On November 2, 2008, Sabian sponsored the “Big Beat” event, held at nine Five-Star percussion shops across North America. With 1,286 drummers participating, the event raised a total of $45,503 for charity, $17,183 of which went to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation for the purpose of supplying musical instruments to deserving children in Big Beat cities.

Ain’t drummers just completely bloody awesome?

[Press Release]

It is with great sadness that we tell you of the passing of Modern Drummer editor in chief William F. Miller. Bill left us this past December 12, after a long and noble bout with cancer. Our hearts and thoughts are with Bill’s wife, Sarah, with their son, Clifford, and with the entire Miller and Otazo families.

Bill began his career at Modern Drummer as an intern over twenty years ago, eventually rising to MD’s top editorial post. A protégé of the magazine’s founder, Ron Spagnardi, Bill loved his work, identified himself with it, and dedicated all of his energy and effort toward it. His presence will be greatly missed.

Below is information for those wishing to pay their respects.

Visitation:

Monday, December 15
2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Shooks Funeral Home
486 Pompton Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-1489

Service:

Tuesday, December 16
10:00 a.m.
Christ Episcopal Church Of Bloomfield - Glen Ridge
74 Park Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 743-5911

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248165, Coral Gables, Fla., 33124, or the Melanoma Research Foundation, 170 Township Line Rd. Hillsborough, N.J. 08844, www.melanoma.org.

[via Drummer Connection]

Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, drummer for ’90s rock kings Hootie & the Blowfish, has tied the knot with Laura Bryan…who used to be married to Hootie guitarist Mark Bryan. No telling whether the Fleetwood Mac-esque bed-hopping will produce a Rumours-like comeback (er…umm…), but it’ll definitely make great fodder for a new Behind the Music episode.

We’re waiting for the marriage photos. Until then, here’s Soni in all of his shorn glory.

‘Tis the season for drummers to do good deeds.

Cut to the Drummer is an art show and drumming event that supports the MS Society of Canada Scholarship Program. And it looks pretty friggin’ cool. The art show comprises 50 portraits of 50 drummers by 50 artists. Tony Williams, Chad Smith, John Bonham, and Neil Peart are just a couple of the greats represented (check out the complete list here). The drumming portion of the show—the Drum-o-Rama—showcases up-and-coming drummers and local stars soloing head to head.

The event will take place on February 5, 2009, in Toronto, Canada. Tickets cost $150 for a VIP preview and silent auction, and $30 for the Public Reception and Drum-O-Rama.

Dave Buckner was booted from Papa Roach almost a year ago, but the drummer apparently remained a partner in various companies the band had formed. Now Buckner is looking for his cut of the profits and is asking that Papa be busted up so that he can get them. The suit was filed November 28. TMZ, as usual, has all the goods, including copies of the court documents.

Want to win a DM5 Pro kit with a set of Surge cymbals? Well, if you already got some Alesis gear, all you have to do is make a video of yourself performing with or demonstrating it. Just fill out the form here and upload your vid to YouTube between now and January 11, 2009, to enter the contest. Videos must cover current (not legacy) Alesis products to win, preferably from the company’s new products page. The winner will be notified via email live from the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, on January 15, 2009. Be sure to check out your competition on Alesis’s video gallery and YouTube page.

Grover Percussion just sent us notice of a Christmastime garage sale on scratch-and-dent bangables. Scroll about halfway down this page to get to the actual drums (don’t even think about buying any of those glockenspiels and xylophones). We dig this maple-shell floor model that’s going for $1,000:

[Press Release]

Taye’s Studio Maple line is already known for moving when you move, responding to every touch of the drum. Now, Taye Drums allows you to do it with their new BeBop configuration. With the looks and sounds of yesteryear, take advantage of the Studio Maple’s solid-shell design with 6 alternating vertical and horizontal plies of 100% North American Sugar Maple.

You will enjoy the smooth sound and traditional look of a 12” x 8” rack tom, 14” x 14” floor tom, 18” x 14” bass drum with a matching 14” x 5” snare drum. Kits are available in Black Oyster (SM418BP-BO) and White Pearl (SM418BP-WP) with a retail price of $1,919.

It is time to take Taye home with you and let everyone hear how good you sound.

