(Available in print August 30, 2015; digitally August 27, 2015)

On the Cover

Ilan Rubin

“From a young age I was taught to treat being a musician as a real skill. At twenty, when I joined Nine Inch Nails, I thought, ‘This is the kind of organization I want to be a part of.’”
Trent Reznor isn’t the only rock star who’s seen the value of Ilan Rubin’s mature approach to art and commerce; the members of Paramore and Angels & Airwaves have tapped his considerable skills as well. In his first MD cover story, the multi-instrumentalist talks about those gigs, as well as the latest album by the band he leads, the New Regime. By Ken Micallef.

FEATURES

Catching Up With… the Grateful Dead’s BILL
KREUTZMANN and Faith No More’s MIKE BORDIN

Terence Blanchard’s OSCAR SEATON finds freedom in the grooves. – by Ken Micallef

BLAKE RICHARDSON advances the future with Between the Buried and Me. – by David Ciauro

Classic-rock vet JOE VITALEtakes it to the silver screen in Ricki and the Flash. – by Billy Amendola

Up & Coming: Royal Blood’s: BEN THATCHER.
Inside today’s hottest, heaviest two-piece. by Ken Micallef

A Different View with JOHN TROPEA: notes on Cobham, Gadd, Purdie, Pelton, and more. by Billy Amendola

EDUCATION

Basics – Necessary Ruffness Make Your Grooves Percolate
With Subtle Doubles – by Rich Redmond (click here for supplemental video content)

Strictly Technique – Build a More Balanced
Double-Stroke Roll Inverting the Diddles to Increase Strength and Precision – by Jeff W. Johnson

Rock ’n’ Jazz Clinic – The Flexible Five Exploring the Five-Stroke Roll
on the Drumset – by Mike Johnston (click here for supplemental video content)

Jazz Drummer’s Workshop – Swing Style 101 Part 2: The Other Half – by Justin Varnes

Teacher’s Forum – A Yogi’s Approach to Learning Drums Awareness Exercises for Developing a More Fluid Connection With the Instrument – by Nicholas Schlesinger

Rock Perspectives – Progressive Drumming Essentials Part 4: How to Feel Odd Subdivisions (click here for supplemental video content)

Concepts The Responsibility Is Ours – by Russ Miller

EQUIPMENT

Product Close-Up
• Angel Black Wenge Segment-Shell Drumset (click here for supplemental video content)
• V-Classic Hi-Hats, Crashes, Rides, and Jingle Splashes (click here for supplemental video content)
• DTS 6.5×14 Oscar Seaton Hybrid-Shell Snare (click here for supplemental video content)
• Stellar 3-Ply and Walnut/Bird’s-Eye Maple Wood Hoops

Electronic Review – 9 iOS Apps Every Drummer Should Know Metronomes, Play-Alongs, and More (click here for supplemental video content)

Gearing Up Every Time I Die’s Daniel Davison

New and Notable

DEPARTMENTS

AN EDITOR’S OVERVIEW
Tools in Technology by Michael Dawson

Readers’ Platform

News

It’s QuestionableNickel and Chrome Plating: What’s the Difference?

Showcase Featuring Drum Market

Critique

Backbeats
The 2015 Chicago Drum Show • DrumPhest 2015

Kit of the Month Silver Sparkler

and more!