Feature Stories

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.

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Tulsa Drumming Legend Chuck Blackwell Passes

Chuck Blackwell, whose credits include Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen, the Everly Brothers, Taj Mahal, and Freddie King, passed away recently, at the age of seventy-seven. The May 2011 issue of Modern Drummer included the feature Tulsa Time: Jimmy…

Modern Drummer
Oct 30, 2017

Video Premiere! Night Verses’ Aric Improta on “Groove,” the First Installment of His Interpretation Project

https://vimeo.com/233354542 Video 1 of 4. Stay tuned for the rest of the series! I guess it would be appropriate to start this by saying I’ve always loved the idea that there is no incorrect way to make art. Essentially, this…

Modern Drummer
Sep 18, 2017

Web Exclusive: Deep Purple’s Ian Paice

by Mike Haid   Deep Purple recently released its twentieth studio album, Infinite. Despite hints that the famed classic-rock band is ready to retire from the road, its sound—including the swaggering slam of its original drummer—is still a joy to…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2017

Web Exclusive: Hal Blaine

by Dennis Diken   The July 2017 Modern Drummer is a special theme issue about the birth of classic-rock drumming. In it we examine the work of some of the most famous and influential players of the time, including the…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2017

Web Exclusive: Greg Saunier on Big Walnuts Yonder

by Willie Rose   On its self-titled debut, released this past May 5, the indie-rock collective Big Walnuts Yonder fuses wild time shifts, explosive punk tones, and unhinged improvisation on ten electrified, cohesive tracks. The veteran group, comprising bassist and…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2017
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Web Exclusive: Christian Paschall On Tour With Maren Morris

The sticksman behind a rising country star talks touring and offers advice for up-and-coming players.   by Willie Rose   Nashville-based drummer and producer Christian Paschall will be on the road supporting the country singer and songwriter Maren Morris on…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2017

Kenny Aronoff on John Cougar’s “Jack & Diane”

The drummer, who appears in the new documentary film Hired Gun, recounts the making of one of his most famous tracks.   The process of writing, arranging, rehearsing, and recording a John Cougar Mellencamp song went something like this: John…

Modern Drummer
May 24, 2017

Dr. Dog drummer Eric Slick branches out on solo debut, Palisades

by Willie Rose   This past April 21, Eric Slick, the drummer for the ’60s-influenced indie-rock band Dr. Dog, released his debut solo album, Palisades. Although he also recruited drummer Ricardo Lagomasino to contribute, Slick plays the majority of the…

Modern Drummer
Apr 26, 2017

On Tour With Josh Eppard of Coheed and Cambria

photo by Ernie “Dirty Ern” Falconer by Willie Rose   Seasoned drummer Josh Eppard is currently on the road backing the progressive-alternative rock band Coheed and Cambria on a nearly thirty-date national trek that lasts through May. The group is…

Modern Drummer
Apr 26, 2017

Roger Hawkins: The Pulse of Muscle Shoals

Photo by Deborah Feingold by Jeff Potter Roger Hawkins stands as one of the great studio drummers of all time. As a member of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Hawkins was the driving engine behind scores of soul/R&B classics.…

Modern Drummer
Apr 26, 2017

Web Exclusive: Producer Russ Titelman on 10 of His Favorite Drummers

By Billy Amendola   The June issue of Modern Drummer magazine features an interview with three-time Grammy Award–winning producer Russ Titelman https://moderndrummer.com/, who in his long career has worked with musical giants including Little Feat, Randy Newman, James Taylor, Brian…

Modern Drummer
Apr 26, 2017

Justin Peroff on Spiral Stairs’ Doris and the Daggers

by Willie Rose photo by Tijana Martin On March 24, Scott Kannberg, the guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of the trailblazing ’90s underground indie-rock band Pavement, released Doris and the Daggers, the second album credited to his pseudonym Spiral Stairs.…

Modern Drummer
Mar 31, 2017
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Jeff Friedl On Tour With A Perfect Circle

  by Willie Rose photo by Alan Snodgrass   Devo, Puscifer, and Ashes Divide drummer Jeff Friedl is backing the hard rock supergroup A Perfect Circle on its first U.S. tour in six years, with dates booked through early May.…

Modern Drummer
Mar 31, 2017

Anton Fig On Tour With Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band

by Patrick Berkery photos by Sandrine Lee From 1986 to 2015, few drummers were more visible than Anton Fig. You could find him on network TV practically every weeknight backing the World’s Most Dangerous Band—later rechristened the CBS Orchestra—on David…

Modern Drummer
Mar 31, 2017
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