April 2022 – Volume 46 • Number 4

“Essential Dialog” for Creative Percussion Controllers

This is where the journey begins… This is the first in a new series of articles exploring the creative use of percussion midi controllers. I was recently watching YouTube videos covering the history of electronic drumming. It’s amazing to see…

Clayton Cameron

Tapping into, and brushing up, on Perfect Time We all first met Clayton Cameron several years ago. His career had brought him from manning the skins in the big band behind The Rat Pack and the legendary Sammy Davis Jr.…

Past Masters of Rock... Absorb, Adapt & Adopt!

I have the incredible honor of interviewing some of the greatest musicians in the world on the YouTube channel, “The Sessions Panel.” The purpose is to capture the story of these great artists for future generations to learn and be…

Martin Bulloch of Mogwai

As musicians, we’re all familiar with the expression “music is math.” This definitely rings true with the ever so calculated and melodically powerful Martin Bulloch, drummer for the much accoladed Glasgow based band, Mogwai. Martin’s precision to detail and musically…

Going to the Movies, with Peter Erskine

Scene 1: Jam session, rehearsal, or a gig. Bandleader’s Line: Let’s play “Green Dolphin Street” … and… Drums, how about you play an intro? Spot Quiz: A.) Do you ask, “How long?”B.) Do you ask, “What tempo?”C.) Do you ask,…

Sonor’s Steve Smith 30th Anniversary drumset

In 2007 Sonor drums created a limited-edition drumset to honor Steve Smith’s 30th anniversary as a Sonor artist. Steve has two such kits, one is stored in New Jersey for use on the East Coast, and one is stored at…

UNLIMITED CHAD

It’s becoming an annual event on my calendar. Chad Smith and I seem to talk every February. And since we talked last, Chad has been very busy. He has just recently completed another Ozzy Osbourne record, a new Eddie Vedder…

The Muscle-Bound Myth and Weight Training for Drummers

If someone asked me to put together a list of non-negotiables – things I need to prioritize for my own well being - two activities would immediately come to mind: Drumming (obviously) and weight training. Drumming and training are a…

Bob Moses Drum Wisdom: The 8/8 Concept

This month we will be begin exploring Bob Moses’ classic book called Drum Wisdom. In this book Bob explores the organic side of drumming with wonderful explanations of some of the most important ideas in playing music. We will begin…

TnR Products Percussion Isolation Mounts Receive Fresh Branding To Match Improved Design

In the spirit of continuous improvement and better serving the drumming community, TnR Products is proud to announce design updates and the rebranding of their percussion isolation mounts as TnR TrueVibe. The snare stand isolation mounts have undergone subtle but…

Sandy Nelson

Dec. 1, 1938 - February 14, 2022 We ALL, (every drummer alive,) owe Sandy Nelson a well deserved moment of drumming (as opposed to silence.) Before the Surfaris had a hit in 1963 with “Wipeout,” Sandy Nelson was recording drum-centric…

Mapex Re-introduces the Venus Series Complete All-Inclusive Setup

The all-new Mapex Venus Series complete drum kit presents an all-inclusive setup for the first-time player ready to start the “Drummer for Life” adventure. As a global drum company with a 30 plus year reputation for manufacturing excellence and a…

Chad Smith’s Red Hot Chili Peppers Audition

I grew up in Detroit and moved out to California in August of 1988. Through a friend of a friend, I got the audition with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. My friend knew a girl who was dating John Frusciante.…

Rick Rubin

The Legendary producer talks about Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Unlimited Love. Producer Rick Rubin is a modern music legend. He has produced the Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Public Enemy, Weezer, Metallica, Johnny Cash, The Dixie Chicks, The…

Carter Beauford Replica Kit

April’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Hampton, Arkansas. It is Adam Parker’s Carter Beauford replica kit. Adam explains, “I have followed Carter’s kit every year since I was 14. Eventually I started replicating it because I loved…

Transcriptions:

“Salute to Kareem,” Mother’s Milk; “Suck my Kiss,” Blood Sugar Sex Magik; “Breaking the Girl,” Blood Sugar Sex Magik;“Readymade,” Stadium Arcadium; “Dark Necessities,” The Getaway; In this month’s cover story and interview Chad Smith talks about R&B and funk drumming,…

Introducing...

My name is Mark Griffith, I am a professional musician who happens to play drums. I tour, play locally, record, do clinics, masterclasses, teach, and I write. I started writing for Modern Drummer under Ron Spagnardi’s leadership 25 years ago,…

SABIAN Introduces HHX Anthology

Sabian has announced a new collection of cymbal designs to be added to their world famous HHX series of professional cymbals. Introducing HHX Anthology, a collaboration between the Master Artisans at Sabian and world-renowned musician Jojo Mayer. Developed over 3…

Majestic Percussion Releases Highly Anticipated Opus One Orchestral Snare Drum Series

Majestic Percussion announces the launch of the Opus One Orchestral Snare Drum series. Featuring the most desirable attributes of coveted vintage snare drums combined with modern design advancements, the new series was created over several years in collaboration with some…

April 2022 - Volume 46 • Number 4