Thomas Lang
It is time to announce the winners of the 2022 Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Congratulations to all of the winners, and thanks for your artistry and contributions towards the history and evolution of modern drumming. Thank you for your recordings, concerts, clinics, shows, books, videos, articles, and everything else that …
Celebrate Your Choices for the Extraordinary Drummers of the Past Year It’s that time again for the Modern Drummer staff to thank the community for making possible our annual Readers Poll. Your enthusiasm for all things drumming, your knowledge of drum culture, and your well-considered votes are what have steered …
In order to take what you are practicing and apply it musically to the drumset, you have to develop facility, technique, and independence first. Then, you can transition to playing more freely—almost like a stream-of-consciousness, “beatnik” approach. You have to listen to yourself and plan ahead. You have to think …
A Few Ways to Practice With or Without Drums “Independence, four-way coordination, and ambidexterity are such huge subjects,” says Thomas Lang in a recent video lesson filmed for Modern Drummer by DrumChannel.com. “One way of getting into this is just conditioning your brain to understand what is happening. Here are …
While “normal” drummers are figuring out how to keep good…
It’s that time of year again, when the drummers of the world show love for the most compelling players of the past twelve months. Find out how your favorites did.
From their own home studios—the three worked on their tunes separately with Matheos and Arch to create an album stuffed with blistering chops.
Drum enthusiasts from around the globe convened at the Glendale Civic Auditorium in Glendale, California, this past October 7 to check out informative clinics and a plethora of new and vintage drumming gear. The stellar performance lineup included Jason McGerr (Death Cab for Cutie), Jason Sutter (Cher, Dee Snider), Clayton …
We are excited to present the Modern Drummer 2018 Readers Poll winners!
This past January 14, Guitar Center held its twenty- eighth-annual Drum-Off Grand Finals, at the Novo club in downtown Los Angeles. Over the course of the competition’s numerous preliminary rounds, which took place in more than 250 Guitar Center locations nationwide, five finalists were chosen from among a pool of …
The universally lauded multi-genre legend joins Hall of Fame, another contemporary giant sweeps three categories, and Neil Peart returns.
Jimmy Chamberlin, Carl Allen, Dave McClain, Greg Errico, Jason Sutter, Tony Allen, Aaron Gillespie, Craig Macintyre, Felix Pollard, Pete Thomas, Nate Morton, Bun E. Carlos, Thomas Lang, Charlie Donnelly
Chad Smith, Jim Keltner, Hal Blaine, Bill Bruford, Earl Palmer, Steve Hass, Ian Wallace, Terri Lynn Carrington, Andrew Hurley, Phil Maturano, Sammy Siegler, Russ Moy, Steve Smith, Thomas Lang, Zoro
Jon Theodore, Carl Palmer, Larry Mullen Jr., Keith Harris, Daniel Adair, Jim Capaldi, Spencer Dryden, Keith Knudsen, Frank Zummo, Jon Christensen, Patrick Seacor, Winard Harper, David McClain, George Grantham, Scott Travis, Max Roach, John Tempesta, Simon Phillips, Thomas Lang
Thomas Lang, Longineu Parsons, Bill Bruford, Ringo Garza, Robertinho Silva, Brian St. Clair, Kent Ross, Gabriel Camacho, Graham Hawthorne, Eddie Bayers, Hossam Ramzy, Joey Jordison, Danny Carey, Shawn Pelton, Tony Verderosa
John Otto, Ron Spagnardi, Terry Bozzio, Bill Bruford, Simon Phillips, Carter Beauford, Chad Cromwell, Tim Alexander, Josh Freese, Steve Smith, Stephen Perkins, Gary Husband, Gordon Heckaman, Jason Bittner, Martin Atkins, Tony Thompson, Thomas Lang, Matt Sorum, Abe Laboriel Jr.
Steve Smith, Terry Bozzio, Simon Phillips, Gregg Bissonette, Louie Bellson, Dave Weckl, John Dolmayan, Bill Bruford, Thomas Lang, Tommy Aldridge, Mike Mangini, Horacio Hernandez, David Garibaldi, Virgil Donati, Carl Palmer, Paul Doucette, Gavin Harrison, George Rebelo, Duduka Da Fonseca, Jim Keltner, Terry Santiel, Walfredo Reyes Jr.