Yep, we still got a big old crush on Alesis’s new Surge cymbals. We reported that they were shipping in September, but now we know exactly how much cash they’ll set you back. Check out the press release below.

[Press Release]

Cumberland, R.I. (Dec. 10, 2008) – Alesis, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional audio equipment and studio electronics, announces that its series of SURGE Cymbals is now shipping.

Crafted from lathed brass cymbal alloy and acoustically dampened with a clear vinyl layer, SURGE Cymbals features integrated piezo triggers in rugged ABS housings. The cymbals deliver acoustic-cymbal look, feel, and response with the added benefit of electronic-sound module flexibility: SURGE Cymbals’ sound.

SURGE Cymbals are available in two complete sets and five individual models, enabling drummers to customize their setup to their taste. SURGE Cymbal Pack contains a SURGE 12” Hi-Hat Cymbal, a SURGE 13” Crash Cymbal, a 16” Dual-Zone Ride Cymbal, and connection cables. SURGE Cymbal Pack with choke contains a SURGE 12” Hi-Hat Cymbal, a SURGE 13” Crash Cymbal with choke capability; a 16” Dual-Zone Ride Cymbal with choke capability, and connection cables. Models designated ‘with choke’ feature a large strip on their underside, which, when squeezed by a drummer, sends a message to the connected sound module to stop the associated sound that is playing. SURGE 12” Hi-Hat Cymbal, SURGE 13″ Crash Cymbals with and without choke, and SURGE 16” Dual-Zone Ride Cymbals with and without choke are each available separately, included necessary connection cables.

SURGE Cymbals are included with Alesis high-end electronic drumsets including the DM5 Pro Kit with SURGE Cymbals and the USB Pro Drum Kit. SURGE Cymbals are compatible with most major manufacturers’ drum-sound modules and nearly any cymbal stand or mounting system for use with electronic and acoustic drumsets.

“SURGE Cymbals are the perfect way to upgrade or add onto your drum kit,” noted Adam Cohen, Director of Business Development, Alesis. “There is simply nothing like SURGE available from any other electronic-drum manufacturer.”

SURGE Cymbals are now shipping to musical instrument and pro audio retailers and are available at the following MSRPs: Surge 12” Hi-Hat Cymbal, $199.00; Surge 13” Crash Cymbal, $249.00; Surge 13” Crash Cymbal with Choke, $299.00; Surge 16” Dual- Zone Ride Cymbal, $349.00; Surge 16” Dual- Zone Ride Cymbal with Choke, $399.00; Surge Cymbal Pack, $579.00.

[Press Release]

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, Phil Collins, Sting, and Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain Join a Host of Musicians in a Charitable Drum Donation for Teenage Cancer Trust

Some of the world’s greatest drummers have stepped forward in the fight to beat teenage cancer. Iconic musicians including Phil Collins, Sting, and members from Iron Maiden and Red Hot Chili Peppers have donated a signed drum kit to an exclusive auction raising money for the charity Teenage Cancer Trust, which helps teenagers and young people fight cancer. Now’s your chance to take home a piece of pop culture memorabilia.

From December 8 to December 15, the drums will be under auction and open for bids via the online auction site www.buyoncegivetwice.com.

Collectibles include:

• Remo 50th Anniversary snare signed by the 16 artists at Remo’s Drummer Night, including Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mark Schulman (Cher, Pink), Steve White (Paul Weller), and Ian Matthews (Kasabian).
• Remo drumhead signed by Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers.
• Gretsch Catalina series snare drum signed “Thanks for your support” by Phil Collins.
• Paiste 22″ Bell ride cymbal signed by Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain.
• Remo 14″ DW snare drum signed by Elton John’s drummer Nigel Olsen.
• Remo 14″ Emperor drumhead signed by Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers.

For your chance to bid, visit www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk/event/drummerlive.

Mark Schulman, backing drummer for Pink, said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Teenage Cancer Trust’s Drummer Night auction and hope it will raise as much cash as possible for the charity. I am a cancer survivor myself, as is my ex-wife, Kelly. I understand the challenges that patients go through, and I want to use my credibility as a drummer to raise awareness about such issues. I hope the auction can help raise enough money so that teenagers and young people going through cancer have access to specialised treatment centres, like those provided by Teenage Cancer Trust.”

