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January 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 1

Being in the band for the infamous Spider-Man show on Broadway required him to nail his cues as packed houses hung on to every wild moment of a sensational live-action musical circus. It’s all in the bag of tricks for today’s working pro, whose duties require single-minded preparation, nerves of steel, and the ability to make up a perfect part in the blink of an eye.
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Articles in January 2018

Dream - Energy Series Additions and Dark Matter Eclipse Ride

Big, all-purpose plates and a clean, quick dual-finish ride.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017

Malachi DeLorenzo on Langhorne Slim’s Lost at Last, Vol. 1

A drummer and producer talks about the subtle, refined, and contemplated figures and tones that bedeck an indie/folk singer-songwriter’s latest release.

Story by Willie Rose | Photo by Derek Brad
Nov 30, 2017

Promark - Classic 5A FireGrain Drumsticks

Fire-hardened for increased durability.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017

SJC - Paramount Series Shell Pack

A professional-quality, affordably priced kit designed to exceed nearly any working drummer’s needs.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017
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Live Vibes

Having somewhat recently moved to northern New Jersey, I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to check out some of the jazz clubs that have long defined New York City culture. Although some of the more prominent venues have moved from their…

by Willie Rose
Nov 30, 2017

Matt Wilson, Stanton Moore, and Brad Dutz Take the Reins

RECORDINGS Entheos Dark Future Embracing a trend that’s become more popular lately, NAVENE KOPERWEIS chose to forgo sample enhancement and heavy quantization on his band’s second full-length release in as many years. Ravenously awaited by Entheos’s quickly expanding fan base,…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

Rhythmic Conversions, Part 6: Funk Grooves and the Half-Note Triplet

In this lesson we’ll superimpose a new tempo over an existing pulse using a half-note triplet, and we’ll manipulate the subdivision to create funk grooves in the implied pulse. Be sure to practice these patterns with a metronome and work…

by Steve Fidyk
Nov 30, 2017

Accented Three-Note Groupings

Unique Variations and Phrases

by Rick Gratton
Nov 30, 2017

Chris Cohen

Chris Cohen describes himself as a member of the Portastudio generation. It’s a classification he’s coined to describe musicians, now in their late thirties and early forties, who cut their teeth in production with Tascam’s legendary Porta One tape machine.…

Story by Keith Carne | Photo by Dominick Mastrangelo
Nov 30, 2017

Paul Koehler With Silverstein

Hot off the release of a new record, the heavy hitter propels his tireless rock band around the world with a never-stop attitude.

Story by Willie Rose | Photo by Daniel Hadfield
Nov 30, 2017

Create Your Own Success

Before, During, and After the “Big Gig”

by Jim Riley
Nov 30, 2017
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Absolute Music

Bournemouth, England

Interview by Patrick Berkery
Nov 30, 2017

The Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins

As any recording artist will tell you, part of the fun of heading into a project with a new producer is not knowing exactly what sonic pathways you’re going to find yourself exploring, or just what the final result is…

Story by Ken Micallef | Photos by Alex Solca
Nov 30, 2017

“A Little Better All the Time”

This month’s featured kit comes to us from Edward McCarthy of West Springfield, Massachusetts, who recently purchased this vintage 1970s Ludwig set. McCarthy explains that the drums, which were originally covered in a wine-red wrap, had seen better days. But…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

Steve Jordan - 10 Things the Groove Master Has to Have on Tour

https://vimeo.com/243198181 No touring musician is exempt from the grueling demands of life on the road. Whether he’s playing sold-out arenas with John Mayer or Eric Clapton or hip clubs with Robert Cray or the Verbs, Steve Jordan has ten things…

Interview, Photo & Video by Miguel Monroy
Nov 30, 2017

The New Pornographers’ Joe Seiders

Hundreds of stories have appeared in MD over the years with drummers talking about the skills that helped them land a particular gig. This typically ranges from a knack for supporting songs with creative, unobtrusive playing to the ability to…

Story by Patrick Berkery | Photos by Alex Solca
Nov 30, 2017

Hi-Hat Accents - Adding Melody to Your Grooves

https://vimeo.com/243360989 In this lesson we’ll embellish 16th-note grooves with hi-hat accents. In Exercises 1–4, accents are placed on the main hi-hat in the first measure, and in the second measure the right-handed accents are moved to the ride or an…

Article by Powell Randolph | Photo by Ken Howie
Nov 30, 2017

What Album Features Your Favorite Drum Tone?

Drummers have long lauded and attempted to duplicate certain distinct tones from records that span a variety of decades and genres. John Bonham’s powerful, booming tone with Led Zeppelin, Elvin Jones’ thunderous onrush with John Coltrane, and Stewart Copeland’s dry…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017
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Ibeyi

These dynamic siblings derive much inspiration from their ancestry. But the direction of their art is undeniably full speed ahead.

by Robin Tolleson
Nov 30, 2017

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