While not really newsworthy, I found a page over at DW Drums‘ site that contains a setup diagram for almost all of their artists/drummers.

All you have to do is click their name on the left and it will reveal all the details of their drum kit setup. DW’s roster has got everyone from session greats like Josh Freese to Brain, to Billy Ward. Seems like a no brainier to look at DW Drums site to get drum setups, only I never did until now. Good to know if you’re hunting for your favorite drummers setup.

DW Drummer Setups Page.

Zildjian Cymbals, have added Rezo crash cymabls to their A Custom Cymbal Series.

“A Custom ReZo Crashes are now available in 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20-inch sizes, all featuring medium-thin weights, a new bell size and a new Brilliant/Traditional Finish combination.”

The A Custom ReZo Crashes feature a spectacular new look that displays alternating bands of spiral and full lathing techniques while using both Traditional and Brilliant finishes. The traditionally lathed area of each Crash helps to offer an aggressive array of bright overtones that blends perfectly with the instantaneous response achieved by the Brilliant finished sections of each cymbal. In addition, a brand new bell design for these Crashes was created to attain exceptional projection. The total design of these versatile new instruments produces a Crash effect that is high-pitched, musical and truly unique within the acclaimed A Custom range of cymbals.”

It would also be perfect for someone not looking for an overly dark crash cymbal, but still one with a shimmer and consistency to it. These cymbals seem like they will sound amazing, although an MSRP price has yet to be stated. Since they are part of Zildjian Cymbals Custom A line, start putting aside some money now.

Source.

Pearl Drums is introducing a new drum kit, with new maple shells.

“Our Masters Series MCX 6-ply Maple shell has set the standard for great sound and craftsmanship for years and can be heard on countless recordings by the world’s most legendary drummers.”

“NEW for 2008, MCX 4-piece shell packs can be purchased at an average street price of just $1,500 dollars ($2,499.00 List) in your choice of 5 NEW configurations.”

“The heart and soul of MCX is the 6-ply 7.5mm shell, made from hand-selected choice Maple using our Superior Shell Technology. This offers the smooth round tone you would expect from Maple with even highs and mid range frequencies, coupled with pronounced low-end punch. The 7.5mm shell thickness provides a super wide tuning range; increased resonance and projection all of which allows your sound to be felt as much as heard.”

This drum set looks like a great intermediary step between Pearl’s lower budget models and their higher-end professional kits.  It is great that matching Pearl MCX snare drums are available as well. The tuning range of this kit is also a major plus, in my opinion, for drummers who like to experiment and/or tune to specific pitches.

Source.

System of a Down offshoot band Scars on Broadway are preparing to launch their first US headlining tour. The tour is to support the groups self-titled album, which will be released through Interscope Records on July 29th.

The band also has a new music video for their hit single “They Say” which was directed by Paul Minor (Muse, Queens of The Stone Age).

While I’m not a huge fan of either Serj Tankian’s solo material or Scars on Broadway, it can’t be denied that John Dolmayan is a monster drummer. His work in System of a Down shows more of his skill with his huge drum kits and wide array of cymbals as opposed to what I’ve heard so far from Scars on Broadway. I’m curious to see what kind of drumming he displays on Scars on Broadway’s debut album.

Check out tour cities, a clip from Scars on Broadway’s “They Say” video and more information here…

Source.

This is not a Metallica blog. Just had to put that disclaimer out there, as I’ve been doing a lot of Metallica related posts, just because they are in the press so much lately. The band plays the Bonnaroo Festival today in Manchester,TN where they will probably “kill the festival” (according to esquire magazine).

Last night though, the band (with honorary 5th member - Lar’s Ulrich’s crappy sounding Tama Drum kit), played a surprise 175-capacity club show for fan club members and club employees.

The band played 9 songs as a warm up for tonights headlining show in front of an estimated 130,000 people, which will also be broadcast on the Fuse TV channel.

More info and video footage of the band’s small warm-up show can be found over at Billboard…

Source.

I posted earlier this week about famed session drummer Josh Freese. This guy has officially played drums on over 200 records, and not just small unknown bands either. He’s appeared on albums ranging from Jewel, A Perfect Circle, Chris Daughtry, Nine Inch Nails, Puddle of Mudd, Evanesence, Filter, Fuel, 3 Doors Down, Staind, Avril Lavigne…the list goes on and on.

Josh Freese is so sought-after as a session drummer that even bands with their own drummers sometimes swap them out for Freese, so he can record drums on the albums! Unless he is a member of the band (like he was with A Perfect Circle), he is usually uncredited, so as not to offend the bands own drummer even further, one would assume.

