Friday, November 30, 2012

Drum Videos


Victor Ribas ...New HURT drummer

Evan Johns, Louie Sciancalepore, and now Victor Ribas tries to due the job of playing drum's for HURT.
Who is Victor Ribas?  Well he's the newest drummer for HURT. And hopefully the last, I seriously hope this band doesn't have the Spinal Tap disease!!
After multiple line-up changes they have produced their new album The Crux. In my opinion not their best, although it is better than their last one Goodbye To The Machine, which was a little to poppy for my taste. J. Loren and the crew are back with a much heavier cd. It sounds more like Vol.1, which I really liked. This one has some heavy, melodic and dynamic songs, and he finally broke out his signature violin again, which seemed to all but disappear on the last album.

Victor Manuel Ribas, the newest drummer for the band, grew up in Seattle, WA. His first musical encounter was at the age of 5, beginning private piano lessons with local instructors. He continued to study piano until picking up his first set of drum sticks at the age of 13 and continued performing both Jazz and Marching music all the way through college. Ribas cites Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Danny Carey (Tool), Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta), Matt McDunough (Mudvayne), and Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) as some of his biggest musical inspirations. Although you wouldn't notice it on this record where he plays for the music and not himself.
So how did he get the gig?
Living in Seattle, Victor played in numerous bands while working in various local studios in the Washington and Oregon area. In 2010, he heard that the band Hurt was auditioning drummers. Ribas contacted the band and was flown from Seattle, WA for an audition. Soon after he was announced as HURT's new drummer. Simple as that. Luck? I don't know. But he certainly helps the band sound like it used too.
Here are some of the tracks I enjoyed:

"Caught In The Rain" is 1 of my favorite tracks. This song is classic HURT! It starts out nice and soft, with the piano and violin playing oh so sweetly. Then the verse picks up a bit and then they come storming into the chorus where Victor kicks it up a notch with the guitars cranking it up to 11, and really lay it down.
"So When" shows the band's maturity in song writing. It has some nice layers to it and I love how the drums fit the song perfectly. Victor seems to know his place in the song, which is rare these days where everybody wants to show off their chops and over do it. It seems Victor is confident in his drumming abilities.
"Numbers" is a good one with a cool time signature. It's got a nice heavy groove all the way through.
"Links &Waves" is the direction the band has been heading in for some time now. It sounds like it was from the last c.d. Personally I don't care for this style too much, but that's just me.
"Sally Slips" is what I'm talking about. Soft and slow in the verse and heavy in the chorus. Really, this is what I believe HURT fans want to hear. These songs really get my heart pounding, and when they play them live you can see the intensity in J. Loren's face.
"When It's Cold"  and "How We End Up Alone" are some of their best songs on this c.d.
This is the stuff that's gonna propel them to the next level. And if they keep on this track (and keep the band together) they will be in the top tier soon enough.
That being said, I enjoy Victor Ribas on the drums for this band, and most of the songs on this c.d.
 I didn't like it much at first listen, however after giving a few more tries it grew on me and I now keep it close to c.d. player. Give it a try and see for yourself what HURT is all about!

Drummimg tips

Don't forget mental practicing. Don't have time for drum lessons or practicing? This is an often overlooked, highly effective practicing method. There have been numerous studies on this and it does work. You can sit on a bus or a plane and visualize yourself playing through drum patterns. Go over them in your mind repetitively just as you would on your real drums. I do this all day long. I picture myself playing a beat over and over. Or tap a beat with my fingers and imagine myself playing it live.

 It's about time. Our primary responsibility before anything else is to lay down a steady drum beat for the band. This is before drum fills. You should understand "groove" thoroughly and be able to lay a backbeat down like nobody's business. Drum fills are secondary. Don't forget to use a metronome or drum machine during your drum practice sessions. Practice to AC/DC or the Beatles. These are fairly simple but damn near perfect time drummers. This will help ensure accuracy and imporve your overall time.

