Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Heart’s Ben Smith
I’m very happy to post a note on the MD blog about Heart’s new recording. I recently got a call from Ann and Nancy Wilson–my sisters in Heart–to come track some drums in L.A. for a new studio album, as…
Pat Petrillo — Learn To Read Rhythms...Better!
Hey, MD fam! Hope you’re all having a blast this summer and getting time to chill a bit–or gig a lot! Either way, hope you’re having fun. Things have been mad busy with me, so here’s a bit of an…
Branford Marsalis' Take On Jeff "Tain" Watts
Reflections From Jeff Watts’s Longtime Collaborator by Ken Micallef Since Jeff “Tain” Watts’s first recording with Wynton Marsalis in 1981, saxophonist Branford Marsalis has been at the drummer’s side, providing material, inspiration, and employment. Tain has appeared on practically all…
Remembering Jim Chapin
Photo by Rick Mattingly The venerable drum teacher passed away this July 4, leaving behind thousands of acolytes–and a million great stories. In this companion to the In Memoriam in the October issue of MD, we hear from some of…
Brian Tichy: Speed-Baggin’
During a recent break from touring, recording, and writing with Billy Idol, multi-instrumentalist Brian Tichy rejoined Foreigner for their upcoming record and tour. Tichy also recently rediscovered his longtime obsession with getting into shape by using a speed bag. How,…
Elmwood's Donnie Marple
What is up, Modern Drummer! My name is Donnie Marple. I am the 2007 Guitar Center Drum-Off winner. Let me tell you a little about my past and then tell you what’s going on now. Winning the Drum-Off really sparked…
Aiden's Jake Davison
My name is Jake Davison, I play drums in a band called Aiden. I'm in Salt Lake City, sitting in a hotel writing this blog for Modern Drummer. I started playing drums when I was super young. My dad always…
Mick Fleetwood
by Patrick Berkery Mick Fleetwood is held in high regard as a drummer for outfitting his band’s songs with hypnotic grooves in various forms. Think of the hollowed-out verses of “The Chain,” the delicate brushwork of “Sara,” and the steady…
Guns 'N' Roses' Bryan "Brain" Mantia
by Robin Tolleson Brain gets asked to do a lot of interesting things these days, like playing time on a wagon wheel while recording with Tom Waits in an abandoned country church, or keeping a drumkit set up for six…
AJ Pero Update
It’s been twenty-five years since Twisted Sister released its career-defining Stay Hungry album, which featured the massive hit anthems “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.” Stay Hungry established the band as one of the 1980s’ most popular…
Jimmy DeGrasso: Laying Down His Signature Stroke With A New Project
When F5 bassist and founder David Ellefson needed a drummer for the group’s sophomore CD, it was a no-brainer to enlist his former Megadeth rhythm section partner Jimmy DeGrasso. Though Ellefson hadn’t done any preliminary drum programming, DeGrasso nailed his…
Russ Kunkel iVideosongs
If you’ve ever wanted to take a lesson with L.A. studio veteran Russ Kunkel–keeper of the beat on dozens of the biggest hits to come out of California in the ’70s–here’s your chance. You can now learn from Russ in…
Marco Minnemann Update
Since his June 2007 MD cover story, German drumming sensation Marco Minnemann has played numerous clinics, drum festivals, and concerts worldwide, recorded two multi-instrumental solo albums (House Wife Dog & Two Kids, A Mouth Of God), appeared on the animated…
Andy Kravitz Blog
Greetings, Modern Drummer readers in Internet land! Andy Kravitz here, checking in to fill you in on what I've done and been doing. I'm originally from Philadelphia, PA, and I'm a drummer/percussionist, producer, engineer, and writer. I've worked on over…