There’s never a good time to get cancer, but for a teenager the timing seems particularly cruel. Young people can get some of the most rare and aggressive forms of cancer. This plus the emotional upheaval of adolescence can make a cancer diagnosis even harder to cope with.

Every day in the UK, six young people will have to face that diagnosis. Teenage Cancer Trust understands that teenage cancer requires specialist care and in fact, that young people have a much better chance in their fight against cancer if they are treated by teenage cancer experts, in an environment tailored to their needs.

Teenage Cancer Trust builds units in NHS hospitals which improve the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer. But as we receive no government funding, we rely on voluntary donations from people like you. It costs around £2million to build and equip a new unit.

We estimate that with the units we currently have around the UK, only half of the teenagers diagnosed with cancer now have access to this dedicated, specialist support. Our aim is build enough units so that, by 2012, every single teenager with cancer will be treated on one.

Most importantly, the units provide an environment where teenagers and young adults with cancer can meet others their age who are going through the same experience and provide support for one another.

For more information, visit www.teenagecancertrust.org.

[Press Release]

Brain, drummer for Guns N’ Roses, launches his official website, Brainbeatz.com, and a video instructional called Brain Has Made The Worst Drum Instructional DVD Ever. Beatz played by Brain are available for download at CD quality. Concert footage, short films, music, and downloads can be viewed at the new website along with a newsletter signup. Wiki aficionados world wide should update their pages with the new official website url.

San Francisco, CA (Billboard Publicity Wire) December 7, 2008 — Drummer extraordinaire, Brain, has toured and recorded with Primus, Tom Waits, Buckethead, Guns N’ Roses and Godflesh, to name a few. Today he debuts his new official website, http://BrainBeatz.com, and a drum instruction video titled “Brain Has Made The Worst Drum Instructional DVD Ever” (or Dogens Irrefutable House of Chop Chop). Wiki aficionados, sponsors and fans worldwide will want to make note of the new website and update their “Brain” links. The new DVD, “Worst”, features Brain’s drumming with the assistance of musical guests Buckethead and DJ Disk, as well as educational segments, inevitable comic relief and “the thirty-six ‘pairs of opposites’ in the activity of the Heart-Mind.”

Brainbeatz.com is a collection of photos, music, and videos from his live performances, short films and instructionals. New drum Beatz are promised every month at http://brainbeatz.com/beatz.php. The Beatz were perfected for songwriters looking for real drum sounds played by Brain. YouTube videos featuring Les Claypool, Bernie Worrell, and Buckethead are rotated with fresh concert footage. One short film, “Brain Buys a Crappy Drumset” is deserving of a reality TV show in itself.

This new DVD follows the success of his cult-favorite “Brain’s Lessons: Shredding Repis on the Gnar Gnar Rad.” Developed in partnership with DW Drums, the new video further illuminates Brain’s inimitable drumming philosophy. When asked why he made the Worst Drum Instructional Ever, Brain said, “I perceived a void in the Heart-Mind and the apparitional voice of Shobogenzo urging me to preach the path of the Nyger Sanction.”

Brain is no stranger to the music industry. Being the featured drummer on the release of “Chinese Democracy” (the long awaited album by Guns N’ Roses), brings another dimension to Brain’s long list of credits. Prior to the record’s release, Brain toured extensively with Primus, recorded several records with Bill Laswell and Praxis, and performed on the “Monster” soundtrack composed by BT. As a composer and producer, he has contributed his talent for TV soundtracks, major release movie trailers and company logos, such as Apple Computer.

The DVD and Beatz are now available at Brainbeatz.com.

Brain can be seen playing with SociaLibrium with Bernie Worrell, Blackbyrd McNight, and TM Stevens at these upcoming concerts:

Where: Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Doors:7:30 PM
Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: On Sale Now
Tickets available online at gamhtickets.com.

Where: Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO
Date: Friday, January 9, 2009
Doors: 8:30 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: On Sale Now
Tickets available online at http://www.foxtheatre.com/Store/ChooseTicket.aspx?sid=15333

Look at wee Neil! The pic is from his 1965/66 school year at Lakeport High School in St. Catherines, Ontario.

