Inspired by John Good’s memories of growing up in Northern Italy, the DW Collector’s Series 50th Anniversary Limited Edition 6-Piece Kit matches persimmon and spruce, two of the woods that stimulated his lifelong passion of crafting the perfect sound. Visit DWDrums.com to watch Josh Freese, a DW artist since 1984, perform on our 50th anniversary kit. Only from DW, The Drummer’s Choice® since 1972. ©2022 DRUM WORKSHOP, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The new gold standard, 50 years in the making.32 MIKE WENGREN The drummer for Disturbed talks about their new record Divisive, his drumming in uences, his favorite music, his love of groove, his dislike of recording, and more! By Mark Gri th 40 PHILO The new drummer for The Mars Volta and Modern Drummer have a frank discussion about her musical upbringing in Germany, her education at Popakademie, getting the gig with The Mars Volta, and how she approaches their music. By Mark Gri th 50 RODNEY ELKINS The drummer for country singer Tyler Childers talks about his band Food Stamps, recording Tyler’s new record Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? And his musical upbringing in Huntington, West Virginia. By Robert Girouard 20 ANTONIO SANCHEZ Mark Gri th and Antonio Sanchez talk extensively about the writing and recording process behind his new record Bad Hombre II (Shift,) it’s predecessor Bad Hombre, and how Antonio’s career is shifting into new directions. By Mark Gri thVolume 46 • Number Cover and Contents photos by Fernando Aceves LESSONS 54 BASICS Chris Lesso discusses how to make the best of your practice time, and celebrating your “work” on the drums. 56 DRUM CHANNEL Thomas Pridgen explains how he breaks everything down to singles and doubles. 58 ROCK PERSPECTIVES Modern Drummer concludes the 50th anniversary of Carmine Appice’s Ultimate Realistic Rock with his Realistic Linear Rudiments. 60 JAZZ DRUMMERS WORKSHOP Joe Morello teaches us about technique and explains the importance of developing control around the set by playing Progressive Accents. 64 ROCK AND JAZZ CLINIC Joe Franco explores his concept of playing mixed hand patterns over the double bass roll.. 68 CREATIVE PERCUSSION CONTROLLERS Tony Verderosa shows us how the addition of just a bass drum trigger can help you create a plethora of new music and drumming ideas. DIGITAL DOWNLOAD CODE INSIDE DEPARTMENTS 4 EDITORS OVERVIEW Mark Gri th talks about Diversity and Inclusivity in life, in drumming, and in music. 6 KIT OF THE MONTH MD reader Brian Eaton shares his stunning Allegra Custom Master Craft drums. 8 JAZZ INSIGHTS Peter Erskine details a very busy period in his career when his life was unscripted. 72 COLLECTORS CORNER Donn Bennett tells us about The Carmine Appice Collection. 74 OUT NOW New releases from Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, Tony Williams, Al Foster, Wayne Shorter, Terri Lyne Carrington, John Entwistle, Chris Parker, Charged Particles, and Alex Acuna. 78 EYE CANDY Modern Drummer takes a look at Jason Bonham’s Ludwig Vistalite Led Zeppelin Reunion Kit, which is also featured in the book Crash: The World’s Greatest Drum Kits. EQUIPMENT 10 NEW AND NOTABLE Modern Drummer brings you the newest gear from Drum Workshop’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Vater, Latin Percussion, and Gewa. 14 PRODUCT CLOSE UP Reviews of Zildjian Fat Hats and the Blast Bell, and the Roland TD-17 KVX2Modern Drummer December 2022 4 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Billy Ashbaugh, Donn Bennett, Clayton Cameron, Bob Campbell, Peter Erskine, Dom Famularo, Bob Girouard, Mike Haid, Brian Hill, Daru Jones, Nic Kubes, Chris Lesso, Daniel Laverde, Peter Magadini, Raghav Mehrotra, James Petercsak, Tony Verderosa MODERN DRUMMER magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is published monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc., 1279 W. Palmetto Park