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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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.…
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.…
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…