  Insurance: You should seriously consider insuring your drums. You'll then be covered If they're ever stolen or go up in a fire. Check into the "Island Marine" policies or attach it to your homeowner's insurance.

 Relaxation is the key to a superior performance on the drums. Practice relaxing during drum practice. Stretch out before you play. Take some deep calming breathes. And just let it flow naturally. The more you do this during practice, the more it will translate on stage.

Have fun! The last tip is another given – have fun no matter what you are playing. This means even if you are practicing boring rudiments, try and find a way to make it fun. If you are not having fun when you are playing, then you will not learn nearly as much. So play what you want to play, and practice what you want to practice! Drumming is supposed to be a way to express yourself in a good and positive way, so make sure you are having fun!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

SAVE THE EARS!!

Protect your ears! I can't stress this enough. Most musicians take this for granted. Buy a good set of ear plugs and start using them, especially while you practice. For the longest time I never used earplugs or any kind of hearing protection. I'm now paying the price for that disregard.
I now have Tinnitus, which I know many, many musicians have. It's extremely annoying and it will never go away. It makes it very hard to fall asleep and having peace & quiet is next to impossible.


Musical instruments can generate considerable sound and thus can also cause hearing loss. 
 In addition, attending live concerts (where noise levels can exceed 120 dB) can damage hearing, as well as listening to loud music through headphones.
If you think you have grown used to a loud noise, it probably has damaged your ears, and there is currently no treatment – no medicine, no surgery, not even a hearing aid, that truly corrects your hearing once it is damaged by noise.
There are a number of strategies that can be used to reduce the change of noise injury from other instrumentalists. Musicians ear plugs are generally “flat” so that bass and treble notes are not relatively favored, thus distorting perception. Nevertheless, a “vented” ear plug can be used to tune the ear cavity to low frequencies, which are less damaging. Drummers should use musicians ear plugs, such as the ER-25. Guitarists and vocalists can use the less attenuating ER-15. Too much ear protection can result in overplaying and not enough protection can result in hearing loss.
Plexiglas baffles can be used to reduce the noise from other instruments. These are particularly relevant for drummer’s high-hat and cymbals. Drums can be a problem. Ear monitors are small in-the-ear devices that look like hearing aids that can be used to electronically protect hearing, while allowing the musicians to hear themselves. Acoustic monitors are stethoscope like devices that block sound from other in the group, but allow the instrumentalist to hear their own instrument.
Loudspeakers produce both high- and low-frequency sounds. High frequencies tend to emanate in almost a straight line, while low frequencies are present in nearly all directions. Thus, standing besides a high-frequency source may provide some protection. Humming just prior to, and through a loud noise such as a cymbal crash or rim shot may provide some protection. Small protective muscles in the ear contract naturally when we sing or hum, and thus humming may protect from other noises.
The price of hearing should not be a factor when it comes to choosing the right ear plugs. So choose wisley, not cheaply!! Spending the extra money will determine whether you can hear when your 70 or if you're using a hearing aid when your 40.
So, save the ears so you can hear your kids and spouse enjoy music for the rest of your days

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Matt Cameron

Soundgarden is back.
"We've got such a good creative chemistry and it seemed like it was still there after all these years apart." Matt Cameron says in an interview with  NME online magazine.
The kings of grunge are back after 16 years with their new album "King Animal".
Many fans are happy to know that Matt is behind the kit on this album. Despite his gig with legendary grunge rockers Pearl Jam, and touring with them, he still has the time for the band that helped launch his drumming career.
In addition to Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, Cameron has a jazz trio with Bill Frisell and Herbie Hancock called Harrybu McCage. He has also played with Tone Dogs, Temple Of The Dog, Hater, The Smashing Pumpkins, Geddy Lee, Peter Frampton, Tony Iommi, and many others. To call this man a working drummer is a serious understatement!

