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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.
Touring and Remembering Jack DeJohnette
Touring can be glamorous and exciting. It is also hard work. Taking a music show on the road is always a challenge and a chore. When one is fronting one’s own band, “the road” is especially daunting. How we respond…
Joe’s Offset Kits
This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of the Month comes to us from Joe Bellia, drummer for The Weeklings and Southside Johnny. This is Joe’s offset bass drum set up which allows him to use the left pedal from his double…
Thanks to Jack and Chick: One of the Best Days of My Life
In 2009, I interviewed Jack DeJohnette for the Percussive Notes and Modern Drummer. Jack and I met in the afternoon before a trio concert he was playing with Chick Corea and Bobby McFerrin. I arrived to find Jack’s black Sonor…
Alvin Ford Jr.'s Jon Batiste’s Touring Kit
Drums: Pearl Masters Maple/Gum in Satin Rose finish – Rack Toms: 7×8, 7×10, 8×12, Floor Tom: 16×16, Bass Drum: 14×20. Snares: 6.5×14 Matching Maple/Gum Snare (Main snare), 6.5×13 Matching Maple/Gum Snare (Left Snare), 6.5×14 Hybrid Exotic (Kapur/Fiberglass – Right snare…
John Lennon & Yoko Ono, John/Yoko Plastic Ono Band
Power to the People, with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Box Set Capitol Records’ new Power to the People, with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Box Set is an amazing set for any music fan, but it’s an absolute treat…
Special LP Edition for National Record Store Day 11-28-25
National Record Store Day has become a major event for music lovers, musicians, and record stores everywhere. Some of today’s greatest drummers grew up and got an education working in, and hanging out in, record stores. Many still do. A…
Out Now November 2025
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performances from the drummer and/or musicians in the band. This…
Gretsch Drums Announces Leadership Transition: Paul Cooper Passes the Baton to Josh Safer
Gretsch Drums has announced an important leadership transition at its U.S. production facility in Ridgeland, South Carolina. After more than 25 years of shaping the sound and reputation of Gretsch’s USA-made drums, longtime production leader Paul Cooper is passing the…
Sehr Kühl
Whenever my German language skills begin to get rusty, I like to sharpen them by revisiting that country. The first time I played in Germany was while touring with the Stan Kenton Orchestra back in 1973, and as time went…
All in the Family Slingerland’s
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Bryan Beyer. We’ll let Bryan tell us about this kit’s unique history in his drumming family. “This is an early 60s Slingerland “Windsor” outfit that was originally purchased by Pierson…
Congrats, Geddy, Alex, and Anika!
Upon hearing the news about Rush’s 50 Something Tour, I was instantly happy for Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson; they deserve to be out there playing the music that they love and created with Neil Peart. I think Neil would…
Anthony Ghazel's Daughtry Touring Kit
Drums: Pearl Reference Maple kit in Piano Black with die cast hoops: 6.5×14 Reference One Brass Snare, 6.5×14 UltraCast Aluminum Snare (backup,) 9×13 Rack Tom, 16×16 and 16×18 Floor Toms, 14×20 Gong Drum, two 16×22 Bass Drums. Remo Heads: Snare Top- Controlled…
Out Now October 2025
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performances from the drummer and/or musicians in the band. This…
Drum Workshop and Guitar Center Factory Day
DW Drums and Guitar Center hosted their annual DW Factory Day in Oxnard, CA on August 23. The day started with a drum off hosted by Guitar Center’s drum buyer Glenn Noyes and Roland VP of Sales Jim DeStefano. The…
