Search
Advertisement

September 2017 Issue – Volume 41 • Number 9

A drumming cartoon made the rounds on the Internet and had an impact on me. In the first panel, a bandleader watches a drummer’s blazing display of chops and says, “You’re amazing.” In the second panel, the drummer plays a simple kick and snare groove, and the bandleader says, “You’re hired.” I’ve always taken the second image to heart by focusing on groove, feel, tone, creativity, and the recording process.
TO READ THE FULL STORY:

Articles in September 2017

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

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

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

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

Steve Smith

IN THE PROCESS

Story by Ilya Stemkovsky | Photos by Rick Malkin
Jul 26, 2017
Advertisement

Collapsed Rudiments

Concepts to Alter Feel and Space

by Stephane Chamberland
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

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

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

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

Live and Learn: A Health Insurance Primer for Musicians

With all of the uncertainty surrounding how federal and state governments will be approaching health care law in the future, it’s tempting to throw up your hands and shout, Wake me up when the dust settles! Unfortunately, the vast majority…

by Kim Kicks
Jul 26, 2017

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
Advertisement

How Do You Present Yourself?

Consistency Is the Key

by Russ Miller
Jul 26, 2017

Custom Craviotto

German drummer, composer, and producer Konstantin Septinus is the proud owner of this handcrafted 2014 maple Craviotto drumset. The kit includes 10" and 12" toms and an 18" bass drum, as well as a special-edition solid cherry snare. “The snare…

Modern Drummer
Jul 26, 2017

Willie Jones III on Gerald Cannon’s Combinations

A jazz drummer and producer burns on a longstanding musical partner’s sophomore effort as a leader.

by Jeff Potter
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

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

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

by Michael Dawson
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
Advertisement

Universal Audio - Apollo 8P Interface

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

by Michael Dawson
Jul 26, 2017

Advertisement