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 Simon Hanson of Squeeze: Continuing the Success of 2015
Hello MD readers, I’m Simon Hanson from the English band Squeeze (“Tempted,” “Cool for Cats,” and “Pulling Mussels from the Shell”). I’ve been associated with the band for the last twenty years and a full time member for the last…
On the Beat With Josean Orta of Fit For an Autopsy: Motivated to Innovate
Hello, music and drums have been crawling through my veins since I was five years old. I remember scavenging my house to find anything that would resonate when struck and use it to create music while driving my parents insane…
On the Beat With Paul Wandtke of Trivium: Working on the Same Wavelength
Hello Modern Drummer readers! I’m Paul Wandtke and I just landed a new “drumming home” with the Orlando based heavy metal titans Trivium. I just made my live debut at Knotfest in Mexico by performing in front of over 40,000…
On the Beat With Keith Foster of Full Devil Jacket: Know Your Business
What’s up, MD readers? Keith of Full Devil Jacket here. We can sit here all day long and talk about rudiments, gear, what to do on the road and what not to do on the road, but you guys already…
On the Beat With Chris Reeve of Filter
Hi Modern Drummer readers! 2015 has been a huge year full of opportunity and struggle—but you think we musicians have it tough? Let me tell you about a group of kids I was honored to meet this year when I…
On the Beat With Ed Francis of Rhythm Workshops: A Magical Music Mission
Happy drumming everyone! My name is Ed Francis (Mr. Ed) and I’m the cofounder and executive director at Rhythm Workshops as well as a drum coach at Round Rock Drums—I have the best job(s) in the world. Rhythm Workshops (a…
On the Beat With MMW’s Billy Martin: Drummer Turned Filmmaker
Dear MD readers, I want to tell you about a dream feature film I am going to make called Art Drug. The screenplay is inspired from my experience as a twenty-something drummer trying to find his way into the music…
On the Beat With Ryan Scott Long of Booker Long Duo: Interaction and Explorative Improvisation
Booker/Long Duo 2014 Hi, my name is Ryan Scott Long and I’m a touring drummer and composer. Just recently my project Booker Long Duo released our self tilted EP. The duo is comprised of Michael James Booker on tenor sax/effects…
On the Beat With Tazz Washington: Conversational Drumming
Hello MD, Tazz Washington here. I am originally from South America. I am the baby of thirteen children and my mom was an African ceremonial dancer when I was a child. Watching her and playing drums with the elders heavily…
On the Beat With Drummer/Educator Bruce Aitken: Takin’ It to the Streets
Hello, everyone! I’d like to first say a huge thanks to Modern Drummer for this opportunity to share what’s happening in my life these days. Some of you may know me from creating the Cape Breton Drum Festival for many…
On the Beat With Shane Wise of Five Knives: Electronic Energy
Hi MD, this is a bit different! My first love is metal music, but electronic dance music, whether it's trap, house, or techno, has always wooed me with its unique way of bringing so much energy with little to no…
On the Beat With Peter Landi of Marco With Love: Keeping it Simple and Sounding Great
Hello MD readers! My name is Peter Landi and I’m the drummer for Marco With Love. This is my second guest appearance for the Modern Drummer website and I am excited to tell you about my setup. My setup is…
On the Beat With Drummer/Producer Mike “Metal??? Goldberg: Serve the Song
How’s it going out there all my skin beating buddies? It’s Mike Goldberg (AKA Metal) checking in from my home base at IMP Studios. Recently, I have been working with Mountain’s Leslie West on his latest solo album Soundcheck, which…
On the Beat With Brandon Olander of the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps: Worth the Hard Work
Hi, I’m Brandon Olander and a snare drummer for the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. My passion for drum corps started when I was ten and happened upon a YouTube video of the BD drumline. I begged my parents…
