Drummer Dave Schoepke will be releasing his first solo drum album titled “Drums On Low” on July 15, 2019. Schoepke is an accomplished North American drummer, who has had the pleasure of working with the legendary Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre. Dave toured with Martin's band in 2017 and in 2018 for the “Cruise To The Edge” Tour.
Read moreReview of the 2019 Connecticut Vintage and Custom Drum Show
On Sunday, April 22, 2018, Rick Smith presented another memorable vintage and custom drum show at The Sphinx Shriners Center in Newington, Connecticut. Featured clinicians this year were long-time Journey drummer, Steve Smith, and Paul Francis - Director of Research & Design /Quality at the Avedis Zildjian Company. Both Paul and Steve entertained large audiences, giving them some truly inspirational performances. Also in attendance were several well-known drummers including – Gary Asher - Joe Corsello – Arti Dixson - Daniel Glass – Andrew Klein - Dave Mattacks – Adam Nussbaum and Bobby T Torello.
Read moreA Bright Idea
When we speak of tone, we often use terms like warm, round, dark, and the like. Each tone quality has its place, but the one that many drummers seem to forget about is bright. It's one thing for our drums to sound great when we're seated behind them, but what does it sound like out front?
Read more1962 Pre-Serial Ludwig Combo/Club Date in Blue/Silver Duco
This set is without a doubt the cleanest and nicest "duco" kit I've ever seen. We all know that the hands of time are not kind to these 2 tone paint finishes and every set I've encountered has had numerous paint chipping, flaking, spider webbing etc. Basically killing the appearance. I was truly in awe. So a BIG THANK YOU to Chris Hawthorne at Hawthorne Drum Shop out of Pittsburgh PA for answering my million questions and sending ALL those pics!
Read more1924 Ludwig & Ludwig 6.5 x 14 White "Crystal" Plastic Moderne Bi-Tone Model #19
White “Crystal” is one of Ludwig & Ludwig’s rarest finishes and was only around for less than two years, 1941-42. The Crystal finish was highly distressed, more like “Crustal”, I mean really beat up... as my good friend John Aldridge would say, “this drum is as ugly as home made soap”.
Read moreA&F Drums/Sabian “Ankh” Collaboration!
A&F Drum Company, known for their distinctive “modern vintage” drums, has recently teamed up with the Sabian cymbal company to produce a line of exciting new products. Ramy Antoun, Founder and President of A&F, describes this partnership as a blend of “old world craftsmanship, new world sound”. Ramy has long held Sabian in great esteem; a company with a proud history, steeped in tradition and renowned for their dedication, innovation and craftsmanship.
Read moreNext Level Chops - Sticky Wicket and Harry- video
I stumbled upon a great cache of vintage drum and drumming videos from two English Gentlemen who are obsessed with all things drumming. I contacted Harrison Weston-Contell and Next Level Chops about collaborating and sponsoring each other. This video in particular shows how we would have all had to play a bass drum and snare drum and cymbal at the same time before the invention of the bass drum pedal. “Sticky Wicket’ is full of joy and very entertaining when he demonstrates these historic techniques. There are many more videos with Sticky demonstrating vintage drums and authentic vintage drum playing styles. Looking forward to presenting more of Harrison’s deep site and video channel. Thanks, guys!
Read moreNew back issues available: Nov/Dec '93 through Sep/Oct '94 in bound collection
$4 Shipping included in price. Not So Modern Drummer back issues: bound Archive collection of Volume VI: Issues 1- 6 plus annual subscriber directory. Total of 7 issues from Nov/Dec 1993 - Sept/Oct 1994.
Read more1920s Ludwig Professional Outfit
George,
I hope you’re rockin! Will I see you at the Chicago show this year?
I thought you might like to see this set I just picked up locally. This is how they looked straight out of the cases after being stored since WWII. Don’t let anybody tell you that all of the good ones are gone!
Enjoy,
Donn
Read moreCovers? Cover Bands? I've Got You Covered
Almost all musicians play cover tunes … it's where the majority of music comes from. And almost all bands are cover bands, at least in the beginning. Artists depend on the tunes and the tunes depend on other artists. But sadly, the term cover seems to have morphed into almost an insult. Nobody is offended when they remake a movie, such as Godzilla (not once but twice!) And no way would anyone protest, “It’s just a cover of the Ishiro Honda movie” or suggest that the film-maker had cheated or copped out.