Zach Lind, Thomas Lang, Mickey Roker, Gary Chester, Steven Gillis, Mark Zonder, Jake Fowler, Ray Rizzo, Joe Lizama, Danny Frankel, Ray Herrera, Toomas Paiste, Richard “Pistol” Allen, Danny Craig, Larry Mullen Jr., Richie Hayward, Phil Collins
Posted: November 16, 2022
DRUM WORKSHOP PUTS INNOVATION ON DISPLAY AT 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Multi-day program of talks and workshops celebrates drummers, the drumming community, and DW’s heritage of innovation; opening night introduced new products that honor the past and excite for the future. Kicking off a celebration open to the entire community, from the general public to artists, dealers, distributors and enthusiasts alike, …
Posted: April 2, 2021
A Look Back – Thomas Lang’s ‘ProgPop’ Album Review (Video Lessons Attached!)
Review by Rob CoenThomas Lang’s latest solo project ProgPop has a great deal of musical flavor with accompanying musicians that include Marc Bonilla, Ginny Luke on vocals, Wojek Pilichowski, Ed Poole on bass, Leah Woodward, Jeremy Barnes, and Tobias Mertens on guitar. On the opening track “Time”, Lang does not …
Posted: December 11, 2020
MD Interview with Don Lombardi – Founder of Drum Channel & Drum Workshop – 12/10/20
Don Lombardi – Drum Workshop’s 2nd Product the DW 5000 Bass Drum Pedal Who did you study with and how did it affect your development as a drummer?DL: I started taking lessons at the age of 12 with Nat Leslie, a local teacher. I also joined the union at age …
Posted: September 1, 2020
Modern Drummer Festival 2020
Modern Drummer is rebooting its world-famous Drum Festival on September 12 at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time with a live-streaming event honoring the late, great Rush drummer Neil Peart. Proceeds of ticket sales will benefit brain tumor research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The event, which will be produced and distributed …
Posted: August 20, 2020
20th Annual Modern Drummer Festival featuring A Tribute To Iconic Drummer Neil Peart.
LiveXLive to Produce and Distribute Live Pay Per View Show Featuring Incredible Lineup Reaching over 150 Million Social Media Fans — Taylor Hawkins, Chad Smith, Cindy Blackman-Santana, Thomas Lang, Alex Gonzalez A global platform for livestream and on-demand audio, video and podcast content in music, comedy, and pop culture, announced …
Posted: August 19, 2020
Austin Blau on Binary Code’s Memento Mori
This past May saw the release of New Jersey–based progressive metal band Binary Code’s sophomore album, Memento Mori, their first featuring drummer Austin Blau. The album was inspired by the suicide of founder/guitarist Jesse Zuretti’s girlfriend; all proceeds from sales of the album will be donated to suicide prevention causes. …
Posted: May 27, 2016
Guitarist Paul Gilbert on Mike Portnoy
Mr. Big founder and ex-Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert is releasing his seventeenth solo album today, ‘I Can Destroy’, featuring Thomas Lang on drums. Gilbert has performed in a number of musical projects over the years with Mike Portnoy, including the drummer’s Beatles tribute group Yellow Matter Custard, which played …
Posted: May 20, 2016
Claus Hessler 5/4 Drum Solo on “Thunderstorm” with Flux Trio
n this video, German drummer/educator Claus Hessler, who’s featured in the June 2016 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, takes a solo on the tune “Thunderstorm??? with his trio Flux at the Australian Drummer’s Weekend 2015….
Posted: April 25, 2016
Thomas Lang Presents Fifth Annual Big Drum Bonanza
Drummer/producer Thomas Lang (stOrk/Paul Gilbert) has announced that Big Drum Bonanza 2016 (BDB2016) will take place June 28 to July 2 at the Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks, California. Drummers of all ages, levels, and styles are invited to join Thomas Lang and his special guest instructors, including world-renowned …
Posted: December 16, 2015
Fifteen DVDs Every Drummer Should Own
In this installment of our 2015 holiday gift guide, we’re taking a look at fifteen DVDs that every drummer should own. These are the videos that drummers are going back to time and time again for inspiration and edification. Whether you’re looking for new creative ideas behind the kit, technical …
Posted: November 13, 2015
Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp Hollywood, CA 2015
On November 6, Modern Drummer’s Billy Amendola hosted an afternoon Q&A at David Fishof’s Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp with legendary drummer Ginger Baker. Later that evening, Amendola threw his annual “drum hang??? with special guests Erik Eldenius, Matt Star, Denny Seiwell, percussionist Pamela Seraphine, bassist Rudy Sarzo, Frankie Banali, …
Posted: November 2, 2015
Dom Famularo’s Teachers List
Over the course of his forty-year career traveling the globe to teach, perform, and conduct clinics, Dom Famularo has interacted with some of the finest drummers and drum instructors in the world. The following list contains many of those names, organized by country/continent. If you’re looking for top-notch drum instruction, …
Posted: May 4, 2015
Thomas Lang Announces Big Drum Bonanza 2015
Drummer/producer Thomas Lang (stOrk/Paul Gilbert), has announced the Big Drum Bonanza 2015 (#BDB2015), which will take place July 1 through 5 at the Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks, California.
Posted: February 21, 2015
News: Tenth-Anniversary Meinl Drum Festival Lineup Announced!
The tenth-anniversary Meinl Drum Festival will take place June 27, 2015, in Gutenstetten, Germany, and will feature a lineup of world-renowned drummers….
Posted: December 10, 2014
News: Guitar Center’s 26th-Annual Drum-Off Finals Brings Together Legendary Drummers to Celebrate the Nation’s Best Undiscovered Talent
Five talented drummers from across the country have been chosen from over 5,000 drummers entered in more than 1,000 local competitions nationwide to compete as finalists in Guitar Center’s 26th Annual Drum-Off, the world’s premier drum competition….
Posted: November 19, 2014
News: John Wackerman’s Drum Duets Volume II Features Duets With Chambers, Hawkins, Bozzio, Lang, and More
The follow-up to the popular and successful CD and book release, Drum Duets Volume I, John Wackerman’s Drum Duets Volume II features top LA session drummer, composer, and producer John Wackerman teaming up with sixteen world-class artists. The video project was shot with multiple camera angles at Drum Channel, runs …
Posted: August 29, 2014
Thomas Lang Drumming Boot Camp Dates Announced
Drummer/producer Thomas Lang (stOrk/Paul Gilbert/John Wetton) has announced a Thomas Lang Drumming Boot Camp (TLDBC) scheduled for November 14–16, 2014 at the Palm Garden Hotel located at 495 N. Ventu Park Road, Thousand Oaks, California. Reserve your spot before September 8 and get all equipment rentals for free….
Posted: June 13, 2014
Steve Potts of Paul Rodgers
Hello, Modern Drummer readers. I was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Watching my older brother, Paris (Alvin) Potts, and cousin Al Jackson, Jr. inspired me to play drums and marching drums throughout school, where my major was in music.
Posted: May 29, 2014
2014 Croatia International Drum Camp
Since its inception by camp director Petar Curic in 2007, this one-of-a-kind drum camp has featured such world-class instructors as Bill Bruford, Horacio “El Negro??? Hernandez, JoJo Mayer, John Riley, Gary Chaffee, Mike Mangini, Marco Minnemann, Benny Greb, Pete Riley, Pete Lockett, Gabor Dornyei, and Kim Plainfield. The weeklong camp …
Posted: April 23, 2014
Thomas Lang Announces Big Drum Bonanza 2014
Drummer/producer Thomas Lang (stOrk/Paul Gilbert) has announced that the Big Drum Bonanza 2014 will take place July 2–6 at the Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks, California. Drummers of all ages, levels, and styles are invited to join Lang and other special guest instructors, including Chris Coleman (Stevie Wonder), Matt …
Posted: April 8, 2014
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Developing Independence
We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team to share their thoughts on their favorite methods for developing independence. Here’s what they had to say.
Posted: August 28, 2013
Andre Jevnik of the All Ways
I’m Andre Jevnik, and I am a twenty-year-old drummer from New York. I was the runner up in the Thomas Lang Big Drum Bonanza contest….
Posted: August 1, 2013
Guitar Center Launches Its 25th Annual Drum-Off Competition
Guitar Center’s Drum-Off launches its 25th annual search for the next great undiscovered drummer.
