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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.
Satin Flame Memories and Inspiration
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Justin Ryan. It is a heartwarming story in which every drummer can relate. Here are Justin’s thoughts on this very special instrument, “My Mother died when I was two years…
The Drum Community
In a world where community and actual personal connection is being devalued, Modern Drummer is proud to spotlight several drum community events in this (and last month’s) issues. Nashville’s Music City Drum Show was a rousing success where drummers from…
Mike McDermott's Joan Jett Touring Kit
Drums: SJC Custom M5 Maple Shells Black Stain/Black Hardware – 6.5×12 Rack Tom, 12×14 and 14×16 Floor Toms, 14×22 Kick Drum. Snares: CDC Custom 7×14 Maple, Modern Classic 7×14 Maple, Dark Horse Percussion 8×14 Wood Hoop Ballad Snare (Nickname “Santa’s lil’ Helper”).…
Out Now August 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…
Recognizing Your Muse
I’ve been keeping notes regarding this very column and what I should write about for my readers. Out of the myriad of disparate thoughts I jotted down, a common theme seems to be revealing itself to me, let’s call it,…
Small But Mighty
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Marco Segoviano. His drums are Pearl Midtown Series with a 10” rack tom and a 13” floor tom. His bass drum is 16” and his snare is a Mapex MPX…
Drums is Life, Life is Drums.
As a musician and a drummer, I feel that drumming (and music) can help improve the world. Yes, I truly believe that!!! I believe that if more people were taught to enjoy music (and play drums) the world would be…
Remembering Al Foster
January 18, 1943 – May 28, 2025 Al Foster and I met 37 years ago, and we hit it off instantly. He became a mentor, a friend, and a huge influence on my drumming. We spent a good deal of…
Mike Wengren's Original Disturbed Down with the Sickness Touring Kit
Drums: Pearl Masters Custom Maple – Midnight Fade – two 18” x 22” Kick Drums, 16” x 18” Floor Tom, 16” x 16” Floor Tom, 12” x 14” Rack Tom, 10” x 12” Rack Tom, 6.5” x 14” Kapur/Fiberglass Snare Drum.…
Out Now July 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…
Simple Truths
It feels like a good time to state some simple truths… THE BESTS The best-recorded drum sounds (in my opinion)… Buddy Rich’s Rogers kit on the first two big band albums he recorded for Pacific Jazz. Wally Heider was the…
BE A FUSION DRUMMER
The word fusion gets a lot of use in this issue. Unfortunately, it’s become somewhat of a “bad” word in some musical circles. It’s (unfortunate) meaning has become the name of the style of music, born in the late 60s…
Clement Anthony “Clem Burke” Bozewski November 24, 1954 – April 6, 2025
Clem Burke is known as the influential drummer for Blondie, he was a member of Blondie from 1975 until his death and appeared on every Blondie recording and every hit. According to Burke, Blondie combined the influences of The Beatles,…
DeAndre Hemby's Teddy Swims Touring Kit
Drums: SJC Drums – 16×22 Kick, 7×8, 7×10, 7×12 Rack Toms, 14×16 and 16×18 Floor Toms, 6.5×14 Brass Snare, 6.5×14 Maple Snare.Heads: Evans – EC2 and EC Reso on rack toms; EMAD and EC Reso on floor toms; HD Dry on main…
