April 2022 – Volume 46 • Number 4
On 31st Mar 2022
Articles in April 2022
Clayton Cameron
Tapping into, and brushing up, on Perfect Time We all first met Clayton Cameron several years ago. His career had brought him from manning the skins in the big band behind The Rat Pack and the legendary Sammy Davis Jr.…
Introducing...
My name is Mark Griffith, I am a professional musician who happens to play drums. I tour, play locally, record, do clinics, masterclasses, teach, and I write. I started writing for Modern Drummer under Ron Spagnardi’s leadership 25 years ago,…
Sandy Nelson
Dec. 1, 1938 - February 14, 2022 We ALL, (every drummer alive,) owe Sandy Nelson a well deserved moment of drumming (as opposed to silence.) Before the Surfaris had a hit in 1963 with “Wipeout,” Sandy Nelson was recording drum-centric…
Martin Bulloch of Mogwai
As musicians, we’re all familiar with the expression “music is math.” This definitely rings true with the ever so calculated and melodically powerful Martin Bulloch, drummer for the much accoladed Glasgow based band, Mogwai. Martin’s precision to detail and musically…
Going to the Movies, with Peter Erskine
Scene 1: Jam session, rehearsal, or a gig. Bandleader’s Line: Let’s play “Green Dolphin Street” … and… Drums, how about you play an intro? Spot Quiz: A.) Do you ask, “How long?”B.) Do you ask, “What tempo?”C.) Do you ask,…
Innovative Percussion A7X Stick
This new addition to the Innovative Percussion roster of products certainly represents a real ambition for quality. The A7X Brooks Wackerman signature drumstick slides right into your hand quite comfortably, and clearly states its purpose for rock and metal drumming.…
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault
“If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” By 1979, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were starting to get somewhere. Their second album You’re Gonna Get It had earned the band a gold record and the band was preparing to record…
Past Masters of Rock... Absorb, Adapt & Adopt!
I have the incredible honor of interviewing some of the greatest musicians in the world on the YouTube channel, “The Sessions Panel.” The purpose is to capture the story of these great artists for future generations to learn and be…
Mapex Re-introduces the Venus Series Complete All-Inclusive Setup
The all-new Mapex Venus Series complete drum kit presents an all-inclusive setup for the first-time player ready to start the “Drummer for Life” adventure. As a global drum company with a 30 plus year reputation for manufacturing excellence and a…
The Muscle-Bound Myth and Weight Training for Drummers
If someone asked me to put together a list of non-negotiables – things I need to prioritize for my own well being - two activities would immediately come to mind: Drumming (obviously) and weight training. Drumming and training are a…
Chad Smith’s Red Hot Chili Peppers Audition
I grew up in Detroit and moved out to California in August of 1988. Through a friend of a friend, I got the audition with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. My friend knew a girl who was dating John Frusciante.…
Rick Rubin
The Legendary producer talks about Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Unlimited Love. Producer Rick Rubin is a modern music legend. He has produced the Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Public Enemy, Weezer, Metallica, Johnny Cash, The Dixie Chicks, The…
Transcriptions:
“Salute to Kareem,” Mother’s Milk; “Suck my Kiss,” Blood Sugar Sex Magik; “Breaking the Girl,” Blood Sugar Sex Magik;“Readymade,” Stadium Arcadium; “Dark Necessities,” The Getaway; In this month’s cover story and interview Chad Smith talks about R&B and funk drumming,…
“Essential Dialog” for Creative Percussion Controllers
This is where the journey begins… This is the first in a new series of articles exploring the creative use of percussion midi controllers. I was recently watching YouTube videos covering the history of electronic drumming. It’s amazing to see…
TnR Products Percussion Isolation Mounts Receive Fresh Branding To Match Improved Design
In the spirit of continuous improvement and better serving the drumming community, TnR Products is proud to announce design updates and the rebranding of their percussion isolation mounts as TnR TrueVibe. The snare stand isolation mounts have undergone subtle but…
SABIAN Introduces HHX Anthology
Sabian has announced a new collection of cymbal designs to be added to their world famous HHX series of professional cymbals. Introducing HHX Anthology, a collaboration between the Master Artisans at Sabian and world-renowned musician Jojo Mayer. Developed over 3…
Sarah Thawer: Developing, Evolving
Sarah Thawer is not your typical drummer. Starting her unconventional music education at a very young age of two, she shaped her musical identity by combining her cultural roots with her extensive experience absorbing all the music around her—from Jazz…
Evans Snare Tune-Up Kit (UV1 & Calftone)
The snare drum is a sensitive instrument. However, while cracking away one backbeat at a time, all the intricate parts that factor into one’s snare tone can often go forgotten. Overhauling your snare drum can be a lengthy, frustrating process.…
Bob Moses Drum Wisdom: The 8/8 Concept
This month we will be begin exploring Bob Moses’ classic book called Drum Wisdom. In this book Bob explores the organic side of drumming with wonderful explanations of some of the most important ideas in playing music. We will begin…
