M Drummer 11

NEW EQUIPMENT FROM ROLAND, TRX CYMBALS, TACKLE CASES
E RE TURN OF ELP
AND TH
THE ICONIC SETS OF
STING’S CARL PALMER
ZACH JONES
ELP’S “HOEDOWN”
THE DOORS OF THE 21ST CENTURY TRANSCRIPTION
AND BOOKER T’S TY DENNIS
NOVEMBER 2022
LEARN FROM:
PETER ERSKINE • JOE MORELLO • CHRIS LESSO
TONY VERDEROSA • JOE FRANCO
2023
LIMITED EDITION
Mapa Burl
June 2021 Modern Drummer 1
CONTENTS
16 CARL PALMER
Carl talks about his new Welcome Back My
Friends Tour, the long and misunderstood
history of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, his
drumming inspirations, and his long
drumming career. By Mark Griffith
26 THE ICONIC SETS OF

CARL PALMER
Carl recalls the exquisite details and the
behind-the-scenes stories surrounding
many of his most famous and iconic
drumsets. By David Frangioni
32 ZACH JONES 40 TY DENNIS

Zach and Danny ”Ziggy” Laverde discuss getting the gig with Before landing the gig with Robby Kreiger, Ray Manzarek and
Sting, and the hard work that led up to that pivotable point in The Doors of the 21st Century, and most recently Booker T; Ty
his career. By Danny ”Ziggy” Laverde Dennis learned from his jazz drumming father and the thriving
LA and Hollywood music scene. Ty recalls his musical upbringing
and his career (so far.) By Danny ”Ziggy” Laverde
Volume 46 • Number 11
Cover Photo Felipe Laverde
Contents photo Alex Kluft
LESSONS
46 JAZZ DRUMMERS WORKSHOP
Joe Morello explains the importance of Velocity in one
of his Control Studies, from his book Master Studies.
50 ROCK PERSPECTIVES
A drum transcription of Carl Palmer’s playing on EL&P
“Hoedown.” This is one of Carl’s favorite performances,
and the transcription comes from his book Applied
Rhythms.
55 BASICS
Author Chris Lesso talks about “The Rhythm of
Practice” from his book Life Through Rhythm.
56 ROCK AND JAZZ CLINIC

Joe Franco teaches us different ways to develop
soloing over the double bass roll, from his book
Double Bass Drumming.
62 CREATIVE PERCUSSION CONTROLLERS

This month Tony Verderosa talks about the Electro-
Organic relationship between acoustic drumming and
electronic drumming. He discusses the creative and
functional purposes of these innovative instruments.
EQUIPMENT
12 NEW AND NOTABLE
Modern Drummer brings you the
newest gear from Roland, TRX
Cymbals, and Tackle Cases.
14 PRODUCT CLOSE UP
The new Roland SPD SX Pro is
reviewed by Jason Mehler.
DEPARTMENTS
4 EDITORS OVERVIEW 68 COLLECTORS CORNER
David Frangioni talks about Modern Tim Northup gives us the history behind
Drummer’s cover feature, and his first one of Northup Drums Museum’s coolest
drumming inspiration, the legendary Time Capsule Kits, a 1936 Leedy Century
Carl Palmer. David’s obsession with “Full Dress” Trap Set with the original Dutch
Carl’s drumsets is obvious, but David’s Windmill painted bass drum head.
involvement editing the footage being used
in Carl’s new tour is a true source of pride. 70 OUT NOW
Modern Drummer spotlights new recordings
6 KIT OF THE MONTH that feature impressive drumming and are
Kyle Schnieder tells an inspirational and led by extraordinary drummers.
touching story about his Pearl Reference kit.
72 EYE CANDY
10 JAZZ INSIGHTS Hal Blaine’s “studio monster” set started it
Peter Erskine gets a lot off of his chest in all. Modern Drummer gives you a close look
“What Drummers Don’t Like.” at this iconic and hit-making drum set.
AN EDITOR’S OVERVIEW
Carl and I Founder Ronald Spagnardi 1943–2003

Co-Founder Isabel Spagnardi
Publisher/CEO David Frangioni
T his month’s Modern

Drummer documents
another milestone in our
CFO Carolina Frangioni
President David Hakim
drumming community’s storied Vice-President Ronnie Jimenez
history: Carl Palmer and the CTO Jason Mehler
reunion tour of Emerson, Lake Senior Art Director Scott Bienstock
& Palmer. It’s hard to believe
Content Director Mark Griffith
that EL&P has not performed for
many years, but they’re back, Editorial Daniel “Ziggy” Laverde
and Welcome Back (to be clear!) Contributing Editor & Photographer Alex Kluft
Here we are in 2022 and the Digital Marketing Manager Ricardo Rodriguez
tour will last well into 2023 and Worldwide Education Dom Famularo
24. In the spirit of what inspires
Live Fom My Drum Room Podcast John DeChristopher
each of us to drum, perhaps
Archivist Felipe Laverde
even the impetus of what fuels our passion for drumming, I want to
share a short story. Videographer Tyson Francion
At two years old, I was diagnosed with cancer of the eye. This
THE MD PRO PANEL/ADVISORY BOARD: Chris Adler, Carmine Appice,
forced my parents to deal with my three possible outcomes: death, Kenny Aronoff, Bill Bachman, Eddie Bayers, Gregg Bissonette, Jason Bittner,
blindness, or half-blindness. I got lucky and only suffered half- Bill Bruford, Will Calhoun,Terri Lyne Carrington, Matt Chamberlain,
blindness. The trauma and pain I went through can be shared on Peter Erskine, Dom Famularo, Daniel Glass, Alex González, Danny Gottlieb,
another day. What I found during my battle was drumming, and in Benny Greb, Matt Halpern, Horacio Hernandez, Gerald Heyward, Taku Hirano,
my case, Carl Palmer’s drumming with EL&P. This was the 70s, there Jonathan Joseph, Jim Keltner, Paul Leim, Peter Magadini, Pat Mastelotto,
Rod Morgenstein, Andy Newmark, Carl Palmer, Stephen Perkins, Dafnis Prieto,
was no internet and barely any TV channels; We had magazines
Rich Redmond, Brian Reitzell, Jim Riley, Bobby Rondinelli, Antonio Sánchez,
and LPs as the go-to for experiencing our musical idols. I absorbed Cindy Blackman Santana, Chad Smith, Steve Smith, Todd Sucherman,
any and every magazine and record I could find. I was inspired by Billy Ward, Kenny Washington, Dave Weckl, Paul Wertico, Dennis Wolfe
Carl’s virtuosic drumming that I heard on records, and his famous
one-of-one stainless-steel kit that I saw in pictures. I had never CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Billy Ashbaugh, Donn Bennett, Clayton Cameron, Bob Campbell,
heard rock drumming sound like this, nor heard the ”sound” of Peter Erskine, Dom Famularo, Bob Girouard, Mike Haid, Brian Hill,
a single-headed concert tom kit. Carl’s inspiring drumming and Daru Jones, Nic Kubes, Chris Lesso, Daniel Laverde, Peter Magadini,
Raghav Mehrotra, James Petercsak, Tony Verderosa
sound had definition and projection.
Nearly 40 years after this story takes place, I was able to acquire
the stainless-steel kit (yes, THAT one!) and collaborate with Carl on MODERN DRUMMER magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is published monthly by MODERN
DRUMMER Publications, Inc., 1279 W. Palmetto Park Rd PO Box 276064 Boca Raton,
a Carl Palmer, ELP Legacy DVD/CD that we co-produced and mixed FL 33427. PERIODICALS MAIL POSTAGE paid at Boca Raton, FL 33427 and at additional
together. We even double-drummed on the track “Nutrocker.” A mailing offices. Copyright 2022 by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc. All rights
reserved. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited.
“pinch me please” moment, it was unreal!
Carl and I recently collaborated on the video content and EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES:
MODERN DRUMMER Publications, 1279 W. Palmetto Park Rd PO Box 276064 Boca
elements of the production to bring back the live experience Raton, FL 33427. info@moderndrummer.com
of Carl’s drumming with Emerson & Lake on this new tour. You
must see this show to believe it! I hope that you will check out Email: info@moderndrummer.com.
carlpalmer.com to find a tour date near you. MODERN DRUMMER welcomes manuscripts and photos but cannot assume responsibility
In the meantime, enjoy our extensive coverage of Carl and the for them.
tour in this month’s issue of MD. I hope that each and every one SUBSCRIPTION CORRESPONDENCE: Modern Drummer, 1279 W. Palmetto Park Rd
reading this issue stays inspired and finds their dream moments in PO Box 276064 Boca Raton, FL 33427. Change of address: Allow at least six weeks
for a change. Please provide both old and new address and send to
a way that only drums, drumming, and drummers can provide!
info@moderndrummer.com
David Frangioni POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, 1279 W. Palmetto Park Rd PO
Box 276064 Boca Raton, FL 33427.
Publisher/CEO
Modern Drummer Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 41480017 Return undeliverable Canadian
addresses to: PO Box 875, Stn A, Windsor ON N9A 6P2
MEMBER: National Association of Music Merchants, Percussive Arts Society
Subscribe today at moderndrummer.com/subscribe

MODERN DRUMMER ONLINE: www.moderndrummer.com
Music Key
@ModernDrummer modern_drummer @modern_drummer
4 Modern Drummer November 2022

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Digital Download Component Photos/analysis of Smith’s drumsets through the years
Available in print and digital format at moderndrummer.com or from your favorite music retailer
KIT OF THE MONTH
Eric Carr inspires Kyle Schneider and “Fred.”
T his month’s Kit of the Month comes

to us from Kyle Schneider. The story
that accompanies this kit is inspirational,
educational, and touching. We’ll let Kyle tell
the rest…
“In 1985, I watched KISS: Animalize Live and
I became completely engrossed with KISS
drummer Eric Carr. I loved his crazy chops
and his giant drum kit. Eric’s kit has been my
dream kit ever since that day.
In 2010 I told my father how much I wanted
to recreate Eric’s kit and how much I wanted
a top-of-the-line drum kit. He told me to start
saving $5 here and there, and eventually I
would have enough. My dad passed away
unexpectedly a couple days after that very Pearl Reference Drums: Mounted Toms: 8x6 New Beat Hi Hats, 16” A Custom Crash, 17”
conversation. However, I carried his words (Masterworks;) Reference: 8x8, 10x10, 10x12, K Medium Thin Dark Crash, 12” A Custom
with me. 11x13, 12x14, 13x15, 14x16; Floor Toms: Splash, 16” A Medium Thin Crash, 17” A
After saving for 10 years, I finally bought 16x16, 16x18. Bass Drums: (2) 18x24; Snare: Custom Medium Crash, 18” K Medium Thin
my dream kit. It is a beautiful Pearl Reference 5x14. Dark Crash, 19” A Custom Medium Crash, 19”
kit in Scarlet Sparkle Burst. In honor of my A Ultra Hammered China, 19” Rock Crash, 20”
father, I’ve named my kit Fred. Here are the Zildjian Cymbals: (as seen from the driver’s K Custom Ride.
specifications of the kit:” seat view:) 12” A Splash, 18” Rock Crash, 14” A

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– BORN TO PLAY!
The GEWA G3 uses the same high-resolution sound

samples as the GEWA G9 and G5 modules!
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The GEWA G3 uses the same trigger technology

as the GEWA G9 and GEWA G5 kits.
It offers 3-zone cymbals, all with a 360° playing
Real Feel surface – even for the Hi-Hat!
The GEWA G3 module is very simple to use.

Switch it on, complete the Setup Wizard,
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JAZZ INSIGHTS
What Drummer’s Don’t Like
By Peter Erskine
T here are reminders, and then there are painful reminders. I was
on the receiving end of a most-unpleasant reminder recently
concerning what I don’t like, and I thought it would be useful
This was a bit of a session-stopper to say the least. Also, a steady
cowbell beat in place of a click resembles nothing more than the
Saturday Night Live skit (“more cowbell”) having fun at Blue Oyster
to pivot the negative experience into a teachable moment. The Cult’s expense. All of this is to say: make sure the project you’re
purpose of this month’s column is to spark conversation between working on has a UREI click or similar metronomic reference. This is
the drummers who read this and their musical colleagues. Hence just my opinion, but anything else is asking for trouble.
the title, “What Drummers Don’t Like.” Please share this with
your immediate circle of musician friends, engineers, fans, and 2. We do not like it when the front-of-house sound mixer adds
drum companies. For the sake of clarity, I will list these dislikes dynamics to the band.
numerically but in no particular order.
I’m a musician. If the bass player begins to take a solo, I play softer.
1. We do not like gimmick-sound clicks like cowbells or cross- The bass does NOT need to become louder than normal. And a
sticks when recording. horn soloist should not suddenly be louder than the rest of the
band. Find a balance, then please sit back, watch the show, and
The industry-standard for a headphone click (that metronome enjoy the music. WE know where the softs and the louds are, you
musicians listen to when recording) is the UREI (pronounced (the mixer) don’t.
“your-E” with an emphasis on the first syllable). “UREI” is an
acronym for United Recording Electronics Industries. They were a 3. Which reminds me, NOBODY in their right mind likes
manufacturer of recording, mixing, and audio signal processing subwoofers.
hardware for the professional recording studio, live sound, and
broadcasting fields. Their “click” sound is precise yet blunt-enough 4. Okay, nobody likes the injudicious use of subwoofers. Which
as not to cause high-end pain, discomfort, or damage to one’s is, unfortunately, most of the time.
hearing. It is also less prone to leakage. In short, there’s a reason it
has been the recording industry standard for over fifty years. This 5. Drummers do not like to be told which cymbal to play when
is the available “classic” click sound in Pro-Tools (UREI or MPC), or where. Period.
and if you’re an Apple Logic user, you will find it under the name
“Klopfgeist.” (Why a German word? Because Logic was originally 6. If the drummer begins to play a more OPEN or SYNCOPATED
a German software product). ANY substitution carries the risk of beat, that is NOT THE CUE for the bass player to do the same.
a headphone accident, which is what happened to me the other This is the result of our playing off the existing bass pattern or feel
day. I had my volume set to the UREI click, when suddenly, this pre- in order to create counterpoint and generate some rhythmic ideas
recorded cowbell click sound shot down the cue line with a sonic of interest. Likewise, if the bassist begins to stray from the steady
ferocity that resembled a pistol being fired directly into my ear. pulse they’ve been playing, that is not the cue for the drummer

to follow suit. The change is in response to — and is depending sits in and moves parts of their kit around, and then does not
on — the current feel continuing. The same can be said or applied take the time or care to move those pieces back into their original
to comping: no “Mickey Mousing,” please. Be original, be inventive, position. JUST SIT DOWN AND PLAY.
but be consistent when it comes to providing meaningful rhythmic I was called to replace a drummer on a recording session-in-
information to the band. progress because the drummer got food-poisoning. I rushed to
the studio where his drums were set-up and mic’ed. The engineer
7. We do not like printed-out drum parts that are 18 pages kindly asked me if I would like to move anything. I replied, “Nope.
long. Drummers tend to use both hands while playing, so please These are his drums, and this is his session. I’ll be fine.” And I was.
consolidate your measures into a manageable page count. Also, In fact, it’s always interesting to play another drummer’s set-up. It
please kindly consider page turns when notating important makes the mind and senses that much more alert to everything
rhythms. that’s going on. Or, in other words: JUST SIT DOWN AND PLAY.
8. On a related note: musicians do not like drummers who do not 16. Drummers (or ANY musicians) do not like it when someone
know how to read music. Period. grips their hand too tightly for a handshake!
9. Drummers do not like having microphones placed around On a more personal note — in addition to all of the above — what
the drums until they have finished setting up. Soundpersons: else don’t I like? I do not like a snare strainer that causes a snapping
please wait until the drummer indicates that he or she is ready for sound to be heard when I engage the snares; silence is golden.
the kit to be mic’ed. I also do not like Velcro being placed on the bottom of the bass
drum or hi-hat pedals (see dislike #12.) Such a practice should be
10. Drummers don’t like it when every song has the same declared illegal in all 50 states of the union as well as in Puerto Rico
boring order of soloists, with the bass solo being followed by and the Virgin Islands. And I do not much care for a snare stand that
trading 4s, etc... In fact, no one likes it. BORING. Jazz musicians: weighs as much as a sumo wrestler. Otherwise, I like to consider
The Peter Erskine Library

don’t be lazy. myself easy-going in addition to being easy to please! What are
YOUR pet-peeves?
11. Drummers don’t like stage risers or platforms that bounce. No matter what, I will suggest that you follow my newly adopted
motto which I learned from a student. Whenever possible, and in
12. Drummers do not like flimsy drum rugs. all circumstances, don’t choose violence but choose peace.
13. Drummers do not like cymbal stands that weigh as much as

a 1957 Chevrolet engine block.
Check out Peter’s drummer
14. Drummers do not like it when other drummers over-tighten profile page, and get a copy
common hardware. of his Legends book at
modern drummer.com
15. Drummers REALLY don’t like it when another drummer
I *do* like touring with a great

band (w/ Darek Oles, Alan Pasqua
and George Garzone)

ROLAND ANNOUNCES MULTIPLE V-DRUMS PRODUCT UPGRADES
Updated Sound Modules, New Upgraded Kits, and V-Drums Acoustic the progress of developing drummers everywhere, combining
Design Lineups. expressive sound and authentic playability with powerful coaching
Roland, a world leader in electronic drums and percussion, tools and built-in Bluetooth for playing along with music from
announces multiple upgrades to the company’s award-winning mobile devices. Now, the journey continues with two new kits that
V-Drums product lineup. New TD-17, TD-27, and V-Drums Acoustic build on the top-tier models from the original lineup.
Design models have been released with significant hardware Along with the updated TD-17 module, the new TD-17KVX2
upgrades to previous-generation and TD-17KV2 kits add thin
kits. In addition, the sound V-Cymbal pads that offer more
modules included with the kits natural movement and improved
have been updated with a variety stick feel. The TD-17KVX2
of new features. features two 12-inch CY-12C-T
crash cymbals, while the TD-
TD-17 and TD-27 Drum Sound 17KV2 comes with one CY-12C-T.
Modules: Version 2.0 Updates Both kits come with a 14-inch
Updates bring powerful CY-14R-T ride cymbal with three-
enhancements to the TD-17 and TD- way triggering for edge, bow,
27 modules. and bell sounds.
The Version 2.0 update for the TD-27KV2 V-Drums
TD-17 module features 10 all-new Equipped with advanced digital
preset kits and 10 kits previously trigger pad technology and
exclusive to the module in the other top V-Drums features,
VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic the TD-27KV2 brings serious
Design set. The added kits employ drummers premium playability
26 pre-loaded samples that can and flagship-level expression at
also be used to create custom kits. an affordable price. The updated
Reverb and Kit Comp effects have TD-27 module includes many
been added as well, along with 11 next-generation technologies
more MFX types for shaping drum derived from the top-of-the-line
tones. The module also includes TD-50X. And with the TD-27KV2’s
support for content on Roland spacious layout and large,
Cloud, where users can explore an comfortable pads, players can
ever-growing range of artist kits use all their standard acoustic
and more. drum techniques without
With Version 2.0, the TD-27 compromise.
module gets even better with Expanding on the digital
10 additional preset kits and snare and digital ride pads
newly enhanced versions of included with the previous
the three most popular kits TD-27KV model, the TD-27KV2
from the original release. New adds a VH-14D digital hi-hat.
pre-loaded samples are also The 14-inch top/bottom cymbal
included. Layering features design mounts on a standard
have been expanded, while acoustic hi-hat stand for an
parallel compression options and authentic look and feel. Playing
transient shaping enhancements dynamics, stick techniques, and
provide even greater sound foot articulations are all captured
control. The module interface with perfect detail, thanks to
has also been improved for the high-resolution detection
faster sound selection and drum system and lightning-fast module
customization. processing. The TD-27KV2 also
New kits based around includes 12-inch CY-12C-T and
these modules will ship with the Version 2.0 updates. Later in 14-inch CY-14C-T crash cymbals with thin profiles to further enhance
2022, owners of existing TD-17 and TD-27 modules will be able the acoustic playing experience.
to download the Version 2.0 updates on Roland Cloud with a free The new TD-17, TD-27, and V-Drums Acoustic Design models
Roland Account. will be available in the U.S. in October 2022. The TD-17KV2 and TD-
TD-17KVX2 and TD-17KV2 V-Drums 17KVX2 kits are priced at $1,599 and $2,099, respectively, and the
Since its launch in 2018, the TD-17 V-Drums series has powered TD-27KV2 is priced at $3,499.

