September 1985
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VOL 9, NO.9 Cover Photo by Ebet Roberts FEATURES JEFF WATTS As the drummer for Wynton Marsalis, Jeff Watts has found himself at the very top of the jazz world, without having gone through the customary years and years of dues paying. In this MD exclusive, Jeff discusses his background that prepared him for the demands of the Marsalis group, and talks about the drummers who influenced his style. by Chip Stern 8 VINNY APPICE Vinny Appice, brother of famed rock drummer Carmine, has garnered an impressive list of accomplishments in his own right. He has worked with John Lennon, Rick Derringer, and Black Sabbath, and is currently the drummer with Dio. In addition, Vinny has written a technique book for drummers. Here, he covers such topics as how he developed his own technique, putting feel into heavy metal drumming, and the use of electronic drums and pyrotechnics. by Robyn Flans 14 GEORGE LAWRENCE STONE Dedication To Drumming by Susan Hannum and Rick Mattingly 18 JON CHRISTENSEN His numerous ECM recordings with such artists as Jan Garbarek, Terje Rypdal, and Keith Jarrett have made Jon Christensen's name synonymous with contemporary European jazz drumming. In this candid conversation, Jon discusses his own development as a player and gives his views on the relationship between American and European jazz musicians. by Carl Stormer 22 GEORGE BROWN Kool Funk by Robert Santelli 26 ROCK 'N' JAZZ CLINIC COLUMNS Artificial Groupings For Fills PROFILES by James Morton UP AND COMING 86 Adrenalin's Brian Pastoria EDUCATION CONCEPTS by Brian W. Elliot 30 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Dueling Drumsets SHOW DRUMMERS' SEMINAR Buying Equipment: A Basic by Roy Burns 92 Peter Deutschman: Circus Drummer Understanding by Candice Weigle-Spier 94 by Simon Goodwin 56 EQUIPMENT REVIEWS CLUB SCENE PRODUCT CLOSE-UP ON TAPE 38 Rehearsing: Where, When, & How C-Ducer Miking System by Rick Van Horn 64 34 by Bob Saydlowski, Jr. NEWS ROCK CHARTS SHOP TALK UPDATE 108 Tommy Lee: "Shout At The Devil" Building A Better Trap (Set) INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS 112 by James Morton 70 by Inigo Figuracion 36 THE MUSICAL DRUMMER SETUP UPDATE DEPARTMENTS Outlining Chords With Melodic 102 EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 2 Ed Shaughnessy/Joe Franco Phrases by Bill Molenhof 80 ELECTRONIC INSIGHTS READER'S PLATFORM 4 Amplification Reference Guide ASK A PRO 6 TEACHER'S FORUM by Reek Havok The Drumset Player: A Special Talent 104 DRUM MARKET 100 by Rodman Sims 82 114 IT'S QUESTIONABLE 106 JUST DRUMS PUBLISHER Ronald Spagnardi ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER The Isabel Spagnardi EDITOR Ronald Spagnardi Making FEATURES EDITOR Rick Mattingly MANAGING EDITOR Of Rick Van Horn ASSOCIATE EDITORS Susan Hannum An William F. Miller EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Article Elaine Cannizzaro ART DIRECTOR Ever wonder how a full-length feature story progresses from the seed of David H. Creamer an idea to a finished article in the magazine? Let's follow a typical story from concept to completion. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kevin W. Kearns Each month, the entire editorial staff assembles at a meeting where story ideas are born, tossed around, tossed out, or determined worthy of further ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR development. When a solid idea is established, an editor is immediately Isabel Spagnardi assigned to it. It's that editor's responsibility either to write the article from ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER in-house, or farm out the potential story to a suitable contributing writer Ellen Corsi and work with that writer through every stage. In either case, the process ASSISTANT generally begins with a comprehensive outline that includes the objective of ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER the article, what it will cover and how, plus the research, travel and esti- Tracy Kearney mated expenses needed to complete the assignment successfully. Once DEALER SERVICE MANAGER everything has been approved, the research—which could take anywhere Janet Gola from a few weeks to six months—can begin. The final step is the actual task of organizing, structuring, and writing a first draft, which will be shaped CIRCULATION Leo Spagnardi and molded many times. Debbie Lewis After our story is written, it's time to consider the graphic elements. Susan A. Kretschmar Many times, the author or editor will have basic ideas on certain graphics and the format needed to get the point across. There are many decisions to SALES PROMOTION MANAGER be made. Does the article need photography? If it does, who will do it? Evelyn Urry Would illustrations, charts, sidebars, or graphs be helpful? How should MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD they be designed? In essence, what's the most effective means of presenting Henry Adler, Carmine Appice, Louie Bellson, Bill the information? At