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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.
Hand-Picked Vinyl October 2024
As the music world continues to see a resurgence in Vinyl (LP’s,) Vinyl Me Please (VMP) is curating and producing some of the best vinyl remasters and pressings around. They are scouring the history of recorded music for forgotten gems…
Out Now October 2024
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 high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performances from the drummer and/or musicians in the band.…
The 2024 Music City Drum Show
The Music City Drum Show, now in its fourth year, once again proved to be a spectacular event; this year it was held at the Nashville Fairgrounds on July 20-21, 2024. The show has grown and evolved significantly since its…
Dennis Chambers’ solo from John Scofield’s “Pick Hits”
Dennis Chambers’ solo on “Pick Hits” from the live recording of the same name is the “soup du jour” this month. I consider Dennis to be on the Mount Rushmore of drummers—a rare group who revolutionized how the rest of…
Joe Boyd: And the Routes of Rhythm Remain: A Journey Through Global Music.
Drummers usually talk about the same drummers, and we all know their names. But producers and music lovers often talk about a different list of drummers. Joe Boyd is one such producer, music lover, and author. In his legendary career…
Brian Thompson: Rack ‘em Up!
This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of the Month comes from Brian Thompson. Brian’s entire kit is mounted on a cool Gibraltar Stealth Docking Station rack consisting of a no-leg hi-hat stand, snare basket, 22” hoop over the bass, and a…
Drums and Sports
Let’s start here. Music is not a sport, and any attempt to make music or drumming into a sporting event where there are winners, losers, best, and worst, is something that I am (basically) against. Healthy competition can be advantageous…
J-Rod Sullivan’s Janet Jackson Touring Kit
Photos by Jason Mehler Drums: Pearl Masters Maple Gum Kit in Piano Black – 7X8 rack tom, 7×10 rack tom, 8×12 rack, 16×16 floor, 16×18 floor, 18×22 kick. Snares: 6.5×14 Pearl Reference 20-ply (main), 8×14 Pearl Reference One (low), 5×12 Pearl…
Hand-Picked Vinyl September 2024
As the music world continues to see a resurgence in Vinyl (LP’s,) Vinyl Me,Please (VMP) is curating and producing some of the best vinyl remasters and pressings around. They are scouring the history of recorded music for forgotten gems and…
Out Now September 2024
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 performances from the drummer and/or musicians in the band.…
Green Day’s “Before The Lobotomy” drummer Tre Cool
“Before the Lobotomy,” the fifth track on Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown, showcases the talent of brilliant punk drummer Tré Cool (Frank Edwin Wright III.) We chose this track because of its simple, yet powerful, odd time signature groove that…
Tama Superstar Warlord Combo
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Andrew Naish. Andrew’s kit is actually a combination of two different Tama kits. The first kit is a Tama Superstar Hyperdrive Dark Mocha Fade kit in 7×10, 8×12, 12×14, 14×16…
Broadly Speaking
Near the conclusion of an album project being recorded in New York City at Sear Sound, I was overdubbing a simple shaker part to a track we had just recorded. Unnoticed by me, the arranger and pianist Alan Broadbent was…
Obsession
Last month I suggested the idea of becoming “obsessed” with music and drumming. Unfortunately, the word obsession has gotten a bad reputation. Obsession is defined as a “compelling motivation.” Compelling means, “evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible…
