News
Keep up to date with the drum world via news items, interviews, lists, and more
Ben Hillier on Nadine Shah’s Kitchen Sink
When Nadine Shah had to leave London to look after an ailing family member while recording Kitchen Sink, she entrusted her frequent collaborator and co-writer Ben Hillier with helming the sessions on his own. Hillier is a distinguished producer and…
Widespread Panic Founding Drummer Todd Nance Passes
This past week, Todd Nance, founding drummer with the band Widespread Panic, passed away from “sudden and unexpectedly severe complications of a chronic illness,” according to his family. Modern Drummer wrote about Nance in 2000—when asked in that piece to…
Drummers on Record: Jon Wurster, Jay Lane, Austin D’Amond
The Mountain Goats Getting into Knives (Jon Wurster) This past March 1, the Mountain Goats’ Jon Wurster (also drummer with Bob Mould and Superchunk), bassist Peter Hughes, multi-instrumentalist Matt Douglas, and singer/songwriter John Darnielle entered the legendary studio Sam Phillips…
20th Annual Modern Drummer Festival featuring A Tribute To Iconic Drummer Neil Peart.
LiveXLive to Produce and Distribute Live Pay Per View Show Featuring Incredible Lineup Reaching over 150 Million Social Media Fans -- Taylor Hawkins, Chad Smith, Cindy Blackman-Santana, Thomas Lang, Alex Gonzalez A global platform for livestream and on-demand audio, video…
Austin Blau on Binary Code’s Memento Mori
This past May saw the release of New Jersey–based progressive metal band Binary Code’s sophomore album, Memento Mori, their first featuring drummer Austin Blau. The album was inspired by the suicide of founder/guitarist Jesse Zuretti’s girlfriend; all proceeds from sales…
Phil Ehart on Kansas’s New Album, The Absence of Presence
The Absence of Presence, American progressive-rock band Kansas’s sixteenth studio album, was released this past July 17 on Inside Out Music. The album follows up 2016’s The Prelude Implicit, which entered Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart at #14. Kansas, who…
Drummers on Record: Paul Garisto, Ian Chang, Dave Lombardo
The Psychedelic Furs Made of Rain (Paul Garisto) The famed British post-punk band, whose hits include “Pretty in Pink,” “Love My Way,” and “The Ghost in You,” released their eighth studio album—and first in several decades—this past July 31. Recently…
Upcoming Dire Straits Box Highlights Pick Withers, Omar Hakim, Jeff Porcaro, and Manu Katché
On October 9, Rhino Records will release box sets of all six of Dire Straits’ studio albums. The band’s first four albums, including the self-titled debut LP and its classic track “Sultans of Swing,” featured drummer Pick Withers; 1985’s Brothers…
Simon Collins on His New Solo Album, Becoming Human
As previously reported on moderndrummer.com, Simon Collins is releasing his new album, Becoming Human (Frontiers Music s.r.l.), on September 4. The drummer/leader took time to answer some questions about it. MD: What was the writing and preparation process like prior…
The Who Launch “Join Together @ Home” YouTube Series With Shea Stadium ’82 Show
As part of YouTube’s #StayHome campaign, the Who will launch a six-week celebration of their live performances called Join Together @ Home. The British rock band, in particular its classic lineup featuring singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John…
Drummers on Record: Current and Upcoming Releases of Note
Airto Seeds on the Ground Reissue (Airto) On July 31, Real Gone Records reissued legendary Brazilian percussionist Airto’s second album, 1971’s Seeds on the Ground. Airto brought back largely the same crew that appeared on his debut record, Natural Feelings…
Sabian Announces Two-Week Soundcheck Program
Sabian’s new Soundcheck program delivers cymbals to drummers to play for up to two weeks before deciding which ones they want to pay for and keep. “COVID-19 has made it difficult for all drummers to try out new gear,” says…
Gina Schock on the Go-Go’s’ Showtime Special and New Song
The Go-Go’s performed a farewell tour in 2016. In the four years since, they have launched a Broadway show (Head Over Heels, 2018), written their first new song in twenty years (“Club Zero,” out today, July 31), and completed The…
D.J. Bonebrake of X Discusses the Band’s First New Album in 25 Years, Alphabetland
Forty years after releasing its debut album—and twenty-seven since releasing its last studio album —the iconic L.A. punk band X sounds positively ageless on Alphabetland. We spoke to drummer D.J. Bonebrake all about it. MD: X had played with regularity…