TRX CYMBALS
ANNOUNCES NEW MODELS
New Dark, Dry DX Series Expands TRX Popular-Priced Special Edition Line.
The TRX Cymbal Co. has announced the introduction of its new Special
Edition DX Series. The line expands the company’s high-quality, high-
performance, handcrafted Special Edition line by adding a darker, drier
tonal option to the existing KX (mid) and AX (bright) range.
Available in a full selection of affordably priced Rides, Hi-Hats,
Crashes, and Effects, TRX Special Edition DX cymbals are currently
played by 2008 Guitar Center Drum-Off Champion Jerome Flood, Jr.
(Floodgeight), 2014 Hit Like A Girl winner Fer Fuentes (NIKI) and a
growing number of today’s leading drummers. To learn more, visit the
TRX website at www.trxcymbals.com
HIT LIKE A GIRL AND PLAYDRUMS.COM LAUNCH

A NEW PEER-INSPIRED COMMUNITY PROGRAM.
Leading drum industry organizations Hit their posts and videos featured on the “As new generations have emerged, and
Like a Girl and PlayDrums.com have joined PlayDrums.com social pages by tagging music has become more accessible and
forces to launch the Drumming Connects Us and following @playdrumsdotcom and @ diverse, we’re seeing the start of a new wave
Community – a peer-inspired community hitlikeagirlcontest and using the hashtags of drummers and music makers,” says David
designed to encourage and engage young #drummingconnectsus and #playdrums. Levine, Hit Like a Girl Executive Director and
drummers and draw new players into the “This new Drumming Connects Us drum industry consultant. “Today’s players
excitement and benefits of active music program is a way for drummers (under 18 have 24/7 access to videos, play-along’s, and
participation. years of age) to highlight their skills while educational content on the internet. The
Drumming Connects Us Community sharing the fun of drumming with other kids Drumming Connects Us Community offers
encourages adolescents (18 years and on social media,” states Antoinette Follett, a way for kids and teens to find, share, and
under) to play drums Executive Director inspire each other.”
and support each other of PlayDrums. Additional elements of Drumming
through social media com and the Connects Us Community as well as a
engagement. Young Percussion companion program called Drumming
drummers receive tips Marketing Connects Us Outreach will be announced
on how to get started Council. “To in the coming weeks. To learn more, visit
on drums, how to connect with other launch the program, our featured drum www.playdrums.com/dcu-community
drummers around the world, and how to be community influencers have created a reel and @PlayDrumsdotcom on Instagram and
safe online from a group of six exceptional to help promote positive messaging and Facebook.
young players – Recker, Lola, Austin, KBG, safe social media sharing.” View at: www.
Lil D, and Kii. Young drummers can get playdrums.com/dcu-community
TACKLE INSTRUMENT SUPPLY CO. INTRODUCES AN

IN-DEMAND CYMBAL CASE FOR AN IN-DEMAND DRUMMER.
As one of the most County to rehearse for a Disney show. Eventually he makes his way
in-demand drummers back up to the San Fernando Valley to end the day performing with
in Southern California, The Little Brazil Trio.
Marcelo Bucater spends The Tackle Instrument Supply Original Waxed Canvas Cymbal Case
a lot of time driving from serves Marcelo very well for this type of round the town gigging on
gig to gig. On a typical the go. It holds all of the cymbals that he might need and has plenty
day, he might start out of room for snacks on those days that there’s no time to stop for lunch.
teaching at The Los
Angeles College of Music Be like Marcelo and pick up a Tackle Backpack Cymbal Case today!
in Pasadena, then he • Available in 22” and 24” with dividers
drives out to Hollywood • Available in 3 colors: Black, Brown and Forest Green
to do some session • Backpack straps and handle
work, this is followed by • Stick case attaches easily
heading down to Orange • Reinforced bottom

PRODUCT CLOSE-UP
Roland SPD-SX PRO

By Jason Mehler
S ince the company’s establishment in the early 70’s, Roland

Corporation has produced arguably some of the most
iconic and influential electronic musical devices known to
latency while pad switching
was impressive. Roland’s
press release mentioned that
the world. Their products have shaped popular music in ways the sensor structure of the 3
that are hard to quantify. The Roland story of innovation shoulder pads were revised
continues with the release of their latest sampling pad, the to allow better sensitivity at
SPD-SX PRO. Roland announced the release of the SPD- shallow mounting angles. I
SX PRO in September 2022 as the new flagship model in gave it a try by laying the unit
the long-running SPD series. It boasts several professional flat on a table and playing
improvements to their road-tested touring-standard SPD-SX almost parallel to the pads.
model,. These improvements were based on user feedback. The shoulder triggers had
This month we will be taking the SPD-SX PRO for a test drive. a great response and the
The immediate and obvious difference between the improved crosstalk protection
SPD-SX PRO and the Original SPD-SX is the larger 4.3-inch that Roland mentioned,
color LCD screen. Its generous size makes it very easy to read is certainly doing its job. I
and navigate the settings. The on-screen menu is nicely laid tried to force some crosstalk
out and colorized, which is a huge visual aid, especially with between pads by cranking
the pad LED settings. Many of the front panel buttons are the sensitivity, blasting the
backlit, making them easy to read in low light situations. If speakers, and hitting the pads
I had to suggest any improvements for future models, I’d hard but I failed to produce
request that the panel labels be backlight as well. They are any crosstalk.
currently painted on the metal and difficult to read in dark It is hard not to just scroll
surroundings. through and play around
Once the unit is powered up, the pad LEDs light up in with the 43 pre-loaded drum
various colors, as opposed to the one red light from the kits which utilize some of the
original SPD-SX. The LEDs are easy to see from a distance 1500 high-quality sounds
and can be very useful. The utility of the colorized zones stored in the SPD-SX PRO
became clear to me while I was rocking out on the blue- from the factory. Playing
lighted pads and accidentally hit a yellow pad that triggered along to the pre-recorded
a loop, wrecking my wicked drum solo. You can apply colors loops is fun. I always get stuck
to individual pads, group them with tags and change how on the TR-808 recreating 80’s
they behave when the pad is struck. I experimented with hip hop and freestyle grooves
this feature a bit and made the vertical LEDs remain lit while (FYI, it’s kit #026, you’re
the horizontal pad LEDs only illuminated when struck. You welcome!) That’s always
can dial in and fine tune your own custom colors using the a huge request at family
onscreen RGB controls, just in case you want your pads to gatherings.
Jason Mehler
match your 80’s fluorescent face paint & jewelry. While traversing the
As a drummer with a “techie” brain, my approach to the internal kit layouts, I like how
SPD-SX PRO (and new gear in general) is to just dive in and you can start a loop from one
try to make it do things that I want it to do, like plugging in kit and then flip through to
old trigger pads and an off-brand pedal to control the HH. play another kit while the old
Luckily for me, both of those things worked, although I’d loop is still playing. If things
recommend the Roland HH control pedal as that is what it was get too messy or you accidentally start a loop out of time,
designed for. The HH control input is new on the PRO and can there is the trusty panic button on the front panel labeled
either be used to control the HH or to attach an expression “All Sound Off” that stops anything that is producing sound
pedal. Among the other additions to the back panel are four except for the click in the headphones. I can see how that
additional trigger inputs (eight total) and four balanced direct would come in handy at a show when a loop goes rogue, or
outs. I noticed that the headphone jack was moved to the far the band loses the tempo.
right of the back panel all by itself, which made it very easy to After getting my fill of the factory presets, I decided to try
find without flipping the unit around. Not sure if that was on some customization. The SPD-SX PRO has a new layering
purpose, but it helps. feature that allows you to layer two different sounds per
I spent a lot of time scrolling through the preloaded drum trigger, and you can control how those sounds interact with
kits and loops. They all sound great, as you would expect from each other. It’s very easy to do. There is a great little graphic
a Roland product, and the improved pad sensitivity and low representation of layers A & B that shows you where in the

sensitivity range that each layer is triggered. There are multiple layer 3 minutes, including mic setup, recording, and editing the start
types, for example, you can set the layer type to MIX which would position of the sample’s waveform. The 32GB of internal memory is
cause layer A to trigger at low sensitivity. Then as you play louder, twice as much as the SPD-SX has and seems like enough space to
layer B in comes in with the second sound. I decided to create a store a ton of sound samples. You can also store data on a flash drive
snare drum with two layers so that I could completely swap sounds and access it via the USB memory port on the back panel.
at a certain sensitivity. For this you only need to change the layer Thanks to the great foundation provided by the original battle-
type to SWITCH and pick your sounds. This is great for practicing tested SPD-SX, the SPD-SX PRO does a lot of things right. There’s
accents and taps or if you wanted to play kick and snare on the same very little to dislike about this sampling pad. What it does, it does
pad with one hand. There are many options for editing individual well, and most tasks are refreshingly easy to carry out. The Roland
sounds such as fine tuning the waveform or applying effects. SPD-SX PRO retails for $1,199.00 .
Recording samples directly to the unit is easy with the direct roland.com
input on the back. I was able to sample a snare drum in under

Alex Kluft

Carl Palmer:
Welome Back
My Friends...
By Mark Griffith
Carl Palmer is a drumming legend.

Name another drummer who had
#1 hits with four different bands? His
drumming in Emerson, Lake, & Palmer
is epic and renowned. His drum parts
and playing in the band Asia are
unforgettable. His larger-than-life
drumsets are etched in drummer’s
minds around the world. He is one of
the drummers that lit the torch for
virtuostic and long drum solos in rock
music, and he is still carrying that torch
today.
This month, Carl will continue the
tradition of playing the big rock and
roll hi tech stage productions that
ELP began in the early 70s. His new
Welcome Back My Friends, The Return
of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer Tour is
going to amaze and inspire a new
generation of musicians and ELP fans.
But this tour does raise some questions,
and Carl isn’t hiding from them. Both
Keith Emerson and Greg Lake were
musical icons who died in 2016. So how
can this be The Return of Emerson,
Lake, & Palmer? Listen to Carl’s honest
explanations about this new tour, his
musical intentions, and the long process
of putting this tour together. We also
explore his drumming and musical
background, the misconceptions of
ELP, the new Emerson, Lake, & Palmer
Singles box set, the differences between
English and American drumming, and
the many lessons that he can share
from 50 plus years as a professional
musician.

MD: This new tour is looking to be a big production, which is really This Royal Albert Hall performance came from two sold-out
nothing new for you. ELP was one of the first bands to bring a big nights. I was so happy to come across this footage. There were six
spectacle of a show to the stage with a rock and roll concert. Can tunes that I could incorporate into the set using Greg and Keith’s
you explain what we will be seeing on your new tour? actual performances when they were playing at their very best, and
CP: I will have three screens on stage, and both Keith Emerson and (as I said) the audio is spectacular. For me, this is the most honest
Greg Lake will be seen playing their parts on these screens during and the best way to present our music today, I know they both
the show. I am playing live with audio tracks from one of our shows would approve, and the Lake and Emerson families are both totally
that was filmed at Royal Albert Hall in 1992. It was one of our best behind this project. If they were unhappy in anyway, with anything
shows. When we did that five-camera shoot, the audio was all about this project, I wouldn’t have gone ahead with it. I know that
recorded on a multitrack and everyone was on individual tracks, so both Keith and Greg would have been up for doing something like
it was possible for me to have absolute control over the audio, and this, as a band we were always trying something new, so now I am
I can play with Greg and Keith as we played together live. The audio going to give it a try.
is superlative, and the video is very good. The video is not “Imax” MD: But the new show is not only you and the footage, you also
quality, but I think it all really works well. have your band with you, who is in your band now?
MD: It sounds like that big process could present some production CP: Paul Bielatowicz has been my guitarist for 18 years, and Simon
Alex Kluft
issues, have there been any speed bumps along the way? Fitzpatrick is playing bass and Chapman stick. They both sound
CP: Not yet. I am not playing the entire show from the Royal Albert fantastic, Simon and Paul are triggering a lot of synth sounds. I was
Hall footage. I have my band as well. I am playing “Hoe Down” never trying to put together another ELP. That has never been my
“Carmina Burana,” and “Tarkus” with my band, so between the songs intention. Sure, I could have gotten some Keith Emerson clone to
with Greg and Keith, and the songs with my band, we have a nice play his parts but that’s really not what I’m about.
presentation and flow going on for the live show. MD: And that would be a “good imitation” at best.
This is the only way to play ELP music with Greg and Keith in any CP: Exactly, and I am not into good imitations. I am really trying
way shape or form. I did look into the hologram routine, but to tell to show how versatile the ELP music is. In the past, ELP music has
you the truth, it’s a bit too spooky for me. If the tables were turned been played by orchestras, string quartets, jazz groups, and in just
and I was no longer here and they were, I would want them to get about every way imaginable. Since the ELP music has already been
the best live performance that I had ever done, and to do what I am played in many shapes and forms, I have chosen to play it with a
doing with the screens and the live footage, not a weird looking guitarist and a bassist (who also plays the Chapman Stick.)
hologram. I understand if the loyal ELP fans don’t like my new take on the

music, I get that. This is just a new door that I wanted to open, and Man” I don’t need my band playing. However, if I can improve
I think it sounds fantastic! I understand if you are a keyboardist or things by having Paul and Simon double some parts, I have them
a synthesizer freak, and you have spent lots of money on seeing do exactly that.
ELP concerts in the past. You love the band, and so do I. ELP was If this whole tour goes well, I won’t be the only one doing this, I
keyboard driven, for most of the time there wasn’t a guitar in sight. think it’s all coming together very well. Of course, the whole show
We were weird in that way. Now the ELP drummer puts together has a bit of trial and error to it, but we’re getting it right, and that
a band with a guitarist instead of a keyboardist. I get that some risk is what makes it fun and new.
people might not like that. But I started this MD: Everything that we do in music is trial
band in 2001, I didn’t bring it to America and error, in my musical life I often lean
until 2007, and we have had a great time on something that Tony Williams told me,
experimenting with the music. which was, “I don’t trust musicians who
MD: Some people have very strange don’t make mistakes, they are just not trying
opinions on recordings and music. They hard enough.”
always want to hear things played exactly CP: That’s exactly it. I like to live a little
the same as it is in their memory or on the dangerously. Some drummers can “just play
records. But they don’t realize that songs the chart,” but that’s not me. I like to get a bit
are living breathing things that evolve, of candy in there as well. It might not always
mature and change, sometimes for the be as sweet as it should be, and sometimes
better, sometimes not. But as musicians, it might be slightly sour, but I’m always
we have to let the songs do that and see going to go for it.
where the music wants to go. 50 Years You need to take risks to improve, I don’t
ago, I’m sure people weren’t very happy think that you can just continue to polish
when some rock band called ELP started things over, you have to keep trying new
playing and interpreting legendary classical things. I’m 72 years old, it’s really important
compositions either. for me to take chances and try to improve.
CP: Like classical music, I think ELP music is rich for interpretation. I want to go as far as I can. If I don’t wake up tomorrow morning,
At the beginning they called us “Prog Rock” which (in my opinion) at least I will know that I tried. I am going to stay at the top of my
is such a cheap title to give our music. We were (and are) playing game for as long as I can. At the end of the day, it’s not about how
eclectic music that had elements of jazz, classical adaptations, folk, many drum clinics that you can do. For me it’s about what music
and rock and roll. However, many people forget that we created you create, what you can give back, and what personal standards
many wonderful ballads too. Why would you call ELP prog rock that you have held yourself up to. This new tour is really my way
when our biggest singles were “Lucky Man,” “From the Beginning,” of presenting the ELP music that I love, in the classiest and most hi
“Still… You Turn Me On,” “Footprints in the Snow, and “C’est La tech way possible.
Vie?” Music is for enjoying, not for labeling and putting into a time MD: This is really nothing new for you. ELP was one of the first
capsule. bands to bring a big visual show to the rock stage, wasn’t it?
MD: Are there points during the show where your band with CP: That’s kind of true. I start the new show with an older video clip
Paul and Simon and yourself, and Keith and Greg are all playing shot from above our three tractor trailers that we took on tour to
together? carry all of the equipment. ELP was referred to as a “saber rattling
CP: Absolutely. In “Welcome Back My Friends…” the footage and group” we were really trying to do something new and different.
the video was wonderful up to a certain point. So what we are We were just experimenting our socks off and being exceptionally
doing is after the first keyboard solo we morph right into me and “English.” However, whatever we did was done to enhance the
my band playing live. music. If something didn’t work with the music, we wouldn’t do it.
Obviously, if Keith, Greg, and I are playing “Knife Edge” or “Lucky I met Keith when I was 17 and I was playing in London with

