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October 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 10

A drummer’s raw ride through modern, dirty, and driving punk—with the genre’s storied history in tow. Twelve Nudes, the eighth and latest release from the prolific singer, songwriter, guitarist, and bandleader Ezra Furman, borrows from classic punk rock like the Ramones but with modern-pop sensibilities and a seething production. Throughout the album, which was released on August 30, drummer Sam Durkes drives Furman’s distorted up-tempo fervor with primal boom-bap kick and snare slaps, growling tom grooves, and a surprising avoidance of cymbals. Durkes started playing drums when he was twelve years old, growing up on a steady diet of ’70s punk and ’80s hardcore including the Clash and Black Flag. The drummer tells MD that he landed the gig with Furman around seven years ago after having built his playing career in the Chicago area. “Ezra was a fan of one of my bands, the Canoes,” Durkes says. “He needed […]
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Articles in October 2019

Sheridan Riley with Alvvays

For nearly two decades, drummer Sheridan Riley has worked with the intention to lead a life fulfilled as a proactive musician.

by Lia Braswell
Aug 26, 2019

Paiste 2002

Paiste’s 2002 series was introduced as a solution for heavy-hitting drummers on the burgeoning hard rock scene who demanded sturdier instruments with more powerful tones.

by Michael Dawson
Aug 26, 2019

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin II was released on October 22, 1969. Although initially panned by some critics, the album became the band’s first number-one album.

by David Ciauro
Aug 26, 2019

Talking About Our Generations

A teaser of the momentous drumming from 1969 that our October issue explores—and a chat with the Flaming Lips' Steven Drozd about some of his favorite music from the era.

by Adam Budofsky
Aug 26, 2019

JD Beck

Mentored by Dallas-area drummers like Robert “Sput” Searight, Mike Mitchell, and Cleon Edwards, JD Beck has crafted a style of crooked beats and patterns mixed with over-the-barline fluidity.

Story by Ilya Stemkovsky | Photos by Alex Solca
Aug 26, 2019
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The 5/4 Half-Time Shuffle

For those of you who’ve never heard the coveted half-time shuffle, which is also commonly referred to as the Purdie shuffle,...

by Daniel Bédard
Aug 26, 2019

New Gear From 64 Audio, LP, Schagerl Drums, Tama, and More!

New Product Releases from 64 Audio, LP, Schagerl Drums, Tama, Air Throne, and Canopus

Modern Drummer
Aug 26, 2019

Mastodon’s Brann Dailor on the Band’s Heavenly “Stairway to Nick John”

The drummer recently talked to MD to discuss the band’s heartfelt tribute to their longtime friend and manager.

by David Ciauro
Aug 26, 2019

Zimbabwean “Tuku” Music

Combining the traditional Jit, Tsotsa, and other rhythms of Zimbabwe, the late Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi’s style could only be defined as distinctly his own.

by Mark Powers
Aug 26, 2019

Woodland Percussion

Woodland Percussion originated as a summer project for company founder and mechanical engineer Allan Fausnaught. The goal was to build a snare entirely from scratch.

by Michael Dawson
Aug 26, 2019

Rhythm! Discovery Center Ten-Year Anniversary

The Rhythm! Discovery Center, a gem of the drum and percussion world.

Story by Bob Campbell
Aug 26, 2019

Rancid's Branden Steineckert

“I tend to like my snares to be visually fun,” says Steineckert, “but I don’t want it to compromise my sound at all.

Modern Drummer
Aug 26, 2019
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George Way Drums

Ronn Dunnett acquired the rights to the brand and set out to revive the company by building and expanding upon the innovations that Way created many years ago.

Michael Dawson
Aug 26, 2019

Remembering Hal Blaine

He helped pave the way for every great studio musician who came out of L.A., and his influence extends to this very day.

Modern Drummer
Aug 26, 2019

Bruce Rowland

Bruce Rowland racked up numerous recording and touring credits through his extensive work in the pop, folk, blues-rock, and rock worlds.

by Will Romano
Aug 26, 2019

Inverted Paradiddle-Diddles

Rudiments can essentially be described as groupings of single and double strokes in different configurations and rhythms.

by Kristen Gleeson-Prata
Aug 26, 2019

What's Your Favorite Hal Blaine Track?

Readers weigh on their favorite Hal Blaine tracks.

Modern Drummer
Aug 26, 2019

New Releases by Santana, Oz Noy, Grupo Fantasma, and More!

New Releases From Santana, Oz Noy, Betty Carter, Grupo Fantasma and more.

Modern Drummer
Aug 26, 2019

The Starr Festival Snare

Over the years, Gary Astridge has meticulously researched Ringo’s drumkits and assembled exact replicas of the ones used with the Beatles.

by Bob Campbell
Aug 26, 2019
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Ringo Starr's Maple Ludwig Hollywood Drumkit

As an iconic piece of rock ’n’ roll history, this kit has since been archived, documented, and refurbished, and it currently resides in custom road cases.

by Gary Astridge
Aug 26, 2019

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