April 2022 – Volume 46 • Number 4

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Sonor’s Steve Smith 30th Anniversary drumset

In 2007 Sonor drums created a limited-edition drumset to honor Steve Smith’s 30th anniversary as a Sonor artist. Steve has two such kits, one is stored in New Jersey for use on the East Coast, and one is stored at…

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.…

UNLIMITED CHAD

It’s becoming an annual event on my calendar. Chad Smith and I seem to talk every February. And since we talked last, Chad has been very busy. He has just recently completed another Ozzy Osbourne record, a new Eddie Vedder…

Concepts for Beginners

This month’s article will focus on some monumental ideas that will help you quicken your growth as a drummer when first starting out. Some of these concepts were taught to me by my drum instructors when I was younger, and…

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…

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,…

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…

Majestic Percussion Releases Highly Anticipated Opus One Orchestral Snare Drum Series

Majestic Percussion announces the launch of the Opus One Orchestral Snare Drum series. Featuring the most desirable attributes of coveted vintage snare drums combined with modern design advancements, the new series was created over several years in collaboration with some…

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…

April 2022 - Volume 46 • Number 4

Behind the Legends

Modern Drummer’s new series of LEGENDS books are a labor of love. They feature brand new interviews. Brand new transcriptions. Never before seen pictures. Digital downloads of rare recordings. Deep dives into equipment. And more… When else does a reader…

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.…

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.…

Carter Beauford Replica Kit

April’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Hampton, Arkansas. It is Adam Parker’s Carter Beauford replica kit. Adam explains, “I have followed Carter’s kit every year since I was 14. Eventually I started replicating it because I loved…