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Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
On the Beat With David Frangioni: Inspired by Carl Palmer
Hello Modern Drummer readers, fellow drummers, and music lovers. My name is David Frangioni and I’ve been playing the drums since I was two years old. Doing the math, that gives me about forty-five plus years of drum time. As…
Tony Thaxton Returns to the Road with Motion City Soundtrack…One Last Time
by David Jarnstrom It’s not a stretch to say Tony Thaxton’s drumming is just as vital to Motion City Soundtrack’s DNA as frontman Justin Pierre’s infectious melodies and neurotic internal monologue. Trust me—my band shared a Minneapolis practice space…
On the Beat With Caitlin Kalafus of Mother Feather: Talks Education and Tour
Hey everyone! I’m Caitlin Kalafus. I had the privilege of writing a blog for Modern Drummer about six years ago and I’m so honored to be here saying hello again! The last time I checked in I was in a…
On the Beat With Richard Lee Jackson of Jonathan Jackson and Enation: Capturing the Energy of Live Shows
Hey guys and girls, it’s Richard Lee Jackson from Jonathan Jackson and Enation. A lot has been going on since my last On the Beat. We recorded and released our new EP called Blame-shifter with producer Greg Archilla (Matchbox 20,…
On the Beat With Matt Byrne of Hatebreed: Improvisation!
Greetings, MD family! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Matt Byrne and I reside in the Queen City on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY (located just north of NYC). For the past sixteen years, I have played drums for…
On the Beat With Charlie Z: Drumageddon Cyborg Drummer/DJ
Hello! It is my honor to be a part of the Modern Drummer “On the Beat” section. Being a young drummer, Modern Drummer was actually how I got the idea to become the successful NYC session drummer, producer, and music…
On Tour: Cage the Elephant’s Jared Champion
For ten years, Jared Champion’s backbeat-infused, no-frills grooves have propelled the alternative chart-crushers Cage the Elephant. The group’s current tour runs through August, with additional select dates in September and October. MD Online recently asked Champion about the band, his…
On the Beat With Michael Bettine of Gongtopia: Relax and Bang a Gong
On the Beat With Michael Bettine of Gongtopia: Relax and Bang a Gong Greetings, Modern Drummers! Michael Bettine here and it’s been a very busy 2016 so far. In January, I was in Australia as the artist in residence at…
Brian Kantor of the Fruit Bats on Absolute Loser
Brian Kantor, who has worked with indie fave Vetiver, ex-Cardigans singer Nina Persson, and Shudder to Think guitarist Nathan Larson, has for the past couple years been a member of the Fruit Bats, the band led by multi-instrumentalist Eric D.…
Keith Carne on We Are Scientists’ Helter Seltzer
by Adam Budofsky Brooklyn-based indie-rock band We Are Scientists’ fifth album, Helter Seltzer, released digitally this past April 22 and physically on June 3, is an advanced-level course in hook-ology. Vocal choruses, guitar lines, keyboard figures, and, yes,…
Lovin’ Spoonful Touring Drummer Mike Arturi on Playing for the Cameras
When Lovin’ Spoonful touring drummer Mike Arturi was given the chance to be interviewed—and play a solo—during a morning show on Minnesota CBS affiliate WCCO TV recently, he approached the opportunity by doing some careful planning. Knowing that live…
Guitarist Paul Gilbert on Mike Portnoy
Mr. Big founder and ex-Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert is releasing his seventeenth solo album today, I Can Destroy, featuring Thomas Lang on drums. Gilbert has performed in a number of musical projects over the years with Mike Portnoy, including…
On the Beat With Jimmy Schultz of Sunflower Dead: It’s Time to Get Weird
Hello, Modern Drummer readers! My name is Jimmy Schultz from the band Sunflower Dead, and it’s a true honor to be a part of Modern Drummer magazine. For me, it all started when I was four years old and I…
Claus Hessler Playing on “The Axis" With Bassist Stefan Hergenröder
Claus Hessler Playing on “The Axis” With Bassist Stefan Hergenröder In this video, German drummer/educator Claus Hessler, who’s featured in the June 2016 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, performs the song “The Axis” with his duo. “This is my project…
