Features
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.
North - Directional Drums Strive For Unconventional Sound
The shape of the instruments is the first noticeable departure from conventional drums. Below the head* of each tom-tom, for instance, the drum continues downward in a cylinder then curves ninety degrees to end in a wild looking open flared…
Catching Up With... Chad Smith
It’s apt that Chad Smith is driving along the Pacific Coast Highway in California as he catches us up on his recent activities. Smith recently returned to the West Coast after four years in New York City, and he’s excited…
Catching Up With... Willie Green
Willie Green’s artful grooving mesmerized fans of the New Orleans institution the Neville Brothers for over thirty years, during which time Green likewise elevated music by Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Edie Brickell, and Elvis Costello. The latest representation…
Catching Up With... Neal Smith
Known for his blistering attack on hits like “School’s Out,” “I’m Eighteen,” and “Billion Dollar Babies” by Alice Cooper, with whom he played between 1967 and 1974, Neal Smith has since expanded his skills to include producing and composing. TO…
On The Cover - Matt Gartska
The drummer with Animals as Leaders has gone about as deeply into the art as one man can, and he loves nothing more than sharing what he’s discovered. Here’s to the explorers! TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…
Henry Cole
Like everything he plays on the drumset, the name he chose for his debut album as a leader—Roots Before Branches—is intriguing, and no accident. Few players have such a deep understanding of where they come from, or as wide a…
Dan Needham
For a long time the Nashville music industry was defined—some say hampered—by an imaginary wall dividing session and touring musicians. Each side had its top-call players, but even among these rarified individuals, there were few exceptions to the rules of…
Up & Coming - Anika Nilles
While some endlessly bemoan “YouTube drum culture,” players like this German upstart pay no mind. They’re just too busy, making the most of the medium and empowering the masses with fresh ideas. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…
Setting Sights - Greg Saunier
For Deerhoof’s latest album, the band’s drummer says he was trying to express nothing short of pre-apocalyptic sonic abandon. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Tony Williams
Just what is a Tony Williams? Many of his admirers have described his style as "free", "he doesn't really play rudimental things", "he's loose", "there's something out of the ordinary about what he does", "it's different." TO READ THE FULL…
Larrie Londin
A heavy-set, yet gentle and personable man, Larrie at age 34, has made more than a comfortable living sitting confidently behind his multiple tom, double bass drum set-up, backing a mind boggling array of musical personalities; Boots Randolph, Chet Atkins.…
David Garibaldi - Funk Stylist
If any one player stands out among the masses of funk style drummers, it has to be in the person of Mr. David Garibaldi. From 1970 through '75 David's colorful funk stylings were brought to the attention of numerous drummers…
Carmine Appice: Leadin' The Way
Since Vanilla Fudge, Carmine has anchored Cactus, Beck/Bogart and Appice, and KGB. Now he is the driving force behind Rod Stewart. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Mel Lewis - Straight Ahead
The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra has been going strong for some thirteen years now, consistent poll winners, and the hit of almost every jazz festival they perform at. All the more reason for my shock when drummer co-leader Mel Lewis…
