News
Keep up to date with the drum world via news items, interviews, lists, and more
Grover Pro Aluminum-Handle Bass Drum Mallets
Grover Pro’s six new models of aluminum handle bass drum mallets feature .625"-diameter aluminum shafts with a finish that is easy to grip. The weight of the aluminum handle adds more “punch,” bringing out more bottom end from any size…
Drummer Ches Smith Taking Residence at the Stone in NYC Beginning September 30
From September 30 until October 6, drummer Ches Smith will bring in different collaborators and projects, both long-standing and burgeoning, to the Stone in New York City. In the past decade, Ches Smith has become one of the most in-demand…
Sabian Releases Fast Hat Pocket Cymbal Bags To Speed Up Set-Up and Tear-Down
Making it faster for a drummer to get in and out of a gig is the focus of this new cymbal bag collection from Sabian. The bags feature the patent pending Fast Hat Pocket. With this special front pocket and…
Guitar Center’s 26th Annual Drum-Off Searches for the Nation’s Best Drummers
Guitar Center recently launched its 26th annual search for the next great drummer. Developed to inspire and support on-the-rise musicians, the Drum-Off has proven to be a launching pad for a flourishing professional career as a drummer. Past Drum-Off winners…
Swiss Chris Clinic at School of Rock, Brooklyn, NY
A drum clinic presented by Swiss Chris will take place at the School of Rock in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, August 23, from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. Drummer/educator Swiss Chris has played on Grammy winning tracks with artists like…
Fred Gretsch Leads Historic Gretsch Drums Walking Tour
On a sunny afternoon in July, twenty lucky Gretsch enthusiasts were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime event, as current president and fourth-generation founding family member, Fred Gretsch, led an intimate and historic walking tour through the streets of the Williamsburg section…
Castle Drum Company Produces Tapered Stave Snares
Castle Drum Company produces made-to-order drums using a wide variety of exotic and domestic woods. Company founder, David Cheney, is a professional woodworker and drummer of over thirty years, and he specializes in building tapered stave snares with 14" batter…
Pete Lockett Fall 2014 “Drums Around the World??? Solo Tour
This fall, award-winning percussionist Pete Lockett will treat audiences to a dynamic, entertaining, and informative showcase of drumming and percussion from every part of the globe. His “Drums Around the World” tour will include the exploration of world rhythms complemented…
FREE EVENT! Mike Johnston to host CreativeLive class “Becoming a Music Teacher: The Art of Sharing Your Talent???
Mike Johnston, drummer, educator, and founder of the world’s largest educational website for drummers, Mikeslessons.com, will host a free CreativeLive class on August 14, beginning at 9 am PDT/12 pm EDT, titled “Becoming a Music Teacher: The Art of Sharing Your…
Kenny Aronoff Joins Rick Springfield For Cancer Benefit
Rick Springfield (“Jessie’s Girl”) is hosting Rock for Ruben to help raise funds for the the pop-rock singer’s guitar tech, Ruben Velasco, who is battling cancer. Joining Springfield at the event, which will be held at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip in…
A Tale of Two Tull Drummers: Doane Perry and Mark Craney
by Steve Melone Modern Drummer recently chatted with longtime Jethro Tull drummer Doane Perry while doing research for an article on drummer Dean Zimmer. Perry spoke at length about his relationship with Zimmer as well as his great…
Dean Zimmer: Drummer Still Wanted
by Steve Melone Dean Zimmer is no ordinary drummer. He was born with arthrogryposis, a birth defect that severely restricts joint movement. Though he’s confined to a wheelchair, Zimmer refuses to let his condition stop him from doing…
VIDEO! Syncopation Revisited, Part 5: Brazilian Applications
September 2014 Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Syncopation Revisited Part 4: Brazilian Applications by Steve Fidyk We continue our series on ways to interpret the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by applying Brazilian rhythms and…
Acrylic Customz Creates Custom Bass Drum Heads of Any Size
Company founder Katie Costantino says, “I use acrylic paints and acrylic-paint pens to come up with eye-catching designs and graphics, from abstract pieces to album artwork, for drummers all over. Taking serious pride in my work, I make sure…
