February 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 2
Articles in February 2019
In Memoriam: Joel Smith
Remembering the hugely influential and multifaceted gospel drummer. Joel Smith, one of the most prolific drummers in the gospel music scene, passed away this past September 8 at the age of fifty-eight. Beginning in the mid ’70s, Smith carved out…
Percussion Kinetics Vector G1 Double Pedal
A strong, smooth option for double-kick players looking to make foot positioning more ergonomic. Percussion Kinetics developed the G1 single pedal several years ago so drummers could sit at the kit with a more natural outward-turned foot position without having to…
Beck's Chris Coleman
MD checked in with pop/R&B drummer Chris Coleman while he was on tour with Beck. “Beck is very meticulous about every sound that comes off that stage,” says Coleman, “but I couldn’t be more different from his drummer of the…
New Gear from Tama, Zildjian, Roland, Sabian and more!
Tama Starclassic Performer B/B Exotix Tigerwood Kit and S.L.P. Big Black Steel Snare Tama’s Starclassic Performer BB kit is now available in Gloss Natural Tigerwood and Midnight Blue Tigerwood finishes with Brushed Black Nickel hardware. Features include die-cast hoops and Star-Cast mounting…
Tama Classic Stand Series
Sturdier versions of vintage-style, lightweight designs for more modern applications. A couple years ago, Tama revived the simple, compact, and lightweight design of cymbal stands from the 1960s with the flat-base Classic model. The company has since fleshed out an…
Jawbox’s For Your Own Special Sweetheart
After emerging from Washington D.C.’s legendary late-’80s post-hardcore scene, Jawbox came of age on their 1994 major-label debut—thanks to the addition of powerhouse drummer Zach Barocas. Jawbox was under a great deal of scrutiny when For Your Own Special Sweetheart…
Jack Stratton on Vulfpeck's Hill Climber
The multitalented group infuses nasty feels and refreshing sounds into a modern funk setting. Here their founding drummer sounds off on their latest killing outing. Since forming at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance in 2011,…
What’s Your Favorite Tony Williams Album?
In this month’s Jazz Drummer’s Workshop, the Brooklyn-based drummer and educator Mike Alfieri demonstrates ways to develop unique ride patterns inspired by the jazz great Tony Williams. To coincide with the piece, we asked our readers and social media followers…
Doc Sweeney RX Series Drumset
Doc Sweeney Drums specializes in building top-notch snares and kits out of exotic and domestic woods in solid, single-ply, stave, and now hybrid configurations.
Dave Elitch’s Getting Out of Your Own Way: A Multitude of Subtleties
Dave Elitch is not happy with all the false prophets out there. And with his new, super in-depth instructional course, he’s on a mission to tell all who will listen how to really take their drumming to the next level.…
10 Reasons to Love Pete Thomas
Whittling down the list of worthy tracks to just the ten covered here was a difficult task.
Crack The Sky's Joey D'AmicoFebruary 2019
His musical road hasn’t always been smoothly paved—or paved at all.
Scott Quintana with Kacey Musgraves
“Less is more” for the tasteful Nashville touring and session pro, as he accompanies a chart-topping modern country music star around the world.
Bobby Z of the Revolution
No one could ever replace a musician as iconic as Prince. What we still can do, however, is celebrate his life and work with the musicians who helped make him who he was in the first place.
The Vintage Double Bass Monster
The Brooklyn-based drummer and educator David Clive, who plays with the New York groups the Nawlins Funk Band, Carla V, and John Putnam and Used Blues, assembled this month’s featured vintage Gretsch beauty. Clive, who also teaches at the College of…
New Recordings from Donald Sturge Anthony McKenzie II, Dan Weiss, and more!
RECORDINGS Taking The Reins Donald Sturge Anthony McKenzie II Silenced One drummer’s unique and bold statement on topical events. On Silenced, accomplished drummer/composer Donald Sturge Anthony McKenzie II and an impressive cast of collaborators (including Nels Cline) navigate a series of…
The Modern Drummer Guide to Reading Rhythms - Part 3
Part 3: 8th Notes and 8th-Note Rests