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February 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 2

In 4/4 Western music—whether rock or jazz—the backbeat is usually played on beats 2 and 4. In 12/8, the backbeat often falls on the 8th-note counts of beats 4 and 10. Typical backbeat placement in 4/4 and 12/8 is notated as follows.
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Articles in February 2018

PROGPOWER USA XVIII

The Progressive-Metal Festival Heats Up in the Heart of Atlanta

Text and photos by Mike Haid
Dec 28, 2017

JD McPherson’s Jason Smay

He might’ve had his sights set on a different musical path, but the skills he honed sure come in handy today, driving the tunes of one of the coolest roots rockers on the scene.

Story by Patrick Berkery | Photos by Rick Malkin
Dec 28, 2017

Dare to Drum

A recently released documentary shows what happens when an esteemed percussion ensemble, a famous rock drummer, a world-class symphony orchestra, and a somewhat cranky Mother Nature come together for a unique musical event.

by Lauren Vogel Weiss
Dec 28, 2017

Hendrix - Perfect Ply Series Drumset

A warmer and rounder-sounding 4-ply counterpart to the company’s hi-fi, snappy stave setups.

by Michael Dawson
Dec 28, 2017
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Jim Eno of Spoon

For three consecutive nights during the 2017 South by Southwest conference, the Austin punk rock mecca Emo’s was temporarily christened Eno’s in honor of the headlining band’s drummer.

Story by Stephen Bidwell | Photos by Jessica Alexander
Dec 28, 2017

Tony Newman

A true survivor, this swashbuckling British drummer brings tales from the golden age of rock ’n’ roll excess—and some of the heaviest performances of the era.

Story by Will Romano | Photos by Jeff Ragland
Dec 28, 2017

Exploring Five-Over-Three

Mastering a Difficult Grouping, Step by Step

by Aaron Edgar
Dec 28, 2017

Paul Wertico’s Turn the Beat Around

Paul Wertico long ago established himself as a creative force. He’s a drummer with excellent technique, great feel, and a strong sense of texture and color. But he also constantly makes observations, asks questions, and comes up with unique approaches…

by Martin Patmos
Dec 28, 2017

Pearl Jam/Soundgarden Drummer Matt Cameron Enlists David Bowie’s Blackstar Drummer, Mark Guiliana, for His Latest Solo Album

Photo by Danny Clinch Matt Cameron may be widely known as the drummer with two iconic bands, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, but those who’ve followed his career closely know he’s also a multi-instrumentalist who occasionally releases music as a leader.…

Interview by Ken Micallef
Jan 11, 2018

Matt Wilson - The Ambassador of Unvention

An experienced pursuer of the unfamiliar, and a compassionate leader who’s unafraid to unleash, the eternally curious drummer carves a unique way along his journey of musical discovery—all the while bringing as many of us along as he can. During…

Story by Willie Rose | Photos by John Abbott
Dec 28, 2017

Steve Nisbett of the Iconic Reggae Band Steel Pulse

Steel Pulse, featuring Steve “Grizzly” Nisbett, second from right   This story originally ran in the August 2012 issue of Modern Drummer.   He barely knew what to do with a reggae groove when he started his climb to the…

by Ben Meyer
Jan 19, 2018
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Italian Vintage Drums and Cymbals

Vintage drum expert Luca Luciano’s book is a fascinating introduction to some of the most unusual drums you’ll likely never see.

by Adam Budofsky
Dec 28, 2017

Bebop Syncopation

Part 2: Philly Joe Jones

Article by Mike Alfieri | Photo by Saulmon C. Addison
Dec 28, 2017

James Cassells on Asking Alexandria’s Asking Alexandria

A little more than a year after reuniting with original lead singer Danny Worsnop, the genre-straddling heavy rock group Asking Alexandria released its fifth studio album this past December 15. Partly inspired by the reunion with Worsnop, the rested and…

by Ben Meyer
Dec 28, 2017

DW - 5000 Series Lowboy Hi-Hat

A modernized throwback to the original sock cymbal.

by Michael Dawson
Dec 28, 2017

Beier - 6.5x15 and 7.5x15 Steel Snares

Extra depth for larger-than-life backbeats.

by Michael Dawson
Dec 28, 2017

Around and Around We Go

It’s hard to believe that we’ve already turned the corner toward another year, and Modern Drummer is celebrating forty-two years of publishing in 2018. While that pales in comparison to the 4.54 billion times this rock we live on has…

by Michael Dawson
Dec 28, 2017

Led Zeppelin book, Carl Palmer DVD, Peter Erskine, Todd Sucherman, and more!

MULTIMEDIA Led Zeppelin: All the Albums, All the Songs by Martin Popoff This survey of the legendary rock band’s studio albums falls short of getting to the heart of drummer John Bonham’s gifts, so let’s take the opportunity to paint…

Modern Drummer
Dec 28, 2017
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Sonny Emory

On the advantage of formal study. Formal study is paramount for any drummer who’s looking to be versatile enough to sustain a career. Unless you happen to be lucky enough to be in a band that’s already successful. But being…

Interview by Bob Girouard | Photo by Petra Turk
Dec 28, 2017

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