Search
Advertisement

September 2017 Issue – Volume 41 • Number 9

Barry “Frosty” Smith Passes Barry “Frosty” Smith died this past April 12. The drummer, known by many for his work with the popular soul-rock organist and singer Lee Michaels, worked in multiple genres since the late 1960s, and his devotees included none other than John Bonham, as well as a countless number of drummers in Austin, Texas, where he made his home in 1981. Smith was born in Bellingham, Washington, and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, and was a child tap-dance prodigy who studied classical piano before taking up the drums. The nickname Frosty was derived from his chosen stage name of Bartholomew Eugene Smith-Frost, as he was credited on Lee Michaels albums. The few available videos of this duo provide great insight into the drummer’s early command of the instrument, while the ten-minute solo “Frosty’s” from Michaels’ self-titled 1969 LP is a master class in phrasing, textures, […]
TO READ THE FULL STORY:

Articles in September 2017

Dams of the West’s Gabriela Jimeno and Chris Tomson

Roles flip, as the drummer for the indie-rock hitmakers Vampire Weekend steps out from behind the kit to front his own project while recruiting an established solo artist, frontwoman, and drummer to handle his grooves live. The New York–based, world-music-influenced…

Story by Willie Rose | Photos by Alex Solca
Jul 26, 2017

Eddie Fisher

Bands get cut loose from record labels all the time, but finding a new home is much easier when a group’s drummer thinks and plays like a record producer. The members of OneRepublic can vouch for that. Eddie Fisher was…

Story by Robin Tolleson | Photos by Brody Harper
Jul 26, 2017

Favorite Steve Smith Track?

Since the mid-’70s, Steve Smith’s drumming has enhanced a wide range of albums within the rock, jazz, and fusion genres. Classic hits, jazz-fusion escapades, and even Indian-influenced pursuits adorn the drummer’s discography with artists such as Journey, Jean-Luc Ponty, and…

Modern Drummer
Jul 26, 2017

Doc Sweeney - Serengeti Stave-Shell Drumset

A dual-species stave-shell kit with dark overtones, depth, and power.

by Miguel Monroy
Jul 26, 2017

Rhythmic Conversions

Part 4: Swinging the Half-Note Triplet

by Steve Fidyk
Jul 26, 2017
Advertisement

Love Custom Drums - Brass, Copper, and Old Steel Snares

Versatile but unique shades of awesome at prices a working drummer can afford.

by Michael Dawson
Jul 26, 2017

A New Realm of Groove

Quintuplet Applications

by Aaron Edgar
Jul 26, 2017

Samba Drumming - Applications and Attitude

The Brazilian samba rhythm is one of the most popular feels in the world. It’s an infectious groove that’s especially popular among dancers, but also among musicians in the jazz field and beyond. The samba bass drum and hi-hat-foot ostinato…

by Rich Redmond
Jul 26, 2017

Collapsed Rudiments

Concepts to Alter Feel and Space

by Stephane Chamberland
Jul 26, 2017

KHS L.A. Drum Day

KHS America, the parent company and distributor of Sonor drums, Mapex drums, and NFUZD electronics, hosted L.A. Drum Day this past April at Swing House Studios. The event was packed with clinics, performances, gear demos, giveaways, and one-day-only special deals.…

Text by John Martinez | Photos by Alex Solca
Jul 26, 2017

Universal Audio - Apollo 8P Interface

A professional-grade eight-channel unit with advanced analog-modeling technology.

by Michael Dawson
Jul 26, 2017

On Topic: R&B Legend James Gadson

On Knowing When the Vibe Is Right It’s a feeling that comes over you. Everybody’s on the same wavelength. Before click tracks, the music really breathed. Pro Tools is cool, but it’s not as true as analog. On Starting Out…

Interview by Bob Girouard | Photo by Derek McCoy
Jul 26, 2017
Advertisement

Your Voice

Each month, as we prepare content for the current issue of Modern Drummer, we post a drumming-related question at our online outlets, sort through responses from MD readers and social media followers, and print some of the answers in our…

by Willie Rose
Jul 26, 2017

How Do You Present Yourself?

Consistency Is the Key

by Russ Miller
Jul 26, 2017
by Dylan Wissing
Jul 26, 2017

Chad Gracey With Live

The original lineup of the ’90s rock hitmakers reunites for a string of live dates and more.

by Willie Rose
Jul 26, 2017

V-Classic - V.16 5th-Anniversary Cymbals

Funky new designs from one of Turkey’s most creative companies.

by Michael Dawson
Jul 26, 2017

New releases by Adam Deitch, Man Forever, and Nate Smith

RECORDINGS Taking the Reins Man Forever Play What They Want With his latest drum project, Oneida’s John Colpitts, aka Kid Millions, trashes musical labels while thrashing his kit. Aided by contributions from the percussion ensemble Tigue and avant-garde icon Laurie…

Modern Drummer
Jul 26, 2017
Advertisement

Drums From Above

A photographer focuses on a way to shoot pro drummers that is certain to appeal to the Erector Set kid in all of us.

Modern Drummer
Jul 26, 2017

Advertisement