Fleetwood Mac because Micky Fleetwood was ill. That night Keith He wore makeup, we all wore masks on stage. This was long before
was playing in The Nice (with Brian Davison on drums and Lee KISS. In 1968 that song was a #1 hit in America and England, and
Jackson on bass.) I had seen them before, but that night I watched on the charts all throughout Europe. I picked up a lot from the
them from side stage, and their presentation was so exciting. Keith experience of playing in that band. When ELP first got together,
was riding his L100 Organ across the stage and stabbing the organ I didn’t say let’s paint our faces and wear masks, but I did say
with a dagger. When we finally got together, I told him that he why don’t we do as much visually as we are sonically. We did the
had to keep doing that entire presentation, and we figured that I quadraphonic thing live, but I thought that we should add to that
should have to do something too. I started with the gongs and the with some visuals.
revolving riser, and Greg had his huge $10,000 Persian carpet that In the 60s and 70s you played concerts to promote your album,
he stood on. That’s where it started, and it just grew from there. The you didn’t play concerts to make money. You played concerts to
evolution of our presentation was part of each of our individual take the profits from the concerts and re-invest into future concerts
DNA. to make them better. That is how you would attract more fans
Pink Floyd always had a bigger show than we did, they were and sell more albums and make money. Obviously, the times and
doing some serious stuff on stage. The English band Hawkwind was the business have completely changed today, but that’s how it
doing interesting things on stage too. David Bowie was doing the used to be. The unfortunate thing is that by the time the big arena
Alex Kluft
makeup thing before us. But yes, we were one of the first bands tours had really taken off, ELP had broken up. We never really got
to create a big production of a rock show. I can see what you are a chance to do a big arena tour. We did lots of big concerts in
saying about this tour as a continuation of that type of thing and front of 100,000 or more people, but we never really got a chance
this show being really nothing new for me. But I must say that what to do a continuous big arena tour. I don’t want to sound like I am
ELP were doing was nothing compared to what the Rolling Stones complaining because I’m NOT! I have had an incredibly blessed life
or U2 is doing today. and career.
MD: Sure, but ELP opened that big door that other bands have I have been in four different bands that had #1 hit singles, and I
since walked through. Now you are just walking through that same didn’t even write any of the songs. I don’t know many musicians that
door that ELP first opened in the 70s. can say that. But I played on Arthur Brown’s “I Am the God of Hell
CP: It actually began before ELP. In 1968, the first band that I was Fire,” Atomic Rooster’s “Tomorrow Night,” ELP had many hit singles,
ever in was called The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. We had a hit and a few #1 singles, and of course Asia’s “Heat of the Moment” went
single called “Fire.” Arthur used to come out with a head dress that to #1. I’m not the wealthiest man in the world but I’m doing just
was on fire and introduce himself by saying, “I am the god of hell fine. I am just continuing to do what I do, because I have been so
fire, and I bring you fire!” That was the beginning of psychedelia. incredibly lucky to be able to do that for my entire life.

MD: In the notes to the new Emerson, Lake & Palmer Singles in my family, but I kept learning about classical music. In fact,
box set you say, “This box set of singles is very important to the when ELP was at its peak, I was attending music school to learn
development of ELP. The music that you will hear opened the door classical percussion. I even got to play a few nights with the London
to radio around the world, and then the musical concept of ELP was Symphony Orchestra. I played the tricky cymbal part during
born.” What do you mean by that? “Romeo and Juliet.” Hearing all of that great music was a wonderful
CP: As I said, to call ELP a prog band was really under-playing us. way to grow up. I learned more than I had to, which was wonderful.
We were a big singles band. We had a lot of three chord ballads, MD: “Learning more than you had to!” There’s an important lesson
and lullaby type ballads. Those songs were NOT prog rock. I came right there.
up with the idea for a box set of the singles. These were the tracks CP: But it benefitted me. Later on, when ELP was playing “Pictures
that opened up the airwaves for Emerson, Lake, & Palmer to record at Exhibition” I went and bought the mini score so I could add the
things like Brain Salad Surgery, Pictures at an Exhibition, and Tarkus. tympani parts and the bell parts in the appropriate places.
To get those records played we had to have songs like “Lucky Man” I think it’s important to become familiar with as much music
“From the Beginning” and “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Those are as possible. You need to understand what is going on in all of the
the tracks that made us radio friendly. No one was going to play areas of the music that you are playing. You also have to find out
14 minutes of “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Mussorsky, but they what you “do well” in music. And you’ll never find that out, if you
would play “Still… You Turn Me On.” We even had a radio hit single know nothing about it. You might grow into or develop whatever
in Germany playing the theme from “Peter Gunn” by Henry Mancini. that is.
The singles in this new box set are the most important tracks in MD: You’ll never know if you are a good songwriter unless you try
the history of the band. Then we got the original bags that the 45s writing a few songs, right?
originally came in and reprinted them. CP: Absolutely.
Everyone knows about the long songs and the solos, but the MD: I am fascinated by the tradition of English drumming, although
singles are an important part of the story of Emerson, Lake, & I have to say that most of the time you sound more American than
Palmer. But in order to British. A little while ago
get the complex music you mentioned that ELP
across, we had to wrap was, “Just being English.”
it up in something. And What does that mean,
those simple songs and and how does it relate to
ballads did just that. drumming?
The last great single we CP: Everything that I play
had was off of the Black I have stolen from an
Moon album, and I am American drummer that’s
doing it on this tour, it’s for sure.
called “Paper Blood.” MD: But there is
ELP had a very something that makes
eclectic makeup. Greg British musicians
Lake was big into Simon different? What is it?
and Garfunkel and The CP: Everyone has to be
Beatles, and Greg could influenced by someone or
write beautiful simple something, whatever that
tunes. Then we had might be. In music you
Keith who was about need to go to the best
classical adaptations, he source of musicians to be
wanted to take classical influenced. Those “best
Alex Kluft
music and make it our musicians” can come

own. Musically, I could from any approach: jazz,
meet with both of them, classical, big band, rock,
I loved the Beatles, jazz, whatever. In America you
and classical music. have more of everything,
MD: What type of classical music were you listening to at the time? including musicians. I looked to America for musical influence. In
CP: Keith and I were into Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5,” England we do have had some great musicians: Kenny Clare, Jack
Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring,” Bartok’s “Sonata for Two Pianos and Parnell, Ronnie Verril, Ronnie Stephenson. There is an awful lot that
Percussion.” I even liked the lighter stuff like the Elizabethan Waltz’s I could pick up from those British musicians. But for some reason,
by Mantovani. there was a slightly higher musical standard in America.
My grandfather was a serious classical musician, his brother was MD: But I think there’s more to it than that.
a classical percussionist. They wanted me to become part of the CP: There is. Today, you can become a Dave Weckl or Vinnie Colaiuta
Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. That was a “proper job.” At the clone, and many people do that really well. In England, we have all
same time my dad was a huge jazz buff and he played jazz around of the same information available to us that everyone else has to do
the house all of the time. He was getting me into Duke Ellington, that. But the English musicians that I know are better at disguising
Errol Garner, Oscar Peterson, Modern Jazz Quartet, and I was where we have stolen things from. I have found that individuality
loving that music. Then I heard Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock,” and seems to be very important to British musicians. We go in through
my dad took me to see The Gene Krupa Story. That was IT! I was all the front door (like everyone else,) but then we sneak out through
in. I learned how to play the drum set which caused some havoc the back door and try to disguise what we have stolen. Both

American and British musicians have high standards, but we Brits great teacher for me. He was an American drummer living in London
don’t do cloning as well as the Americans. I don’t know if it’s because by the name of Bruce Gaylor. He was my first teacher, and he was
we can’t, we don’t want to, or that we are more aware of it. But we amazing.
don’t hero worship as much as American musicians. MD: What did Bruce teach you?
My drum influences have been very simple. When I went and CP: Bruce was as student of Henry Adler and Jim Chapin. He taught
saw Gene Krupa play “Drum Crazy” in The Gene Krupa Story that in the basement of Boosey and Hawkes in London. The first thing
was it. Then I heard Time Out by Dave Brubeck. Then I heard Buddy that he did was have me change his drumset to how I wanted it to
Rich Sings Johnny Mercer, but he wasn’t playing much drums. Then be set up. He wanted to see how I was setting up my drums.
I heard Buddy Rich plays Count Basie (actually called This One’s for
Basie) and a huge door flew open. For me it was about gathering the
material and influences, and I think we Brits are a little better at the
gathering process.
But I’ll tell you honestly that I keep a list of younger drummers
here in my office, I like to keep track of what they are doing and
there are some great young drummers that I have heard recently.
There are almost too many to keep track. I still try to steal whatever I
can from these younger guys.
MD: Who are they?
CP: Willie Jones III, Eric Moore, Chris Coleman, Daru Jones, Aric
Improta, the list goes on and on. There is a lot to be influenced by in
American drumming.
MD: But there are American drummers who are just discovering
some older British drummers like Michael Giles, Steve Jansen, Clive
Thacker, and Jon Hiseman. So the lineage or the continuum goes
both ways, backwards and forwards at the same time.
CP: Michael Giles was always a fantastic player. Greg Lake used to
always tell me to listen to Michael Giles. But when I heard the sound
of his taped-up drums that were deadened and flat sounding, I
knew that I couldn’t play like him. I had my drums tuned like a big
band drummer and my dynamics aren’t the greatest. He played
perfectly for how his drums sounded, but I knew that I couldn’t
play what I played on drums that sounded like that, it just wouldn’t
work. But he sounded so original. He was the first drummer that I
had heard playing double bass drums on fills on King Crimson’s “In
The Court of the Crimson King.” You also mentioned Jon Hiseman, he
was a phenomenal player as well.
MD: Can I ask you about your upbringing?
CP: I come from a place in the North called the Midlands, Johnny
Bonham and I came from the same town. There were a lot of
musicians in my family. As I said, my grandfather was a conductor,
his brother was a professional drummer. My step-father was a
musical hobbyist. He could sing and tap dance and play a bit of
guitar. He wanted me to work in one of the shops that he owned.
But when I told him I wanted to be a professional musician, he
backed me all of the way. But he also taught me the importance of
selling products at a very early age. He was very business savy.
When I was 15, I came to London to do a recording. Mitch Mitchell
had already played on the recording as a session drummer. Mitch
and I got along, he was very nice. I soon met Jon Hiseman who was
playing with The Graham Bond Organization after Ginger Baker had
left. Mitch and Jon were the “hotrods” in town when I first arrived.
I joined Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, who had a hit single
called “Out of Time” that was written by Keith Richards and Mick
Jagger. When I left Chris to join The Crazy World of Arthur Brown,
but I asked Chris if I could come back if Arthur Brown didn’t work
out. He told me that if I wanted to do that, then I had to find a
drummer to take my place. So I got Johnny Bonham the gig with
Chris Farlowe. John hit harder than I did because he was really
strong from working with his father’s construction company, he had
Alex Kluft
a very strong right foot, as we all now know.

When I heard (English jazz drummer) Kenny Clare, I asked him
to give me lessons. Kenny was too busy at the time, but he found a

MD: What a great first lesson. lower the ride cymbal so there was no tension in my right arm, and
CP: He told me that “ergonomically” the way that I set up the drums both of your arms were in the playing position.
wasn’t going to work. He told me that we wanted my legs to be We spent some time learning how to play swing time on the
angled downward from the base of the spine, NOT upward or hi hats. When many drummers were riding the hi hats, they were
parallel to the ground. That way you could get some of your weight opening them too wide. He told me that the two cymbals had to be
into the bass drum, and you could keep the weight off of your back. “sexy” with each other and be close so they could shimmer. He had
So we raised the stool to the right height to create that angle, which me keep them closed a bit and I controlled the tension between
also meant that I had to slightly angle the snare drum. He had me them instead of opening and closing them. That produced such a

better sound. We spent a lot of time on the jazz cymbal beat, the Drumming heritage.
jazz ride rhythm. We did a lot of reading and technique, I played MD: What is your favorite Kenny Clare recording?
rhythms with my left hand while I played the jazz ride pattern, it was CP: Drum Spectacular is my favorite. And you don’t only get to hear
fantastic. I studied with Bruce for 18 months, and thinking back on Kenny, but you get to hear Ronnie Stephenson too. Ronnie was one
what Bruce taught, he really knew his stuff and set me on a straight of the first jazz drummers to start playing matched grip.
path in drumming. MD: Did you know or get to see and hear Phil Seaman?
I had a lot of teachers in my life. Early on, I studied drumset with CP: Yes, he was phenomenal, a great reader, but he just got too
Tommy Cunliffe, Lionel Rubin, and Max Abrahams too. In my 20s at involved in drinking and drugs. He was the first drummer in England
to play West Side
Story (the musical)
in the theater.
Kenny Clare played
it after Phil. Phil
was one of the
all-time great jazz
drummers, but he
made a living in
theaters. However,
he wasn’t always
straight enough to
do theater work.
MD: Since you
are 72 now,
and because
Bruce Gaylor set
you up so well
ergonomically
early on, have you
had any physical
Alex Kluft
issues that were

drum related?
CP: No, never.
Everything that
could go wrong
physically will
happen via the
the Royal Academy, I had Gilbert Webster, and I studied orchestral back. The angle from your lower back to your legs is so important.
percussion with James Blades at the Royal Academy. If the angle is too small, it causes a lot of pressure on your lower
MD: Tell me about Kenny Clare? back. If you can get that angle right, it alleviates the pressure on
CP: He was one of the most phenomenal drummers that England your lower back and any pressure or pain that would create. Doctors
ever produced. He played double drums with Ronnie Stephenson have told me that if you get that angle correct, it will almost self-
on a record called Drum Spectacular. He was a great musician that correct everything else. The only other issue to sort out is how high
played with everybody. Those who know about him, know him from your ride cymbals are. I know that some crashes have to be higher,
playing double drums with Kenny Clarke in the big band that Kenny but the height of the ride cymbal is very important to eliminating
Clarke and Francy Boland co-led. I saw Kenny Clare with Jack Parnell fatigue.
and John Dankworth. He was one of the first drummers in England There is always going to be people who sit low and have no
who had military drum training and had been in a military orchestra. problems. Look at Tommy Aldridge, he has been sitting low forever,
His reading was impeccable, he could play anything. For about 10 and he’s as fit as a fiddle. But then look at Phil Collins, and the awful
years or so he did TV work, theater work, was first call for recording angle between his lower back and legs, I feel very badly for Phil.
sessions, you name it. He had this amazing technique, I saw him I have had both of my hands operated on for carpal tunnel, but
play on TV first, then a few months later he came to my hometown that was from doing martial arts, and practicing karate for about 17
with John Dankworth and they played in the park on a Saturday years. It had nothing to do with drumming!
afternoon. He was a phenomenal technician, an unbelievable MD: How are your ears?
reader, and one of the nicest men that I’ve ever met. When we met, CP: My ears are perfect. And I’ll tell you why. I’ve never used in-ears,
I sat down with him and played on a drum pad, and although he I think they are too direct. I rarely even wear headphones. I don’t
didn’t have time to teach me, he made sure that I got the right kind even have a stereo monitor mix on stage. I have one monitor with a
of drum education. But he died young at the age of 54. 15” and a horn, and it’s pointed out towards the audience. It doesn’t
He played one drumset for his entire life, he bought it from from even face me. I don’t even put my drums in my monitor mix. If you
Manny’s Music in New York City. It was a white marine pearl Ludwig don’t have the drums in your monitors, you’ll hit at the temperature
& Ludwig in 13, 16, 18, and 22, with two different snare drums. Gary (velocity) that you want to play. All I have in my monitors is the
Allcock still has those drums and thankfully he has kept the set vocals, the lead instrument, and a little of my right bass drum. I
together through all these years. That set is a big part of the English already have the musicians amps next to me, so I get some bleed