Posted: June 5, 2013
Thomas Lang, Aaron Spears, Steve Smith, and Dave Weckl Appearing at Cleveland Drum Fantasy Camp
For the seventh consecutive year, Drum Fantasy Camp will allow drummers of all ages, playing levels, and musical genres to spend time in small classes with some of the world’s great drummers. This year’s camp will be held August 8 through 12 at the Hyatt Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio….
Posted: March 28, 2013
Second Annual Big Drum Bonanza
Drummer/producer Thomas Lang (stOrk, Paul Gilbert, John Wetton) has announced that the Big Drum Bonanza 2013 is scheduled for July 3 through 7 at the Drum Channel studios in Oxnard, CA and at the nearby Courtyard Marriot in Camarillo, CA….
Posted: November 20, 2012
Patrick Kennedy Named U.S. Champion at V-Drums World Championship
Held on the eve of the annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), the U.S. finals for the 2012 Roland V-Drums World Championship exposed exceptional drumming talent….
Posted: July 24, 2012
Carlos Rueda of Thick as Blood
My name is Carlos Rueda, and I play drums for Thick as Blood, from Miami, Florida. We’re currently doing a full U.S. and Canada tour with Lionheart and Dead Icons.
Posted: July 10, 2012
ArtistWorks Adds Bass Campus To Its Video Exchange Learning Site
ArtistWorks opens their Online Bass Campus. Bass players Nathan East, John Patitucci and Missy Raines break down their entire approach on HD video — in order — from the fundamentals to the extremely advanced….
Posted: April 18, 2012
Thomas Lang Australian Drumming Boot Camp
The Thomas Lang Drumming Boot Camp premieres its first-ever Australian event, this August 17 – 19, at DrumTek, Melbourne….
Posted: April 11, 2012
Luis Conte Discusses Playing a 6/8 Feel With Thomas Lang
In this video Luis Conte and Thomas Lang demonstrate and discuss playing a 6/8 feel.
Posted: April 10, 2012
ArtistWorks Drum Academy Launches Luis Conte School of Percussion on April 11
The Grammy Award-winning master percussionist debuts an interactive, bilingual online music school.
Posted: January 23, 2012
THOMAS LANG DEBUTS FIRST ANNUAL ‘BIG DRUM BONANZA’
JUNE 25TH – 29TH Unique 5-Day Music Education Camp Features Special Guest Instructors Including World Renowned Drummer Virgil Donati Acclaimed drummer Thomas Lang (stOrk/Asia/John Wetton), has announced the first annual Thomas Lang’s Big Drum Bonanza, scheduled for June 25th -29th at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY. Drummers of …
Posted: November 22, 2011
November Web Update News
Drumming news for the month of November complied in one place.
Posted: November 21, 2011
Steve Moore, aka the Mad Drummer
My name is Steve Moore, aka the Mad Drummer. Some of you might remember me as “the Drummer at the Wrong Gig??? on YouTube. To say I’ve had the best year of my life would be an understatement!
Posted: October 6, 2011
Gospel and R&B Drumming
Hosted by Jeff Davis
Gospel/R&B great Jeff Davis hosts this informative DVD highlighting the skills and nuances of Aaron Spears, Gerald Heyward, Adam Deitch, Thomas Pridgen, and more.
Posted: October 4, 2011
Eric Choi of We Came As Romans
My name is Eric Choi, and I play drums for We Came As Romans. I was born in Detroit and raised in a nearby suburb, Troy, where the band and I got together early summer of ’06. Despite our young age at the time (I was the youngest member at …
Posted: August 1, 2011
Guitar Center’s Drum-Off, World’s Largest Drumming Competition, Kicks-Off
Guitar Center has announced the launch of the 23rd annual Guitar Center’s Drum-Off the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered drummer.
Posted: May 4, 2011
Mike Mangini of Dream Theater
by Mike HaidThe announcement that Modern Drummer Hall of Famer Mike Portnoy had left his longstanding position as the reigning king of prog-metal drumming with Dream Theater sent shockwaves through the drumming community. Who could replace such an iconic figure in such a legendary band? Could this be the end …
Posted: May 2, 2011
Danny Seraphine: Update
by Bob GirouardIt seems that since Danny Seraphine made a comeback of sorts of the 2006 Modern Drummer Festival, he’s kicked the current phase of his drumming career into high gear, appearing at events like Drummers for Jesus, the 2009 Chicago Drum Show, and a Terry Kath tribute, and making …
Posted: December 22, 2010
Gorden Campbell
Hey, MD readers! It’s your boy Gorden Campbell, and I’m back once again to give you an update on my travels around the globe! This has been a busy year for me. From the George Duke and American Idol tours, to recording my first instructional DVD, I’ve had a great …
Posted: December 6, 2010
David Phillips: "A Drummer’s Perspective???
