Shawn Michaels (2017)

I have a couple very important questions for you.

1. What's your favorite MANOWAR album?

2. What are the other members favorite MANOWAR albums?

3. If the answer to any of the previous two questions was that you/they don't listen to MANOWAR, why are you/they afraid of yourself/themselves? You/those motherfuckers, why are you/they afraid of MANOWAR?

4. Any MANOWAR related stories?

5. If MANOWAR called you up tomorrow and asked you to leave Mastodon to join MANOWAR, do you feel you are worthy enough to join them or not. If so, what do you think qualifies you to be a king of metal?

6. What are your thoughts on the differences between the legends of MANOWAR and the legends of THOR? Do you feel THOR's embodiment of the mythical dead and deified warrior or MANOWAR's embodiment of the more grounded living legend is the better approach to this style of over the top metal?

7. Since you were coming of age when they were both at their peaks, do you think they accurately reflect what was popular at the time and they were just a product of their time or do you think they'd reach the same level of success regardless of when they started?

Edit: It's very clear that mastodonrocks is afraid since every question around my post has been answered and I'm not going to get those five minutes back and someone is going to answer these questions. /u/ScamSchoolBrian, /u/ChrisHardwick, or most importantly /u/GovSchwarzenegger, would you answer these very important questions?

How does it feel to be the center of my world?

Hey Brann, personal question, who is your favorite cousin and why is it Dan?

Is Josh Homme a cool dude?

Can you flickedy flam those drums better than anyone else?

Loved hearing you guys live with Ghost and Opeth a few years ago in Boston.

What would you say are your biggest metal and non metal musical influences?

Hey Brann, I love your music and have been listening to Emperor of Sand non-stop! Awesome stuff as usual!

I've got 3 questions:

• What's your personal favorite Mastodon song? And personal favorite off Emperor of Sand?

• If I brought this box to the meet and greet before the show, will you guys sign the inside?

• And I've been wondering for a while... how come you've got that cool silver tooth? Is it for a medical reason or just because it's cool looking?

Thanks for doing this AMA, keep up the awesome fucking music! You're the best! \m/

Hey Brann, favorite RUSH album?

Did you guys predict the Atlanta I-85 fire with your lyrics in Jaguar God?

"Terrestrial fire, ascending from underground"

Is it true that Jaguar God was supposed to be on a Brent Hinds solo album? Also, how was it working with Brendan O'Brien again?

You have a very unique style of drumming, but once in a while I'll hear a passage that sounds very distinctly influenced by another drummer. For example, there is a part near the end of "Halloween" that makes me immediately think of Neil Peart.

My question is, which drummers had the biggest influence on your playing style?

Brann, in listening to Emperor of Sand, I noticed heavy use of tambourine. What inspired that?

Also, in Ancient Kingdom the chimes during the chorus are BEAUTIFUL. I love hearing them. I think they're impactful. And really I love all the percussive elements on the album. I think you did great.

Hey, Brann!

What do you think about your band nowadays? Do you get what you expect from the public?

What you think about Gone is Gone with Troy Sanders?

Where do you get the artists for your covers? wish i could design one of them too one day..

If you could be an animal between a lion and a scorpion, which would you be?

Love your music! Waiting for see you guys in Lisbon!

Hey Brann, HUGE fan of yours! Seeing your final show on tour in Austin at ACL and I’m SUPER excited.

Anyway, what was the greatest concert experience for you? On stage or in the crowd?

how does the set list selection process go with the new album out and many awesome new songs? How do you guys decide how to mix the new and old stuff when playing live?

What's your latest addition to your felt art collection?

Have you listened to Skáphe before? Excellent chaotic black metal.

Enjoying Emperor of Sand so far

Who was your biggest drumming inspiration growing up and learning to drum? Who's your biggest drumming inspiration now? (if you have one)

Hi Brann!

Firstly, after only a couple listens through of "Emporer of Sand", I just want to thank you and the other guys from Mastodon for releasing a true masterpiece. I have to say that "Strambreather" is an instant favorite.
Secondly, I love the direction the band has taken. I would have never gotten into you guys if it weren't for albums like "The Hunter" and "Once More Around the Sun".
My question is actually related to your music videos as an aspiring video editor.

How much of the music video idea comes from the members of Mastodon and what is the creative process behind coming up with these crazy ideas? (Yes I'm talking about cat puppets, LARPing, twerking, and lumberjacks)

Two questions:

1) Do you guys already have an idea for album 9?
2) Favorite chorus on EoS?

1. Did Brent contribute anything to EoS other than solos?
2. Did Brent actually vote for Trump?
3. How come Bill had nothing to say about Brent in Brent's EoS video?
4. Are y'all Tim & Eric fans?

Hey Brann! Just wanted you to know that Mastodon is one of my favorite bands ever and you are my favorite Drummer ever! You guys mean a lot to me. A couple of questions:

1) Blood Mountain is my favorite record of all time, and one of the reasons I love it so much is the lyrics and the story, but I was never completely clear about what the story is about. What does the story mean, and more importantly what does to mean to you?

2) Bill said you come up with the names for the records. What is that process? Why does "Leviathan" or "Blood Mountain" or "Once More 'Round the Sun" sound right to you?

3) Which song in Emperor of Sand did you play your Grandma's bass in? It must've been special!

4) what is the most personal Mastodon song for you?

Thank you! I've been loving Emperor of Sand, can't wait to get it on vinyl!

Brann, I'm a huge fan and the new album sounds terrific. I have several questions, which song was the toughest to complete for you? And what's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Hey Brann! I fuckin love your music man! Keep on keeping on!

If you have one piece of advice for an aspiring musician, what would it be?

Edit: I shot you an inbox too, it would be great it you read it

Hey Brann, I've been a huge fan of Mastodon and your music for a while now and just had a question: what made you decide to start singing as well as drumming? Also is it difficult to do live with how complex your drumming is?

Do you have any personal favourites and any regrets when it comes to Mastodon and your music?

Been listening to the new album all day. Love it!

Any plans or considerations to tour with Deftones again at some point in the future?

As a connoisseur of good taste in music, beer, etc...how would you describe the aroma and taste of a dirty B-Hinds' fart when aboard the fart box?

Why have you guys not played Asleep in the Deep live ?

Can you please answer the Manowar questions from earlier?

I recall Skinner saying at one point that he painted in his colorful, psychedelic style out of love for it and to keep the style alive. Do you feel the same way about your prog-rock style drumming?

Do you have any backstage rituals before performing? Vocal warm ups drum,warm ups etc? When and why did the clown obsession develop?

What albums have you been listening to lately?

Which Wegmans is your favorite to visit when in Rochester?

Y'all's album rocks, firstly, like seriously amazing. 2 questions
-1.) What does Troy's beard feel like?
-2.) What are your favorite cities to tour in?

How often do you get to practice and what's the ideal amount of time a week you should?

What's the one venue you want to play at?

Favorite cut of meat?

Hey Brann,

I was wondering how you guys first started working with Scott Kelly and when was it decided that he would appear on all of your records? Thanks!

With every album comes a whole new spectrum of potential Masto-merch. What sort of items are on the drawing board for Emperor of Sand?

What made you get more involved in the vocals of the group? Not a bad thing but your voice drastically changes the sound of Mastodon.

Do you still have Twinkle Toes? If not, what's your fun ride these days?

Hello, did you know I love you?

Which of the other members of Mastodon is your favorite/most tolerable? Who would you prefer to be stranded on an island with?

How'd you come up with all the cool percussion stuff on Emperor of Sand? The album's sick btw

You guys are one of the few progressive bands I find interesting these days, but I was wondering which of the old prog bands do you still find interesting and maybe even take influence from today? Any Gentle Giant? Jethro Tull?

Was there a certain song you really struggled with when you started drumming but loved to play/practice regardless?

What is your favorite thing to do when on tour and off tour?

Sup Brann! What are your top 3 Mastodon songs to play live?
Can I play iron tusk with you whenever you're in Holland? <3

Hey Brann, what's your favorite Queens of the Stone Age song?

Brann, can I please have 10% of your ability?

If you could do a collaboration with any band/artist outside of the metal genre, who would it be and why?

Also, I can't wait to see you guys in Pittsburgh in May. Somehow, it will be my first metal show!

Hey Brann, huge fan of your guy's work, the new album is phenomenal.

How much fun was the drum off with danny carey?