The new disc is done in typical Cameron fashion. Odd times, great technique, and amazing beats.
He never disappoints me when I hear him play.
Some tracks that I like from the disc are:
Been Away Too Long- a great rock song that moves effortlessly throughout.
A Thousand Days Before -a somewhat softer song but with a great feel, and a smooth drum track. Nothing fancy on this one but it's easy to listen to and it's great to hear the band grow in their song writing.
Blood On The Valley Floor is a dirty, hard-edged, punch in the gut. I like the heaviness of this one. True grunge sound through and through.
Attrition-has this punkish feel to it and I didn't like it at first. After listening to it a few times, it's not that bad. It's a little different for the band, but that's just them showing off their new writing style.


I just can't say enough about Matt's style, it's his signature. He has created his own style and sound and that's a very rare thing in music these day's.
With this c.d. the band explores new territory and re-visits the old. It's good to see them back and better than ever. I don't know if they are planning on doing any more albums in the future, but we take what we can get. ENJOY!!
 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Drum tip of the day

Have a "Don't forget" list for packing up your drums before you head out the door. This works!! Type it out on your PC (or your Mac) and maybe laminate it. You can keep this in your stick bag as well to make sure you have everything before you leave for your gig. Drummers normally have more gear than anyone else in the band, so it only makes sense.
How many times have you gotten everything set-up only to find out that you can't find your drum key or beater? It happens. So having a "Don't forget list" is a great idea and could save your ass at a very important gig someday.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Drum tip of the day.

Listen to "all" styles of music.
This boosts your creativity on the drums and makes you more aware of how to approach these styles if you ever confront them in your band.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Brian Vodinh--10 years' drummer!!

I've heard of this band but I never really paid much attention to them. My loss! These guys have a great sound and style. Their new album "Minus The Machine" is what the hard rock scene has needed for some time. Talent and a willingness to create their own style. I enjoy this band and the new disc. But it's Brian Vodinh that I'm paying the most attention to. I dig this guys drumming style. It's not that he's extremely technical or outrageous. But rather he's got this element that he adds to each song. He doesn't play what's expected to be played. I like that. Especially on the song "Backlash". When I heard that song for the first time, it blew my mind. That drum track is fucking crazy!! How did he come up with that?! I still can't wrap my mind around it. The song starts out with this cool piano part and the drums roll in with this cool, fucked up beat. Then comes the chorus where Brian just slaps the shit outta those skins. Every time I hear this song I want to go break some shit!!! YA!! That's what I'm talking about. I like the intensity this band brings.
Lately I've been having a difficult time finding bands that get me pumped up and excited, however this band has done it. What a relief knowing that there are some bands out there that are willing to break the mold and find their own sound, and style.
"Backlash" is not the only song on this album, there are some other good songs on here.
"Dancing with the Dead" has some cool parts where the band is totally in sync with each other. The drums on "Sleeper" are, in my opinion, tastefully done. The cymbal crashes are in the right places and not too overdone. Towards the end of the song though, Brian seems to really get into the groove and let's loose on the kit. Throwing in some "Fuck-Ya!" double bass at the end to finish it off. Nice touch man.
 "Knives" is really cool too. Different in it's own right, but when the chorus kicks in, you'll find yourself nodding your head and then your body will start going back and forth on it's own. You can't control it so don't even try. It's just what this band does to you. Check them out, support them and if you can, go see them live. I can't wait to get the chance to see them.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Dave Grohl is back with QOTSA!!

After stepping aside for 2005's Lullabies to Paralyze and 2007's Era Vulgaris, the former Nirvana member and Foo Fighters main man will be back to spank the shit out of those skins on QOTSA's forthcoming, long-awaited sixth album, due out sometime next year. As Pitchfork reports, band mastermind Homme appeared on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show to announce that Joey Castillo has left the band, and Dave Grohl is back in. 
Source: SPIIN magazine.

Check out the photo leaked by QOTSA on twitter, notice Dave drums? 
http://www.spin.com/articles/dave-grohl-queens-of-the-stone-age-new-album


No Respect for the drummer.