from then anyway. I also get some of the sound from the monitors in my honesty has shown other people the truth, and in time they
front, so that suits me just fine. have come to appreciate it. I’m not always right, nobody is. But I am
MD: Do you wear earplugs on stage? honestly trying to be right and show others the right way. So that is
CP: No, but I do have a pair of custom molded earplugs that I one way to go.
will wear at rehearsals to elmimnate some ear fatigue, because Choice two: Play with other people and play with everybody. But
rehearsals are usually longer than the gig. if you do that you won’t have any residuals coming in, and you’ll
MD: You have been in the music business for a long time, and have to be playing constantly. And that’s fine. The best example of
you have had some ups and downs business-wise, do you have that is Steve Gadd. Steve is one of the greatest human beings that
any business advice for musicians who are looking to equal your I have ever known. He is a great musician, and he has played with
longevity in the music business? more legendary musicians than anyone else in music history. I have
CP: I have been a professional musician for 56 years. To be in the deepest appreciation for Steve as a musician and as a person.
this business a long time, you do have to make good health a In my opinion, those are the only two paths to take. And either
consideration. Drumming is physical, but we have already talked path is worth taking and important. I think of it this way, you have
about that. Looking after your health and getting a good education to have a way to make money while you are at home lying in bed. If
is always given to me. Whatever you do in life, you MUST do that. you don’t figure that out, you have to go to the theater or the club
MD: I agree. every time you want to make money. A successful band that owns
CP: This is a business, and you have to approach the business their own publishing has income coming in all of the time. ELP has
seriously. As a drummer, I believe that you have to make a choice never given away any of our publishing. Labels have leased the
between two things. publishing for periods of time, but after that time period is up, the
Choice one: Do you want to roll the musical dice and get into rights come back to us. That all goes back to what I talked about
(or start) a successful band and learn everything that goes on in the earlier. I learned early on from my step-father about always having
business structure of a band. If you learn all of that correctly, (and something to sell.
there is a lot to learn,) you will be able to go from one successful I’m not super clever, I have made some good decisions along the
band to another. In that process you can bring all of what you way. Arthur Brown was the beginning of the psychedelia movement,
have learned along with you, and you will become the person that ELP was at the forefront of what was called progressive, and Asia
people ask for opinions. When people along the way have asked was at the beginning of the whole corporate rock thing, so I have
my opinion, I would always have the best interest of the band at made some good musical decisions. I picked up a lot of knowledge
the forefront. I always acted honestly. I have become the referee over the years, and when you have been doing something as long
in many situations, and
because I was always
honest and truthful,
people always respected
my opinions. Honesty
is hard, and you lose
friends sometimes, but
if you can be diplomatic
in your approach,
people will respect you,
your honesty, and your
opinions.
When we started Asia,
everyone knew that I
wasn’t going to walk
in with a suitcase filled
with songs. John Wetton
was the tunesmith. But
if John wrote something
that didn’t give me chills
or didn’t have a chorus
that was worthy of him,
Alex Kluft
he knew that I would

suggest that we look at
it again. In music, the
payoff to honesty is
that there will come a time that people will trust you not only with as I, you better have been able to get something right. It’s better
their business, but with their music. When I was asked to join Asia, to make a mistake and stick your foot in a bucket, and learn from
I insisted that everything be split right down the middle, everyone that mistake. Because if you don’t try something once and make
should be an equal partner. I could talk all day about that process, a mistake, you’ll never try anything. But in the end, you can’t
but that’s the long and short of it. substitute all of business knowledge and meeting all of the right
MD: Honesty, what a concept? people, for dedication to your music and practice.
CP: However, some musicians don’t want you to be honest. I don’t
get “liked” by other musicians because of my honesty. But in time, Check out Carl’s drummer profile page,
at modern drummer.com
The Iconic Sets of
Carl Palmer By David Frangioni
T
hroughout the years identifiable sound and style
Carl Palmer has that has pushed bands like
played many different The Crazy World of Arthur
drumsets with several iconic Brown, Atomic Rooster,
bands: Ludwig VIstalite, Emerson, Lake, & Palmer,
Ludwig Stainless Steel, a Asia, and his new Welcome
Custom Stainless Steel set, a Back My Friends, The Return
Premier Steel set, Yamaha, of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer
Remo... It’s an extensive Tour to the forefront. Carl’s
list. Carl’s long-standing overall commitment to
relationship with Paiste quality has fueled his quest
has led to the development to find and play the best
of custom gongs, and a products and sounds possible.
signature ride cymbal. He Here, Modern Drummer
was also on the cutting edge Publisher David Frangioni and
with his early inclusion of electronics. All of Carl discuss the many drumsets that Carl has
this equipment has helped Carl develop an played throughout the years.
MD: You have had some iconic drumsets through the years. I would to 1/8 of an inch, it would have made them much lighter, and we
like to ask you about four specific kits. Could you tell me as many probably wouldn’t have had to reinforce the stages that we were
details as you can about the stainless-steel kit that you played with playing. The kit ended up weighing over 2 tons! Finally, I hired Paul
ELP in the 70’s? You had it custom built with the animals engraved Raven to do the engraving on the drum shells which he did with a
on it. dentist drill, it took him many months to complete, and it turned out
CP: That kit was created out of desperation. I was at the time, and magnificent.
still am, a Ludwig endorser, and I had asked them to make me a MD: The engravings with a different animal on each shell was a nice
stainless steel drumset. At the time they weren’t very keen on doing finishing touch.
that, and I insisted that I really wanted them to give it a go. They CP: I wanted to carry on with the Octaplus concept with the concert
wound up making stainless steel kits much later for John Bonham, toms in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18. I wanted the lugs to look like an
but they wouldn’t make them when I wanted them. English Rose, so I had those designed as well. I used Gretsch die cast
I had experimented with the stainless-steel drums, and I like the hoops, and all of the mounting hardware was made out of steel
clarity that you get. I enjoy wood drums, but stainless steel is louder bars that were chromed. Those bars were contoured to the right
and extremely clear sounding. I am still playing stainless steel drums angle and height. That height and angle was exactly where I wanted
today; I really like them. They decided not to make the stainless-steel it. It couldn’t be changed and that was that. If I ever changed my
drums and asked me instead to play the Vistalite jellybean-colored mind, (which wasn’t the case,) we would have had to have new bars
drums. My reply was that I was sorry, but I think I will have to leave and fittings made to mount the drums. We made the consoles to
Ludwig. I put my own drum project together. At the end of 1973 I hold the toms out of stainless steel too. That was probably the first
had the shells built by British Steel Company. They asked me initially time since the 1920s that a drum console was made and used on a
how thick I wanted the shells to be, either 1/8 of an inch or 1/4 of an drumset. The left console supported the 6, 8, 10, 12 toms, and the
inch. I had the shells made to a 1/4” thickness but I shouldn’t have right console supported the 13, 14, and 15 with the 16 and 18 floor
done that because it made them super heavy, if I had them made toms. Those consoles also had built in microphone arms at the right

angles and in the right places. It was actually a very easy drumset MD: When I have looked at different pictures of that set there
to set up, you simply had to pull it out of the case, put it up on the seemed to be some changes. Sometimes you had temple blocks and
riser and plug everything in. In that respect it was super practical, sometimes you didn’t. Sometimes you had windchimes and tubular
and it was the first kit of its kind. If it hadn’t been so heavy, it would bells, or gongs, and sometimes not. What kind of transitions did this
have been the easiest kit in the world to actually set up. But it was so set go through during the seven years that you played it?
heavy that it took a couple of people to lift the 400 lb. bass drum, so CP: The temple blocks came and went, but that wasn’t the biggest
that made it a bit cumbersome. change that had happened. When we went to Switzerland to make
I really enjoy playing single headed toms, so the toms were all the album Works Volume 1, I had that set in the studio to record. But
single headed. Another reason for the single headed toms is that I had a new rack made for the gongs. I had the two major gongs
I need to have one microphone permanently mounted inside mounted behind me like I still use today. However, I had a steel bar
the drum, and one microphone mounted above the drum. The above me coming out from both gong stands. Those bars had hooks
microphones inside the drums triggered the synthesizer that I had on them so I could hang three additional gongs on either side of me.
going through a mitigator on the floor, and the microphone on top All of those smaller gongs had different sounds. Paiste had made me
of the drum was for the PA. I played that drumset for about seven many different shapes and different size gongs. Mike Mangini, the
years, it was only when Emerson, Lake, & Palmer broke up for the drummer from Dream Theater, and Terry Bozzio have continued that
first time that I decided to change drumsets. I put the drums in idea today.
storage for a long time then I sold them to Ringo, and now you have When I recorded my “Percussion Concerto” on the Anthology
it (of course) in the drum museum. Drumsets mean a lot to me, but record, you could hear those smaller gongs that were hanging
not so much that I need to keep them around in a case forever. I’d high up in the air from those hooks. Those gongs were also painted
rather share them and let someone else enjoy the set. I’m not super beautifully so it looked like a mermaid swimming. I may still have
sentimental about musical instruments. those gongs around somewhere. The bell that hung above me has

Alex Kluft
always been there. I went down to East London to Stepney to one of the very few
MD: Tell me about the bell? bell foundries that was still left at the time. They made bells to order
CP: In the early days of ELP I had a bell that hung above me. I would and supplied the bells for many of the churches in the London area,
play the gongs and I would pull the bell hammer with my teeth. I I don’t even know if they are still there. My bell was one of eight that
had a small chain hanging down from the bell attached to a mouth they made at the time, and like Big Ben it is slightly cracked. That’s
guard, and I would give the bell a pull with my mouth as we began why those bells sound so menacing, because they are cracked.
to spin the riser. When we were designing the stainless-steel kit, I When my bell was made, something went wrong. For some reason
asked my designer Mike Lowe about getting a new bell. The first bell it was slightly out of tune. I think they were going to scrap it. I told
was wonderful, but it was a bell that was hanging around a cow’s them that for what I needed it for, no one would ever know it was
neck in Switzerland and I convinced the farmer to sell it to me. I out of tune, and I bought that bell and began using it. We designed
wanted a proper bell. a fitting for it and put a safety chain on the fitting. We used a bit of

fishing line on the hammer so no one could even see me pulling it, and time developing the idea, but all of the original shells had this
and I played it accordingly. problem. I’m not sure if they are still making those same shells, if
MD: With Asia you stayed with a stainless-steel concert tom kit, they do, I’m sure this problem has been fixed. I still play Remo heads
but it was made by Premier. I don’t think that I have seen another because they are the best heads that are made.
Premier stainless steel before or since. In drums, I have always looked for something better. If someone
CP: I think had a Yamaha set briefly at the beginning of Asia, makes something that is better, I want to try it. I was with Axis drum
honestly, I can’t remember. The Premier set is a steel set that is pedals for years because it was a better pedal. Then I tried a Drum
chromed, but it is not actually stainless-steel. Stainless-steel and Workshop pedal, and it was unreal, so I switched to their pedals,
steel sound different. The stainless-steel shell has a little more high- because they were better.
mids, the top end is the same, but the high-mids are a little more MD: Didn’t you have a double headed Remo kit later with ELP?
pronounced, stainless-steel is fuller bodied. The Portodella brothers CP: Yes, but the reason that kit was double headed was because
(who were the founders of the Premier Drum Company) wanted to it was filled with foam, and I was triggering all of my sounds. Greg
make a steel kit instead. Roger
Horrobin put that set together. I
played that kit for several years.
That kit was in 10, 12, 13, 14, 16. I
can’t recall if the bass drums were
22s or 24s. That was the only time
I had the additional tom on the
left in front of me. Now I prefer
only the two rack toms in front of
me. That set was strange, it had
to have wooden reinforcement
fittings inside the drums so the
mounting hardware wouldn’t
make the shell buckle. I don’t
know why this was done, because
it wasn’t necessary for any of
my other steel kits. That kit had
a Japanese CP logo on the font
bass drumheads.
MD: During the Black Moon Tour
you started playing a Remo kit.
What can you tell me about that
kit?
CP: Remo had sponsored me
since I was 21 years old. I love
their drumheads, and Remo Belli
was a great guy. Remo came to
my house one day and asked
me to take a look at some new
products that he was making. I
had gotten along very well with
Remo, and I miss him madly. I told
him that any time he had some
new head designs I was always
ready to try them. However, he
was talking about drums. He
had started a company that was
making drum shells out of paper.
Basically, they were paper mache.
They were pressed paper, that is what the original design of the Lake pushed me to try to play my own samples with that kit. I
shells was. Remo was already making the most famous and best managed to get that concept working where you are playing (what
drumheads in the world, but he wanted to see if he could get these appear to be) real drums but you are only using them to trigger
drums into mainstream music. I had a single headed white set that I samples. Some companies are still working on that idea today. I
used in a band with Keith Emerson called Three. The drums sounded had those little triggers that you glued on the heads, but they were
“ok,” but I was using a shallow snare drum and I was playing hard. very inconsistent. I spent every day trying to fix the triggers and
The bearing edges on the shells started buckling under the tension the samples, it was a nightmare. I recorded with that set, I did a
of the heads and the impact of playing the drums. After a bit I told European tour with that set, but I just had to say no more.
Remo that I couldn’t play those drums without them making some MD: What sounds were you triggering?
major changes in them. That didn’t occur, and I moved on and got CP: I had two samplers with my drum sounds. And those sounds
away from those drums. I don’t think Remo spent enough money could be switched with the mitigator. Years ago, I did a lot of that

stuff, but I got tired of it. It is just so time consuming. I know that 14, 16, 18. But the set in America has 24” bass drums. The kit that I
electronics have come a long way, but the microphones and the have here at home has bass drums that are 18x22, that’s the only
outboard gear today sounds so good that it’s easier (for me) to get a difference between the two sets. When they originally made the
great drum sound through the PA. Call me old fashioned, but that’s 100th Anniversary kits they only made 24” bass drums, I don’t know
what I am doing. why. But when they made me the second set, they made the 18x22’s. I
MD: Are you still using the Korg Wavedrum? must admit, I like having the 22” and the 24” bass drums.
CP: Yes, that is the only piece of electronics that I am still using. I All of the stainless-steel sets that were made in 2009 had brass lugs
actually started using that on the more recent Asia tours, for the big and hoops. When I got my original 2009 kit, my kit had all chrome
reverby snare and tambourine sound at the beginning of “Heat of the lugs and hoops. My drums were made earlier, so they hadn’t made
Moment.” the decision for the brass hardware yet. When I had to replace some
MD: That brings us to the Ludwig kit that you have been playing for hardware on that kit, I replaced everything with the brass lugs and
quite some time. rims. My English set has always had the brass lugs and rims.
CP: I went back to Ludwig in 2004, and I was playing the Ludwig MD: What exact drum sizes and cymbals are you using for this new
Vistalite’s for about three years. They were working fine, but I asked tour?
them if they could make stainless steel drums again? We talked CP: The Ludwig Stainless Steel Drums 100th Anniversary set: two
about it back and forth for a few years, and finally in 2009 they made 16x24 bass drums; 9x13, 10x14, rack toms; 16x16 and 18x18 floor
plans for the Ludwig 100th
Anniversary Stainless Steel
drumset. They explained to
me that Ronn Dunnett was
going to make the shell, and
that these shells would be far
superior to what they were
before. The stainless-steel
shells that they made for
John Bonham back in the day
had a rounded bearing edge
just like a wooden shell or
like one that you would find
on a metal snare drum. That
edge was never very sharp,
and the stainless-steel kits
would have sounded better
with a sharper edge.
The Ludwig stainless-steel
set that I am playing now
is from 2009. It is a double
headed set and has almost
razor-sharp edges. The edge
is slightly rounded so it won’t
cut through a head, but it’s a
sharp edge and the shells are
super thin. When I put a head
on these shells it resonates
so much more than anything
else that I have ever played. These drums are the true sound of toms; and my Ludwig Carl Palmer Venus piccolo 3.5x14 snare drum. I
stainless-steel drums. have started using the Remo Ambassador Triple X heads. My cymbals
I have been playing this set for 13 years, in that time I have are all Paiste Signature Series: Carl Palmer Vir2osity Duo 20” Signature
refurbished it a bit. I have put on new hoops and gotten some new Ride, 20” Power Crash, 18” Power Crash, 20” China, 13” hi hats, 12” aux
stands. But I have never had the shells polished, and I’ll tell you why. hats, various cup chimes, piggy-back stacks, and splashes. And of
If you polish the set you have to take off the badges, and I don’t want course, I have my 33” and 36” gongs.
to ever take of the 100th Anniversary badge. If the badge was to be MD: I have to say that working with you on the editing of the
removed someone could argue that they weren’t actually made in footage for this new tour was a pleasure. I am lucky to have had
2009, I know how vintage drum dealers and collectors think. I am the opportunity to watch all of the outstanding footage and work
doing that for my own piece of mind. Sure, some things have worn together with you. I think people will be simply amazed at what we
out or rusted, and I have changed them, that had to be done. But I came up with.
never want the shells polished or the badges to be removed. I don’t CP: You had some wonderful ideas in the editing process, and I want
ever want these drums to be tampered with at all. to thank you for all of your assistance.
MD: How many Ludwig Stainless Steel double bass drum kits were MD: Let me speak for the drumming world and say that none of us
even made? can wait to see this new tour!
CP: I only know of two of them, and I have them both. I keep one of
them here at home in the UK, and one in America. Both kits are 13, Check out Carl’s drummer profile page,
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check out more at moderndrummer.com
Felipe Laverde
STING’S
ZACH JONES
By Daniel “Ziggy” Laverde
W orking with a living legend is a rare opportunity for the majority of drummers.
With so many renowned drummers in the world, it is difficult to stand out
and be chosen for a massive gig. The pursuit of a dream is always challenging, and
for Zach Jones, the path was filled with trial and error. With an extensive history in
production and songwriting, Zach has developed his abilities to compose songs
for a variety of musicians and bands including his newest album Plastic Soul which
is currently on all streaming platforms. Zach began playing the drums at an early
age with the intention of making a profession through music. Zach viewed making
a living by playing music as quite realistic, contrary to the general consensus. Most
people are blind to the fact that everyone fails, but those with perseverance are the
ones who succeed. Zach is currently on tour with the legendary Sting, where his
drumming is being displayed at one of the highest levels possible for a drummer.
Filling the shoes of numerous renowned drummers who came before him can
be challenging but being true to oneself and one’s abilities can be the difference
between being distinctive and remaining static. As you read this interview, take note
of the number of groups and projects Zach has participated in, and the number
of years it took him to reach his current position. Use this to motivate and inspire
yourself to reach heights that you may think are impossible.
Felipe Laverde

