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February 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 2

Jason Smay was destined to hold it down for throwbacks like the roots rocker JD McPherson and the Mexican-wrestling-mask-wearing, surf-rock instrumentalists Los Straitjackets. Growing up just outside Rochester, New York, Smay leaned heavily retro in his tastes. He loved vintage hot rods and motorcycles (he remains an avid collector and tinkerer) and old-school jazz, R&B, and rock.
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Articles in February 2018

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

Led Zeppelin Experience’s Jason Bonham

Jason Bonham and his Led Zeppelin Experience band have been touring for the past year to celebrate an important anniversary. “It was forty years ago when Led Zeppelin toured the USA ,” says Jason, with a big smile. Jason has…

Interview and photos by Sayre Berman
Dec 28, 2017

The Fundamentals of 3/4 Rock

Where to Play the Backbeat

by Joel Rothman
Dec 28, 2017

Booker Stardrum

The drummer, who grew up in a household steeped in top-level twentieth-century classical music performance, has built up an impressive résumé featuring some of the most compelling experimental pop and rock groups of the past decade. He’s also released an…

Story by Adam Budofsky | Photos by Alex Solca
Dec 28, 2017

Moeller Through the Chapin Lens

Examining Upstroke and Downstroke Mechanics

by Claus Hessler
Dec 28, 2017
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Tailor-Made Top Hat

Chuck Riebling of Ellicott City, Maryland, started putting this kit together in 2004 after purchasing four blank maple Keller shells. He then brought the drums—a 10-ply 7x13 snare, 6-ply 8x12 and 14x14 toms, and a 10-ply 14x20 bass drum—to vintage…

Modern Drummer
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

Two-Limb Patterns

Grooving Over Linear Ostinatos

by Joel Popelsky
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

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

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

New Gear from SJC, OCDP, Protection Racket, Rhythm House Drums, DrumLite, and Black Swamp!

SJC Custom Drums Foundation Series Hardware The Foundation series of hardware offers professional-quality, heavy-duty stands and pedals. The X line features double-braced legs, gearless cymbal tilters, and hinged memory locks. The Flatline series includes double-braced flat-base cymbal stands. The six-piece,…

Modern Drummer
Dec 28, 2017
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Bebop Syncopation

Part 2: Philly Joe Jones

Article by Mike Alfieri | Photo by Saulmon C. Addison
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

Can Feel Be Taught, or Is It a Gift?

Can Feel Be Taught, or Is It a Gift? Unlike certain aspects of drumming, suchas timing, technique, and dynamics, developing a drummer’s sense of groove or feel can be somewhat of an ambiguous task. Even more obscuring is the debate…

Modern Drummer
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

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

Vater - Acorn Tip and Player’s Design Drumstick Additions

Uniquely shaped signature models and a classic-shaped bead for the most popular sizes.

by Michael Dawson
Dec 28, 2017

DW - 5000 Series Lowboy Hi-Hat

A modernized throwback to the original sock cymbal.

by Michael Dawson
Dec 28, 2017
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Elizabeth Goodfellow With Iron & Wine

The drummer, percussionist, and vocalist invigorates a seasoned indie artist’s new album and extensive back catalog.

by Willie Rose
Dec 28, 2017

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