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April 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 4

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Articles in April 2018

Words Count

As drummers we’ve long battled identity issues that never seem to go away, no matter how far we advance our art. For years the famed drummer Bill Bruford has pointed out a certain “pitched-instrument bias” on the part of the…

by Adam Budofsky
Feb 28, 2018

Katy Perry’s Tony Royster Jr.

He grabbed headlines as one of the most talked-about drumming prodigies in the history of the instrument, playing alongside musical icons three times his age and establishing a reputation for blistering clinic appearances. In his first MD interview in years,…

Story by Robin Tolleson | Photos By Tim Sekiguchi
Feb 28, 2018

Tim Alexander of Primus

On getting back behind the drums after suffering a heart attack. It was a lot of just Will I be able to do this? The heart attack happened in July of 2014. We had shows booked for the next month…

Interview by Patrick Berkery | Photo by Jessica Alexander
Feb 28, 2018

Crucial Jazz Drumming Recordings, Part 2

Last October we presented fifty albums that show how incredibly far jazz drumming has come since it first appeared on record a century ago. This month we bring you twenty-five more titles as we work toward a clean hundred. The…

Modern Drummer
Feb 28, 2018

Grizzly Bear's Chris Bear

It turns out that any name similarities between Grizzly Bear and its drummer are purely coincidental. Musically, the seamless match is more like fate.

Story By Michael Parillo | Photos by John Fell
Feb 28, 2018
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Lia Braswell of A Place to Bury Strangers

The Heart of the Matter Some musicians are too cool for school. They’re unfazed by auditions, uninterested in getting close to new bandmates. They may never miss a beat, but you don’t get the feeling that they’re ever going to…

Story By Adam Budofsky | Photos by John Fell
Feb 28, 2018

Reading Syncopated Rhythms

Getting Familiar With Offbeats

by Joel Rothman
Feb 28, 2018

Playing on the Upbeat

Twenty Funky Phrases and Variations

by Powell Randolph
Feb 28, 2018

Uptempo Studies - Part 1: Whole Notes and Half Notes

In this series, we’ll focus on exercises that develop flexibility and endurance when playing fast tempos (300 bpm and up). To efficiently play at these speeds, it’s essential to stay relaxed. To gain the confidence and language necessary to handle…

by Steve Fidyk
Feb 28, 2018

Organic Odd-Time Patterns

A Smooth Method for Uncommon Phrases

by Aaron Edgar
Feb 28, 2018

Developing the Single-Stroke Roll

A Fresh Routine for Facility

by Mike Alfieri
Feb 28, 2018

Mind Matters - The Power of “No”

Q: My lead guitarist is finding fault with the drum parts I write. When we first attempt a new tune, he often rolls his eyes, makes a face, and stops the song. He’ll either start offering suggestions or ask to…

by Bernie Schallehn
Feb 28, 2018
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Sabian - FRX Series Cymbals

Pro-quality, b20-bronze cymbals designed for lower-volume situations.

by Michael Dawson
Feb 28, 2018

Canopus - 6x10 and 10x14 Harvey Mason Signature Snares

A duo of top-shelf wood-shell drums to fill out the upper and lower registers of the sonic spectrum.

by Michael Dawson
Feb 28, 2018

Roland - SPD::ONE Electro, Percussion, and WAV Pads

Simple, single-trigger pads with just enough options to keep things interesting.

by Michael Dawson
Feb 28, 2018

Doc Sweeney - Blue Tiger Drumset

Steam-bent ash shells with a striking finish to match their big, biting tones.

by Michael Dawson
Feb 28, 2018

P.O.D.’s Noah “Wuv” Bernardo

“I’ve been with Pearl since 1997,” says Noah “Wuv” Bernardo. “This was my first acrylic kit, so I didn’t know how it was going to sound. But in the venues we’re playing, once we miked them up, I knew they’d…

Interview by John Martinez | Photos by Alex Solca
Feb 28, 2018

New Gear from CRX, Ahead, Cympad, Tama, Yamaha, Evans and REpercussion!

CRX AIR Series These low-volume cymbals are recommended for studios, schools, and practice rooms. Models include 13" and 14" hi-hats, a 20" ride, a 16" crash, and an 18" crash-ride. List prices range from $109.99 to $169.99. The AIR-SET1 includes…

Modern Drummer
Feb 28, 2018

How Do You Develop a Unique Voice on the Drums?

Developing your own voice on the kit is a constant endeavor. Considering varied musical influences, teacher feedback, and an abundance of available educational material—among other factors—the question arises of how best to sit down in the shed and focus on…

Modern Drummer
Feb 28, 2018
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Ian Chang on Son Lux’s Brighter Wounds

A sharp drummer’s forward-thinking electronic concepts and downright dirty acoustic grooves shine on the trio’s latest release.

Article by Willie Rose | Photo by Magdalena Komorowska, Music Interruption
Feb 28, 2018

Karl Brazil With James Blunt

The U.K. touring and studio vet flawlessly supports the pop singer-songwriter’s flowing and dynamic set with ease on an international arena tour.

Article by Willie Rose | Photo by David Phillips
Feb 28, 2018

Brad Wilk of Prophets of Rage

Touring with an act that’s a household name comes with its perks, not the least of which is playing your own kit every night. Brad Wilk’s needs on the road with Prophets of Rage—the supergroup composed of members of Rage…

Article by Ben Meyer | Photo by Eitan Miskevich
Feb 28, 2018

The Grateful Dead’s Europe ’72

The Grateful Dead’s traveling party on 1972’s European tour numbered fifty strong, and they took advantage of every opportunity to pull off prankster hijinx in the stodgy Old World. There are stories about band members racing cars through Parisian traffic…

by Keith Carne
Feb 28, 2018

Adam Nussbaum's Leadbelly Project, Matt Cameron solo album featuring Mark Guiliana, and more!

RECORDINGS Taking the Reins Photo by Dustin Carlson Kate Gentile Mannequins A strong debut of demanding originals that’s “out” but inviting. There’s no doubt that the music on Brooklyn-based drummer Kate Gentile’s debut album as a leader is difficult to…

Modern Drummer
Feb 28, 2018

Yamaha Drums Fiftieth-Anniversary Celebration

The renowned manufacturer takes over Hollywood with a day of performances, gear demos, and honorary guests.

Story by John Martinez | Photos by Twinfolk Creative
Feb 28, 2018

The Drum Orb

The California-based inventor, musician, and performance artist William Close brings us a unique spherical percussion instrument dubbed the Drum Orb. The work is ten feet in diameter, and during performances it’s suspended fifteen feet in the air by a steel…

Modern Drummer
Feb 28, 2018
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Bobby Sanabria, Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Roger Taylor, Florian Alexandru-Zorn, Clem Burke, and more!

Jazz Education Network Names Bobby Sanabria 2018 Recipient of LeJENds of Latin Jazz Award Bandleader, drummer/percussionist, educator, and seven-time Grammy nominee Bobby Sanabria has been named the 2018 recipient of the Jazz Education Network’s LeJENds of Latin Jazz award. The…

Modern Drummer
Feb 28, 2018

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