MD: Zach, let’s begin by discussing your
childhood, how you began playing the drums,
your influences, and how you gravitated
toward music in general.
ZJ: My dad’s a musician and so was his dad.
Music runs in the family. I remember my first
real conscious memory of music was hearing
my dad play “All My Loving” by The Beatles at
a house party. I fell in love with music, and I
wanted to be around it and make it. I tried to
pick up guitar and I kind of got bored. I tried
to pick up piano and that didn’t work. My
dad would lead the music at church, and one
day after school, I went there with him, and
there was a drum set. I just started messing
around and he showed me how to play a basic
Felipe Laverde
rock beat. It took me a couple of weeks but

eventually I got it, and I was hooked, I was off
to the races. I was nine years old. Then a friend
of ours gave us a little cheap drum set that he
had lying around. Once I had a kit at home, I
was all in.
MD: Have you been surrounded by music your relatively simple in a technical sense. It’s easy to learn his parts
entire life? and play them and they sound cool. Later on, when you have a
ZJ: Yeah! My dad is primarily a guitar player and singer, but he plays little more facility on the kit and you go back, you sort of think
bass and drums, too. He could play enough to get me started. My man, he could have played anything. He always made these great
dad also played in bands with guys who would show me some and unique musical choices for these legendary songs. It’s kind of
stuff. I also learned a lot from playing along to records. I always had impossible to imagine The Beatles songs without the way he chose
a tape player or CD player next to my kit in my bedroom. I would to approach them on the kit. I think about “In My Life,” “Ticket to
just play along with stuff and try to figure out what the drummers Ride,” and “Come Together.” It would’ve been so easy to just play a
were doing. basic rock beat, but Ringo always found a different way in.
MD: I’ve found that a constant theme among drummers I get MD: The Beatles seemed to be very influential for you at a young
the pleasure of interviewing is that when they were younger and age, what other records inspired you?
learning tunes, they tried to figure out why the drummer played a ZJ: McCartney’s MTV: Unplugged. That was my first real obsession.
certain way rather than simply memorizing parts. Does this mirror I had that on a cassette tape, and I listened to that over and over
how you learned songs as a kid? again. Then I started getting more Beatles records. A lot of it was
ZJ: I think that came a little later for me. Ringo was my first my dad guiding me toward things. I also had a few ‘60s R&B/Soul
drum hero, and I loved his playing because of the songs he was compilations, so I learned how to play Aretha tunes and I was
playing on. It really wasn’t until a few years later when I started to listening to Bernard Purdie before I even knew it. Stax records were
appreciate the genius of the way that he approaches those songs. also influential. Al Jackson Jr. is one of my total drum heroes. When
I think it’s the kind of playing where when you’re starting out, it’s I heard John Bonham, Ginger Baker and Mitch Mitchell I started to
get a little more facility on the kit. Stewart Copeland
was also big for me. I kind of hit the threshold where
I heard his playing and thought “whoa!” That was
a whole new door to unlock coordination-wise,
especially in the way that he approaches the kit and
the way that he placed accents. As I could do more
on the kit, I started to be more attracted to drummers
who did a little more so that I could find new things
to try and incorporate. I’m sure I played really busy for
a while because it’s fun to be able to play new things.
Thankfully my dad and other musicians around me
who were older would always encourage that stuff but
also keep me in check and make sure I was still playing
the tunes, playing in the pocket, and not getting too
out of hand with all the new channels I had.
MD: Were you a part of any original bands growing up?
ZJ: Yes, I had a band called The Sly Caps. That started
when I was probably 11 or 12. It was me and some of
my buddies from a community theater group we were
a part of growing up. That was my first band and we

started by doing a ton of covers. Then, the guys in that band started record. The single “Say Something” became a hit sort of overnight
writing original songs so that was my first brush with having on the iTunes charts. That led to a couple of years of heavy touring
someone come in with an idea on guitar and vocals and then with those guys. In between doing that record and touring I started
getting to come up with parts on drums. That’s when I realized that a band with a few of my other singer-songwriter friends called
I had a real passion for arranging and later producing. Then that Secret Someones. We actually ended up opening for A Great Big
band was part of a reality show on MTV called Made. This was in World on a whole tour. I was playing both sets on the road, which
2003 and it was about teenagers trying to live their dreams. We had was super fun. In Secret Someones I was an integral member of the
this crazy experience. MTV had a film crew that followed us around band. I was helping arrange the songs and getting to play the parts
for about six months and we played a ton of gigs. We also recorded that I wanted to play. I was really invested in that band creatively.
an EP and then got to go on tour that summer. It was the days of We got signed to Cherrytree Records and I left A Great Big World. I
chat rooms, so people got hip to where we were going to be, and it was a full member of Secret Someones and we got a deal. We made
turned into a bit of an audience. It was also a really cool experience a record for Cherrytree, which I’m still really proud of. The band was
to get in a van and go do gigs. I was only about 16 at the time. Bess Rogers, Lelia Broussard, Hannah Winkler, and myself. The three
MD: When that ended, and you moved to New York City. What was of them wrote all the tunes. I really loved playing in that band. That
your motivation in moving to the city? is how I first got involved in “the Sting world” because the person
ZJ: What happened for me was I moved there when I was 17, right who runs Cherrytree is a guy named Martin Kierszenbaum, who
out of high school I moved into a friend’s apartment, and I went now manages Sting. When we signed with Cherrytree I thought,
to this place called the maybe I’ll get to meet Sting.
Drummer’s Collective which I was a huge fan of his and
is a school in Manhattan. I a huge Police fan. Martin is
didn’t really want to go to very much a guy who likes
a regular college and the to get his artists working
Collective is basically a trade together on projects, so I got
school for drummers. I got invited to do a session with
to study there with some Sting and that was my first
great teachers, Kim Plainfield experience with him. I met
and Peter Retzlaff, who were him and within minutes we
huge for me. Going to this were playing music together,
school was a way for me that was really cool.
to move to New York City MD: That must have felt very
without being aimless. The surreal for you.
thing I discovered being 18 ZJ: It was wild! That was the
in New York City, especially beginning of intermittent
if you look like you’re 15 (like work with him over the
I did,) is that you can’t really course of several years. They
go anywhere to see music would call me occasionally
or meet people until you’re to do a session or a TV
21. I just went back to New appearance. I still had Secret
Jersey and played in bars and Someones but we all chose
theaters, did all that stuff for to stop doing it for various
a while. when I was 20 or 21, reasons. After that ended, I
I ended up getting offered went back to New York City
Felipe Laverde
a musical theater tour with doing the freelance life and

Annie The Musical. I did that getting more into producing
for a year. That was a big records. My partner in
accomplishment at the time. production is a guy named
We toured all over the U.S. Oscar Albis Rodriguez. He
and Canada. I had a blast, and I started doing a bunch
but I didn’t want to do theater forever. I wanted to play pop music. more production stuff for other artists which we still do. I was really
I saved up as much as I could, thinking that, “When this is done, I’m focusing on production for a number of years. Every once in a
going to move to New York City again, and this time I’ll be able to while, I’d get a call from Sting and go do something with him. Then,
actually get around and meet people.” So that’s what I did. I saved this year I got the big call to do a tour. It was sort of a long process
up as much as I could and then when that leg of the tour was over, of getting to know each other. Every time I worked with him I
I moved back to the city into a friend’s apartment and just started would think, okay, maybe that was it, maybe that’s the last time.
going around trying to meet people. MD: Did you ever get starstruck working with Sting?
MD: How did that turn into the big-time gigs? ZJ: In a way there wasn’t really a moment to get starstruck. We said
ZJ: I was hanging at Rockwood Music Hall playing with different hi, then immediately we were playing music. That sort of evens the
singer-songwriters, all under the radar sort of stuff. A band that I playing field.
played with called A Great Big World got signed to Epic Records. MD: How was working with Sting in the studio? Was he very set on
That was the first gig I had where I was already working with a what he wanted from the drums?
group when they got a record deal. They made a record, and I ZJ: He’s always been very open minded about what I wanted to play.
played drums on most of it. Then we got to tour and support that He’ll let you know if he doesn’t like something that you’re doing but

for the most part, I was free to do my thing. was prepping to do the gig, I
I always really enjoyed that about working was mostly looking at recent
with him. I got to play on a couple records live shows. I was listening to
of his. I played on a couple of songs on his the way Josh approached
album with Shaggy. They gave me a little the songs and the way
bit of direction, but it was kind of a do your Vinnie approached the songs
thing mindset. before that. I also watched
I always looked forward to that call. In a everybody that he played
sense, I was nervous but after the first time with in the past. I found some
we worked together, I would get called clips of when Keith Carlock,
again and that reduced the nerves a little Abe Laboriel Jr., and Manu
Felipe Laverde
bit. Katché all had played with
MD: Did he play with you during the studio Sting. The big takeaway
sessions? for me from watching all
ZJ: Yes! For me to be on drums and him to these great drummers play
be on bass immediately connected us in the show is that everybody
a different way than if we were just trying played it in their own style. I
to sort of small talk. It was really cool to thought, why am I going to
connect on that level. Also, for me it was try to copy someone else’s
crazy because I’ve been playing to him for thing if everyone on this gig
most of my life. I’ve played along to his bass before me obviously had the
playing a lot. To have him in my ear live was latitude to play the way that
just a trip. they played. The impression
MD: I saw the show and I have to say you played flawlessly. I also I got through working with him was that I was being encouraged to
caught on from watching you that you didn’t try to copy Stewart just be myself and play like myself. I tried to learn the bones of the
Copeland on the Police songs. Instead brought your own flavor to arrangements based on what they had done most recently. But in
the mix. How did you approach these parts, especially the Police terms of the way that I played it, I approached it like, “How do I want
songs that Sting plays live? to play these songs?” As opposed to, “How do I want to play these
ZJ: Josh Freese was my immediate predecessor on the gig. So when I drum parts?”
Zach’s Gear C&C Player Date II drums,

in Gold Sparkle:
14” x 24” kick
9” x 13” rack
15” x 16” floor
5” x 14” Ludwig Supraphonic
(now using a 5” x 14” C&C
Black Chrome over Brass)
Paiste Masters Series

cymbals:
10” Dark Splash
15” Dark Hi-Hats
19” Dark Crash
21” Medium Ride
17” Dark Crash
Evans Drumheads:
UV1 coated snare batter
Hazy 300 snare side
UV2 coated tom batters
Genera clear tom reso
EQ4 coated kick batter
EQ3 kick reso w/ hole
DW: 5000 series hardware
ProMark sticks and

mallets: Carter McLean
signature model
Lowboy Custom Beaters:

Felt Daddy

MD: How did you approach Sting’s newer material? But like I said, when I watch those clips, the thing I always come back
ZJ: I learned those a little more verbatim because they hadn’t really to is, Abe sounds like Abe, Josh sounds like Josh. No one’s trying to
played them live that much before. Sting’s played “Every Little Thing be anybody else, so why should I? Another challenge is being on the
She Does is Magic” a million times. But the new songs he’s played road again for this length of time after not really touring for a long
maybe three times before I got the gig. So I stuck a little closer to the time. That’s just its own thing to get used to. There’re weird sleep
recordings when we first did them. Now they have kind of evolved in schedules and being away from home is hard but it’s just part of the
their own way. gig.
MD: Are you able to add your input or does Sting take the reins? MD: What’s your favorite song to play live?
ZJ: It’s very much like do your thing until you hear otherwise, ZJ: “King Of Pain” since the first time we did it has always been a
Felipe Laverde
not that anyone has ever said that to me but that’s kind of my highlight for me in the set. I love that song and I love playing it. I
interpretation of the vibe. When we first rehearsed together, I just really like playing the ones that are super simple and I can just play
played the tunes the way that I heard them. If something’s not time, sit back and enjoy what’s happening, like “Fields of Gold.” I
working for him, he’ll say, “don’t play a fill there” or “go half time for have that moment to be an audience member a little bit because
this part.” Also, Dominic Miller, who has played guitar with him for 30 of how simple it is. “Brand New Day” was a hard one for me to figure
something years, is the preeminent expert on Sting music because out because it’s a shuffle, but it’s one of those in between shuffle
he’s had a closer relationship to it than anybody. Any time he has tempos where I would do more of an up-tempo swing or a slower
input about how something’s feeling I always take that to heart as like 12/8 kind of shuffle. I really enjoy playing that, but I think I enjoy
well. I’m very much encouraged to just be myself and that’s why I’m it partially because it was sort of a challenge for me in the beginning.
in the room at the end of the day. Sting is one of those guys who That particular song is in 4/4 but it’s hard to find a shuffle groove that
could have whoever he wants on drums so, there’s got to be a reason really works at that tempo. I roughly just started doing what Josh
that I’m there. was doing and then I found my own way into how to make it feel
MD: What’s one of the biggest challenges that you’ve faced since you good for me. I tried to make it groove while not losing the plot.
got the full-time gig with Sting? MD: Do you feel like you’ve improved since starting this gig?
ZJ: I guess the biggest challenge is internal. It’s hard when you ZJ: I feel like I’m better at doing this gig than I was when I started
think about the roster of drummers who have done this gig. It can doing this gig, that’s for sure. I’m just trying to keep my ears wide
be overwhelming if you let it. I have my moments where I get in open and really be present by listening to the music and listening
my own way psychologically, but I just have to remind myself to be to what everybody’s doing and trying to make it feel good and
myself and play the way that I play. It’s very tough to follow all of support the songs. I think one thing that I’ve improved significantly
the guys who have been on this gig before me, but I have so much is just pacing myself for a two hour show where there’s not really any
respect for them, and I love the way that every one of them plays. breaks. Once we get on stage, we play the whole time so that was

something to get used to as a drummer. “Hey, I’m going to be playing your drums on The Tonight Show.” Ever
MD: The tone of your live drums is great! How did you get started since then we’ve had an artist relationship. I just got a second kit from
using C&C Custom Drums? them because we need to have two drum sets on the road so one can
ZJ: I heard a guy named Ian Chang, he’s incredible. He plays with a get flown around. I’m psyched to get it. I got slightly different sizes
band called Son Lux and I heard him at a club in New York City and because why not, right? I also got a couple snares from them too,
watching him play I thought, that’s the best floor tom I’ve ever heard. which I’m psyched about because I haven’t owned a snare of theirs
The whole kit sounded great, and he sounded great, but the floor yet.
tom was incredible. I went and asked him after the show and it was a MD: Did you ever see The Police live?
C&C set. Immediately I thought, I have to get some of these drums. I ZJ: Yes! I have a bit of a story about that. In 2007, when they did the
should also mention that the drum tech on this tour is a guy named reunion tour my friends and I were like, we have got to go to them.
Gary Grimm. Gary tunes everything to perfection and makes it all The MSG shows, and I think the Philly shows, were all either sold out
sound so good every night. Gary’s been around for a long time. He or crazy expensive. So, a couple of my friends and I went to Bonnaroo
worked with Jeff Porcaro back in the day and he’s also worked with in Tennessee because The Police were headlining. Our mindset was, if
Steve Gadd and Steve Jordan. It’s crazy, he’s worked with everybody! we go to Bonnaroo, we can see about 20 other bands plus The Police.
He’s a great dude and he’s really good at his gig. So that’s what we did. I drove my car down with my friends from
MD: How did you guys collaborate to get the drums set up how you Jersey to Tennessee, we camped out behind my car, and we saw a ton
wanted? of bands that weekend. We got to see The Police and The Roots who
ZJ: I just sent him some photos of what my set up looked like. So, he came on right before them which was very cool.
sort of got it in the ballpark and then I adjusted stuff such as angles MD: What’s next for you Zach?
and positioning. Then he taped down the rug and that was it. It ZJ: I’ll be on the road with Sting into 2023 and spending my time
evolves over time, but I mean as far as the tuning and stuff he knows off at home in Brooklyn producing records with my partner Oscar at
how to get the drums sounding good. Studio G. Beyond that, the best things that have happened in my life
MD: Are you endorsed by C&C? and career are the things I never could have predicted, so I’ll just stay
ZJ: Yes, I’m also playing Paiste, Evans, and ProMark. The kit that I open and see what comes my way!
played when you saw me was a gift from my parents for Christmas
five or six years ago which was very nice of them. I played that kit on Check out Zach’s drummer profile page,
The Tonight Show backing up Sting. I called the C&C guys and I said, at modern drummer.com
FROM THE RISER
A DRUMMER’S PERSPECTIVE ii
OVER 270 LIVE

ACTION PHOTOS
130 LEGENDARY
DRUMMERS
184 PAGES
FOREWORD BY
NEIL PEART
“IT’S A FANTASTIC BOOK THAT EVEN
WE COULD NEVER TIRE OF FLICKING
THROUGH” Rhythm Magazine
Book Only Available to purchase from
www.music-images.co.uk
Alex Kluft