His style is very straightforward most of the time, although he can play very complicated fills and beats as well. Anyone who’s heard his work can of course attest to this. He is known for his rock-solid beats and ability to master a songs drum parts instantly. He has even stated in several interviews that he has just gone into the studio and played drums to something without even knowing what it is, then he’ll be listening to the radio, the song will come on and he’ll say to himself “oh, so thats what that was for!”

Freese is currently recording and touring with Nine Inch Nails. He plays DW Drums, he was playing Zildjian cymbals, but switched to Paiste a few years ago. Here are the specifics of his drum setup…

Drum Workshop Drums, Pedals, and Hardware
Paiste cymbals
Remo drumheads
Vater H220 drumsticks

Drum Workshop Drums

1. 18″ x 22″ DW Bass Drum
2. 6″ x 14″ Paiste Spirit of 2002 Snare
3. 5″ x 14″ DW Aluminum Shell Snare
4. 8″ x 10″ DW Tom
5. 10″ x 13″ DW Tom
6. 14″ x 16″ DW Tom
7. 16″ x 18″ DW Floor Tom

Paiste Signature Series Cymbals

A. 14″ Dark Crisp Hi-Hats
B. 18″ Full Crash
C. 18″ Power Crash
D. 21″ Dry Heavy Ride
E. 19″ Full Crash
F. 20″ Dry Crisp Ride
G. 20″ Power Crash
H. 18″ Sound Formula Thin China 20″ (top), inverted Full Ride w/rivets (bottom)

Sources.

Beck has debuted a new track from presumably his new album and collaboration with Danger Mouse. The song “Chemtrails” is currently available for listening at his Myspace and Official website.

“The new song is not a single, but showcases Beck and Danger Mouse’s shared affection for late ’60s psych-pop, according to a statement.

Beck’s as-yet untitled, Danger Mouse-produced album is due out this summer, as previously reported”.

While I wasn’t much of a fan of Beck’s last single release “Timebomb” I happen to like this song. It seems like a weird post for a drum blog. Check out the drums on this track though. I’m not sure who played them or how they were recorded, but they sound really full and thick. This track also features fills all over the drum kit. The groove mostly remains on the hi-hat and in the pocket, which I like, especially considering that the song has some pretty soft and understated synth parts.

Source - The NME.

Since it’s Friday I figured I’d point people in the direction of this video…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpAx9J4lM4Q

It’s a video of famed drummer JoJo Mayer. This guy is just insane, if you haven’t heard or seen him play drums, check it out. He manages to play break beats, drum n’ bass and jungle style beats all on live drums! A lot of the stuff Dj’s play this guy can pretty much pull off on a drum kit.

In the video I’ve linked to here, he goes on to explain some of the concepts that make up his drum n’ bass technique.

*(Photo courtesy of VicFirth.com)

It’s Earth Day 2008! The day where we should all do something helpful for the planet, except its kinda hard to post about earth day on a drum blog.

Think about it…pretty much everything you use as a drummer; snare drums, your floor tom, your mounted toms, drumsticks, well pretty much the whole drum set…Besides the hardware and cymbals, is made of wood. I guess it’s not so bad considering that the majority of people who own drum sets aren’t ever going to just throw them away.

Anyway, I guess something drummers could do for earth day is be appreciative of the drums we have, and maybe try to volunteer around where you live or even just pick up a few pieces of trash, anything helps. We have to protect those trees! Or else no more drums!

Grover Pro Percussion Inc. has introduced two new models to its SilverFox drumstick product line, the “Boston Basher” and the “Sweet Pea” at the MESSE trade show in Germany.

Boston Basher
“The olive-shaped wood tip and short tapered shoulder achieve maximum projection from snare drums of any construction and bring out a full-bodied tone from toms. At 16″ long with a diameter of .620″, this durable hickory stick effortlessly achieves heavy volumes on the club scene or in arena venues without feeling heavy in your hands.”

Sweet Pea
“The Sweet Pea also enjoyed a successful debut at the MESSE show in Frankfurt, Germany. At 15-3/4″ long with a diameter of 0565″, this dynamic hickory stick features a small ball tip for fast response on cymbals while producing a warm sound on snare. Created in response to jazz artists’ requests for a stick with the feel of a 5A, yet capable of consistent cymbal articulation and projection, the Sweet Pea is the ideal choice for combo jazz in every setting.”

I think for me personally, I’d really like to try out the “Boston Basher”. While it is a pretty lame name for drum sticks, it sounds like it would be great for heavier/more aggressive playing. Also the length of this stick seems like it would be beneficial for a player like myself who is usually all over my drum kit and not always playing in the pocket. Although, the length of the “Basher” sticks would also help with playing the pocket as well.

Source.