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September 2017 Issue – Volume 41 • Number 9

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 Anderson, among others, John Colpitts (i.e., Man Forever) often electrifies and sends percussive shockwaves undulating through stratified sonic layers of drones, jazz, polymetric playfulness, and hypnotic minimalism. Track four, “Twin Torches,” is a genre-hopping tour de force, buzzing with fiery, funky, syncopated patterns that both complement and counteract Anderson’s icy spoken-word transmissions. This material does have its precedents, including Anderson’s own Big Science, but the artistic trajectory plotted here should provide inspiration for drummers toiling in ambiguous genres. (Thrill Jockey) Will Romano Adam Deitch Quartet Egyptian Secrets Anyone needing proof of the scope of Deitch’s drumming craft will be convinced by this joyously grooving set. Borrowing saxman Ryan Zoidis and […]
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Articles in September 2017

Oceans Ate Alaska’s Chris Turner

Since 2011, the British technical metalcore group Oceans Ate Alaska has been carving its way through the modern hardcore scene, driven by drummer, primary composer, and chops madman Chris Turner. After releasing two EPs in 2012, the group signed to…

Story by Willie Rose | Photos by Ryan Watanabe
Jul 26, 2017

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
by Dylan Wissing
Jul 26, 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

A New Realm of Groove

Quintuplet Applications

by Aaron Edgar
Jul 26, 2017
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Tesla’s Troy Luccketta

“Back in 1987, when I first signed with Tama, I wasn’t all that familiar with their drums,” says Troy Luccketta, who this year celebrates thirty years of touring with the veteran hard-rock band Tesla. “What Tama has done over the…

Interview and photos by Sayre Berman
Jul 26, 2017

How Do You Present Yourself?

Consistency Is the Key

by Russ Miller
Jul 26, 2017

Barry “Frosty” Smith Passes, D’Addario Awards Six Grants, Roland Announces New Partnership and More

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…

Modern Drummer
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

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

Skid Row’s Rob Hammersmith

As drummers, the idea of leaving home for a gig with just a few small items can be stressful. For most of us, the choices we make regarding gear are well-thought-out decisions based on research, experimentation, and experience. The idea…

Rob Hammersmith
Jul 26, 2017
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10 Reasons to Love Bev Bevan

There likely weren’t many impassioned “Where’s Bev?” cries at the several dozen shows Electric Light Orchestra founder Jeff Lynne performed as “Jeff Lynne’s E.L.O.” during 2015 and 2016, and that’s understandable. Though longtime drummer Bev Bevan formed the Electric Light…

by Patrick Berkery
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

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

Steve Smith

IN THE PROCESS

Story by Ilya Stemkovsky | Photos by Rick Malkin
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
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Rhythmic Conversions

Part 4: Swinging the Half-Note Triplet

by Steve Fidyk
Jul 26, 2017

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