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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.

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Anika Nilles

Welcome to the New Age

Story by Michael Dawson | Photos by Alex Solca
Apr 26, 2017

Awolnation’s Isaac Carpenter

“When we were rehearsing for the latest album,” says modern pop group Awolnation’s drummer, Isaac Carpenter, “Masters of Maple owner Sahir Hanif brought his bell brass snare, and it seemed like our band sounded twenty-five-percent better. You can hit it…

Sayre Berman
May 31, 2017

Spaun 20th Anniversary Kit, PDP Daru Jones New Yorker Kit, TRX Cymbals and More!

Spaun 20th Anniversary Kit, PDP Daru Jones New Yorker Kit, TRX Cymbals and More! TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2017

Favorite 1960s Drum Tracks?

As we were taking a look back at some of the most iconic drummers and performances of 1967 for this month’s cover feature, we wanted to find out which tracks our readers and social media followers felt marked the greatest…

Reader Responses
May 31, 2017

Greg Saunier, Anton Hochheim, Christian Paschall, Shannon Forrest and more!

Out Now Greg Saunier on Big Walnuts Yonder’s Big Walnuts Yonder On its self-titled debut, released this past May 5, the indie-rock collective Big Walnuts Yonder fuses wild time shifts, explosive punk tones, and unhinged improvisation on ten electrified, cohesive…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2017
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Drum Center of Portsmouth

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Interview by Patrick Berkery
May 31, 2017

Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, and Gerry Gibbs take the reins, Def Leppard Live CD/DVD, and more

On his previous disc, Live in Studio, drummer/composer Gerry Gibbs transformed a selection of “elevator music” warhorses into an engaging, swinging affair. Here he has a richer lode to mine, reimagining the music of Weather Report in a mostly acoustic…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2017

Triumvirate: Earth, Wind & Fire's Ralph Johnson – Freddie White – Philip Bailey

The name of the group perhaps best describes the music. The rock and substance of the earth, the light, free breeze of the wind and the explosive, igniting spark of fire—Earth, Wind & Fire. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE…

by Robyn Flans
Jun 19, 2017

Pride and Joy

This gorgeously kept example of 1970s drum history comes to us from Orange County, California, drummer Thomas Smith, who originally purchased the Rogers Block-finish setup as a nine-piece kit. “I was very busy in cover bands, traveling throughout California,” Smith…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2017

Nazareth's Darrell Sweet Interview October 1981

Being a member of a group affords a musician a certain amount of security, but it also demands a sacrifice. The security comes from the fact that the individual does not have to face the world alone.

by Rick Mattingly
May 25, 2017

James Bradley, Jr.: Feels So Good

My mother and father were performing at a press party for Muhammed Ali about 1962. My father had been telling his friends that his four-year-old son could play the drums. I guess a lot of people didn't believe him, so my mother and father took a break, and they just let me loose, and I started playing.

Story and photos Scott K Fish
May 10, 2017

Barry Keane: Canadian Studio Kingpin

Barry Keane is one of the most in-demand studio drummers in Canada. He has recorded numerous commercials, jingles, TV and Film scores; but most people know him from his work with Gordon Lightfoot and Anne Murray.

by Scott K. Fish
May 10, 2017
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The Percussive World of Jack Van der Wyk

Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Van der Wyk has spent almost all of his life in California.

by Frank Kofsky
May 10, 2017

Ed Blackwell — "Bemsha Swing"

Bemsha Swing TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

Modern Drummer
Jun 8, 2017
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