Why is it that Drummers always get ripped on? What did WE ever do to deserve this lack of respect? I don't know how many "drummer" jokes are out there but they're getting old.
Don't these "musicians" realize that without a drummer they're just a bunch of assholes standing around trying to figure out how to start the song? Who's gonna give them the 4 count?
Who is going to sit there and keep the tempo going? The bass player?! I DON'T THINK SO!!
He's only there to take on the ugly fat chicks that the drummer doesn't want. The singer is a moving target for the beer bottles. And the guitarist is there to...well I really don't know why the guitarist is there. But the drummer is there to provide the back beat, the heartbeat to the song. We drive the music or at least keep the other guys from sounding like a train wreck. If you think we enjoy this verbal beating, think again. We have feelings and emotions. So remember, that we control the song and if you piss us off you might end up  doing it yourself. I've seen bands without a drummer, they don't last long. Have you ever seen a BAND without a drummer in the big leagues? Very few and far between. Respect the drummer and you've got happy drummer.
The time has come for the drummers to stand up and demand the respect we deserve!

Joe Rickard--RED drummer

Joe Rickard (named one of 2010’s up and coming drummers” by Modern Drummer magazine) on his Spaun  drum set  in the latest RED c.d. "Until We Have Faces".
“We had the title before anything else,” says RED bassist Randy Armstrong. “And we didn’t set out to make a concept record. But as I sat and listened back to the final record, it’s amazing how much of the content, pretty much unintentionally, deals directly with the title of the record. From start to finish, it’s about all the emotions people go through trying to find their identity.” http://redmusiconline.com/home
 After listening to this disc I understand where they're coming from. Most of the songs have a lot of emotion intertwined in them.  "Watch You Crawl" starts out with a nice heavy, guitar crunch and heavy drums and then leads into a half-time melodic rhythm and continues going back and forth until the end. You can definitely hear the emotion in singers Michael Barnes' vocals.
"The Outside"  shows off  the bands heavier side and showcases Joe's ability to dig deep into his back packet and pull out the big sticks.
The track "Who We Are" has this awesome 4 on the floor beat that you don't hear too often. The songs moves effortlessly with the straight forward tempo. With a cool breakdown in the middle, it cut's the song up nicely going into the bridge where Joe gives the toms a healthy beating.
"Best Is Yet To Come" gives a little glimpse of they're softer, more melodic sound.
The drums are tastefully done on every track on the disc, and doesn't disappointment.
I believe the band is moving in the right direction and definitely have created their own sound.
Don't miss them on tour this winter on the "Winter Jam 2013" Tour.
rocktunez.com
sodahead.com


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Brad Park-- Big Wreck...Albaross

Another update: Christopher Henry was the drummer on the record. Brad toured live for a time and definitely added some kick to the live show.

It has been brought to my attention that Brad Park is no longer with the band. As of right now I do not know who is on the drums for the remainder of the tour. If anyone has that info please pass it along.

The latest album from Big Wreck, "Albatross", is long overdue for fans. Their first c.d. since "The pleasure and the greed" from 2001. I was extremely excited to hear that they had a new album out and as soon as I got my hands it I realized they had a new drummer. Brad Park has taken over the reigns and seems to fit in just fine and adds a breath of fresh air to the new disc. I certainly enjoy the sound of his Pearl kit on the album. I can't say that anything strikes me as different, however, the sound fits perfectly with the Big Wreck classic, but not outdated, style. Big guitar sound and just the right amount of drums. Different than ex-drummer Forrest Williams' drum sound, which was really open, and airy, that had a great "live" sound to it, Brad's sound is more updated and refined and rounds out the new album perfectly. Big Wreck has somewhat polished it's sound on this disc to a cleaner version of it's predecessors, without totally losing that signature sound.
Some key tracks that I enjoyed are:  "Rest of the world", "Wolves", and title track "Albatross", which are classic BW style.
Songs like "Glass room", "Control", and "Time" are what this new c.d. offers, a newer style and somewhat updated sound. All in all it's a great album. I think new fans and old will enjoy this one and hopefully we won't have to wait 10 yrs. for the next one!



Monday, November 12, 2012

Neil Peart...the greatest of our time.

