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.
Gerald Brown
Gerry Brown isn't sure what to call it—fate, destiny, chance—but whatever it was, the timing for his return to the U.S. was impeccable. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Peter Donald
If Peter Donald seems a bit cocky, lashing out at his drums with a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips, you must remember—he has a right to be. He's played with pop acts like Olivia Newton-John, Peter Allen, and Helen…
Great Grooves, Part 1
From a general viewpoint, the word “groove” suggests a certain rhythmic precision in group playing, not unlike the word “tight” or the phrase “in the pocket.” From a drummer’s perspective, groove can also indicate a particular rhythmic motif, which, when…
How Many Drums Do I Really Need?
I have heard drummers say, “You don’t need a big kit. If you play on a smaller kit, you will be more creative and more musical.” Several famous drummers have been quoted as saying, “I can do everything I need…
Mark Sheppard of Robyn Hitchcock and His L.A. Squires
Long before he conquered film and TV in things like The X-Files, Supernatural, and In the Name of the Father, he witnessed the birth of London punk and participated in its fascinating aftermath. Now he’s come full circle, playing drums…
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's Eric Moore and Michael Cavanagh
Last month we interviewed drummer Marian Li-Pino of the SoCal indie-surf rock band La Luz, who recently toured Australia alongside that country’s progressive psych ensemble King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Marian, the good sport that she is, agreed to put on her journalist cap and report back on what drives this unlikely double-drummer-powered group.
What You Need to Know About Snare Drum Heads
When choosing the ideal heads for your particular needs, you should consider the following: How much sensitivity do you require? (For example, do you play a lot of quick, soft patterns and rolls, or are you mainly hammering backbeats?) How…
Head Over Heels' Dena Tauriello
The veteran drummer has entered a particularly fruitful phase of her career, playing the hot new musical Head Over Heels and ramping up her workload with Matchbox Twenty singer and solo star Rob Thomas. Each, in its own way, is the kind of gig she’s been preparing for forever.
Pheeroan Ak Laff — groovin free
In America, the 1960s were a time when the jazz age made a sincere, although tentative, attempt to establish relations with the up-and-coming members of the R&B and rock generations. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Chris Frantz — Talking tom-toms
Mr. Frantz had good reason to be feeling positive as we sat down to talk in the lounge of San Francisco's Miyako Hotel. Talking Heads, armed with a new record titled Speaking In Tongues, had just broken West Coast attendance…
Keith Copeland
After meeting and interviewing Keith Copeland, there's one word that seems to represent his overall approach to drums: tradition. My dictionary has three definitions for that word. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Percussion Colors, Part 2
Last time we discussed how the use of hand-percussion instruments can add color and spice to the music you create. We outlined a few of the items that make up the percussionist’s “pallet,” including cowbell, tambourine, and the afuche. This…
