Feature Stories
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.
Chad Szeliga: Props From Peers
Since joining the heavy rock band Breaking Benjamin in 2005, just in time to record the platinum-selling Phobia album, Chad Szeliga has drawn lots of attention for his unerring control, power, and musicality—and not just from fans but from some…
John Eriksson: Portraits
(October 2010 Issue) Seeing Peter Bjorn And John’s John Eriksson add his fresh sounds to the band’s pop-rock mix is like watching a four-star chef toss ingredient after ingredient into a smoldering pot of stew. We asked Eriksson to share…
Brian Reitzell: Total Immersion In Sound
Brian Reitzell came to attention in the early ’90s as the drummer with LA pop-punk band Redd Kross, touring with them and playing on the albums Phaseshifter and Show World. As great as the music on those records is, though,…
Allison Miller: Shape-Shifter, Bridge-Builder
Allison Miller began her drumming journey early, studying with top Washington D.C. teacher Walter Salb as a youngster and being featured in Downbeat magazine’s Up And Coming section in 1991 as a teenager. After graduating from West Virginia University with…
Derek Roddy: Blast Beat Master
Many metal drummers are known for having wicked double bass technique and lightning-fast hands. A quick scan of Derek Roddy’s videos on YouTube reveals a drummer whose technical mastery and creativity transcend metal stereotypes. Roddy makes ridiculously complex patterns look…
Sterling Campbell: Covering It All, From The B-52’s To Bowie
Sterling Campbell has been playing drums since he was eleven, the youngest of six boys in a household where everything from Stevie Wonder and Chicago to Elton John and Led Zeppelin could be heard—and appreciated—at any time. He graduated from…
Jon Fishman: Phish Plays The Rolling Stones
by Michael Parillo In the cover story of the September issue of MD, out now, Phish drummer Jon Fishman holds court on topics ranging from the breakup and reunion of his band to how milking a cow can help you…
Vinnie Paul: Gearing Up
Exclusive ModernDrummer.com Interview by Dave Previ Hellyeah has been out on the road in support of its new record Stampede, which was released on July 13. This Texas-based band—featuring metal icon Vinnie Paul on drums—kicked off its tour in…
Andrea Centazzo: The Drummer As Composer, Inventor, Writer…Searcher
Andrea Centazzo is not only one of Italy’s most revered drummers, he is also an active composer, filmmaker, multimedia artist, writer, and inventor. He acquired U.S. citizenship in 2000 and is now a Los Angeles resident. His recordings include more…
Chad Sexton: Tying Together 311’s Collage Of Sound
Chad Sexton anchors 311’s prog- and reggae-influenced rock with tight hi-hat/snare/bass grooves and throbbing half-time rhythms. While 311 can technically be classified as an alternative rock band, their style encompasses elements of funk, rap, metal, ska, and jazz. For a…
Chris Adler : Rock Perspectives
(August 2010 Issue) Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler, who answers more reader emails in the August 2010 issue of Modern Drummer, recently produced the searing new album by This Or The Apocalypse. In this MD Online exclusive, read what…
John Densmore: When You're Strange
by Michael Parillo The Doors are the subject of a fascinating new documentary film, When You’re Strange, which premiered last month on PBS’s American Masters after a theatrical run in the spring. The movie was directed by Tom DiCillo (Living…
Abe Cunningham: Deftones’ Sophisticated Slammer
Deftones came to prominence in the early '90s for blatantly contrasting super heavy guitars riffs and screamed vocals with more melodic, emotional elements. To many listeners, Abe Cunningham's thunderous yet musical and precise drumming helped set the band miles apart…
Bill Laswell: Famed Bassist/Producer
Mention any major drummer of the past forty years, and Bill Laswell has shared a stage, studio, or rhythm section with him or her. Here the bassist/producer/remix engineer gives us his personal impressions of Tony Williams, Ginger Baker, Elvin Jones,…
