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.
Vic Firth: 1930 to 2015
Vic Firth Modern Drummer was saddened to hear of the passing of Vic Firth. The following profile on the performing and manufacturing giant, written by Lauren Vogel Weiss, first appeared in the July 2013 issue of Drum Business magazine. …
Music Review: Steve Vai, Aquiles Priester and Gustavo Carmo, Adam Moore
Guitars, guitars, and yet more guitars, served up hot. The drums ain’t too shabby either. by Ilya Stemkovsky Steve Vai Stillness in Motion—Live in L.A. drummer: Jeremy Colson Recorded fifty shows into an extensive tour, Stillness in Motion finds…
A Six-Pack of Jazz and Fusion
This year has already seen its share of top-shelf jazz and fusion releases. Here are six that have been in high rotation at the Modern Drummer offices over the past few months. Chris Potter Underground Orchestra Imaginary Cities Drummer:…
Dave Elitch
Dave Elitch. Photo by Alex Solca. by Adam Budofsky The July issue of Modern Drummer magazine contains a feature on Antemasque’s heavyweight drummer, Dave Elitch. In this MD Online exclusive interview, Elitch elaborates on a number of topics covered…
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,…
Paul Weller’s Dynamic Drum Duo: Ben Gordelier and Steve Pilgrim
by David Jarnstrom British national treasure Paul Weller—front man of seminal mod-punkers the Jam and soul-infused new wavers the Style Council—is well into his fourth decade of making vital rock ’n’ roll records. And though he may be…
Stream Nile Drummer George Kollias’s Debut Solo Album, Invictus
George Kolias By Seth Siro Anton Next Monday, May 18, George Kollias, drummer with the death-metal band Nile and one of the most revered instrumentalists in extreme music, is releasing his debut solo album, Invictus. A week early, however, Kollias,…
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Learning Other Instruments
We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team if they felt that it’s important for drummers to learn to play other instruments (piano, bass, guitar, etc.), or should they focus on honing their craft at the kit exclusively?…
Gavin Harrison on Cheating the Polygraph
The Porcupine Tree drummer’s brand-new solo album is his personal take on the PT catalog. Here he delves deeper into his creative process. by Ilya Stemkovsky MD: How was the idea generated to arrange these progressive Porcupine Tree…
Founding Lynyrd Skynyrd Drummer Bob Burns Dies
Bob Burns at Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Drummer Bob Burns, one of the founders of the legendary Southern-rock band, was killed last week in an auto accident in Georgia, at age…
May 2015 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Jojo Mayer
(Available March 30, 2015) On the Cover Jojo Mayer “As I exposed myself to programmed music, I became more aware of the contrasts between electronic media and real-time playing. I understood that this is something that we should cultivate.” And…
AJ Pero Dies at Age 55
Last Friday, March 20, longtime Twisted Sister drummer AJ Pero died in Poughkeepsie, New York, from an apparent heart attack while on the road with Adrenaline Mob. He was fifty-five. “My friend, my brother, my band mate passed away today,”…
What You Need to Know About...Drum Tuning
This article originally ran in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of Drum Business. by Ben Meyer My snare just doesn’t have the "crack" I want, and my toms don’t sound like they do on the radio. How do I tune these…
What You Need to Know About...Counterhoops
This article originally ran in the July/Aug 2010 issue of Drum Business. by Fran Azzarto Counterhoops are among the more mysterious elements of a drumkit. Some drummers aren’t even aware that there are different types, and among…
