September 2023 – Volume 47 • Number 9
Articles in September 2023
Vinnie Paul Replica Pearl “Damage Plan Kit”
This month’s Eye Candy kit is a Pearl set that was custom created by John Douglas. This is a replica of Vinnie Paul’s Damage Plan kit. The kit features two 24 x 26 bass drums, 14 x 14 and 15…
Max Weinberg: Back on E Street
Photo by Anthony Scanga To some, he’s “Mighty” Max, the longtime drummer of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. To other, perhaps younger fans, he’s familiar as the bandleader and comic foil to Conan O’ Brien, when the latter hosted NBC-TV’s…
Drumming for the Brain: Unlocking the Neurological and Psychological Benefits of Rhythmic Therapy
I’ve known this month’s guest columnist Karl Sterling for just about as long as I’ve been a professional drummer (fifty years ago his parents used to bring him to gigs when I was the drummer for Stan Kenton). A former…
Vic Firth Terra™ Series
Vic Firth’s new series of drumsticks celebrates the natural beauty our earth gifts us in each drumstick we make. Using a proprietary staining process, the unique and beautiful grains are exposed so that no two pairs are alike. Crafted from…
African and American Combinations
The next step in our African-American journey is to combine the long-three polyrhythm in bikutsi with mangambe and shuffle-funk elements. Let’s begin by playing the mangambe right-hand pattern on the cymbal and the six over four polyrhythm with the foot…
Jay Weinberg and Max Weinberg: Like Son, Like Father
Photo by Rob DeMartin This month, Modern Drummer is honored to celebrate an MD cover that appeared 14 years ago. That was when Bruce Springsteen chose (E Street Band’s longtime drummer) Max Weinberg’s son Jay Weinberg to replace Max for…
Sick New World Fest in Las Vegas A Rhythmic Extravaganza
Las Vegas recently witnessed a musical explosion like never before as the Sick New World Fest took over the city. This high-octane festival became the talk of the town, bringing together drummers and music lovers from all corners of the…
Old and New September 2023
Firstly, NO, I’m not calling anyone “old!” However, it is possible that no issue of Modern Drummer portrays the idea and the relationship of old and new, better than this month’s issue. What more can be said about Max and…
The Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Feet Only—Triplets
In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby Rondinelli includes nine new double bass drumming chapters. The new and expanded edition covers contemporary techniques such as bass drum double strokes, feet-only exercises, binary and…
Pearl and Drummer Dennis Chambers Create New 10-over 8 Signature Snare.
To be truly great, one must evolve over time. Drumming legend Dennis Chambers took this to heart when considering the transformation of his snare drum sound. Designed for sonic evolution, the new Pearl Dennis Chambers Signature Snare drum employs the…
ProMark Retractable Nylon Brushes
ProMark has introduced two new versions of retractable nylon brushes in heavy and light weight versions. The Heavy Nylon Brush comes in a 2B size handle with black bristles and offers increased volume and attack. This brush might be more…
Latin Percussion Launches New Range of Frame Drums
Latin Percussion continues to develop their collection of world percussion instruments with the introduction of a new range of Frame Drums to include the Tar and Bendir. Based on some of the most ancient musical instruments the new Tar and…
Step Up and Raise Your Standards!
Getting to your next level of excellence comes in evolutions, not revolutions. We all share the battle of fighting self-sabotage from our “shadow selves.” This lesser part of us survives by running to the light of ease and safety. Fighting…
Two 1930s Slingerland Green Trap Kits
Here’s a little history of how Slingerland got into the drum business. In the 1920’s the banjo was very popular in music of day. Up until 1927 Slingerland was a banjo company. Ludwig had been a drum company since 1909.…
ddrum Dominion Birch 4PC Shell Pack With Paper White Birch Wrap Quality Drums, Compact Price
In 2005 ddrum raised the bar when it comes to drum quality and price when they released their Dominion series drums. They recently introduced an upgraded version of their Dominion Birch series drums, improving upon both quality and aesthetics. This…
Ron Spagnardi 1943-2003 Remembered After Twenty Years
It was twenty years ago this month that Modern Drummer Founder and Publisher Ron Spagnardi succumbed from his battle with cancer. Although Ron wasn’t comfortable with the term “visionary,” that’s exactly what he was. Every drummer around the world owes…
Brent Fitz: His Inspiring Journey
Photo by Ilya Mirman As the rhythmic backbone of some of rock music’s biggest acts, Brent Fitz has established himself as one of the most talented and versatile drummers in the industry. From his thunderous beats to his intricate piano…
Roland Zenology Pro
For decades, Roland sounds have had a massive influence on music. Our legendary instruments have defined genres like techno, house, rap, trap, and hip hop, and deeply influenced pop, rock, and film music. This long legacy has culminated in the…
Dave Sundeen’s Custom Kit
This month’s Kit of the Month comes from Dave Sundeen from Random Lake, Wisconsin. He is the drummer for the Milwaukee based bands Shelly Mack and The ReUnion and Sucker Punch. This is a custom made kit that was built…