August 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 8
Articles in August 2018
Mark Sheppard of Robyn Hitchcock and His L.A. Squires
It’s a balmy January evening, and at the back of an Italian restaurant nestled in a southern California strip mall, Mark Sheppard is telling the story of how he came to be the drummer with the psychedelic pop institution the…
Latin Jazz Drumming - The Mambo, Part 1
In this lesson series we’ll focus on Latin jazz rhythms and interpret them on the drumset. For the first installment, we’re digging into the Afro-Cuban mambo bell pattern. Mambo is an Afro-Cuban style that’s built upon a clave foundation. Traditionally…
Drum Journalism
Every once in a while when I’m trying to sound important in an editorial meeting, I’ll pull out this line: “We can never forget that even though we’re all drummers around this table, it’s just as crucial that we’re journalists…
Antonio Sanchez, McClenty Hunter Jr., and Duduka da Fonseca take the reins, a trio of albums featuring Vinnie Colaiuta, and more!
RECORDINGS Taking the Reins Photo by Elisa Caldana Antonio Sanchez Channels of Energy The innovative musician veers in yet another direction. Following on the heels of his Grammy-nominated drums-meets-electronics tour de force, Bad Hombre, the amazing Antonio Sanchez takes a…
John “Jabo” Starks and Roy Burns Pass, Guitar Center Names Donny Gruendler Vice President of Music Education, and More Industry Happenings
Photo of John "Jabo" Starks by Paul La Raia. John “Jabo” Starks and Roy Burns Pass As this month’s issue went into production, Modern Drummer was saddened to hear about the passing of the funk legend John “Jabo” Starks and…
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's Eric Moore and Michael Cavanagh
Last month we interviewed drummer Marian Li-Pino of the SoCal indie-surf rock band La Luz, who recently toured Australia alongside that country’s progressive psych ensemble King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Marian, the good sport that she is, agreed to put on her journalist cap and report back on what drives this unlikely double-drummer-powered group.
Andy Stack with Wye Oak
On stage with the powerful indie-rock duo, the drummer and musical alchemist does no less than manipulate space and sound in real time.
What You Need to Know About Snare Drum Heads
We began our deep dive into drumheads with a survey of the assorted types—and their sounds/applications—that are available for the bass drum (June 2018). This month we’re examining the different makes and models for the snare drum, which is arguably…
New Gear from Sonor, Vater, Paiste, Trakke, Yamaha, Roland, Gon Bops and Mapex!
Sonor AQ2 Series Drums These 7-ply maple kits feature newly designed lugs and are available in 22" Stage, 20" Studio, Martini, Safari, and Bop configurations. The drums share fittings and finishes, offering the flexibility to mix and match within the…
Drumset Ergonomics - Part 2: Seat Height
This month we’re going to explore the critically important relationship between the drum throne and the human body. Selecting an appropriate throne height is one of the most overlooked steps of setting up a drumset, yet it could have the…
Charlie “Chalo” Quintana: 1962-2018
The versatile L.A. drummer left a huge impression on musicians and fans alike.
Zoom L-12 LiveTrak
A versatile digital mixer and multitrack recorder with five independent headphone mixes, an audio interface, and more.
WFLIII - Signature Metal and Classic Wood Snares
Uniquely designed drums that carry the legacy of generations of high-quality craftsmanship into a new era.
The Robert Glasper Experiment's Mark Colenburg
The jazz and hip-hop drumming ace adds a new book and live DVD to an ever-growing list of recording, touring, and publishing credits. Here we get a glimpse into his surprising journey.
Ryan Pope on the Get Up Kids’ Kicker
Wild drum tones, energetic grooves, and signature hooks fuel the eminent group’s first release in seven years.
Zildjian - A Series 18" Uptown Ride and 12" New Beat Hi-Hats
Quick, articulate, and bright sounds for compact setups and electronic/fusion situations.