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July 1981
July 1981
Features

Harvey Mason

Harvey Mason   "I never really thought of being a professional musician," stated Harvey Mason. "Music is something I did for fun and enjoyment, and coming from a poor family, there was no way I was going to do anything…

by Robyn Flans
Features

Bassists on Drummers

No matter what style rhythm section a drummer plays in, it is essential that he or she lock in with the bassist.

by Scott K. Fish
Features

Eddie Marshall: Covering the Jazz Spectrum

No doubt it's somewhat of an exaggeration to claim that Eddie Marshall has played with all of the major jazz figures of the past two decades.

by Frank Kofsky
Features

Tony Smith

Tony Smith didn't own a set of drums until he was twenty. But then, he quickly made up for lost time, and eventually made his reputation with Jan Hammer and John McLaughlin.

Story by Michael Rozek | Photos by Rick Mattingly
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News

Keep up to date with the drum world via news items, interviews, lists, and more

2023 Readers Poll: CJ Thompson Wins "Hip-Hop"

The winner of the "Hip-Hop" category in Modern Drummer's 2023 Readers Poll is... CJ Thompson! Thompson has spent a great deal of the last year playing for Charlie Puth, but his collaborative streak is definitely noteworthy: In the last year,…

Modern Drummer
Sep 22, 2023

2023 Readers Poll: Dave Weckl Wins "Jazz Fusion"

The winner of the "Jazz Fusion" category in Modern Drummer's 2023 Readers Poll is... Dave Weckl! The Modern Drummer Hall of Famer has had yet another prolific year, and remains a significant inspiration to drummers everywhere. He's stayed busy throughout the last…

Modern Drummer
Sep 21, 2023

10 Shoegaze Albums Slowdive’s Simon Scott Thinks Everyone Should Own

Crate Digging is a recurring feature that takes a deep dive into music history to turn up several albums all music fans should know. In this edition, Slowdive drummer Simon Scott goes through 10 essential shoegaze albums. From the first…

Consequence
Sep 5, 2023

Iron Maiden Drummer Nicko McBrain Reveals He Suffered a Stroke in Early 2023

Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has revealed that he suffered a stroke back in January. McBrain issued a written statement and posted a video message via Iron Maiden’s website, informing fans that he was temporarily paralyzed on his right side.…

Consequence
Aug 3, 2023
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Videos

Rig rundowns, play-throughs, interviews, and more featuring your favorite drummers

Jeremy Colson: Steve Vai Tour Kit Rundown

Jeremy Colson: Steve Vai Tour Kit Rundown

Jeremy Colson gives Modern Drummer a glimpse of the stage kit for Steve Vai's 10-week tour in 2022. Colson plays on a sea-foam green-colored Tama birch walnut kit. He also plays with Sabian cymbals, including a max stack that Colson…

Modern Drummer
Jul 11, 2023
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Gear

Detailed assessments of the latest drum kits and accessories

Pearl and Drummer Dennis Chambers Create New 10-over 8 Signature Snare.

Pearl and Drummer Dennis Chambers Create New 10-over 8 Signature Snare.

TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE $10 | Yearly Subscription Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum Channel Subscribe Now All Access (Print + Digital) USA $179.99…

Modern Drummer
Aug 31, 2023
Vic Firth Terra™ Series

Vic Firth Terra™ Series

TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE $10 | Yearly Subscription Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum Channel Subscribe Now All Access (Print + Digital) USA $179.99…

Modern Drummer
Aug 31, 2023
Roland Zenology Pro

Roland Zenology Pro

TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE $10 | Yearly Subscription Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum Channel Subscribe Now All Access (Print + Digital) USA $179.99…

Modern Drummer
Aug 31, 2023
Latin Percussion Launches New Range of Frame Drums

Latin Percussion Launches New Range of Frame Drums

TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE $10 | Yearly Subscription Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum Channel Subscribe Now All Access (Print + Digital) USA $179.99…

Modern Drummer
Aug 31, 2023
ddrum Dominion Birch 4PC Shell Pack With Paper White Birch Wrap Quality Drums, Compact Price

ddrum Dominion Birch 4PC Shell Pack With Paper White Birch Wrap Quality Drums, Compact Price

TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE $10 | Yearly Subscription Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum Channel Subscribe Now All Access (Print + Digital) USA $179.99…

By Jason Mehler
Aug 31, 2023
ProMark Retractable Nylon Brushes

ProMark Retractable Nylon Brushes

TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE $10 | Yearly Subscription Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum Channel Subscribe Now All Access (Print + Digital) USA $179.99…

By Brian Hill
Aug 31, 2023
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Kit of the Month

Dave Sundeen’s Custom Kit

TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE $10 | Yearly Subscription Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum Channel Subscribe Now…

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Podcasts

Host John DeChristopher goes in-depth with the biggest names in drumming

This Week's Episode!

Episode 140: My Top 10 most influential albums with Mark Guiliana

From the archives, My Top 10 with Mark Guiliana, Grammy-nominated American drummer, composer and leader of the band Beat Music. Mark G walks us thru his Top 10 most influential albums.

Modern Drummer
Sep 14, 2023

Episode 139: My Top 10 Solo Drum Albums with Glenn Kotche

From the archive, Glenn walks us thru his Top 10 favorite solo Drum & Percussion albums.

Modern Drummer
Sep 7, 2023

Episode 138: My Top 10 Drum Tracks

Oft-Overlooked Drum Tracks With Styx’s Todd Sucherman

Modern Drummer
Aug 31, 2023

Episode 137: David Frangioni With Benny Greb

From the archives, Thrill to "The Art of Groove" with Benny Greb with Host David Frangioni

Modern Drummer
Aug 24, 2023
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Hall of Fame

A look back at the legendary drummers elected to Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame

Keith Moon Elected to Hall of Fame in 1982

Excerpted from the September 2003 issue In his last interview, published posthumously in October 1978, Keith told International Musician and Recording World, “You can’t work out things too much. We do certain build-ups and things, but you can run into…

Story by T. Bruce Wittet
Jan 10, 2022

John Bonham Elected to Hall of Fame in 1981

Excerpted from the John Bonham tribute issue, July 1984 John Bonham played, for the most part, a very simple drumkit, consisting of a 14x26 bass drum, a 12x15 small tom—at first mounted on a snare stand and later on the…

Story by T. Bruce Wittet
Jan 10, 2022

Buddy Rich Elected to Hall of Fame in 1980

Excerpted from the January 1977 issue When it comes to interviewing Buddy, one must learn to expect the unexpected. You can end up with a first rate story, or no story at all. He’s a very intense human being, with…

Story by Jim Warchol
Jan 10, 2022

Gene Krupa Elected to Hall of Fame in 1979

Excerpted from the October/November 1979 issue “I’m happy that I succeeded in doing two things: I made the drummer a high­priced guy, and I was able to draw more people to jazz.” The above quote of drum master Gene Krupa…

Story by Karen Larcombe
Jan 10, 2022
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