Departments
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Morgan Rose’s Sevendust Touring Drums
Drums: Pearl Music City Custom Reference Pure Series in Red Sparkle: 18 X 22 Kick, 18 x 20 Kick, 9 x 10 Rack, 9 x 12 Rack, 16 x 16 Floor w/ legs, 16 x 18 Floor w/ legs. Snares: Brass 6.5 x 14 Snare, 6.5 x 13 Aux Snare. Cymbals: Sabian-…
Thommy Price: A Rebel with A Cause
The fact that Brooklyn born, Staten Island raised rock ‘n’ roll drummer Thommy Price played on records by Joan Jett, Billy Idol, Scandal, Roger Daltrey (The Who,) Rick Ocasek (The Cars,) Debby Harry (Blondie,) Scandal, Blue Oyster Cült, Ron Wood…
Out Now February 2026
Modern Drummer enjoys spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in the…
“Don’t Touch That Dial!”
The expression “don’t touch that dial” was uttered frequently during the heyday of radio in the 1930s when broadcasters wanted to ensure that their listeners would not stray and tune-in to another station (“… and now, a word from our…
A Longing After 22 Years of Musical Hibernation
Ian Roberts began drumming at the age of 11 and played passionately for 20 years, until the birth of his son in 2000. At that point, family and work became his top priorities, and he completely stepped away from music…
Why Do You Play Drums?
A student recently asked me why I play drums. In my 45 years of playing drums and 25 years of teaching, I have been asked a lot of difficult questions. However, this answer seemed simple. Whenever I heard drumming as…
Scott Phillips’ Creed Tour Kit
Drums: DW Jazz Series Kit with Gold Hardware: 8×10 Rack Tom, 9×12 Rack Tom, 16×16 Floor Tom, 18×18 Floor Tom, 18×22 Kick Drum, 6.5×14 Brass/Nickel Snare, (2) spare 6.5×14 Brass Snares (not pictured.) Evans Drumheads: Snare Batter- Heavyweight, Snare Reso – Hazy 300 w/ 20 strand Blaster snare wires, Toms Batter – G2 Clear, Toms Resonant – G1 Clear,…
New Releases Featuring the Drumming of: Mike Buck and Fran Christina, Makaya McCraven, Billy Hart, Luther Rix, Carl Allen, Joe Farnsworth, Rudy Royston, Jeff McAllister, Kendrick Scott, Brandon Sanders, and Eric McPherson. And books by Rob Bowman, and Angel Bartolotta
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in the…
PASIC50 Celebration
The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) is the world’s largest non-profit, music-service organization whose mission is to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world. Each year, they host an amazing event known as Percussive Arts Society International Convention…
Steve Gadd, Sublimation in Action
One would need to be the proverbial hermit living in a cave since the mid-1970s to have not heard the drumming of Steve Gadd. And one would necessarily be a grinch or a grouch to not appreciate the skill, power,…
Jenna’s Drums with Some Southern Charm
After meeting drummer Jenna Kopitske at the Music City Drum Show in Nashville, we were excited that Jenna reached out to us to show off her kit. Jenna’s Prizm Blue finish Pearl Export EXR Series Kit is beautiful. Her toms…
The Social Groove of Change
Playing and creating music is a social activity. Both of this month’s feature interviews state the importance of playing music with people. It’s an important step in becoming a musician (not “just” a drummer.) Whether you are making beats with…
2025: In Memoriam
The Drummers and Percussionists We Lost In 2025 The drumming community is a close one, our many shared experiences in drumming, our sacrifices for our artform, and our love of drumming establishes a bond that unites us all. When we…
Adam Reed’s Ice Nine Kills Touring Kit
Drums: SJC Custom Drums, Custom M5 Maple Shell with Custom Popcorn Butcher Hoops, 6.5 x14 Alpha Hammered Brass Snare, 9×12 Rack Tom, 16×16 Floor, 20×22 Kick. Cymbals: (Left to right) – 15” Meinl Pure Alloy Medium Hats, 10” Meinl Polyphonic…