Rd PO Box 276064 Boca Raton, FL 33427. PERIODICALS MAIL POSTAGE paid at Boca Raton, FL 33427 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 2022 by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc. EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: MODERN DRUMMER Publications, 1279 W. Palmetto Park Rd PO Box 276064 Boca Raton, FL 33427. info@moderndrummer.com Email: info@moderndrummer.com. MODERN DRUMMER welcomes manuscripts and photos but cannot assume responsibility for them. SUBSCRIPTION CORRESPONDENCE: Modern Drummer, 1279 W. Palmetto Park Rd PO Box 276064 Boca Raton, FL 33427. Change of address: Allow at least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old and new address and send to info@moderndrummer.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, 1279 W. Palmetto Park Rd PO Box 276064 Boca Raton, FL 33427. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 41480017 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: PO Box 875, Stn A, Windsor ON N9A 6P2 MEMBER: National Association of Music Merchants, Percussive Arts Society THE MD PRO PANEL/ADVISORY BOARD: Chris Adler, Carmine Appice, Kenny Aronoff, Bill Bachman, Eddie Bayers, Gregg Bissonette, Jason Bittner, Bill Bruford, Will Calhoun,Terri Lyne Carrington, Matt Chamberlain, Peter Erskine, Dom Famularo, Daniel Glass, Alex González,Danny Gottlieb, Benny Greb, Matt Halpern, Horacio Hernandez, Gerald Heyward, Taku Hirano, Jonathan Joseph, Jim Keltner, Paul Leim, Peter Magadini, Pat Mastelotto, Rod Morgenstein, Andy Newmark, Carl Palmer, Stephen Perkins, Dafnis Prieto, Rich Redmond, Brian Reitzell, Jim Riley, Bobby Rondinelli, Antonio Sánchez, Cindy Blackman Santana, Chad Smith, Steve Smith, Todd Sucherman, Billy Ward, Kenny Washington, Dave Weckl, Paul Wertico, Dennis Wolfe Music Key MODERN DRUMMER ONLINE: www.moderndrummer.com Founder Ronald Spagnardi 1943–2003 Co-Founder Isabel Spagnardi Publisher/CEO David Frangioni CFO Carolina Frangioni President David Hakim Vice-President Ronnie Jimenez CTO Jason Mehler Senior Art Director Scott Bienstock Content Director Mark Griffith Editorial Daniel “Ziggy” Laverde Contributing Editor & Photographer Alex Kluft Digital Marketing Manager Ricardo Rodriguez Worldwide Education Dom Famularo Live Fom My Drum Room PodcastJohn DeChristopher Archivist Felipe Laverde Videographer Tyson Francion @ModernDrummer @modern_drummer Subscribe today at moderndrummer.com/subscribe modern_drummer Diversity and Inclusivity D iversity and inclusivity is supremely important in all walks of life… and music. However, this is Modern Drummer, so how we apply those modern ideals to our drumming and music, takes priority here. I am always excited when drummers surprise us with the musical diversity and inclusivity in their listening habits, favorite bands, and drummers. This month is no exception. Would you expect jazz drummer Antonio Sanchez to be praising the song writing skills of Dave Matthews? Then when Antonio says that, “I had nothing but respect for his (Trent Reznor’s) music because Nine Inch Nails are some of the most respected ‘sonic-conceptualizers’ out there,” were you surprised? It is expected that Antonio mentions that Roy Haynes is one of his biggest in uences. But when Antonio mentions his favorite soundtrack music from Michael Giaccino, Johnny Greenwod, Hans Zimmer, or John Williams, did you go straight to Spotify to listen to some of that music? I hope so! With all due respect to the absolute masters and creators of our craft. The modern drumming world is about much more than Gene Krupa, Papa Jo Jones, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Earl Palmer, Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Zigaboo Modeliste, Neil Peart, Joey Jordison, Questlove, Travis Barker, Brian Blade, and Taylor Hawkins. When a fan of The Mars Volta hears their drummer Philo referring to seeing Robert Glasper and Chris Dave as, “The