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December 2017 Issue – Volume 41 • Number 12

You’ve listened to his grooves a thousand times—perhaps even more than those of some of the drummers on your own personal top-ten list. But you might not have known his name, or his backstory, before now. Drummer, educator, and writer Zoro wants to change that….
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Articles in December 2017

2017 DCI World Championship Results

Capping the seventh undefeated season in their sixty-year history, the Blue Devils, based in Concord, California, won a record-breaking eighteenth title this past August 12 at the Drum Corps International World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Coinciding…

Text and photos by Lauren Vogel Weiss
Oct 31, 2017

Matt Greiner on August Burns Red’s Phantom Anthem

Pinpoint precision, burning chops, and odd time signatures abound on the veteran metalcore group’s latest offering.

Article by Willie Rose | Photo by Ray Duker
Oct 31, 2017

Rhythmic Conversions - Part 5: Brazilian Grooves and the Half-Note Triplet

In this lesson we’ll superimpose a new tempo over an existing pulse using a half-note-triplet subdivision. We’ll then manipulate the subdivision to create Brazilian grooves in the new tempo. I recommend that you practice these patterns with a metronome and…

by Steve Fidyk
Oct 31, 2017

Neo-Prog, American Style

The Oakland-based Once and Future Band doesn’t shy away from the influence of progressive rock’s legendary forefathers throughout its self-titled debut, with a heavy emphasis on sunny harmonies and ELO/Yes-inflected song structures. Drummer RAJ OJHA navigates the ever-shifting arrangements with…

by Ilya Stemkovsky
Oct 31, 2017
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Jon Theodore Style and Analysis

From his days playing mind-melting Mars Volta compositions to his current gig with the rock giants Queens of the Stone Age, Jon Theodore has inspired drummers with powerful grooves, explosive fills, and rock-solid time. His ability to craft the perfect parts…

by Austin Burcham
Oct 31, 2017

The Psychedelic Furs’ Paul Garisto

Paul Garisto  joined the iconic post-punk band the Psychedelic Furs in late 1983 and remained with them until early 1988. After that initial run with the band, he toured and recorded the album Instinct with Iggy Pop, contributed to albums…

by Chris Boyle
Oct 31, 2017

Peter Magadini’s Polyrhythmic Life

Given that rhythm is the playground of drummers, polyrhythms seem to have a particular resonance. The possibilities of two against three, three against four, and beyond are continually explored in jazz, rock, and other styles. For many a drummer across…

by Martin Patmos
Oct 31, 2017

New Gear from Tama, Ahead, Remo and Wuhan!

Tama Lars Ulrich Worldwired Starclassic Drumkit As part of the Starclassic series, this six-piece limited-edition replica kit features 8-ply/7mm maple bass drums and 6-ply/5mm maple toms. This pro-level instrument has the same purple finish as the kit Lars uses on…

Modern Drummer
Oct 31, 2017

Queens of the Stone Age’s Jon Theodore

It’s been four years since the esteemed ex–Mars Volta drummer began playing in QotSA. Now we’ve been gifted with the multifarious Villains, and at long last we get to hear what he sounds like on a full-length record with the…

Story by David Ciauro | Photos by Andreas Neumann
Oct 31, 2017

Los Cabos - White Hickory, Red Hickory, and Maple Drumsticks

Top-notch products from a smaller Canadian company with big-time aspirations.

by Michael Dawson
Oct 31, 2017

What’s Your Favorite Prog Drumming Record?

To coincide with this month’s feature on twelve heartland prog-rock drumming albums, we asked our readers and social media followers for their own favorite prog records. Plenty of choices featuring drum legends such as Bill Bruford, Neil Peart, and Phil…

Modern Drummer
Oct 31, 2017
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Yamaha - Rydeen RDP2F5 Drumset

An excellent entry-level option with quality sound and sturdy hardware.

by Michael Dawson
Oct 31, 2017

Sonor Swinger

When the indie rock group Faux in Love went into the Guilford Sound studio in Guilford, Vermont, to record its latest record, drummer Bruce Black decided to bring this vintage, late-1960s Sonor Swinger setup. According to Black, and confirmed to…

Modern Drummer
Oct 31, 2017

John Blackwell Jr.

On July 4, the drumming world suffered a heavy blow with the passing of John Blackwell Jr. Known for his deep pocket, powerful playing, and visual flash, Blackwell was a renowned performer and educator whose work included tours and recordings…

Story by Drew Schultz | Photo by Miguel Monroy
Oct 31, 2017

Modern Drummer 2018 Readers Poll

Make your voice heard in the most important poll in the drumming world! Voting is open November 1-24, 2017. Hall of Fame Jimmy Cobb Roger Hawkins Levon Helm Danny Seraphine Clyde Stubblefield Studio Jay Bellerose Matt Chamberlain Steve Jordan Miles…

Modern Drummer
Oct 31, 2017

John Aldridge

The famed engraver, drum tech, and vintage enthusiast helped start a movement.

by Harry Cangany
Oct 31, 2017

Mark Guiliana

Touring is tough. And the ordeal of modern flying has upped the headache factor. But Mark Guiliana has learned to deal: He’s traveling ultra-light and loving it. The Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet is touring the U.S. and Europe in support…

by Jeff Potter
Oct 31, 2017

Justin Brown

Thirty-three-year-old Oakland, California, native Justin Brown is an extremely busy bicoastal musician whose drumming with Thundercat, Gerald Clayton, Christian McBride, Stefon Harris, Kenny Garrett, Esperanza Spalding, and Vijay Iyer is simply a foretaste of his brilliant debut album as a…

Story by Ken Micallef | Photos by Paul La Raia
Oct 31, 2017
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Roy Mayorga With Stone Sour

With the hot new album Hydrograd in hand and health issues put well behind him, the drummer is amped to be back on the road for Stone Sour’s headlining tour.

by Kim Kicks
Oct 31, 2017

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