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 Travis Orbin of Darkest Hour
Hello MD! Back in November 2011, my producer/engineer friend Taylor Larson informed me that Darkest Hour was renting a space at his studio for some upcoming tours. (This was shortly after they parted ways with their longtime drummer.) Taylor recommended…
On the Beat With Nelson’s Gunnar Nelson: A Drummer Who Happens to Sing and Play Guitar
Hello, Modern Drummers! I’m a drummer who happens to play guitar and sing. It has been said that drumming may be the first music man ever made. In my case it has been a source of who I am. I…
On the Beat With Nate Arling of the Last Vegas and Urge Overkill: Top Ten Touring and Gigging Tips
Hi MD readers! My name is Nate Arling, and I live in Chicago, Illinois. I play drums in the Last Vegas and Urge Overkill. I also do studio work and have played 1,000-plus shows in fifteen-plus countries at clubs, garages,…
On the Beat With Journey Guitarist Neal Schon and Drummer Steve Smith: Discussing Neal’s Latest Solo Album, Vortex
Neal tells Modern Drummer, “What can I say—it’s Steve Smith! He is bombastic and very inventive on all the tracks. I do usually have a certain groove in my head and will usually hum it out to explain what I’m…
On the Beat With Muncie’s Anna Cucciardo: The Challenges of Touring With a Baby
My previous Modern Drummer blog told the tale of a pregnant drummer—eighty-three gigs across the country during the nine months that I had a tiny human developing inside of me. (You can check out that story here) Although it was…
On The Beat With Joe English of Secrets: Self-Taught Versus Taking Lessons
Joe English of Secrets; photo by Jeremy Silveira Hey, Modern Drummer readers! I’m Joe, the guy behind the kit for Secrets. With Secrets, I’ve been lucky enough to tour the world and record two albums I’m proud of (we just…
On the Beat With Peter Ulrich of the Peter Ulrich Collaboration
Hi MD readers. This is Peter Ulrich, former drums/percussion for Dead Can Dance, and currently with the Peter Ulrich Collaboration. Our latest album, Tempus Fugitives, was released on April 21, 2015, and it picks up where our debut album, The…
On the Beat With Josh Groban’s Dave DiCenso: Discussing His New Book, “Rhythm and Drumming Demystified???
Hello fans of music, drumming, and Modern Drummer! My name is Dave DiCenso. I currently play drums for singer Josh Groban, and I am a professor at Berklee College of Music. I want to let you all know I have…
Drummer Blog: Top Canadian Drummer Jayson Brinkworth Checks In
Hello, all modern drummers out there! Jayson Brinkworth here, writing from Canada. I hope this finds you all grooving and inspired beyond belief these days. I am writing this while flying to my next gig, and I just finished the…
Drummer Blog: Hollis Brown’s Andrew Zehnal Shares his Story and Discusses New Record
Hollis Brown by Becky Yee Hello MD readers! My name is Andrew Zehnal, and I’m the drummer for the NYC band Hollis Brown. I’m super-excited to announce that our new record, 3 Shots, was released on May 5 on Jullian…
Drummer Blog: August Burns Red’s Matt Greiner Shares Studio Sneak Peak of Upcoming Album, Found in Far Away Places
Hi, MD readers! Matt Greiner here. Take away the challenging aspect of drumming in the studio and much of the thrill of recording would be lost for me. Up until the studio, all the hard work in the creative process…
Drummer Blog: Mercies’ Sammy Dent on Evolving and Expanding Musical Horizons
Hi, Modern Drummer readers. My name is Sammy Dent. I’m a Los Angeles–based composer and the drummer for the band Mercies. It’s a privilege to talk to you about my musical journey and some of my philosophies on music. To…
Drummer Blog: Subversion’s Ben Atkinson Talks Style and Technique on New Album, Animi
Hello all! Ben Atkinson of Subversion here. The band has been active for a while, and I was aware of their music before joining them. It’s great because we push each other out of our comfort zones and develop more…
Drummer Blog: Billy McCarthy on the Documentary Ferocious Drummers
Hello Modern Drummer readers! My name is Billy McCarthy, and right now the trailer for my documentary film, Ferocious Drummers, is up at www.kickstarter.com. With this film, I am hoping to move drummers to a place they hardly visit on…