night that changed my life,” I hope that fan goes to YouTube to watch some Robert Glasper and Chris Dave. When Philo said that she had gone through a point when she was, “More into Brian Blade, Marcus Gilmore, Mark Collenberg, and Justin Tyson,” I hope a young drummer is inspired to go and see Brian, Marcus, Mark, or Justin perform. I was inspired when Philo said, “I was drawn to classical music, and I was listening to it a lot at the time. It is the only type of music that I can always listen to.” That pulled me right in to her orbit. I cued up my favorite recording of Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto” and listened to it for the rst time in a while. Thanks Philo! Furthermore, would you ever expect metal drummer Mike Wengren of Disturbed to make this statement? “The thing that gets me grooving is the old classics. I love 70’s rock. I like all the ‘geographically named’ bands like Chicago, Boston, and Kansas. I like the Eagles.” I don’t think anyone would expect that. Lastly, we all know that many drummer’s with over-the-top chops got their start in drum corps. But who would have expected country drummer Rodney Elkins (whose drumming recalls Levon Helm much more than Travis Barker) to refer to drum corps as, “Where I learned the inner workings and intricacies of my instrument.” How cool is that? So many drummers are much deeper than the music that they happen to be playing at the moment. The music we listen to, sometimes o ers a deeper look into our musical soul than the music that we are performing. Many drummers have extremely diverse and inclusive musical tastes and lives. There is something to be learned from everybody. Draw some inspiration from Antonio, Philo, Mike, and Rodney. See how their sense of musical diversity and inclusion changes you as a drummer, a musician, and a person. You might be surprised. Mark Gri th Editor and Director of ContentGEWA music USA, Inc. | 8787 Snouffer School Road | Gaithersburg, MD 20879 THE NEW GEWA G3 – BORN TO PLAY! The GEWA G3 uses the same high-resolution sound samples as the GEWA G9 and G5 modules! Real Sounds Real Feel Real(ly) Simple The GEWA G3 uses the same trigger technology as the GEWA G9 and GEWA G5 kits. It offers 3-zone cymbals, all with a 360° playing surface – even for the Hi-Hat! The GEWA G3 module is very simple to use. Switch it on, complete the Setup Wizard, and you’re ready to play! BORN TO PLAY!! gewadigitaldrums gewadigitaldrums gewadigitaldrums gewadrums.com //Modern Drummer December 2022 6 Brian Eaton’s Allegra Custom Master Craft drums D ecember’s submission for Modern Drummer’s Kit of the Month comes from Brian Eaton . Brian’s kit is an Allegra Custom Master Craft setup that was custom built at the end of the Dave Peterson era at Allegra Drums. Brian’s snare is a Kirsch custom built 7x14 with natural maple hoops (6-ply maple shell, with custom bearing edges, and Espresso satin nish.) His drums are Allegra Master Craft Drums (natural maple with a thin nitro lacquer satin nish, round-over bearing edges, and solid aircraft aluminum lugs.) The toms are 7x8, 8x10, 9x12 (6-ply shells;) the oor tom is a 13x15 (6-ply shell;) and the bass drum is a 16x20 with natural maple hoops (8-ply shell.) Brian’s Zildjian Cymbals are 20” K Custom Flat Top Ride, 19” K Custom Hybrid Crash, 18” A Uptown Ride, 17” K China, 14” K Constantinople Crash, 14” K Constantinople Hi-Hat (top,) and A Mastersound (bottom;) 11” & 9” K Custom Splashes, and an 8” K Splash. His Paiste Cymbals include a 6” Cup Chime and a 4” Accent. 8 CHANNEL TRANSFORMER COUPLED CLASS A MIC PREAMP WITH PREMIUM 24 BIT 192 kHz ADC www.heritageaudio.com The sound of yesterday..... built for tomorrow. UNLEASH THE FULL POWER OF YOUR AUDIO INTERFACE “With Heritage Audio I get a super musical presentation with all the detail and vibe I need. So easy to set up and sounds INCREDIBLE! The Súper 8 is a life saver.” CARTER McLEANNext >