February 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 2
Articles in February 2018
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.
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…
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…
Vater - Acorn Tip and Player’s Design Drumstick Additions
Uniquely shaped signature models and a classic-shaped bead for the most popular sizes.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Hendrix - Perfect Ply Series Drumset
A warmer and rounder-sounding 4-ply counterpart to the company’s hi-fi, snappy stave setups.
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…
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.
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.