This is what a drum solo should sound like.
It just doesn't get any better than this folks. Truly amazing!!

30 richest drummers in the world.

The 30 Richest Drummers in the World 

  1. Ringo Starr – $300 Million (The Beatles, solo)
  2. Phil Collins – $250 Million (Solo, Genesis)
  3. Dave Grohl – $225 Million (Nirvana, Foo Fighters)
  4. Don Henley – $200 Million (The Eagles)
  5. Lars Ulrich – $175 Million (Metallica)
  6. Charlie Watts – $160 Million (The Rolling Stones)
  7. Larry Mullen Jr – $150 Million (U2)
  8. Roger Taylor – $105 Million (Queen)
  9. Joey Kramer – $100 Million (Aerosmith)
  10. Chad Smith – $90 Million (The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chickenfoot)
  11. Travis Barker – $85 Million (Blink 182, The Aquabats)
  12. Stewart Copeland – $80 Million (The Police)
  13. Alex Van Halen – $75 Million (Van Halen)
  14. Nick Mason – $75 Million (Pink Floyd)
  15. Tommy Lee – $70 Million (Motley Crue)
  16. Bill Ward – $65 Million (Black Sabbath)
  17. Jon Fishman – $60 Million (Phish)
  18. Carter Beauford – $55 Million (Dave Matthews Band)
  19. Rick Allen – $50 Million (Def Leppard)
  20. Tre Cool – $45 Million (Green Day)
  21. Danny Carey – $40 Million (Tool)
  22. Tico Torres – $40 Million (Bon Jovi)
  23. Max Weinberg – $35 Million (Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Conan O’Brien)
  24. Mickey Hart – $30 Million (The Grateful Dead)
  25. Bill Kreutzmann – $25 Million (The Grateful Dead)
  26. Neil Peart – $22 Million (Rush)
  27. Taylor Hawkins – $20 Million (Foo Fighters)
  28. Questlove – $16 Million (The Roots, Jimmy Fallon)
  29. Steven Adler – $15 Million (Guns N’ Roses)
  30. Mick Fleetwood – $8.5 Million (Fleetwood Mac)
Source: The Daily Swarm

Jon Larsen, Volbeat drummer

Volbeat's latest album "Beyond hell/Above heaven" is one of the best I've heard this year. It debuted on Nov. 25 2011, and the band has been touring nonstop ever since to support it. It's a great hard rock album with a twist of metal. Drummer Jon Larsen put's his stamp on this album with some really nice double bass work on every song. It's not overdone or over the top, but rather, with a tasteful, almost playful approach. The sound is so fat, and punchy, and the cymbals really sound great in the mix. I love the bass drum work, I can't seem to stop tapping my fingers when I listen to the c.d. 
The track "Fallen", which was their first single, really launched the album and their music career to new heights. "Heaven nor Hell" is a great rock track with nice harmonica work in it. Solid, with a nice time change, this track should be a single that could match the popularity of "Fallen".
"Who they are" has this cool Metallica/Slayer feel to it, that seems to be an influence in  their writing.
"A better believer"  has a really cool time change that keeps the listener intrigued by it's push/pull feel.
The song "7 Shots (featuring Mille Petrozza)" has a "Ghost riders" sound to it that stands out in the crowd on this disc.
If you like a great, solid, straight-up hard rock c.d. with double bass and catchy melodies, put this in your Ipod and give it a shot. You shouldn't be disappointed.
http://sadmanstongue.com/


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Trivium...new drummer Nick Augusto


 New drummer, Nick Augusto, sits down behind the kit on the new Trivium album, In Waves, and his most striking contributions come in the form of the occasional high tempo blast-beats peppered throughout the album. Augusto doesn’t seem to create as many memorable air-drum- inspiring fills and beats as previous drummer Travis Smith. Nonetheless, he is no doubt a consummate and solid player who knows when to sit in the pocket and when to stand in the spotlight. I think he's a great fit for the band and wish them continued success.