By Daniel “Ziggy” Laverde
T
he support of a parent in pursuing one’s aspirations can make or break the
majority of people. For Ty Dennis the fulfillment of his hopes was undeniable.
Ty, the son of a jazz drummer, was destined to achieve success as a drummer.
The ambition that most drummers have is to meet their heroes, but as you will
read in this interview Ty got to sub for his. In addition to his enormous successes
as Robby Krieger’s long-time drummer, Ty has filled in with other iconic artists.
Not many drummers and musicians are willing to put in the effort and make the
necessary sacrifices to reach their goals. Before his career reached new heights
and stages, Ty spent many years as a session musician working with many artists
and bands. Ty was able to reach unforeseeable heights when Robby Krieger and
Ray Manzarek dubbed
themselves The Doors
of the 21st Century and
embarked on a revival tour.
Ty was chosen to carry
The Doors’ drumming
torch and legacy forward.
Ty Dennis is neither a
superstar nor a household
name, yet his drumming
has made many admirers
Alex Kluft
around the world very

happy.
MD: How did you first become interested in music and drums? the first James Taylor record with Russ Kunkel, Billy Joel 52nd Street,
TD: My dad Denny Dennis is a professional drummer. For as long Steely Dan Aja, The Doobie Brothers Minute by Minute, and then, of
as I can remember there were drums in the house. There’re even course, a lot of jazz stuff too. I would play along on the floor, and
pictures of me at 17 months old holding a pair of sticks. I was when I got my first drum kit, I would try to mimic those records.
exposed to drumming because that’s what my father did. He also MD: Did you learn a lot from your dad Denny?
played great music in the house which became my background TD: Yes, I was fortunate because he was a disciple of Freddie Gruber
noise. When I was a kid, he had all these great records. In my who taught a lot of dudes including Neil Peart. My dad was one of
opinion, he had great taste in music. So, I was exposed to drums the cats in the seventies that learned from him. In turn, I learned a
and great music from a young age. I had an affinity for it. He lot of the Freddie Gruber principles from my dad.
didn’t force it on me or anything like that. Playing drums was just MD: Growing up, would you go with your dad to his gigs?
something that I wanted to do. It’s in my blood, I guess. TD: Yes, I got to go see him play many gigs. When I got to be 16
MD: What kind of records were you listening to growing up? or so, the first gigs I did was when I subbed for him on some little
TD: Some of the earliest records I remember listening to are the jazz gigs that he sent me on. I can now fake my way through jazz. I
first Headhunters record with Harvey Mason and Herbie Hancock, thank my dad for a lot of exposure to good things.
MD: How did you get started
in LA becoming a studio
session player?
TD: I grew up about an hour
from LA. I made the big move
up to Hollywood in the mid-
nineties. Back then everybody
had an ADAT studio. Back
when there were a lot of clubs
in LA, I started playing and
working for a zillion original
bands. I got immersed in
playing for original bands and
meeting songwriters. I did a
ton of records for people that
way. They’d hire me to record
for projects or I’d be working
for a band and then they’d
want to record. That’s when I
started getting the experience
of working as a session player.
MD: What were the biggest
challenges for you at that
time?
TD: Honestly, there were a
couple of different things. It’s
a big learning curve when you
don’t have a lot of experience
in the studio. When you
listen back to yourself, you
hear things that you might
have thought sounded good
in the moment, that don’t.
This helped me learn what
I needed to improve upon.
I needed to learn how to
produce myself when I played.
That was a challenge for me,
learning to listen back and
learning what works and
what doesn’t. The thing I still
work on, and the biggest for
me, is listening. When you’re
recording something or
someone sends you a project,
Alex Kluft
it’s important to really listen

to everything. For example,
what are all the parts? What’s

Alex Kluft
the guitar doing? What’s the bass doing? How do I compose a part TD: I didn’t know a lot of The Doors songs. I’d only heard the big
that interacts with all of this? It’s a big challenge to get in that head hits such as “Roadhouse Blues”, “Light My Fire”, “Break on Through”
space and to have the chops to do so. It takes a while to develop and “Riders on the Storm” and I honestly wasn’t much of a fan. I had
those skills. a big learning curve when I got that gig because I didn’t really know
MD: How did you get involved with The Doors and Robby Krieger? what The Doors were about. Robby handed me a bag full of The
How did you transition from studio work to this new Doors live stuff and when I listened to
venture? Ty and Robby Krieger it, I thought this is a different animal. I
TD: I was playing in a bunch of bands up in the could see where they took it as a band
Hollywood area, meeting people, and recording. I live. I learned to be a big Doors fan,
made a connection with a great friend of mine named but initially, no I really wasn’t.
Angelo Barbera who is an amazing bass player. We MD: When you heard John
were a rhythm section team and we connected. Densmore’s playing on the live
We would also recommend each other for gigs. recordings that Robby gave you, did
Then Angelo got the gig with the big 80’s band, The you try to replicate the tone of his
Motels. At one point they started looking for another drum kit?
drummer, so Angelo recommended me. I auditioned TD: I didn’t replicate the tone and
for that gig and got it. I did that gig for a couple of that was never something that Robby
years. Then Angelo got the gig with Robby Krieger wanted me to do. I can’t recall him
playing in his solo band. When Robby started looking ever saying anything like, “Hey, can
for a new drummer, Angelo recommended me once you tune your drums this way?” Or
Alex Kluft
again. That’s how I got the chance to meet Robby, and “Can you get more of a jazzy tone.”
eventually became his drummer. Anytime I worked with Robby and
MD: Did you listen to The Doors records growing up? later when I worked with Ray, they

would never mention that. I was free to play with a more modern something came up and Stewart Copeland can’t rehearse. Do you
sound. want to sub and do a rehearsal at SIR?” I said absolutely! I knew
MD: After getting the gig with Robby Krieger you also got the the manager because he had managed Robby when I played with
opportunity to play as a part of The Doors of the 21st Century. How him. He told me to come by about a week later and to bring my
did that opportunity arise? drums. I showed up at SIR carting my drums and set up. Then, I
TD: Around 2001 I was playing with Robby’s solo band. It was got to chat with Ray and Ian a little bit more. I remember Ray was
mostly shows in the United States. I did that for about a year. Then about eight feet to the right of me on the keyboard riser and we
Robby and Ray, along with Ian Astbury of The Cult, and Stewart started to play “Riders on the Storm” with Ray playing the keyboard
Copeland who is one of my drumming heroes, had plans to create solo part that everybody knows. I still have the memory of looking
a new version of The Doors called The Doors of the 21st Century. over to my right to see Ray playing while I was playing the groove.
Alex Kluft
It was a supergroup and they had offers to do it. When the group It was a good moment in my life. I also had a big advantage. After
formed Robby invited me to SIR in Hollywood to go watch him all, I had played with Robbie for a year, and I knew a lot of the
rehearse with Stewart Copeland. I went to watch the rehearsal and tunes and their arrangements. That rehearsal went well, and I told
that’s when I first met Ray, Ian, and Stewart Copeland. I had never the manager, “If you need me to come sub again, I loved it. Call
met them before. I watched the rehearsal and hung out a little bit me.” Sure enough, he calls up about a week later or so and says
with Stewart. Which was a very surreal moment for me. “Something came up with Stewart, he can’t rehearse again. Can you
MD: It must have felt crazy to be in that room. Did it change your come down?” Again, I said absolutely. He told me that I had to play
perspective to see how he approached the same songs that you Stewart Copeland’s drums and I couldn’t move anything because
were playing for the previous year? the group was going to rehearse the next day. I got there and I saw
TD: It was different. Stewart just imprinted what he does on that Stewart’s green Tama Starclassic drum kit.
music. It was really interesting. I was playing a version of the MD: That must have been a dream come true for you considering
original parts, and he was taking those songs and imprinting his he is one of your drum heroes.
style all over them. TD: It was surreal because when I was 12 years old, I would play
MD: What happened after that day? along to Synchronicity in my parents’ garage imagining that I
TD: I thought my gig with Robby was over. I started looking for was playing behind Stewart Copeland’s drums. Here I am at 30
a new gig. Not long after, I get a call. I was walking in a Rite Aid something years old and I’m actually playing Stewart Copeland’s
pharmacy in Glendale, and they called me and said, “Hey, man, drums. It was a very cool moment. I remember that he had 12”

hi hats, with a regular ride and a flat ride next to each other. I just Robby’s guitar and he starts to really get blazing on it. I try to follow
remember thinking, that’s different… 12” hi hats and a flat ride next him on it and see where he’s going to go.
to the other ride. It was great because I got to play drums and hang MD: You must have certain skills to be able to keep a jam going?
out with Ray more. I remember going to the bathroom that day TD: With my dad’s influence, those records he showed me, and
which was down the hall and I hear Ray coming out of the bathroom coming from the background I had, I was able to get in the head-
talking to the manager saying “I really like the way Ty played these space of where those guys were coming from. They love jazz! If I
tunes” or something to that effect. Ray came out of the bathroom had just been a guy who wasn’t experienced with jazz, didn’t know
saw me and said, “I’m glad you heard that.” how to play bossa nova beats or brushes, and didn’t know how to
MD: How did you feel hearing that from Ray Manzarek? swing… I could have never gotten a gig like that.
TD: I thought, “This is going well, this is cool.” When I was doing MD: How was the energy and chemistry different from playing with
those rehearsals, I remember thinking how am I going to go in Ray and Robby to just playing with Robby?
there? Should I kind of copy John Densmore, or should I try to copy TD: With Ray there were more surprises on stage. He tended to be
my hero, Stewart Copeland? I knew I was able to copy Stewart pretty more adventurous and spontaneous. Robby is very spontaneous in
well because I was so into his playing. But I just remember telling his playing, but Ray would occasionally just take a full-on left turn,
myself, “I’m just going to do what I do and not get caught up in which was really cool. Musically, sometimes it didn’t work out, but
trying to be those guys.” Ray really liked that I brought something that was okay. Together, their chemistry was really good. I felt very
different to the table. fortunate to be a fly on the wall, observe them playing together, and
MD: It all seemed to be falling in place for you. How did you seal the to be a part of it.
deal on getting the gig? MD: Did you develop a personal relationship with Ray?
TD: I did the second rehearsal and then long story short; I got calls TD: Absolutely. Ray was a mentor to me in a lot of different ways.
to sub on other things. I played on the Craig Kilborn Show and I also We would hang out a lot, I learned so much from him. You can
played a gig at the House of Blues in Hollywood. Then I got the call. hear how unique Ray’s playing was, he didn’t care what anybody
They asked me if I would want to thought. I learned so much playing
do the gig, the tour was starting, with guys like him. He showed me
and they were leaving. the experimental side of playing.
MD: During The Doors of the 21st Sometimes you’re going to go for
Century tour, you got to play a lot different things, and sometimes
of big places, especially in South you’re not going to play them the
America, right? same way. It may work, or it might
TD: Yes, we did. I did that gig from not, and that’s okay.
2003 until Ray got sick in about MD: Have you played with any other
2012. We played all over Europe bands recently?
and even the Wembley arena. TD: Yes, I just recently started playing
Then, we went to South America with Booker T. Jones. That’s been a
and played really big gigs all over really great gig because Booker’s
the place. We went to a lot of original drummer was Al Jackson
places that the original Doors had Jr. and I’m enjoying getting in that
never gone. There were fans of that head-space and honoring that music.
music that never got to see Robby MD: Does Booker T. know that you
and Ray play live. It was quite an play with Robby?
experience to go to South America, TD: Yeah! Booker told me, “We should
Mexico, Europe, Australia, and work up a version of “Light My Fire”
Japan. or something… Maybe Robby could
MD: What was your favorite gig? come out and play sometime.”
TD: The one that sticks out in my MD: Did you tell Robby?
mind the most is a soccer stadium TD: I did! Robby was a fan when
in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was “Green Onions” came out, he was
around 27,000 people. The fans really into that tune.
were so excited that they couldn’t MD: You can make it happen!
contain themselves. When we were TD: Yeah, that’d be fun. I’m enjoying
Alex Kluft
playing, they started throwing it. The Booker gig is super funky, and
pieces of fence and chairs around, I get to play all these great Al Jackson
and people starting fires out in the parts. Booker is a gracious guy, just
audience. It wasn’t because they like Robby and Ray.
were angry, it was because they were so excited. MD: Are you endorsed by any drum companies?
MD: What’s your favorite Doors song to play live? TD: Yes, I use DW Drums, Bosphorus Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads,
TD: I still love to play “Riders on the Storm,” and just getting into it and Innovative Percussion Sticks.
behind the keyboard solo. There are different keyboard players that
will play live with us now. They each do their own thing and it’s fun
because each player will go into a totally different direction. I also
like to play “When the Music’s Over” because that’s another one
that’s never the same way twice. There’s a lot of improvisation under Check out Ty’s drummer profile page,
JAZZ DRUMMER’S WORKSHOP
Joe Morello: Master Studies

In our further celebration of Joe Morello’s legendary book Master Studies; in the next few months Modern Drummer will
be bringing you one of the best and most beneficial sections of the book and Joe’s teaching, the Control Studies. The
part we are looking at this month talks about the velocity in which we strike the instrument. Remember relaxation one
of the keys to control!
Control Studies: Velocity
The faster you play, the looser and more relaxed you have to be. In these exercises, you just need to drop the stick and
then keep it going. Try to get your hand to follow the motion of the stick. To do this, basically, the first note is struck
using the wrist, and the other notes are controlled by the fingers. The important thing is to free yourself from tension,
because any tension will break the flow of energy.
Practice each line eight times, slowly at first. Never play faster than a speed at which you can play relaxed and cleanly.
1
?c œ œ Œ Ó œ œ Œ Ó ..
R R L L
2
?c œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ Ó ..
R R R L L L
3
?c œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ Ó ..
R R R R L L L L
4
?c œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ..
R R R R R L L L L L
5
?c œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ..
R R R R R R L L L L L L

?c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R R R R R R R L L L L L L L
7
?c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
R R R R R R R R L L L L L L L L

?c œœ‰Œ œœ‰Œ ..
3 3
Ó Ó
1
R R L L
?c œœœŒ œœœŒ ..
3 3
Ó Ó
2
R R R L L L
?c œœœœ ..
3 3
Ó œœœœ Ó
3
R R R R L L L L
?c œœœœœ‰Ó œœœœœ‰Ó ..
3 3 3 3
4
R R R R R L L L L L
?c œœœœœœÓ ..
3 3 3 3
œœœœœœÓ
5
R R R R R R L L L L L L
?c œœœœœœœ Œ Œ ..
3 3 3 3
œœœœœœœ

R R R R R R R L L L L L L L
?c œœœœœœœœ‰Œ œœœœœœœœ‰Œ ..
3 3 3 3 3 3
7
R R R R R R R R L L L L L L L L
?c œœœœœœœœœŒ œœœœœœœœœŒ ..
3 3 3 3 3 3
8
R R R R R R R R R L L L L L L L L L
?c œœœœœœœœœœ ..
3 3 3 3 3 3
œœœœœœœœœœ
9
R R R R R R R R R R L L L L L L L L L L
? c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ..
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
10
R R R R R R R R R R R L L L L L L L L L L L
? c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
11
R R R R R R R R R R R R L L L L L L L L L L L L

1
? c œœ‰ Œ Ó œœ‰ Œ Ó ..
RR L L
2
? c œœœ Œ Ó œœœ Œ Ó ..
RRR L L L
3
? c œœœœŒ Ó œœœœŒ Ó ..
RRRR L L L L
4
? c œœœœœ Ó œœœœœ Ó ..
RRRRR L L L L L
5
? c œœœœœœ‰ Ó œœœœœœ‰ Ó ..
RRRRRR L L L L L

? c œœœœœœœ Ó œœœœœœœ Ó ..
RRRRRRR L L L L L L L
7
? c œœœœœœœœÓ œœœœœœœœÓ ..
RRRRRRRR L L L L L L L L
8
? c œœœœœœœœœ Œ œœœœœœœœœ Œ ..
RRRRRRRRR L L L L L L L L
9
? c œœœœœœœœœœ‰ Œ œœœœœœœœœœ‰ Œ ..
RRRRRRRRRR L L L L L L L L L L
? c œœœœœœœœœœœ Œ
10
œœœœœœœœœœœ Œ ..
RRRRRRRRRRR L L L L L L L L L L

? c œœœœœœœœœœœœŒ
11
œœœœœœœœœœœœŒ ..
RRRRRRRRRRRR L L L L L L L L L L L L
? c œœœœœœœœœœœœœ
12
œœœœœœœœœœœœœ ..
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? c œœœœœœœœœœœœœœ‰
13
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? c œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ
14
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? c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
15
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Check out Joe’s Modern

Drummer profile page and get
your copy of Master Studies at
moderndrummer.com

ROCK PERSPECTIVES
“Hoedown”
Emerson, Lake, & Palmer Trilogy, recorded in 1972
Reprinted from Carl Palmer’s book Applied Rhythms.
T his is one of my favorite instrumentals, probably one of the all-time great pieces of music I played with
Emerson, Lake, & Palmer. Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s one of my favorites and the only piece of mu-
sic I’ve ever played by Aaron Copeland. I’m sure that I’ll play this piece again in the future.
This part is basically lifted from the orchestral arrangement. I’ve adapted the percussion parts that the
orchestra would have played as closely as I could put them on the drums. Four bars after letter C is a very
typical Aaron Copeland brass sort of phrase. I play that one with the band (or with the orchestra, depending
on which record you’re listening to.) This is a very good drum part for the student to learn, because it is a little
more diverse. It’s not just for on the floor with a bass drum. There are some quite interesting accents that have to be
played. They’re unexpected, and they come in at strange times. But basically, it’s 4/4 throughout, so there shouldn’t be
any problem with playing this one.
, ,
q = 140
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t y y y y y y y y y y y y y t y y y y y y y y
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t y y y y y y y t y y y y y y y
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>> > >> > > >
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y y y y y y y y
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t y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y 2
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q = 87
t
÷ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
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Les Cole
Check out Carl’s Modern Drummer profile page and his book, Applied Rhythms, at moderndrummer.com
BASICS
The Rhythm Of Practice

