After extensive trialling, the US presidential race is to be decided by a winner takes all style drum off. In an X-Factor inspired finale, a live studio audience will vote to determine a pre-selected winner. The victor will receive a $50 gift certificate for Guitar Center and also the US presidency.
Donald Trump welcomed the potential challenge saying, "I have the best drums," whilst Hillary was more reserved, pointing out that, "it's not what you play, but how you play it."
Bernie Sanders' controversial proposal to issue free drum sets to newborns has proved popular among toddlers, but less so among parents.
More to follow.
Deirdre O'Callaghan's new book, The Drum Thing, arrived and we were excited to take a closer look. Prepare those peepers. Click or tap here for more.
Our interview with Alex Sowinski from the prodigious BadBadNotGood. "I'm not really going for the Modern Drummer cover or anything." Click/tap for more.
Our interview with Anna Prior from Metronomy. "Playing drums changed my life. It changed how I thought about the world." Click or tap here fo' mo'.
We interviewed Alan van Kleef about making metal drums in Sheffield. He's a Man of Steel. Geddit?
"I look at stuff online, and some days I think, ‘I’m a f**king joke, I can’t do that.’ But then I’ll sit and play, and something will happen.” Elbow's Richard Jupp in Issue 15. Click here to open.
"I used to dream about being a session player. I didn’t know if I could ever do it.”Our interview with Steve Gadd in Issue 15 of The Drummer's Journal. Click here to read.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I would say, ‘What’s the point of being a musician?’ I could never really come up with an answer.”
“The best thing you can do is get a van and get out there. And you have to be ok with not getting paid for anything.”
We interviewed CPL Mat Kilcoyne about life as a drum set player in the British Army. for the feature, click here.
“Culturally, hard bop was not only a musical statement but also a political one about 1950s America. It was about reclamation.” Photo by Roland Godefroy
“I knew what I wanted the shop to feel like. I didn’t want to sign on to these huge corporate companies that would force me to put in cheesy displays.”
“I ask my students sometimes, ‘Why do we play the drums?’ They give me the beauty pageant answer: ‘To express ourselves.’ Urgh. Stop that.”
Our interview with Mark Sheppard from Supernatural. Honestly it's really good. Click or tap here fo' mo'.