November 1994
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Contents Features JOHN ROBINSON Babs may have lured him out on the road for the "Show of the Century," but JR has hardly forgotten about his role as studio drumming kingpin. Hard facts from one of the hardest-working drummers in L.A. • William F. Miller 18 CHARLIE ADAMS Odd-meter ethnic jazz...new age...big band...symphonic rock.... You can spend your time thinking up labels, but Yanni's Charlie Adams simply has too much drumming to do to care. • Lauren Vogel Weiss 24 JOE PORCARO Back when "Toto" still meant Dorothy's fluffy sidekick, Jeff's dad was doing some serious time on all sorts of top sessions and gigs. In fact, he might be busier and more vital today than ever. • Robyn Flans 28 WEST END DRUMMERS London's Broadway is called the West End, and the drummers working there are some of the busiest and most highly challenged musicians around. Learn how the art of adapting your skills can lead to a successful drumming career. • Philip Hopkins 32 Volume 18, Number 11 Cover Photo By Ebet Roberts Columns EDUCATION NEWS EQUIPMENT 58 Rock 'N' 8 UPDATE JAZZ CLINIC Alan White, David Byrne's The Nigerian Todd Turkisher, Michel Dance Groove: Part 1 Dorge of Crash Test BY DAVI D GARIBALD I Dummies, Duke Robillard's Jeff 80 STRICTLY McAllister, plus News TECHNIQUE 136 INDUSTRY Developing The Left Hand HAPPENINGS BY JOE MORELLO DEPARTMENTS 40 PRODUCT 82 CONCEPTS CLOSE-UP On Feel 4 EDITOR'S Impact Laser BY MIKE MARBLE OVERVIEW Custom Drumkit BY RICK VAN HORN 102 BASICS Variations On A 6 READERS' 42 Zildjian Z Custom Five-Piece Kit PLATFORM Cymbals BY RICK VAN HORN BY STEVE SNODGRASS 12 ASK A PRO 44 Pro-Mark Self 116 TRACKING Dave Abbruzzese Adjusting Beater Drumming And and Prairie Prince BY RICK VAN HORN Conducting BY EMIL RICHARDS 16 IT'S 48 ELECTRONIC QUESTIONABLE REVIEW 126 FROM THE PAST Mackie CR-1604 Mixer William "Cozy" Cole 98 CRITIQUE BY MARK PARSONS Gretsch Night At Birdland and Buddy 54 NEW AND 127 ROCK Miles CDs, Gary Chaffee NOTABLE PERSPECTIVES book, and more Samba, Bozzio-Style 120 SHOP TALK BY ROB LEYTHAM 104 DRUMLINE A Visit To The Drum Doctor 138 DRUM MARKET BY RICK VAN HORN PROFILES Including Vintage Showcase 132 PORTRAITS Frank Capp 142 DRUMKIT OF BY WOODY THOMPSON THE MONTH A Reader Profile A few months ago, we once again assigned an let percussion. Over 82% of MD subscribers can read independent magazine research organization to music. conduct a survey to find out more about MD Roughly 95% of the survey respondents are regular read- readers and their feelings about the magazine. ers, and 89.3% have read all of the last four issues. Our A total of one thousand four-page question- average subscriber picks up an issue 11.2 times before fin- naires were mailed to a random selection of ishing with it, and spends an average of 2 hours and 33 subscribers, and the responses were carefully minutes with each issue. Respondents also refer to back tabulated. The resulting information will aid issues an average of 9.9 times, and 96.3% save their copies us in keeping Modern Drummer as informative, entertain- for future reference. ing, and conducive to your needs as possible. Here's some When asked what they enjoyed most about MD, the three of what we learned. leading answers were product reviews, playing tips and Over 97% of MD readers are male, with an average age techniques, and feature interviews. The balance of drum- of 28.8 years. Our typical subscriber has been playing an ming artists interviewed in the magazine was considered average of 15.6 years, and claims to play 13.3 hours per excellent or good by 90% of those responding, and 72.3% week. Nearly 83% currently study—or have studied—with claimed to have tried a new drumming technique or pur- an instructor for an average of 4.9 years. Of those respond- chased new equipment (53.6%) as a direct result of an arti- ing, 19% teach drumming, and over 75% of those who cle or review in MD. Also highly rated were our technical teach use MD as a teaching aid. articles, quality of writing, color photography, and the The highest percentage of MD subscribers (42.3%) are Sound Supplements. semi-professionals, while 33% consider themselves ama- Again, all of the information gathered will be thoroughly teurs and 24.8% are full-time professionals. Close to 66% studied by MD's, editorial staff in an effort to continue to play in a band that works an average of 5.8 gigs monthly. bring you the very best drumming magazine possible. My The leading styles of music played are rock, blues/R&B, personal thanks to all of the survey participants who helped jazz, funk, alternative rock, metal, Top-40, fusion, country, make this recent study one of the most successful ever. and Latin, in that order. A moderate number of readers also reported an interest in timpani, Latin instruments, and mal- The World's Most Widely Read Drum Magazine MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD: Henry Adler, MODERN DRUMMER wel- EDITOR/PUBLISHER RONALD SPAGNARDI Kenny Aronoff, Louie Bellson, Bill Bruford, Harry Cangany, Jim comes manuscripts and photo- Chapin, Alan Dawson, Dennis DeLucia, Les DeMerle, Len graphic material, however, can- ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ISABEL SPAGNARDI DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Vic Firth, Bob Gatzen, not assume responsibility for them. Such items must be accom- Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jim Keltner, Peter Magadini, George panied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. MANAGING EDITOR RICK VAN HORN Marsh, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Andy Newmark, Neil WILLIAM F. MILLER Peart, Charlie Perry, John Santos, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Smith, MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale FEATURES EDITOR Ed Thigpen, Dave Weckl. at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer, ASSOCIATE EDITOR ADAM J. BUDOFSKY Dealer Service, P.O. Box 389, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Tel.: (800) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Robyn Flans, Burt Korall, 334-DRUM or (815) 734-1214. EDITORIAL ASSISTANT SUZANNE HURRING Rick Mattingly, Ken Micallef, Matt Peiken, Teri Saccone, Robert Santelli, Robin Tolleson. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $29.95 per year; $51.95, two years. Single ART DIRECTOR SCOTT G. BIENSTOCK copies $3.95. MODERN DRUMMER magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is pub- ART ASSISTANT LORI SPAGNARDI lished monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc., SUBSCRIPTION CORRESPONDENCE: Modern Drummer, 870 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Second-Class P.O. Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0480. Change of address: ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER TRACY A. KEARNS Postage paid at Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 and at additional mail- Allow at least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old ing offices. Copyright 1994 by MODERN DRUMMER and new address. Toll Free Tel.: (800) 551-3786. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR BOB BERENSON Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, ADVERTISING ASSISTANT JOAN C. STICKEL P.O. Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATrVE A Member Of: MARKETING AND PATRICIA DONNELLY OFFICES: MODERN DRUMMER Publications, 870 Printed in PUBLIC RELATIONS Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Tel.: (201) 239- The United States 4140. COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT You probably won't print this, but I think ging about how many times in one night hasn't been interviewed in ten years, yet in your readers need to be educated—as I they can have unprotected sex, or boasting that time you've covered Neil Peart three did. So here goes: What's happened to this about how many "muthuf——s" they can times and Lars Ulrich, Matt Cameron, and great magazine? Since I only listen to "smoke" with their "gats." Furthermore, Charlie Benante twice—along with single artistic musicians and stay away from rap does not take the slightest bit of talent stories on Fred Coury, Matt Sorum, noise, I wasn't aware of who Pantera and to play. It is not creative or inspiring. No Michael Cartellone, and Vikki Foxx! You Vinnie Paul were. But thanks to my daily one but the most amateur of drummers should cover someone who can actually be viewing of the 700 Club, I'm now aware could have anything to learn from it. of some benefit to your readers. I would that they are a group of godless aberra- The way I see it, the only possible moti- hate to see this magazine succumb to fol- tions and a total disgrace to serious music, vation you could have to carry an article lowing the fads and become the next musicians, God, and this magazine. about a rap drummer is either to widen Rolling Stone. How can a (once) respectable magazine your sales margin or to give in to "politi- Aaron Rom justify publishing a cover article on such a cally correct" liberals who—in a misguid- Kentwood, MI drug-using freak? Paul is clearly stoned on ed effort to appear non-racist—believe the cover! "Do Sin," "Becoming," and that excellence shouldn't matter and the Editor's note: Every MD reader is, of "Strength Beyond Strength" are a sam- only criteria for recognition should be course, completely entitled to his or her pling of Pantera's "songs" that glorify sui- one's social position. What they don't opinion regarding our selection of artists cide, death, drugs, atheism, rape, and tor- realize is that viewing social position to cover in the magazine. (We do wonder ture. I'm appalled at your lack of judg- (whether privileged or underprivileged) as whether Mr. Baker formed his opinion ment and insight.