October 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 10
Articles in October 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.
Tony Williams at a Jazz Crossroads
During his years with Miles Davis, beginning in 1963 at age seventeen, Tony Williams radically changed jazz drumming.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
1969: The Shock of the New
As artists developed increasingly ambitious musical concepts, the challenges for instrument designers, engineers, composers, and instrumentalists increased as well.
Sam Durkes on Ezra Furman’s Twelve Nudes
Throughout the album drummer Sam Durkes drives Ezra Furman’s distorted up-tempo fervor with a surprising avoidance of cymbals.
What's Your Favorite Hal Blaine Track?
Readers weigh on their favorite Hal Blaine tracks.
Advanced Techniques for Jazz Soloing
For four years I’d been studying intensely with Dom Famularo, who suddenly said during one of my lessons, “Steph, you’re now ready for Jim.”
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.
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As an iconic piece of rock ’n’ roll history, this kit has since been archived, documented, and refurbished, and it currently resides in custom road cases.
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Doug Clifford
Given the breakneck pace at which CCR operated in 1969, it’s a wonder Clifford and Cook are still out on the road fifty years later.
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.
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,...
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.
A Restored Gretsch Steal
This beautifully restored vintage project was from older Gretsch shells to create a road-worn-looking vintage kit that has that oft-referred-to “Great Gretsch Sound.”