming.

From there, I saved up all the money I could, and by the age of 14, I had purchased my first drum set: Tama Stagestar Fusion in a deep blue.

I practiced most days I was able to until I started my first band at 15. From there, my drumming started to get better and I was pursued by a number of bands thereafter, but I felt for my personal life/music life balance, I needed to focus on only 2 bands: Fall To Flames and Enemo-J, with the latter getting signed to Digital Media Records (New York), playing alongside bands such as Korn, Hed PE, Black Light Burns and attaining a slot at Download Festival 2010.

In 2016, I uprooted everything in England to move to Australia for a better quality of life, and in doing so, I was eventually, after years of hiatus from music, able to form a band called Rise From Ashes in late 2022.

Home Town: Melbourne, Australia (From Derby, England)

Favourite Styles: Djent, Metalcore, Deathcore

Current bands: Rise From Ashes 

Previous bands: Enemo-J, Fall To Flames, Arkayon, Dark Abyss, Severed Legion

Favourite Fishsticks: 2BXN DESTROYERNATORS

After hearing good things about Fishsticks drumsticks, I figured I would give them a shot! Well I am definitely not disappointed! They look and feel amazing plus they last longer than any other sticks I’ve ever played with! And the nylon tips are virtually indestructible! I love the Destroyernators because I love a heavy stick and these have a little extra length which suits me and my style perfectly! Thanks for adding me to the Blast Team! I’m honoured!

Hometown: Gatineau Quebec Canada 

Favourite Style: Groove Metal, Technical Death

Current Band: Echoes From Beyond 

Favourite line of Fishsticks:

5AX HYPER BLAST & 5AXN HYPER BLAST

Hands down these are the best sticks that I've ever used. The weight and balance is perfect and makes for incredible performances. I am amazed how comfortable the Soft Stick Grips make them feel and perform with great amount of Grip.  Go get some Fishsticks. You wont want to use anything else.

Home Town: San Antonio, Texas

Favourite Styles: Metal, Blues, Rock, Latin, Ska, Reggae 

Current bands:  Sledgehammer Guillotine, Metamorphis, Witchaxe 

Session: ThreeBadJacks L.A

Michael Guerra band,The Royal Space Chimps 

Previous bands: Dirigiri , Paradox ,The Molotolv Cocks , C.C. & The PartTimeHookers, The Beans , Suzy Bravo , The Wranglers, Absolute Least , K.C & The Kosmic Cowboy's , BlackCactus, DeathTripper, The Dispicables

Session Bands: Michael Guerra Band 

Favorite Fishsticks: 5A HOARFROST

The 5A Hoarfrosts are the perfect weight and size. I love the natural tip for a subtler feel on the ride. They’re super tough and perfect for some heavy hardcore hitting. 


Bio:
I would’ve been about 13 when I first picked up a pair of sticks and have been hooked ever since. I remember being absolutely terrible for a long time. I had previously played trumpet in a brass band but there was something more appealing or maybe therapeutic about hitting things. My mum bought me my first pair of sticks and I would set up pillows on my bed in the rough layout of a kit and lay into then while listening to old Slayer albums. Over 15 years later and I’d like to think I’ve improved a bit since the early days! 


Home Town:
Western Sydney, NSW
First Drum Kit:
Mapex Meridian Birch
Favorite Styles:
Hardcore Punk and Hip Hop

Current Band:
Two Faced
Previous Bands:
Armorial


Influences:
Thomas Noonan (ex-36 Crazyfists), Craig Reynolds (Stray from the Path) and Brann Dailor (Mastodon)

Bands you would love to tour with:
I’m a huge Mindsnare fan so I’d say they would have to top the list. But it would be cool to be able to play with The Acacia Strain and Stray from the Path. I’m really loving Inclination lately so it would be cool to have them over here too. 

Notable Moments:
Probably the first show I played with Two Faced at Frankies Pizza. I hadn’t played outside of home or a studio in about seven years and I’d completely forgotten how good it felt to have that energy and adrenaline coursing through you on stage. 

 Favourite Fishsticks: 5BX THUNDER FORCE

After a long search for sticks suitable for fast blast beats, I came across Fishsticks through a friend and fellow endorsee. The 5BX have exactly the characteristics I was looking for: they are considerably longer than conventional 5Bs, have a decent weight and a relatively short taper - perfect for fast hyperblasts. 

Bio:

I started playing drums and taking drum lessons at the age of 8, but it wasn't until I started listening to metal at the age of 13 that I really discovered my love for drumming.

After playing in a few local bands, I joined the brutal death metal band Delusional Parasitosis at the age of 17, where I'm still a member today. I also joined the deathcore band Acidwound after graduating from college.