By Chris Lesso
practice is where the rewards are earned and discovered. That’s why
Beats are something you do; we love it; we’re playing an infinite game. Practicing shouldn’t be a
chore; it shouldn’t become something you despise. Over time these
drumming is something you live. feelings can only corrode the joy of why we started playing drums
in the first place. To nurture this joy, we must keep the reason of
The drums don’t want you to be good at them. The world will throw why we play drums, front and center. We can use it as fuel to move
every excuse at you not to practice or play drums. We have all heard us forward both on the days we can’t wait to play and on those days
the excuses, ‘Life gets in the way’ and ‘There’s always something else when we’d rather do anything else.
to do.’ If this game were easy, everyone would be a champion! Motivation is a myth. There’s nothing in the world that will
It’s a daily challenge to step into the practice room and confront magically sit you behind the kit and force you to pick up your sticks.
yourself. You are humbly confronting what you don’t know, or what This motivation must come from the fire that burns within you.
you can’t do (yet). But we can turn this ritual of practice into the For this reason, practice can never be forced. We can only craft
rhythm of practice. Consequently the motivational and practice
and over time, we’ll unleash our conditions to build this ritual of
best selves through drumming. discovery into a lifelong rhythm
That magical day is not like of practice. This habit is when
winning the lottery, where we we embrace the honor and thrill
finally ‘get it’ and when everything of turning our daily drumming
magically clicks into place. Instead, workout into a lifestyle.
it’s found in the stacking of hard
won 1% gains. In this process we Feel the Wood in Your Hands
face days when we’re either dazed, Once a Day
confused, or frustrated. Or all three Drumming icon Joe Morello has
at the same time. Then there are said this about practice, “Every day,
the days when we find the gift I just want to feel the wood in my
of one small victory. The slow hands.” It can’t get any simpler than
drip of knowledge turned into that! What a beautiful prescription
action compounds over time and for living a life filled with the joy of
transforms you into the drumming drumming. Tell yourself that once
super-hero you were meant to be. a day you’ll feel the wood of the
The LTR DRUMMING METHOD: stick in the palm of your hand and
LAUNCH doesn’t give you a forced commit to getting 1% better. We
practice regimen. Practice is a all start with that idea in our mind’s
choice, one that should be fueled eye. Channeling that creativity
with enthusiasm, curiosity, and only happens when the drumset
fun. Even though we can count on becomes your second home. That
experiencing days when we just is when you’ll get so comfortable
don’t feel like practicing, we can with that ‘wood in your hands’
still take swift and steady action to feeling. That is when you can create
craft a clearer, bolder, and heartfelt an outpouring of expression and
message to the world. emotion through the drums. Creating the daily habit of practice
Turning practice into a lifestyle gives us momentum. Once you moves us towards this wonderful feeling. Practice can take hours or
start riding the momentum of good practice, you won’t want to let take as little as 15 minutes. Feel the wood in your hands once a day,
it fade. Momentum is energy in motion. For example, a jet that soars and just watch what unfolds.
above the clouds at 30,000 feet has serious momentum. In mid-air, I hope you’ve enjoyed this excerpt from my book, THE LTR
a pilot can let the plane coast and momentum will allow it to stay DRUMMING METHOD: LAUNCH!
in flight. But once that plane has landed and lost its momentum, Next time we’ll explore the four essential areas of my IREC
it is dead weight. To regain flight the spark to escape inertia and practice model: Intuition, Reps, Edges, and Celebration. We’ll also
create momentum has to be ignited all over again. This re-ignition transform your practice space into a true practice dojo. You’ll learn
demands massive amounts of energy. Losing your drumming and how to keep your momentum going on those days that you just
musical momentum creates the thoughts of giving up and quitting. can’t seem to find the time, and learn tactics to keep practice
You feel like that plane sitting still on the runway. On the other hand, fun (like it should be.) Drum with passion, and let’s find YOUR voice
progress, even if it’s 1% each day, comes from using your momentum through drumming together.
over time. This process can sometimes feel messy and like a fast track chrislesso.net/drum
to nowhere. But the essence of organized practice is to use these
obstacles as fuel for the journey forward. That journey is yours.
Check out Chris’s Modern Drummer profile page
Drumming is fun but endlessly challenging. The rhythm of at moderndrummer.com

ROCK AND JAZZ CLINIC
Double Bass Drumming

Soloing Over the Double Bass Roll
by Joe Franco
T his month we will continue with another excerpt from Joe Franco’s groundbreaking book, Double Bass Drumming.
This month Modern Drummer is focusing on Joe’s section on soloing over the double bass roll using accented
rolls and accent patterns with the hands. These excersises and patterns are a fantastic way to develop different hand
patterns and independence for soloing over the feet, and develop balance, control, and stamina in your double bass
playing.
In this excerpt, various hand patterns are developed and played over the double bass drum roll. These patterns include
accented rolls and their accent patterns, and mixed sticking patterns. This article deals specifically with the sixteenth note
feel, and is designed to:
-Present different hand patterns that are useful in soloing.

-Develop hand independence over the double bass roll.
-Develop balance, control, and stamina on double bass.
When practicing this information first become familiar with each hand pattern. Repeat each pattern on the snare over the
double bass roll until you are totally comfortable with it before moving on to the next. Keep in mind, when rolling with
your hands and feet simultaneously, you should not hear any flamming. Once you are comfortable with the patterns, move
them around the drums. Combine them with each other as solos of 4, 8, 16 or more measures. Playing these hand patterns
as extended solos over the double bass roll will also increase your stamina on double bass.
Accented Rolls and Accent Patterns

In the following sections and accented (single stroke) rolls (on the left column on each page,) and the accents (or synco-
pated patterns) of that roll (right column) of each page are played over the double bass roll. Accented rolls and accent
patterns can be interpreted in many ways. Here are a few suggestions for playing this section:
-Play the accented roll on the snare using rim shots for all accents.
-Play the accented roll on anyone drum by playing the accents loud and the unaccented (ghost) notes soft.
-Play all the accents on toms and other parts of the kit while playing the unaccented notes on the snare.
-After playing the accented rolls, play only the accent pattern (right column of each page.) Break up the patterns between
both hands. Try using the Single Stroke System for stickings, or experiment with other sticking methods. Keep in mind that
playing the accent pattern over the double bass roll is not as easy as playing the continuous accented role. This will serve
as a good balance and control exercise.
-Play the accent patterns with both hands simultaneously.
-To further develop your hand independence over the double bass roll, try playing the accent patterns on the snare with
one hand, while playing one of the following ride patterns with the other.

In the following sections, the double bass roll is written only once on the bottom of each page. However, every hand
pattern should be played over the double bass roll.

Check out Joe’s Modern Drummer profile page and get your copy of
Double Bass Drumming at moderndrummer.com

Presents:
Gary Chester’s New Breed
Buy from your favorite retailer

check out more at moderndrummer.com
CREATIVE PERCUSSION CONTROLLERS
Hybrid Drumming / The Electro-Organic Approach

By Tony Verderosa
T here are special moments in the musical instrument industry

when instrument manufacturers produce some truly innovative
products. These are risky ventures financially, but amazing things
Creative / Experimental
In this month’s article I am highlighting instruments that are very
different from the practical solutions described above. In the
can happen when engineers and
designers are given the time and
resources to innovate and push the
boundaries creatively. When lightning
strikes, these new instruments inspire
musicians to think differently about
creating and performing music.
This month’s column is a special nod
to those inventors and entrepreneurs
that are experimenting in garage
workshops or those that already work as
designers inside some of the top global
music companies. We are all excited to
see new combinations of technologies in
the world of drumming and percussion
over the coming years.
The most creatively satisfying
electronic drum instruments that I
have played in the past few years were
designed around an “electro-organic”
or “electro-acoustic” approach. Electro-
acoustic drums serve a different purpose
compared with more traditional
electronic drum sets. For clarification, let me say that all electronic creative drumming community, we need inspiring electro-organic
drums provide value, and function differently depending on their drum instruments that are imaginative and intuitive to play. We
design. Let’s look at a couple of different roles these instruments need new instruments that become integral to the creation of a new
play, in the day to day life of drummers. song during the composing and studio production process. In this
case the objective is to design “unexpected” instruments that are at
Functional / Supportive the forefront of the creative process and
Touring bands and recording artists become part of the sound of modern
have the need to “bring the studio to music.
the stage”. Drummers require electronic Lets look at it from this perspective,
drum kits and/or multi-pad drum devices the new Roland SPD-SX Pro Sampling
with lots of sample memory so we can drum pad has 32GB of internal sample
trigger the exact samples from each memory. That’s 44 hours of 48kHz/16
drum as they were mixed in the studio bit stereo samples! The SPD-SX Pro
for each song. What the audience hears was created to bring the world’s most
on stage will sound exactly as it does on creative sounds on to the stage. To
the big hit records. Butch Vig’s latest tour stand out and get people’s attention,
with his band Garbage is a great example you will want to make sure that you
of why this solution is so important. are filling up that sample memory with
He had to spend hours and hours in unusual and groundbreaking sounds
pre-production importing and mapping and song elements. If that is your goal,
out uniquely compressed and processed then you want to “up your game” as a
drum and cymbal samples from his music producer and sound designer.
studio sessions right on to his Roland That is exactly why the world needs
V-Drums. This is a critical and important sounds and textures that have never
solution that many drummers require. been heard before. We need new ways
Electronic drum sets are also supportive of approaching instrument design.
because they function as “silent” practice It’s about the sound and feeling that a
kits for home use in addition having a new instrument can provide. It’s about
huge role in drum set education. sparking inspiration.

Think of the global influence that the Roland TB-303, TR-808 responds to the smallest finger tap. I am also changing the pitch
and 909 had on the Detroit techno sound and the emergence of the “drum” by squeezing the playing surface which activates
of Hip Hop music. Those instruments were created by Ikutaro pressure sensors. There is a ton of distortion used on this example.
Kakehashi, also known by his nickname Taro. He was a Japanese By merely touching the edges of the frame, I can achieve some
engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur. He founded the musical subtle nuance and strange overtones. Around the 2:20 mark, I
instrument manufacturers Ace Tone, Roland Corporation, and started to explore aggressive finger nail scraping on the textured
Boss Corporation, and the audiovisual electronics company, ATV playing surface.
Corporation. It’s important to mention that the initial commercial The aFrame is marketed more toward percussionists, but it’s a
release of the Roland TB-303, TR-808, and 909 was a failure. The drum synthesizer and can be enjoyed anyone that wants to play
drum sounds in the 808 and 909 were considered “not realistic”, rhythms and experiment with sound design. If you don’t have ANY
and yhe TB-303 had “unrealistic” bass sounds. Eventually electronic hand drumming skills, you will create some really cool ideas with
music became more mainstream, and all of these instruments and this drum. If you have a background in Latin percussion, Arabic
sounds became iconic. These “unrealistic sounds” became THE drumming, and Indian drumming, you will also feel very much at
sound of modern music. home. The aFrame was developed by Mr. Tsukasa Arakawa, who is
If I had the leading engineers from the world’s biggest music a producer at the R&D Department of ATV’s Matsumoto Laboratory
companies in an elevator and just ten seconds to get my point in conjunction with Mr. Ikuo Kakehashi, the aFrame development
across, I would say the following, “Hey - we need new instruments advisor and noted Japanese percussionist.
that offer their own unique musical sounds. They should have a The aFrame is a “microcosm” of this big sonic universe I built with
highly expressive, natural playing feel that is almost identical to
playing an acoustic drum or hand drum. Can you design something
that straddles the line between acoustic and electronic drums?”
It is vital for the industry to have designers working closely with
engineers and music artists to come up with completely new
concepts.
Electro-Organic Experiments
Let’s have a look at some unusual instruments that were released
over the past few years that utilize features you typically won’t find
in today’s electronic drum systems. Over the next decade, we will
witness new concepts in the field of digital drum design that blur
the lines between “acoustic and electronic”. This will be the new
frontier.
Hybrid drumming requires a “DIY” approach and lots of patience.
Creative hybrid drummers are pushed into a corner because we
have no choice but to build our very own individualized, “electro-
organic” set ups using triggers, pads, pedals, Ableton live, fx pedals
and much more. Everyone is approaching hybrid drumming
differently, but there is a common thread. The common element is
the “creative merger of electronic and acoustic sounds”.
My own personal set up involves a maxed out 27” iMac Pro, my hybrid drum system. That’s part of the appeal for me. I can plug
audio interfaces, 16 channels of Class A mic pre-amps, a collection in a pair of headphones and get lost for hours with this instrument.
of amazing microphones, hardware synthesizers, a DAW (Cubase It has all of the elements I need to explore drumming, composition,
Pro), dozens of VST virtual instruments, a Midi Drum Controller, music production, and sound design in one lightweight drum.
acoustic drum triggers, numerous drum pads, acoustic drums, The frame of the drum is made from Bamboo by a very prominent
acoustic cymbals, an array of unusual hardware FX Pedals, and Japanese company, Fujigen. Fujigen specializes in wood
much more. It is an insane amount of effort to get all of these components for guitars as well as ultra-high-end wood designs for
drums and triggers to respond and behave exactly as I want them Luxury cars.
to. The complexity of my hybrid system helped me appreciate a The aFrame drum has its own built-in microphones, onboard
compact new electronic drum that I bought a few years ago from synth, built in DSP effects processing/mixing and pressure sensors.
Sweetwater. It’s called the aFrame and it is made by ATV. It works by taking the individual drum strikes that you make with
Here is a quick experiment I recorded with the aFrame drum your hands and fingers, and using these acoustic elements to
that explores one the electro-organic preset patches. There are interact with the DSP “band-pass” filters to create very unique
many banks of presets that explore different categories of sound. sounds and textures. I love the fact that the first part of the signal
There are banks that explore “Acoustic” sounds and various chain on this drum is your touch. ATV uses a proprietary “Adaptive
acoustic textures. There is a bank of sounds called “Neo-Acoustic” Timbre Technology” that responds to your playing technique,
that explores the “electro-organic” character of the aFrame. There accommodating all manner of striking, pressing, scraping and
is another bank of sounds that explores deeply electronic tones friction.
but offers the same playing experience as acoustic instruments. I find that using a battery pack connected to the aFrame drum
The track that I made in the video below fits into that “electronic” gives me more flexibility and more mobility. The drum does come
category. Its foundation is a deep synth bass tone, but at times it with its own power supply but I prefer the battery pack which I
behaves like a super touch sensitive 32” concert bass drum that secure to the drum using velcro.

The aFrame has the immediacy and visceral response of a real
drum. It also offers musical scales and chords that I can create
by triggering the internal DSP synth. There’s also lots of onboard
effects such as delays, reverbs, compression and more. The ATV
aFrame provides an array of scales and arpeggios, such as Minor
scales, Major Scales, Pentatonic Scales, Arabic, Lydian, Mixolydian
scales and so on. The melodic scale functions can be controlled by
pressure! You can see in this video example, I am pressing my
fingers into the drum to change up the notes in a given scale. You
can also control the panning position of different timbres according
to the pressure you apply to the head.
Notice the MultiClap I attached to the frame of the drum. That
small wooden device from Schlagwerk provides some additional
overtones for me to explore while improvising. Keep in mind that if
I am in a writing session with a guitar player or trumpet player, and
they decide it would be more comfortable playing in the key of D, I
just need to press a couple of buttons and store that edit change.
The aFrame has a familiar feel with an immediate response
because it allows me to use simple hand motions to bend or
dampen notes. The aFrame can also accommodate extremely subtle
playing nuances like scraping brushes, mallets or hands/fingertips
across the textured playing surface. It can even capture subtle finger
tapping or the scraping of fingernails across the surface. The poly
carbonate playing surface is pressure sensitive and responds like a
real acoustic drumhead, conga or frame drum. But at the same time,
it’s also electronic. I have included some photos that provide a good
view of the textured playing surface.
The aFrame has a sound engine and physical playing surface
that is fully integrated into one lightweight drum frame. If you
push your hand into the drum or press your fingers into the playing
surface, it will change the pitch of the drums and sounds in much
the same way as pushing on an acoustic conga, floor tom or
large frame drum. The aFrame gives me that immediate sense of
familiarity as a drummer/percussionist but it’s also full of surprises
because the DSP electronic tones are blended and integrated so
seamlessly. Latency is a non-issue because this drum is not based
on midi. By dampening the drum, you can affect the decay of
some of the sounds and affect how the delays and reverbs react.
Here is another video example where you can see my left hand
is dampening the sound of the drum as I play the grooves. I am
using an Innovative Percussion BR5 plastic brush to generate some
swirling, fluttering overtones. As the brush is sweeping across the
playing surface, my left hand is “pushing into the drum” to change
the pitch.
The aFrame pushes the boundaries creatively and merges the
world of acoustic percussion with electronic synthesis and digital
signal processing. It’s stands alone in a new category.
Here is a quote from Master percussionist, Pete Lockett on the ATV

aFrame:
“The closest electronic percussion instrument that I’ve come across that
feels like I’m playing an actual acoustic percussion instrument. I never
thought that day would come to be quite honest. It feels like such a
natural thing to play.”
ATV aFrame Presets

It is worth having a look at a couple of the aFrame Presets from
their reference manual because the descriptions indicate the
ambitions for this instrument in greater detail. Here are a few few of
the presets and what they “do.”
HocusPocus
“An exotic synthesized sound is mapped to an Arabic scale. Pressure

scale control articulates expressive melodic cascades and also earliest days of Simmons drums and the Yamaha DTS70 interface. It’s
widens the stereo pan image of the sounds enriched with reverb.” really great to see ATV embrace these musical modes in the design
I used the HocusPocus preset for the music on this video below. of the aFrame.
I love that I can explore creating film score music with one drum.
Around the one-minute mark, you can see I am clearing pressing my A Related Cousin
fingers into the head in order to melodically glide up and down the The aFrame drum is unlike anything else I have ever played, with
Arabic Music scale. the exception of a Korg Wavedrum. The Korg WaveDrum is definitely
BassOnBoard a “cousin” to the ATV aFrame in some respects. The Wavedrum first
This is a bass sound in which pressure bends the octave up. The came out in 1994 and it has been updated and refreshed a few times
sub-timbre is used to produce a subtle attack. It’s simple parameter in the past 10 years. The Wavedrum could also articulate subtle
settings leave room to create more complex sounds. brush strokes, hand scrapes, muting and dampening.
Hyper Pot Market Impact
This tone utilizes a timbre balance that responds to both the center Have these new “electro-acoustic” drum instruments taken
and edge sensor, providing different characters depending on the the world by storm? Are they widely adopted by drummers with
location of the strike. With these settings, pressure mutes only the millions of units sold every year? Absolutely not. Do they push the
low frequency sound. boundaries in terms of expressive control and give us a glimpse of
what the future of electronic percussion could be? The answer is
definitely yes. The creative potential is massive. I hope we see future
iterations of the aFrame. The playing experience is really gratifying
because it’s more closely aligned with acoustic drumming and
acoustic percussion.
The Future of Electro-Acoustic Drums