 After listening to In Waves, I've come to the decision that they are becoming one of my favorite metal bands.There were a few tracks on the new c.d. that got my attention, such as Inception of the end, Black, which is your basic smash-your-head-against-the-wall track, also contains some great melodies. 

 Caustic are the ties that bind has a great feel to it. It's heavy with bits of melodic moments mixed in.
Chaos Remains is one of my favorite tracks, it has a great metal feel and sound. It has some pretty cool double bass beats in there. Shattering the skies above is a great track from a drummer's view point.
I have to admit, Nick Augusto laid down some pretty cool shit on this c.d., I'm interested in hearing what the band brings on their next album.

Phil Collins drum solo

http://youtu.be/wdebGzgS3Rg


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Lars Ulrich...over-rated?

Is Lars Ulrich one of the best drummers of our era? I don't think so.
He certainly does have a signature style and sound, that's not debatable, however I do not think he's a great drummer. He did some good stuff on their early albums that is classic and timeless.
But his style isn't technical or complicated.
When I see all these "Best of" lists somehow he's always included. Is it because he plays in one the biggest heavy metal bands of our generation? Is it because he's done so much for the drumming community? I don't know. Maybe. I just don't see any major accomplishments on his part.
He didn't exactly create a new style of drumming and he's not the most technical drummer around.
So why is he so damn popular? I can think of many drummers who deserve the title of best metal drummer besides Lars. Joey Jordison comes to mind. And what about Dave Lombardo, Chris Adler, John Dolmayan, or Paul Bostaph? Are they even in the same catagory? That's for others to decide.
I've been a Metallica fan since Justice... and I'll never forget the first time I heard ONE and that double blast beat blew me (and my speakers) away.
All I'm saying is that I truly don't believe he's one of the greatest metal drummers of this era. I mean no disrespect to Mr. Ulrich or his fans, I'm just trying to figure this out.
 Agree or disagree?

Monday, November 5, 2012

If we can't laugh at ourselves...who can?

Funny Jokes – Bad Drummer
A nightclub owner hired a pianist and a drummer to entertain his customers. After several performances, he discovered the drummer had walked away with some of his valuables, so he notified the police and had him arrested.
Desperate for another drummer, he then called a friend who knew some musicians.
“What happened to the drummer you had?”   he asked the club owner.
“I had him arrested,” was the replied.
His friend paused for a second and asked, “How badly did he play?”


How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
 Five: One to screw the bulb in, and four to talk about how much better
 Neil Peart could've done it.


 • What's the best way to confuse a drummer?
 Put a sheet of music in front of him.


How is a drum solo like a sneeze?
 You can tell it's coming, but you can't do anything about it.  


  I once asked a drummer how to spell "Mississippi".
 He said, "the river or the state?" 


 • How do you get a drummer to play an accelerando?
Ask him to play in 4/4 at a steady 120 bpm.



If you know some more or better jokes please comment.

new products

Check out some of the best new products of 2012.
http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/the-best-of-namm-2012-guitar-tech-and-drum-highlights-526082/1


 http://www.drumchat.com/showthread.php/top-new-drumming-products-23970.html?s=b7711d1963de64aa447fd04b45744b70&t=23970

great websites

http://www.drumcircle.info/tag/slipknot-drummer/

http://75.126.102.75/drummers_by_band.htm

This one's for the drummers

This is for drummers world wide.
I would like to use this as a sounding board for drummers.
Check out new products, see "Best of.." lists, and tips on solving those annoying little problems that arise with at a gig or in general. And I'll be posting about local drummers in the Madison, WI scene.
This blog is about anything and everything related to drums and drummers.
I will post anything from drum clinics and concerts to just talking about drums and/or drummers.
I would love to see comments and if you have any ideas you'd like to see on this blog please let me know.

I have almost 20 yrs of experience and know a thing or 2 about drums. A few yrs. back I had to make the hardest decision of my life and my wife and kids won, hands down. Now I'm finding a way to be connected to the drums and drummers without having to sacrifice time with my family.