Photo by Marc Rouve You can probably guess I dabble a bit on the old drumkit myself, and it is always difficult trying to explain to someone what it looks like sitting on that throne—the best seat in the house. With my images in the book I try to give …
Posted: December 6, 2010
David Phillips: “A Drummer’s Perspective???
Photo by Marc Rouve You can probably guess I dabble a bit on the old drumkit myself, and it is always difficult trying to explain to someone what it looks like sitting on that throne—the best seat in the house. With my images in the book I try to give …
Posted: July 22, 2010
Giuseppe “Gypsy??? Capolupo of Haste The Day
My name is Giuseppe “Gypsy??? Capolupo, and I play for Indianapolis, Indiana–based metal-core band Haste The Day. What an honor it is to be featured on such a well-known website!
Posted: July 17, 2009
Brian Tichy: Speed-Baggin’
Billy Idol/Foreigner drummer Brian Tichy recently rediscovered his longtime obsession with getting into shape by using a speed bag. How, what, why? Let’s find out.
Posted: January 12, 2009
Great Drum Parts = GENIUS
The March issue of MD (out now) features Billy Ward’s fascinating conversation with Simon Phillips, Doane Perry, Marco Minnemann, Thomas Lang, and Jerry Marotta about the grooves that inspired them to play drums early on, and that continue to today. It seemed to make perfect sense for MD’s editors to …
Posted: June 28, 2008
Pat Petrillo: Smooth, Groovin'-And Proud Of It
Just returned from a clinic tour of the UK, my second in four months, and it went real well.
Posted: May 28, 2008
Drummer Blog: Karl Latham
This has been an interesting year for me so far, with lots of cool stuff going on. It started with a NAMM trip and great hangs with Freddy Studer, Ryan Kreiger, Gerry Brown, Kim Plainfield, Sandy Gennaro, Rich Mangicaro, Larry Lelli, Tony Lewis, Ivan Hampden, Dena Taurellio, and so many …
Posted: May 13, 2008
Wayne Proctor
Hi to all you Modern Drummer cyberspace visitors. My name is Wayne Proctor and I am from the U.K….
Posted: August 16, 2007
Bill Bruford: Our Prog Forefather
Progressive rock’s evolution from its nascent days in London’s university halls and local clubs to stadium-filling global phenomenon has its roots in the tumultuous melting pot of 1960s rock and psychedelia.
Posted: June 21, 2007
Kit Of The Month: A Do-It-Yourself Adventure
Thomas Given’s Collage Kit appeared in the Kit Of The Month department of the August ’07 MD. Here’s his full report on the creation of this unusual kit, along with a bevy of photos illustrating the project.
Posted: April 17, 2007
Marco Minnemann: Beyond Chops
A new breed of drummer has emerged over the past decade. This elite group of international super-drummers has changed the face of drumming and raised the bar on speed, ambidextrous technique, soloing, stick tricks, multi-pedal coordination, and independence to levels that seem unimaginable to most drummers….
Posted: May 12, 2004
Thomas Lang
Thomas Lang was standing at the door of his dressing room, waiting to take his spot at the last Modern Drummer Festival Weekend. The thirty-four-year-old, Austrian-born drummer, now a resident of England, was an unknown quantity to this discriminating crowd. By rights, he ought to have been quaking in his …
Posted: October 8, 2020
Episode 1: Thomas Lang, Koide Cymbals, and More In this episode, managing editor Mike Dawson sits down with August 2020 Modern Drummer cover artist Thomas Lang to dig deeper into the various topics that were discussed in his recent feature story in the magazine. Everything from the necessity of having a home …
Posted: March 6, 2020
MD Podcast Episode 233: Dry Vs. Washy Rides, Sepultura’s Eloy Casagrande, Meinl Stacks, and More
Mike and Mike discuss heavy metal drummer Eloy Casagrande, the differences between dry and washy ride cymbals, reviews of the Meinl Super Stack and Crasher Hats and more.