Hometown: Berlin, Germany 

Favourite styles: Brutal Death Metal, Deathcore 

Current bands: Delusional Parasitosis (US/GER), Acidwound (GER), Sicktopsy (GER) 

Session bands: Syphilic (USA) Nephrectomy (USA) Slamentation (CH/GER) Damage Control (GER)

Favourite drummers and biggest influences: Matt Kilner, Zach Gibson, Lille Gruber, Jon Engman, James King 

Most memorable moments: Touring with Disentomb, Putridity and Cerebral Effusion 

Favourite Fishsticks: 

Hammer blast and Thunder Force 

 As a heavy drummer I like weighted responsive sticks and durability on tour is the most important thing to me. The reason I pick the 5b Hammer blast sticks is because they feel great and last forever. I also love the extra reach on the thunder force sticks because they effortlessly allow faster playing.

Bio:

Steve Haining, internationally award winning photographer and director who holds dozens of major awards the industry including a Guinness World Record started his journey as a touring drummer.  From 2005-2011 he toured as a drummer for bands like Academy Killer, Ascot Royals and seasoned for several artists. In 2012 he stopped touring and went full time into photography shooting for huge artists like Imagine Dragons, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Nickleback, Monster Truck, Ed Sheeran and countless more.  In 2021 Haining came out of his young retirement drumming for two heavy hitting bands, the billboard chart topping Living Dead Girl, and the alternative radio favourite Life&Limb.  After a huge international touring season in 2023 Haining is setting off with the bands for 6 more months touring the USA Canada and over seas as well as new music videos, and some upcoming album announcements 

Home Town: Hamilton, Canada

Currently based: Orlando, Florida USA

Favourite Styles: Rock, Alternative

Current bands: Living Dead Girl, Life&Limb
Previous bands: Academy Killer, Mercedes Rose

Favourite Fishsticks:  5BXN Thunder force - Natural Series

The 5BXN Thunder Force - Natural Series have a solid grip and thickness for comfort.  The extra length gives me more reach without any extra effort. The nylon tips provide more attack for grind but still resonate for metal.

Bio: Drummer for Dole Bludga and Shrouded

Home Town: Hurstville, Sydney Australia.

Favourite Styles: Grindcore/Death metal 

Current bands: Dole Bludga, Shrouded
Previous bands: Wilbur wilde , Cuntduster, Asura 

 Favourite line of Fishsticks: 5B HAMMER BLASTS

Fishsticks offer an amazing selection of sticks that tailor to all drummers and the quality of the sticks are unmatched. The stick I use is the perfect balance of weight and length for my style and are durable as all hell given that all I do is smack rim shots. The 5B HAMMER BLAST helps with the overall projection of sound in live settings, I highly recommend this stick if you are a heavy hitter. 

Bio:

I was lucky enough to be given a drum kit at the age of 12 and have been playing ever since, playing mostly at home until I was about 17 and ultimately joining a punk band with my friends from around the scene. At the beginning of this year I joined a band called Patient Sixty-Seven and have been privileged enough to travel Australia with those legends on our first national tour for our album called wishful thinking.

Home Town: 

Kalamunda, Western Australia.

Favourite Styles: 

Deathcore, Death Metal, Metalcore, Blackened Deathcore.

Current bands: 

Patient Sixty-Seven, Ketamean, Outside Fifty.

Previous bands:

Sideways Garry, Dogmoles.

 Favourite Fishsticks: Thunder Force 5BXN

Fishsticks are very well balanced and have a far more superior feel when playing compared to other brand sticks I’ve played. The Thunder Force 5BXN sticks are the perfect length and width, finding the perfect stick is important for endurance and speed and Fishsticks deliver.

Hometown - Canberra,ACT

Favourite styles - Death/Thrash/Black metal

Current band - Point17

I started getting an interest in drums when I was in college, I did music class thinking I could learn the drums, but nope , it was guitar, wasn’t for me. I had some mates in a band called Dehuman which I always went to jams and gig’s with and started having a bash on the drums every now and then.

I ended up living with one of the guitarist from Dehuman and decided to get a cheap drum kit and start mucking around, we started getting more serious about making music and started Point17 , 16 odd years later and a few lineup changes, here we are, stoked to be playing music we grew up with and love.

Favourite Fishsticks: 5BX Thunder Force 

I mean, aesthetically they just look incredible! But in all seriousness, the feel and the weight distribution of the 5BX just doesn’t compare with any other stick I’ve tried.

Bio:
After being a guitarist in various bands around Adelaide since 2004, the dream to play drums in a band finally came to fruition in August of 2021 when I moved from bass to drums to start Witch Spit. At the end of October I played my first show which was sold out and just got me hooked with needing to play more shows. Unfortunately covid put a stop to shows for the next few months so into the studio I went to record as a drummer for the first time. Rotten Heart EP was recorded over the summer of 21/22 and during this time, I met Sacredd who was looking at doing something with her live show. After releasing Rotten Heart in April 2022, Witch Spit jumped on every show they could to get the name out and I began to jam with Sacredd as her live drummer. Since then, I toured Melbourne with both acts and played some incredible support shows like Seth Sentry, Triple One and the Listen In Festival with Sacredd and Dumb Punts, Masochist, Wolfpack with Witch Spit just to name a few.

It’s been a short journey, but boy had it been a crazy one!

