DRUM! - Features

Cutting Edge Cowboys

Country Ain’t What It Used To Be

Artist Roundtable

In the high-stakes world of extreme metal, how fast you are matters _ a lot. When we sat down with Matt Byrne of Hatebreed, Derek Kerswill of Unearth, Chimaira’s Andols Herrick, and Cannibal Corpse shredder Paul Mazurkiewicz, we knew these blasters would have a thing or two to say on the topic. Turns out there’s a lot more to the speed game than bpms. Read on to see how the fearsome four blew our minds.

Artist Profiles

Tony Thaxton: Them’s The Breaks

Want to talk bad luck? Motion City Soundtrack drummer Tony Thaxton has had enough to last a lifetime. It all started when he fell on his arm at a New Year’s Eve party. Initially diagnosed as a sprain, he learned after 48 hours of severe pain and three X-rays that his humerus was fractured. Six weeks in a cast followed, but then the bone didn’t heal correctly. After realigning the fragments with a metal plate, the arm got infected, resulting in two more operations to drain the abscess, followed by a regimen of intravenous antibiotics.

Artist Quickie Q&A

Coby Batty Of The Fugs

The Fugs would have to be invented if they did not exist. Started in 1964 by Ed Sanders, Tuli Kupferberg and original drummer Ken Weaver, the band was ahead of its times. From its group name to its song titles ("Kill For Peace", "Dreams of Sexual Perfection") the band had the sensibility of punks, the outrageousness of beat poets, the honesty of folk musicians, and the adventurousness of beboppers.

Artist Profiles

Josh Wills: Going On Instinct

Josh Wills is draped across the circular couch in the lounge at the back of Story Of The Year’s tour bus, looking relaxed to the point of sedation. The movie Rock Star with Mark Wahlberg plays silently on a huge flat-screen TV in the corner.

Artist Profiles

Antonio Sanchez Concert: Meet The DRUM! Staff

California drummers have a unique opportunity to see the Antonio Sanchez Quartet in an intimate setting on March 20 during the San Jose jazz festivals Winter Series. Plus, DRUM! readers will have the chance to win signed copies of Antonio's Hudson DVD and get to meet Antonio and the DRUM! staff at a post-concert gathering.

Cover Story Artist Profiles

Chad Butler: Switchfoot Keeps The Faith

It’s 1986 in the sun-drenched suburbs of San Diego where the cookie-cutter tract homes sit too close together, just five feet to the neighboring fence, and an occasional swaying palm tree acts as the sleepy neighborhood’s lone disturbance. But one house in particular stands out. There’s commotion over there.

Cover Story Artist

Switchfoot’s Faithful Chad Butler Leads March Issue

San Jose, Calif., -- Last month, Enter Music Publishing, publishers of hip/drum percussion magazines worldwide, featured the new loud and aggressive playing techniques of Slayer’s Dave Lombardo. Continuing its diversity of coverage, the March Issue explores Switchfoot’s Chad Butler straightforward approach and faith to drumming.

“Chris’ style of drumming seemed like a good contrast to Lombardo for our cover,” said Phil Hood, publisher and co-founder of Enter Music Publishing. “He has a simplistic, steady approach that helps define the sound of Switchfoot. His story is unique and he definitely has an inner faith for drumming and life.”

Chad Butler’s Conviction By Any Beat Means

Artist Profiles Quickie Q&A

Rich Redmond: Thinking Musically

Jason Aldean rode back to the top of the country charts in 2009 with a series of mid-tempo anthems and slower introspective tunes. Aldean's style relies on deft lyrics with an emotional edge and authentic country feel that cuts through sophisticated production. His drummer, Rich Redmond, is a go-for-the-throat rhythm master, who likes to keep it simple but cut loose in a big way when the opportunity comes. Rich is also a budding drum clinician as well as a songwriter/producer and one of the founders of New Voice Entertainment.We interviewed him by email this week.

Clinic Lineup For February-March

It's a good month for clinics: Some personal picks include Rich Redmond, the slamming stickman of hard-country star Jason Aldean at Midwest Music in Kansas; the ever-popular Marco Minnemann at Atlanta Institute of Music; and the Kosa Cuba Workshop from March 7th to 14th. Havana sounds good for music, especially if you're escaping the cold of this winter. Steve Smith, (at left) will take you to school on February 15th at Drummer's Collective in New York.

Artist Quickie Q&A

Troy Zeigler: Fewer Drums, Bigger Sound

Troy Zeigler has parlayed a lifelong music education and the ability to hit hard into gigs with two highly individualistic artists. He digs the rhythmic foundation for Serj Tankian's solo efforts in his band FCC (Flying Cunts of Chaos); and has just finished US and European tours with Juliette Lewis.. We interviewed him by email earlier in the week.

Wiretap News

Ringo Starr’s Induction: Streamed Live Today

Ringo Starr is set to grace the cover of our special "Groove Issue" in April, but tonight he will will be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There will be a live feed of the event, with Ringo finally getting his star. In addition a drumline will perform and other celebrities will be on hand.

Time: 5:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time. The event will run for approximately 1 1/2 hours so check it out.