Read moreDRUM! Magazine interview with George Lawrence - DrumSellers.com, NSMD, Poco, Memphis and other stuff.
Republished from DRUM! Weekly. Thanks, Phil.
During the past three years Reverb.com has become the key outlet for serious musicians to sell their gear. It now bills itself as “The world’ largest marketplace for buying and selling music gear.” But now it has a competitor that has set its sights on being a marketplace for drums.
Drumsellers.com is the brainchild of George Lawrence, a professional drummer whose career highlights include recording sessions on major label rock, pop, country and jazz albums in Nashville and Los Angeles, and recording and touring with the band Poco from 2004 to 2015. Along the way he also found time to teach many high profile drummers, and own his own drum shop (George’s). And, some of you will know George as the publisher of Not So Modern Drummer Magazine, which he purchased in 2009 and converted to digital in 2012. Recently, we’ve noticed the growth at Drumsellers and wanted to learn more about the plans for the site. We interviewed Lawrence last month.
Read moreBob Parker - A Different Drummer - with the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp in President John Kennedy's Funeral Procession
The only drum pattern that was played during the entire 3-4 days was a cadence that our Head Drummer came up with. It was a simple pattern as a way for all the drummers that participated could learn in a short amount of time. The pattern was Flam, Flam, Flam, 7 Stroke Roll-Flam, Flam, Flam, 7 Stroke Roll- Flam, Flam, Flam, 7 Stroke Roll - Flam, Flam, Flam Tap! The drums were covered in that shroud that my mother had sewn, and the snares were turned off. This cadence was played at a very slow tempo [approx. 78 B.P.M.] using 3s sticks. One interesting side note was that only Drummers participated in the funeral. There were no other instruments used during the entire 3-4 days of ceremonies! Quite an honor!
Read moreCarmine Appice: Rockin' with the Rascals
“We went to SST to rehearse for our tour last year. We worked there for five days. We recorded all the songs we did on the multi-track at SST, as well. It was great to work there. We had food every day. The room was great. The sound system was great. The sound of the room was great. We were there every day from like, ten to six. It was a very pleasurable experience.”
Read more1937-39 SLINGERLAND 8 x 14 BLACK DIAMOND PEARL BERNIE MATTISON RADIO KING MODEL
The Bernie Mattison Radio King Model was first introduced in 1936 and had the tapped (no insert) lugs. I’ve dated the drum in this article at 1937-39 because the lugs have inserts. The 1937-39 Slingerland catalogs list this drum as the Band Model Radio King.
Read moreThe Drum Engravers, Part 1: John Aldridge
The first of these is the best-known drum engraver of our time, John Aldridge. Some years ago, John Aldridge wanted a hand engraved drum. When he discovered he couldn't afford it, John learned how to do it himself, and brought this lost art form back to the drum industry.
Read moreFamous Drums 2x4 Snare
Famous Drums “2x4” Snare - available by order - contact George Lawrence
Read moreDrumWrapper machine for applying wrap finishes to shells
DrumWrapper manufactured by Famous Drums/Not So Modern Drummer
Read moreFrom The Editor
No February or March Issues.
Email subscriber list cleaned of those who don’t open the emails
Chicago Drum Show - No NSMD booth this year but DrumWrapper will be there
Looking for volunteers to help with NSMD tech and writing….
Read moreCD Review - "The Shadow of the Sun" by Joey Stuckey
Click here to order Joey’s music and for free downloads.
When the veteran blues rocker booked his trio into the legendary Sun Studio for a three hour session on an off day from their tour, he had no specific plan except to record a few originals and covers. Letting the legendary spirits in the room (Roy Orbison,Johnny Cash, Elvis, et al), the vintage 50s-60s equipment and the refreshing spontaneity of a “live in the studio” opportunity take over, Stuckey created InTheShadow of the Sun, the most unexpected full length album of his career
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 21
Another new chapter in our ongoing series of quotes, conversations, commentary, and updates with jazz drumming legend Mike Clark. Mike’s keen observations provide numerous insights into “all things music”. Mike tells it like it is…The good, the bad, and everything else in between:
Read more