review
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.
Product Close-Up: Canopus 8x14 Zelkova Snare Drum (November 2013 Issue)
Japanese drum maker Canopus’s flagship snare, the Zelkova, features a thick 14 mm solid shell made from 200-year-old zelkova redwood. To eliminate the potential for cracking, Canopus dries the wood for three years, until it reaches a moisture content of…
Product Close-Up: Paiste Signature Precision Cymbals (November 2013 Issue)
In April 2013, Paiste launched the Signature Precision series, which is designed to capture all of the distinguished character and sophistication of the renowned Signature series in a more wallet-friendly package. The Precision line uses the same proprietary Signature…
Love For Levon: A Benefit To Save The Barn
DVDS (2) LEVEL: ALL $24.99 When Levon Helm left us last year, mourners hoped to preserve his legacy by sustaining the Barn. In this beloved venue, Levon hosted the Midnight Rambles, where top musicians gathered for homespun concerts in a…
Joe Mccarthy’s Afro-Cuban Big Band Play-Along Series, Volume II
DVD LEVEL: ADVANCED $19.95 Discussing skills development, McCarthy sites “concentration” as an additional “limb” that requires equal exercise. And, man, this drummer’s fifth limb is muscle-bound. McCarthy’s astonishing independence and disciplined groove focus are a thrill to behold. Showcasing his…
Product Close-Up: Ludwig Classic Maple Drumset
October 2013 Product Close-Up Ludwig Classic Maple Drumset by Michael Dawson Ludwig drums are widely regarded as the sound that defined rock ’n’ roll, thanks in large part to their close association with ’60s/’70s superstars like the Beatles’ Ringo Starr…
The Running Jumps The Consciousness Set
The “about” section on this L.A. band’s Facebook page does well by comparing their music to the’60s psychedelic pop sounds of the Beatles and Zombies and ’90s indie-rock heavies such as Guided By Voices and Superdrag. They could easily add…
Jonathan Scales Fourquestra
The cover art’s mirror-reverse title script and fanciful imagery seem to suggest we’re down the rabbit hole. Maybe not Wonderland, but certainly an alternate universe. Inventive steel pan player Jonathan Scales delivers a disc that’s dazzling, shaded with surprising sonorities,…
Sublime 3 Ring Circus: Live at the Palace, October 21, 1995
Sublime is that rare band that enjoyed most of its success and acclaim after breaking up. Following the death by heroin overdose of vocalist and guitarist Bradley Nowell on May 25, 1996, the remaining members, drummer Bud Gaugh and bassist…
Product Close-Up: Taye Specialty Walnut/Mahogany Hybrid and MetalWorks Vintage Brass Snares
August 2013 Product Close-Up Taye Specialty Walnut/Mahogany Hybrid and MetalWorks Vintage Brass Snares by Michael Dawson Early in 2013, Taye introduced a duo of professional-grade snares designed to appeal to drummers looking for classic sounds at a more affordable price…
Product Close-Up: Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Thin Ride
August 2013 Product Close-Up Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Thin Ride by Anthony Riscica From the ever-growing collection of cymbals Meinl comes the new 22" Byzance Extra Dry Thin ride. The ride complements its previously released medium-weight counterpart, with a…
UPDATED! Product Close-Up: TRX DRK Thunder and BRT Lightning Cymbals
August 2013 Product Close-Up TRX DRK Thunder and BRT Lightning Cymbals by David Ciauro Vented cymbals are increasingly popular among drummers across numerous genres, from gospel to extreme metal. The vents have a threefold sonic impact, making cymbals sound darker,…
Queens of the Stone Age …Like Clockwork
After a six-year absence, Queens of the Stone Age are back with a new sound on their latest record, …Like Clockwork. The ten-track album came with its fair share of trials and tribulations, though. Complications from a knee surgery back…
Intronaut Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones)
Prime musicianship and haunting melodies make excellent bedfellows, especially when mixed with mesmerizing polyrhythms and punishing heaviness. On Intronaut’s latest, drummer Danny Walker proves that he’s perfectly suited for whatever feel is waiting around the next corner. The infectiously jilting…
Product Close-Up: Bosphorus Black Pearl Series Cymbals (UPDATED)
July 2013 Product Close-Up Bosphorus Black Pearl Series Cymbals by Michael Dawson Two of Bosphorus’s most popular jazz-style cymbal lines are the Master and the Master Vintage. The Master series comprises fully lathed, soft-feeling cymbals with traditional, warm, and dark…