Home Town: Adelaide, South Australia
Favourite Styles: punk, rock, hip hop
Current bands: Witch Spit
Previous bands: Doink Break, Dead Joe, Taken By Chance (all as guitarist)
Session Bands: Sacredd

Favourite Fishsticks: Annihilator 2BN Natural Series

After 20 years of playing, finding Fishsticks was the best thing to happen to my drumming. I immediately noticed a difference in the quality, durability, and the perfect weight in the stick. I absolutely love the wraps and they immensely help improve my playing and my speed. The Annihilator 2BN natural was the perfect stick for me. I prefer the 16.25" sticks and they were just that! The wraps help me grip the stick better when playing live and allow me to relax more, which is ideal for my endurance. I'm more than happy to be representing Fishsticks Drumsticks, the best sticks in the world! 

Bio:
My name is Mark Gray, I am 32 and based out of Mesa, Arizona. I've been playing for 20 years now and have done a few tours around the United States.
I love playing drums and getting to play with different projects, people, and different styles of music. I'm a small business owner here in Arizona, and love spending my free time with my wife and daughter, and playing in 2 active bands here. I enjoy doing session work for friends and bands that need it, and love recording live drums as much as I can! I am in the process of building out a small recording studio to do some future

Home Town: Mesa, Arizona USA

Favourite Styles: Melodeath, Melodic Death Metal, Tech Death, Extreme Death Metal

Current bands: Dead World Reclamation, Shores of Ithaka

Previous bands: Apocalypse Pony, Apparitions

Session Bands: Knights of the Abyss, Condemned Till Dawn

Favourite Fishsticks:  5AX Hyper Blast

The 5AX HYPERBLASTS are quite frankly the absolute best when it comes to quality, durabilty, and a feel like no other i have played on in my 34 years of blasting!!! They hit solid as can be! Perfect balance. Gravity blasts are so easy to pull off with these bad boys and they bounce back and forth with extreme precision. Great sticks for experienced or novice drummers. 

Home Town:   Phoenix, Arizona. USA. 

Favorite styles: Brutal death metal ,slam,grindcore, blastbeats in general 

Current bands: Violation Ov Sanctity, Fragmented Aura, Necropathy    

Previous Bands:  Bound By Blasphemy, Genocaust, Disinhumed, Whorror, Feral Viscera

BIO: 

Favourite Fishsticks: 5AX Hyperblast

All Fishsticks drumsticks I’ve used, whether it be in live settings, recording, or just practicing at home, have always had tremendous durability and versatility. The 5AX Hyperdrive sticks specifically feel balanced and lightweight, while also having a nice amount of weight to deliver a powerful stroke every time.

Bio: 

G’day! I’m Connor Kingdom, a metal drummer from the South Coast. I’ve been playing drums for roughly 10 years, and I started playing metal specifically around 4-5 years ago. Currently, I drum in OSDM band Gosika, and have been doing so for the last 2 years. Other than that, I do session work for a number of funk, rock, and metal bands, while also teaching students on the side. 

Home Town: Shoalhaven District, NSW. 

Favourite Styles: Death Metal, Black Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, Nu Metal, Grindcore, Hardcore, Punk.

Current bands: Gosika

Previous bands: Embers Of An Empire, Xanthious

Session Bands: Terara Funk

Favourite Fishsticks:   5BXN THUNDER FORCE

I came across Fishticks throught a friend and fellow endorsee. Iinstantly fell in love with the feel and weight of them. I was so impressed with them, I decided to record our album with them on the spot! I love the feel and weight of the 5B nylon and with the added length of the 5BXN it's the perfect stick for my type of usage 

Bio:

I started playing drums at the age of three messing around on my godparents drum set. My love for the drums eventually led me to my first drum set at the age of eight. I started playing Latin beats and rhythms with my uncles band where I played till the age of eleven. After I felt I had mastered that particular style of drumming within that genre, I didn't know where to take my music so I ended up giving up on drums. It wasn't until my freshmen year in high school that I got introduced to the world  of metal. I quickly realized that metal music was always changing and evolving and that I could always learn something new and different. This new found passion for metal is what eventually rekindled my love for drums and shortly after that I started my first band called Sculptured Wounds. In that band, I learned different techniques that I still use to this day such as a variety of blast beats like hammer blasts, bomb blasts, gravity blast, and also using fast double bass. These techniques I picked up helped progress SW from a nu metal band into a death metal machine. Sculptured Wounds was going strong up until 2007 when we went on hiatus. Later that year though I joined an upcoming death metal band called Fallen Figure where I continued to further my drumming skills and techniques with intense blasting and catchy energetic drumming. In 2009, after I parted ways with Fallen Figure I decided to join the brutal death metal band Euphoric Defilement which later signed a sweet record deal with Unique Leader Records. Euphoric Defilement's fast paced tempos and relentless rhythms has helped me reach my true potential in drumming. 

Home Town: Los Angeles, CA 

Favourite Styles: Death Metal

Current bands: Euphoric Defilement 
Previous bands: Fallen Figure, Shadows Entwined, Sculptured Wounds 

Session Bands: Mesmeric, Titanskull