this point, the Art Department enters the picture and Bruford, Roy Burns, Jim Chapin, Les DeMerle, Len ideas begin to flow, as the art people must design a layout that is attractive DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jaimoe Johanson, Jim Keltner, and functional, and that fits neatly into the amount of space allotted for Mel Lewis, Larrie Londin, Peter Magadini, George the story. Marsh, Butch Miles, Joe Morello, Andy Newmark, Neil Once our article has been targeted for an upcoming issue, it enters the Peart, Charlie Perry, Paul T. Riddle, Ed Shaughnessy, eight-week production stream and must move through with a minimum of Steve Smith, Ed Thigpen. hitches. The story will be shaped, cut, or added to, and checked for accu- racy, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Finally, our article is typeset, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Alexander, Charles M. Bernstein, Scott K. Fish, and galley proofs are distributed to every editor on staff. Further refine- Robyn Flans, Simon Goodwin, Jeff Potter, Robert ments will still be made at this point. Copies of these galleys are also sent to Santelli, Bob Saydlowski, Jr., Chip Stern, Robin the Art Department, where the graphic elements will now begin to merge Tolleson, T. Bruce Wittet. with the story. The next major control point is the "page proof" meeting, where proofs MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is of every page in the issue are carefully reviewed by all the editors and art published monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publica- tions, Inc., 870 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ staff. Here we'll see our story in position, minus typos, with all elements 07009. Second-Class Postage paid at Cedar Grove, NJ such as photos or illustrations looking exactly as they will in the completed 07009 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 1985 magazine. Further minor adjustments in the layout are likely to occur even by Modern Drummer Publications, Inc. All rights at this advanced stage. reserved. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Finally, a blueprint of the issue is sent from our printer. Changes made SUBSCRIPTIONS: $22.95 per year; $41.95, two years. at the page proof stage are verified, and the issue is fine tuned. This is the Single copies $2.50. very last time anything may be corrected or altered in any way. Once the MANUSCRIPTS: Modern Drummer welcomes manu- printer is given the green light, the presses will rev up, and our article will scripts, however, cannot assume responsibility for them. Manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, soon be printed, bound in the magazine, addressed, sorted, and distrib- stamped envelope. uted. It's now on its way to you, with nothing left for us to do except wait CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Allow at least six weeks for a for feedback. Hopefully, you'll like what we've done. change. Please provide both old and new address. MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer, Dealer Service, 870 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Tel: 800-221-1988. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, P.O. Box 469, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. STEVE JORDAN roll—the feeling is there, body and soul." overview. Why are foreign companies so I found your feature on Steve Jordan Bobby Taylor successful, and American companies not? [June '85 MD] to be informative, inspir- Santa Monica, CA It's not the product; it's the incredibly low ing, helpful, and just plain enjoyable to manufacturing cost of the product, com- read. As successful as he is, he still seems to DRUM EQUIPMENT: A NEW LOOK pared to American standards. It's not the be down-to-earth, and appreciative of Your June '85 feature, "Drum' Equip- U.S. corporations' selfish concern for what he has going for him. His love for ment: A New Look," was a fabulous arti- profit over their concern for product; it's different styles of music and drummers cle; definitive and written with style. Aside their inability to show a profit when com- shows him to be open-minded; being able from my small contribution, the other peting with Japan or Taiwan. The Los to appreciate the styles of a vast array of manufacturers were quite candid about Angeles Times June 9, 1985 Business Sec- different drummers, from Ringo Starr to their marketing thrust and the philosophy tion reported, "The basic wage of an auto Elvin Jones, is the only way to be. That is behind it. Most resisted tooting their own worker in Taiwan is $1.50 an hour, based probably why Steve is the great drummer horn and showed a sincere involvement on a 40-hour week. For example, 32-year- he is, and why I'm one of those people who with the consumer. The range of opinion is old Yih Kuan-Long hangs doors on an stay up to watch Steve and the other band only slightly indicative of the immense assembly line at the Ford Motor Company members on the Late Night With David range of choice for the buyer.