I hope that this electro-organic approach does become more
prominent and more advanced over the coming years. It is
interesting that many electronic drum companies have started
embedding their electronic drum pads inside real acoustic drum
shells. That appears to be more about aesthetics and appearances
on stage. I am sure this trend is also helping more acoustic
drummers warm up to the idea of playing electronic drums. With
a true electro-acoustic design, the drum shell, rim, tension rods
and tunable playing surface would all have an impact on the final
sound of the instrument. It is not difficult to imagine a seamless
merger that combines the nuance of acoustic drums with advanced
synthesis, sound processing, and sound amplification technologies.
Buying a drum set in 10 years will be a very different experience
than what it is today.
With advancements in technology and technology becoming
more affordable, you will be able to switch back and forth between
a natural acoustic drum or flip a switch and the entire kit becomes a
hybrid electronic system. Your “acoustic drums” will have no problem
communicating with computers and recording technologies will be
fully integrated.
To conclude, let’s take a look at some of the groundbreaking
instruments that shaped modern music over the past 50 years.
There is a museum exhibit in Berlin called Good Vibrations - History
of Electronic Music Instruments. Google Arts and Culture has also
put together a wonderful story dedicated to these pioneering
instruments. Bookmark this link and check it out.
Below are just some of the classic synths and samplers mentioned
Psycho Skin in this story. They all introduced new technology that changed the
While this is a sound that does not exist in the acoustic world, you sound of recorded music forever. As musicians, there is no greater
can obtain a nuanced performance by scratching and pressing the feeling than discovering a new, groundbreaking instrument for the
instrument. first time. For instrument designers and engineers, I am sure the
In this video example called “Chordal Nimbus”, I am again feeling is similar when you create a project or an instrument that
using the BR5 Brush to explore different textures on the aFrame. The literally changes the course of music history.
melodic scale in this example is much more randomly generated. Fairlight
I am activating the scales using pressure with the fingers on my The first purpose-built digital sampling instrument was the
left hand. You will also notice a big shift in timbre as I switch from Fairlight Computer Music Instrument, created in 1979. Using
the brush side of the BR5 to the rubber handle. This track has a microprocessors, the Fairlight was able to shift the pitch of sampled
cinematic, expansive sound. I have always been inspired by the digital sounds better than any other system on the market. It was
melodic and harmonic potential of electronic percussion since the used on global hit songs produced by Kate Bush, Herbie Hancock,

Peter Gabriel as well as numerous soundtracks and TV commercials. capabilities in a portable design. It gave home based producers
Moog Modular the ability to bypass expensive commercial studios. “Sampling” was
The Moog Modular was widely adopted at this time for creating
comprised of a series of individual beats and full music tracks. The SP-1200
components that produced or featured separate outputs, robust MIDI,
processed sound in various ways, it and an onboard sequencer.
was connected by patch cables to Simmons Drums
create different configurations of Originally, Simmons was a pioneering
sound. This was the first synthesizer British manufacturer of electronic
to have a significant impact on pop drums. Founded in 1978 by Dave
music in the 1960s. It connected Simmons, it created electronic
waveform oscillators, filters, and kits from 1980 to 1994. The drums’
modulators and became the signature electronic sound can be
blueprint for modular synthesis as found on countless albums from the
we know it today. 1980s. I briefly owned a Simmons
Buchla Music Easel midi controller. As a midi percussion
Don Buchla designed synthesizers controller, it was way ahead of its time.
that were free of conventional musical rules. His Music Easel was Roland TD7
controlled by metal plates, optical sensors, and randomizable The Roland TD7 Drum Kit was introduced in 1992-1993 using a
sequencers. special video production by CPP Media. This drum set had a big
Synclavier impact on the market and utilized round rubber pads for both the
The Synclavier (Released in 1977) was the first synth to make drum sounds and the cymbal sounds. It helped foster a much wider
additive and FM synthesis available adoption of digital electronic drum sets.
outside of a research laboratory. By The sampled sounds were convincing
connecting a computer, synthesists and realistic and created a foundation
and sound designers could for the continued success of Roland
program sounds using just a few electronic drums.
lines of code. Yamaha DTS70
LinnDrum This instrument was designed more for
Roger Linn’s drum machine was acoustic drum triggering and hybrid
released in the early 1980s. It drumming. It was very forward thinking
used samples of real drums and in its design and musical flexibility, but
percussion instruments. This it also required that each drummer
was in stark contrast to the early purchase their own synths and drum
rhythm machines that preceded sound modules to produce music
it. Those “rhythm machines” from pads and triggers. There were
utilized synthetic, unrealistic, and no internal sounds in this module.
synthesized drum sounds. The buzz The DTS70 paved the way for today’s
at the time of the Linndrum was popular hybrid drumming styles where
that it would eventually replace drummers incorporate triggers and a
human drummers in the recording few drum pads into their set up to blend
studio. acoustic and electronic sounds. Here
Roland 303, 808, and 909 are a couple of examples of how I used
As I mentioned at the start of this the DTS70 in my hybrid set up over 30
article, sometimes new instrument years ago. This instrument excelled at
designs can be financially very risky offering access to chordal harmonies
for a manufacturer. When it was and melodies if you decided to program
first introduced by Japan’s Roland these elements on each drum.
Corporation in 1981, the 303, 808 Yamaha’s DTX900 Module
and 909 had terrible sales numbers. They were considered to be a The more “current” version of the DTS70 is Yamaha’s DTX900 Module,
complete failure. However, in time this series of instruments went on which was introduced in 2010. I use this module to this day because
to change the sound of popular music. the midi triggering offers me the most creative flexibility of any
Yamaha DX7 modules currently on the market. I have all of the volume sliders
In 1983 Yamaha’s DX7 went on to become one of the best-selling turned OFF since I design all my own sounds and samples inside my
synthesizers of all time, selling more than 200,000 units. With the external synths and computer-based instruments. Every sound you
DX-7, Digital FM synthesis became available to the masses. The DX7 are hearing in this track is triggered in real-time.
excelled at creating otherworldly, inharmonic, and glassy tones that I am excited about the evolution of electronic drums and the
analog synthesizers could not replicate. The DX-7 can be heard on future of hybrid drumming! Be sure to check out these videos
records by everyone from Chick Corea to Michael Jackson, and from below with Pete Lockett discussing and performing on the ATV
A-ha and Kool & The Gang to Whitney Houston and Phil Collins. aFrame. See you next month!
E-MU SP-1200
In the late 1980s, the SP-1200 offered sampling and sequencing Check out Tony’s Modern Drummer
profile page at moderndrummer.com
Lessons From The Greats
Bass Drum Technique Books
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Applying the Moeller Technique DIG
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APPL
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CHECK OUT MORE AT MODERNDRUMMER.COM
COLLECTOR’S CORNER
1936 Leedy Century “Full Dress” Trap Set

with original Painted Dutch Windmill Scene
By Tim Northup
T he Northup Drums Museum loves to acquire what we call “Time

Capsule Kits.” That is what we call a drumset that started its
instrumental life purchased all together at the same time. Over the
We even have the original sticks, brushes, and trap case that were
purchased with the set.
The museum has the original sales receipt dated September
years, any kit may have pieces added, but a “Time Capsule Kit” is all 29, 1936. It lists the complete kit and options that were purchased
original, not a set that was “put together” over time. that day for $166.00 (that’s about $3500.00 today!) We are also very
This 1936 Leedy Century “Full Dress” Trap Set with original proud to have a photograph of the owner, Mr. William H. Boswell
Painted Dutch Windmill Scene is a perfect “Time Capsule Kit.” It was standing behind the kit on the day that he bought it. As a bonus,
purchased in Gold Sparkle in 1936. This specific set was only made we have a copy of a book that Boswell’s son wrote, compiling all
from 1934 to 1938. The snare drum is a 5x14 Broadway Standard, of Bill’s stories about his travels and where he played this set as
the bass drum is a single tension 14x28 with the Dutch Windmill a young man from the 1930s through the 1950s. The book tells a
Scene. The painted Dutch Windmill Scene was offered as an option fascinating story of William and his band on the road playing in bars,
for an extra $10.00 from 1925 to 1940. This scene seems to be one dance halls, and hotels throughout Pennsylvania. Mr. Boswell also
of the most common of the Leedy oil painted scenes that you could writes about meeting some of the top musicians of the day such as
add to your bass drum. The bass drum also has a light kit inside to Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Eddy Duchin, and Tommy Dorsey.
illuminate the artwork on the front head. This 1936 Leedy Century “Full Dress” Trap Set is one of the most
The set was purchased with a lowboy sock cymbal, trap table with complete and well documented drum sets from the 1930s in
five Korean temple blocks, two 9” Chinese toms, two larger Chinese our collection. You can see and play this drumset by visiting the
floor toms, Zilco and Zejian thin splash cymbals, a wood block, Northup Drums Museum. We are open by appointment 607-434-
cowbell, and a bass drum pedal equipped with a cymbal clanger. 4769. www.northupdrums.com

OUT NOW!
M odern Drummer is going to start spotlighting certain new recordings that have the
drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or
just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from
the drummer and/or musicians in the band. This column will not be restricted to only
recordings, we will also be spotlighting new books and DVD’s that are being released.
We encourage our readers to listen to the recordings that inspire them, and keep looking
for new musical avenues to explore. You’ll never know what new music you might find
inspiring! Listen and learn.
Brendan Buckley & Friends

DrummerPlusDrummer Vol. 1
Self-Produced
Brendan Buckley drums.
With: Sarab Singh, Carter McLean, Brian Griffin, Tucker Rule, Ash Soan, Victor Indrizzo,
Gilmar Gomes, Todd Sucherman, Randy Cooke, Gregg Bissonette, Blair Sinta, Van Romaine,
Jerry Marotta, Antonio Sanchez, Aaron Comess, Cherisse Osei, Leo Costa, Benny Greb, Jose
Modeles, Craig Macintyre, Matt Musty, Moritz Mueller, Like Adams, Michael Jerome, drums.
In this album, Brendan Buckley takes listeners on a collaborative drumming journey.

Brendan crafts a different concept and tone throughout the record with each track featuring
a duet with an all-star drummer. These instrumental tracks provide a unique perspective and
insight into the mind of each drummer.
Franco Ambrosetti
Nora
Enja Records
Peter Erskine drums
Swiss trumpet legend Franco Ambrosetti always makes great records with amazing
drummers, this is no exception. Nora is a lush recording of ballads that were recorded with a
rhythm section of pianist Uri Caine, bassist Scott Colley, guitarist John Scofield, and drummer
Peter Erskine. However, this recording is about the string section led by concertmaster Sara
Caswell and arranged and conducted by Alan Broadbent. Erskine is the ideal drummer for
this elegant and majestic record. Peter and bassist Scott Colley fit together like a puzzle,
always listening, complimenting, and caressing the music that is surrounding and running
through them.
Marilyn Mazur’s Shamania

Rerooting
CYH Records
Marilyn Mazur percussion
Lisbeth Diers percussion
Anna Lund drums
Danish percussionist Marilyn Mazur has created a beautiful musical soundscape that defies
any musical category. It is music of the entire world. Jazz, European Classical, Folk, World,
Rock, it’s all in there. Mazur has recorded 14 records as a bandleader, but this one is different.
Shamania is the name of her all female 10-piece band, and Rerooting the name of her new
recording, Drummer Anna Lund and percussionist Lisbeth Diers shine throughout. Mazur,
Diers, and Lund weave intricate percussive tapestries with which all the other musicians
wrap themselves. This is a beautiful recording. Rerooting delivers a soulful and spiritual
musical package.

Mata Atlantica
Retiro E Ritmo
7D Media
Marcus Reuter samples, treatments, soundscapes, field recordings
Andi Pupato percussion
Gary Husband piano
Pat Mastelotto voice
Producer Mathias Derer has assembled a huge cast of musicians to author a musical
love-letter to Mata Atlantica, the rainforest of Brazil. Stemming from treatments of field
recordings, Markus Reuter has amassed a multi-layered soundscape of haunting melodies,
jazz harmony, grooves inspired by Brazilian rhythms, poetry, and the genuine sounds of
Mata life. The modern rhythms of Brazil are the core of this inspiring record.
Carlo Mombelli
Lullaby for Planet Earth
CYH Records
Jorge Rossy drums and vibraphone
Bassist Carlo Mombelli has created a very unique guitar trio recording. Both Mombelli
and guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel sing, while Rossy gives a very impressionistic drum
performance. The word “peaceful” and the label ECM comes immediately to mind.
Mombelli’s voice on electric bass is very distinctive and unique. His composing is beautiful.
We haven’t heard a lot of Rossy since he stopped playing with Brad Meldau’s trio. Rossy’s
own recordings playing marimba and vibraphone have been a nice surprise. But it’s nice to
him playing the drumset as creatively as ever.
James Gaiters Soul Revival

Understanding Reimagined
Jawgaitmusic
James Gaiters drums
The jazz organ tradition lives on with James Gaiters’ Soul Revival. It is so nice to hear a
drummer paying respect to the rich history of the organ groups. Gaiters plays organ classics
like “Congo Chant” and “Chitlins con Carne” with a swinging band. Organist Robert Mason is
holding it down as any great organist does. Together Gaiters and Mason create a wonderful
foundation for guitarist Kevin Turner and saxophonist Edwin Bayard to solo and speak the
truth. The arrangement of Isaac Hayes’ “Soul Man” is a nice surprise, this record has some
nice old school grease that is (unfortunately) becoming a little extinct in today’s jazz scene.
Thank you James for keeping the grease alive.
Duduka Da Fonseca Quarteto Universal

Yes!!!
Sunnyside Music
Duduka Da Fonseca drums
Duduka Da Fonseca blends Brazilian rhythms and jazz perfectly and his resume’ proves just
that. He has played with the legends of both genres. He brings his Brazilian heritage to his
jazz playing and his sense of improvisation and swing to his Brazilian drumming. His groove
is both deep and light, and his musical concept is ever evolving. This is a fantastic record of
Brazilian music written by legendary composers and played by a stellar band of Brazil’s best
modern musicians. While many musicians play the music of Brazil from the outside looking
in, the music on Yes!!! is Brazilian music that is being played from the inside looking out.

EYE CANDY
Hal Blaine’s Ludwig and Blaemire 1960s and 70s Studio Kit
The unique studio kit that Hal Blaine designed (shown here)
started with a Ludwig Super Classic blue sparkle bass drum
and single-headed floor tom, along with a 6.5 X14 Supraphonic
chrome snare drum (into which Hal etched his initials.) Then
Hal added seven single-headed toms that featured spun-
fiberglass shells made by A.F. Blaemire and fitted with Ludwig
Drum hardware. The toms were mounted on two massive
rolling racks so that they could be moved easily yet remain
solidly in place when played.
Producers loved Hal’s sweeping tom fills, which only this
eight drum configuration could produce. “But it wasn’t about
playing a lot of drums or showing off,” said Hal in an interview,
“It was about helping a song to tell its story.”
The success of Hal’s “studio monster” had an impact on
drum kit design as well. In 1973, the Ludwig Drum Company
adopted Hal’s design to create it’s Octaplus
kit. At the time of its introduction it was the
biggest production Drum configuration
anyone had ever seen.
This comes from the book Crash: The

World’s Greatest Drum Kits, available at
moderndrummer.com

The
Presents: Legends Collection
Not just another drum book or magazine, It’s Modern Drummer Legends!
Extensive And New In-depth Interviews • Artist Approved Content
New Song Transcriptions With Artist Insight
Never Before Seen Photos • Digital Download components
Legends Coming Soon:

Billy Cobham • Carmine Appice • Gavin Harrison • Giovanni Hidalgo • Carl Palmer
Cindy Blackman Santana • Dave Weckl • Charlie Watts • Eric Singer • Alex González
Buy from your favorite music retailer Check out more at moderndrummer.com/legends

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NEW EQUIPMENT FROM ROLAND, TRX CYMBALS, TACKLE CASES

26 THE ICONIC SETS OF

32 ZACH JONES 40 TY DENNIS

56 ROCK AND JAZZ CLINIC

62 CREATIVE PERCUSSION CONTROLLERS

Carl and I Founder Ronald Spagnardi 1943–2003

Publisher/CEO David Frangioni

T his month’s Modern

MEMBER: National Association of Music Merchants, Percussive Arts Society

Subscribe today at moderndrummer.com/subscribe

@ModernDrummer modern_drummer @modern_drummer

4 Modern Drummer November 2022

The Bass Drum Owners Manual

to the Bass Drum

80 pages of extensive and new

Eric Carr inspires Kyle Schneider and “Fred.”

T his month’s Kit of the Month comes

6 Modern Drummer November 2022

These NFTs will be your key to Modern Drummer's Music, Media

November 2022 Modern Drummer 7

The GEWA G3 uses the same high-resolution sound

The GEWA G3 uses the same trigger technology

The GEWA G3 module is very simple to use.

10 Modern Drummer November 2022

The Peter Erskine Library

13. Drummers do not like cymbal stands that weigh as much as

I *do* like touring with a great

November 2022 Modern Drummer 11

12 Modern Drummer November 2022

HIT LIKE A GIRL AND PLAYDRUMS.COM LAUNCH

TACKLE INSTRUMENT SUPPLY CO. INTRODUCES AN

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Roland SPD-SX PRO

S ince the company’s establishment in the early 70’s, Roland

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November 2022 Modern Drummer 15

16 Modern Drummer November 2022

Carl Palmer is a drumming legend.

November 2022 Modern Drummer 17

18 Modern Drummer November 2022

November 2022 Modern Drummer 19

20 Modern Drummer November 2022

music and make it our musicians” can come

November 2022 Modern Drummer 21

a very strong right foot, as we all now know.

22 Modern Drummer November 2022

November 2022 Modern Drummer 23

issues that were

24 Modern Drummer November 2022

he knew that I would

26 Modern Drummer November 2022

November 2022 Modern Drummer 27

28 Modern Drummer November 2022

November 2022 Modern Drummer 29

Buy from your favorite retailer

November 2022 Modern Drummer 33

rock beat. It took me a couple of weeks but

34 Modern Drummer November 2022

a musical theater tour with doing the freelance life and

November 2022 Modern Drummer 35

I do like touring with a great