On the Beat
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.
On The Beat with Grammy Winning Producer-Drummer-Guitarist-Songwriter Clif Magness
Hi MD. My love affair with drums began in my mother’s car. When I was around six years old, I was pounding away “Wipe Out” on the headrest when she decided then and there to rush me into drum lessons.…
On The Beat with Ruben Limas of Tetrarch: Metal and Memories of Venezuela
Hello everyone! My name is Ruben Limas and I play drums for the metal band Tetrarch. I am super excited to be writing this “On The Beat” for Modern Drummer as I am from Venezuela and this is something that…
On The Beat with Whit Sellers of Old Dominion: Talks Playing Strategy and Equipment
Hello MD! I play drums for Old Dominion, and I’m writing this from the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, where we will play ahead of popular country music artist Thomas Rhett. OD has been touring relatively non-stop for the last…
On The Beat with John Mader of Hamilton: Talks Versatility and Getting the Gig
Hello Modern Drummers! John Mader here. I’m the drummer on the first national tour of Hamilton. I am thrilled to be speaking to you via MD, as I have been a reader for long time. I have been very fortunate…
On The Beat with David Uosikkinen of the Hooters and In the Pocket: Bands, Albums, and Longevity
Anytime I get to write for Modern Drummer, I’m honored. MD was the first music magazine where I got the dope on the best drummers in the world. It gave me access to great tips on staying in shape and…
On The Beat with Nigel Dupree of Wayland: Shares Influences, Gear, and Memorable Moments
Hello my fellow Modern Drummer’s! My name is Nigel Dupree and I play drums for the rock band Wayland. When I was five, my parents got me a drumset for Christmas. I spent the next years into my teens…
On The Beat with Ben Smith of Roadcase Royale and Heart: Talks New Band and Debut CD
Hey everyone in Modern Drummer land, Ben Smith here! I’m happy and honored Billy Amendola asked me to put something together for this “On The Beat!” I’m currently on the road with Roadcase Royale, a band featuring Heart’s Nancy Wilson…
On The Beat with Bryan Lee of Visitors and VadaWave: Talks “Revisionist History”
Hey, friends and fellow drummers. My name is Bryan Lee and I play drums in the bands Visitors and VadaWave—both out of Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s extremely exciting and an honor to contribute this “On The Beat” and my…
On The Beat with Logan Robot Gladden: Talks Bonzo Bash and Goals
Hello MD! My name is Logan Robot Gladden and I am honored to share my story with you here “On the Beat!” I am thirteen years old and have been playing drums and singing for as long as I can…
On The Beat with Steph Barker of Coast Modern: Pursuing the Dream
Hey MD Readers! This is Steph Barker, drummer for the Los Angeles indie pop duo Coast Modern. I have been a huge fan of Modern Drummer since I started drumming back in sixth grade, so I am over the moon…
On The Beat with Serafino Chiommino of Dreamshade: Talks New Single and Shares Drum Play-Through
Hello everybody, my name is Serafino Chiommino. I’m thirty-four years old and am Dreamshade’s drummer. I began playing drums when I was thirteen years old and I studied with many private teachers at the CPM of Milan in Italy. I’d…
On The Beat Joseph Scarpino of Roulette: Redefining the Role of the Drummer
Hi MD! When you start playing drums, it’s natural to picture what “type” of drummer you are going to be. You follow icons, styles of music, and project what you want for your career. But drumming has led me to…
On The Beat with Jonas Ekdahl of Evergrey: Talks Influences and Approach
Hi MD, Jonas Ekdahl here from Gothenburg, Sweden, and I play drums in the band Evergrey. I’ve been playing drums for twenty-four years and have been in the band (with the exception of a few years) since 2003. I listened…
On the Beat with Lee Falco of Donald Fagen and the Nightflyers: Landing the Gig of a Lifetime
Lee Falco with Donald Fagen and the Nightflyers Hello! On July 31, we played our first show as Donald Fagen and the Nightflyers, kicking off a two-month tour (twenty-eight shows) around the US and Japan. It was a monumental night…
