April 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 4
Articles in April 2018
Katy Perry’s Tony Royster Jr.
He grabbed headlines as one of the most talked-about drumming prodigies in the history of the instrument, playing alongside musical icons three times his age and establishing a reputation for blistering clinic appearances. In his first MD interview in years,…
Uptempo Studies - Part 1: Whole Notes and Half Notes
In this series, we’ll focus on exercises that develop flexibility and endurance when playing fast tempos (300 bpm and up). To efficiently play at these speeds, it’s essential to stay relaxed. To gain the confidence and language necessary to handle…
The Drum Orb
The California-based inventor, musician, and performance artist William Close brings us a unique spherical percussion instrument dubbed the Drum Orb. The work is ten feet in diameter, and during performances it’s suspended fifteen feet in the air by a steel…
Words Count
As drummers we’ve long battled identity issues that never seem to go away, no matter how far we advance our art. For years the famed drummer Bill Bruford has pointed out a certain “pitched-instrument bias” on the part of the…
Grizzly Bear's Chris Bear
It turns out that any name similarities between Grizzly Bear and its drummer are purely coincidental. Musically, the seamless match is more like fate.
Tim Alexander of Primus
On getting back behind the drums after suffering a heart attack. It was a lot of just Will I be able to do this? The heart attack happened in July of 2014. We had shows booked for the next month…
Roland - SPD::ONE Electro, Percussion, and WAV Pads
Simple, single-trigger pads with just enough options to keep things interesting.
Lia Braswell of A Place to Bury Strangers
The Heart of the Matter Some musicians are too cool for school. They’re unfazed by auditions, uninterested in getting close to new bandmates. They may never miss a beat, but you don’t get the feeling that they’re ever going to…
Brad Wilk of Prophets of Rage
Touring with an act that’s a household name comes with its perks, not the least of which is playing your own kit every night. Brad Wilk’s needs on the road with Prophets of Rage—the supergroup composed of members of Rage…
Doc Sweeney - Blue Tiger Drumset
Steam-bent ash shells with a striking finish to match their big, biting tones.
Sabian - FRX Series Cymbals
Pro-quality, b20-bronze cymbals designed for lower-volume situations.
Karl Brazil With James Blunt
The U.K. touring and studio vet flawlessly supports the pop singer-songwriter’s flowing and dynamic set with ease on an international arena tour.
Canopus - 6x10 and 10x14 Harvey Mason Signature Snares
A duo of top-shelf wood-shell drums to fill out the upper and lower registers of the sonic spectrum.
Bobby Sanabria, Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Roger Taylor, Florian Alexandru-Zorn, Clem Burke, and more!
Jazz Education Network Names Bobby Sanabria 2018 Recipient of LeJENds of Latin Jazz Award Bandleader, drummer/percussionist, educator, and seven-time Grammy nominee Bobby Sanabria has been named the 2018 recipient of the Jazz Education Network’s LeJENds of Latin Jazz award. The…
P.O.D.’s Noah “Wuv” Bernardo
“I’ve been with Pearl since 1997,” says Noah “Wuv” Bernardo. “This was my first acrylic kit, so I didn’t know how it was going to sound. But in the venues we’re playing, once we miked them up, I knew they’d…
Yamaha Drums Fiftieth-Anniversary Celebration
The renowned manufacturer takes over Hollywood with a day of performances, gear demos, and honorary guests.