[via Rushisaband.com]

[Google Image Search fucks me again]

Will drums and technology ever really get along? While amp heads and effect pedals are a necessity for almost all guitar players, the nature of drums produces a whole slew of purists that can’t stand the idea of a bunch of geeky gear controlling their sound. Though 808s and V-Drums have their niches (hip-hop and stay-at-home dads, respectively), kick drum triggers are very contentious, especially in metal where double bass is commonplace. It’s rare to find a metal dude who doesn’t have a fairly strong opinion on triggers; they’re either “totally brutal” or “cocksucking garbage.” So let’s check out the two contrasting opinions.

Triggers Rule: If you want to keep up with the speed of modern metal guitarists, triggers are a necessity. There is no way, especially live, you can keep a consistent drum sound with the tempos of many grind and death metal bands. You’re already probably getting drowned out by your band members and their asshole amounts of gear. You’re up there to play, and the kick drum drives so many songs that if you can’t be heard then the song suffers. Think of the song. With the Red Shot Kick Drum Trigger from ddrum, you barely need to carry any gear and you don’t have to worry about pads muffling the tone. Even the fastest feet on Earth, Tim Waterson, uses triggers and he’s, well, the fastest fucking feet on Earth. Triggers rule, they aren’t going away, and you need to get on the right side of history.

Triggers Drool: Why in the fucking world do you want your kick drum to sound like a giant typewriter? So you can play faster? I got an idea: practice. Talk to someone like Dave Witte who does single foot blasts with no triggers and ask him if he can play fast enough for your shitty “shredding” metal circus. And where is the feeling? You may as well just play a tape of you drumming while you sit there and toss sticks in the air. If you need to be heard, tell your band to turn down or get the sound guy to turn you up. Or use your trigger money to buy a bigger kick. Anything so I don’t have to hear that sound. And even if you like the soulless tapping of triggers, I can’t imagine anything less metal than having a little glowing sound module right next to you. That should be reserved for your beer, pussy.

So who’s right? Feel free to use this rating system and let us know:

1. Triggers suck all of the shit.
2. Triggers suck shit, but I could envision a world where they could possibly only suck.
3. Triggers kind of suck, but they’re getting better.
4. There are some perfectly good reasons to use triggers, which I would like to tell you about.
5. You can have my triggers when you pry them from my cold, devil horn-shaped fingers.

Vic Firth’s venerable 5A and 5B sticks now come totally swanked out in a classic black finish. Steve Gadd model, not so smug now, are you?

[via Drummer Talk and Mike Dolbear]

In case you were worried that Tommy Lee wouldn’t have anyone to kiss on New Year’s, breathe easy. He and Pamela Anderson are spending the evening together in Montreal. In Pam’s own words, “How romantic.”

And there’s also a Lars Ulrich interview hidden in this video somewhere, but it’s really the dried nasal mucus that got our attention.

[via Blabbermouth]

Now this is the kind of contest that gets our full thump of approval. Custom drum manufacturer MapleWorks is looking for its next endorser, and it could be you if you got the skillz. To enter the contest, upload a video here of your best drumming performance. It can be from a live show, a rehearsal, or even better just a video of you playing drums in your garage, basement, or bedroom. If you choose to upload a video of a live performance with your band, the video must be focused on you playing the drums! Have your friends and family vote for you every day to get yourself in the Top 5. The winner gets an endorsement deal with MapleWorks and a custom 3-piece kit worth $3,100. The last day you can enter is January 16, 2009.

[via Drummer Connection]

U.K. mag Rhythm just scored a short interview with new NIN drummer Ilan Rubin. The fellow is only 20 years old, but it sounds like he’s got sticks big enough to replace Josh Freese’s…which surely must make Rubin want to defecate in his drawers, yeah?

No it doesn’t. I technically had to fill [Josh’s] shoes a bit since he recorded the majority of Liberation Transmission [his last band’s album], but I’m always a fan of a little competition too!

Could there be a more perfect stocking stuffer for drummers than this T-shirt drum kit?

Shit fire and save the matches! Benny Greb, the drummer dude we here at BDT have a big-time groove crush on, is coming out with a DVD in January 2009. Titled The Language of Drumming, it will be a two-disc set produced by Hudson Music (i.e., the production values are going to be top-notch). Check out the teaser trailer and a behind-the-scenes clip below: