Contents Features TRIS IMBODEN A drummer who can burn on gigs as diverse as Kenny Loggins, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Al Jarreau, and Cecilia & The Wild Clams is obviously prepared for the most demanding situations. With the release of Chicago's contemporary big band album—as well as a CD of all-new material—it seems Tris Imboden has found the perfect challenge. Robyn Flans 34 PETE THOMAS Pete Thomas's best-known gig may be Elvis Costello, but lately he's proven perfectly suited to projects by Richard Thompson, Matthew Sweet, Los Lobos, and John Paul Jones/Diamanda Galas. A recent Costello engagement in NYC proved just the right time to catch up with this drumset chameleon. Adam Budofsky 56 THE DRUMMERS OF BRAZIL The city of Recife was recently the site of the very first Oficina de Percussao, a week-long celebration of Brazilian drumming. With this unique event as a backdrop, Brazil's top drumset artists gather 'round the table and describe what it is to ply the trade in the deepest percussive culture of all. Chuck Silverman 78 A VISIT TO THE PAS MUSEUM Even the most forward-looking drummer will admit that there's great wisdom in the past. In an exclusive photo-essay, MD captures the Percussive Arts Society's vast collection of vintage and unusual percussion, which poignantly traces the history of our instrument. Rick Mattingly 94 Cover photo by Mark Weiss/Angles Columns EDUCATION NEWS EQUIPMENT 102 ROCK 10 UPDATE 24 NEW AND PERSPECTIVES Narada Michael Walden, NOTABLE Doubles On Double Bass Jeff Martin, Errol Parker, Highlights Of BY ROB LEYTHAM and Pheeroan akLaff, Summer NAMM '95 plus News 104 DRUM COUNTRY 28 PRODUCT Nashville Studio Reading 144 INDUSTRY CLOSE-UP BY TOMMY WELLS HAPPENINGS 106 RUDIMENTAL SYMPOSIUM DEPARTMENTS The Twenty-Six Poly-Rudiments BY PETER MAGADINI 4 EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 112 ROCK CHARTS Dave Abbruzzese: 6 READERS' "Better Man" PLATFORM TRANSCRIBED BY VINCENT DE FRANCESCO Ugly Percussion 14 ASK A PRO Snare Drums 124 IN THE STUDIO Charlie Benante, BY WILLIAM F. MILLER The Drummer's Studio Rod Morgenstein, and Survival Guide: Part 9 Phil Ehart 30 D-Tool Equipment Selection BY RICK VAN HORN And Preparation 20 IT'S 31 Trueline Drumsticks BY MARK PARSONS QUESTIONABLE BY RICK VAN HORN 138 TAKING CARE 116 IMPRESSIONS 118 SHOP TALK OF BUSINESS Lenny White On... Shipping Your Drums Musicians And BY KEN MICALLEF Managers: A Marriage BY GREG THOMAS Of Necessity? 130 CRITIQUE BY RICH WATSON Paul Motian CD, Snare Drum Solos video, 92 PROFILES and Hardware book MD GIVEAWAY 146 MD's 1995 Win a great percussion ON THE MOVE package from Rhythm Tech! 136 INDEX UPDATE 152 DRUM MARKET Including Vintage Showcase 160 KIT OF THE MONTH A Fitness Regimen Since Modern incorporate a vigorous cardiovascular difficult to execute started to flow from Drummer workout, combined with a weightlifting mind to limbs more naturally. I think it's began back in program designed to increase muscle important to mention that I made no other 1977, my involve- tone, strength, and flexibility. notable changes in my practice routine, so ment with the Interestingly enough, after just six I can't attribute any of the aforementioned magazine has months, I found I could much more effec- improvements to anything other than the kept me in an tively handle the stress that tends to build regular workouts and an increased level office environ- up from the kind of work we do here. I of fitness. ment a good por- could put in a longer, more strenuous day In essence, I'd simply like to suggest to tion of the time. Somehow, there just without tiring as quickly, and I was gener- any player, young or old, who may not be never seemed to be enough time in a typi- ally more productive throughout the devoting enough time to some type of cal week to schedule some form of physi- entire week. physical conditioning program, to give it cal fitness activity. But perhaps the most pleasing side ben- some serious thought. Clearly, it can Around a year ago, in an attempt to do efits, and my primary reasons for bringing make a difference—one that I certainly something about it, I decided to enlist the this up, were the gradual changes I also noticed in my performance behind the services of a personal trainer who could began to notice in my drumming. Again, desk.. .and behind the drumset. Give it a tailor a fitness regimen specifically to my after just a few months, my flexibility, try, and see what happens. Then feel free needs. The workouts are roughly an hour speed, and power began to improve sig- to write and let me know what you find. and a half each, three times a week—a nificantly as a result of the workouts. My You just might be pleasantly surprised. I schedule I've adhered to religiously over endurance level increased dramatically, know I was. the past year. Basically, the sessions and certain techniques that once seemed The World's Most Widely Read Drum Magazine MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD: Henry Adler, Printed in The United States EDITOR/PUBLISHER RONALD SPAGNARDI Kenny Aronoff, Louie Bellson, Bill Bruford, Harry Cangany, Jim Chapin, Alan Dawson, Dennis DeLucia, Les DeMerle, Len MODERN DRUMMER wel- ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ISABEL SPAGNARDI DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Vic Firth, Bob Gatzen, comes manuscripts and photo- Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jim Keltner, Peter Magadini, George graphic material, however, cannot assume responsibility for MANAGING EDITOR RICK VAN HORN Marsh, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Andy Newmark, Neil them. Such items must be accompanied by a self-addressed, Peart, Charlie Perry, John Santos, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Smith, stamped envelope. FEATURES EDITOR WILLIAM F. MILLER Ed Thigpen, Dave Weckl. MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale ASSOCIATE EDITOR ADAM J. BUDOFSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Robyn Flans, Burt Korall, at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer, Rick Mattingly, Ken Micallef, Matt Peiken, Teri Saccone, Dealer Service, P.O. Box 389, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Tel: (800) EDITORIAL ASSISTANT SUZANNE HURRING Robert Santelli, Robin Tolleson, Rich Watson. 334-DRUM or (815) 734-1214. ART DIRECTOR SCOTT G. BIENSTOCK MODERN DRUMMER magazine (ISSN 01944533) is pub- SUBSCRIPTION CORRESPONDENCE: Modern Drummer, lished monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0480. Change of address: ART ASSISTANT LORI SPAGNARDI 12 Old Bridge Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Second-Class Allow at least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old TRACY A. KEARNS Postage paid at Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 and at additional mail- and new address. Toll Free Tel.: (800) 551-3786. ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER ing offices. Copyright 1995 by MODERN DRUMMER ADVERTISING DIRECTOR BOB BERENSON Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, permission of the publisher is prohibited. P.O. Box 480, Mt. Morris, FL 61054. ADVERTISING ASSISTANT JOAN C. STICKEL EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER: Magazine Publishers Of America MARKETING AND PATRICIA DONNELLY OFFICES: MODERN DRUMMER Publications, 12 Old National Association Of Music Merchants Bridge Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Tel: (201) 239-4140. American Music Conference PUBLIC RELATIONS E-mail, [email protected]. Percussive Arts Society OFFICE ASSISTANT DIANA LITTLE Music Educators National Conference SUBSCRIPTIONS: $34.97 per year; $56.97, two years. National Drum Association Excuse me, J.N., but perhaps we should ing is better. For those who don't know ON BOUNCING BACK clear up a few points. Gene Hoglan prac- much about electronics, limited editing Only a week after I read your article about tices with prosthetic (as in fake) femur may sound "user friendly." But for those of bouncing back from losing one's gig bones to improve his speed and wrist us who prefer electronics, it's a handicap. [September '95 MD], the unexpected hap- strength. Furthermore, I don't recall any The TD-7 approaches the kind of editing pened. After three years, countless gigs and references to cross burnings or the killing ability I'd like to see in sound modules, but sessions on speculation, and much emo- of animals. And "tasteless" is a matter of as far as I'm concerned it could use even tional investment, I was fired from my personal opinion. more. So-called drum modules that will band—one week before we were scheduled Perhaps you failed to grasp the message only allow you to edit the pitch (and per- to record our debut album for Elektra that has been emphasized so often in MD: haps a few other things) are toys. Give me Records. This came without any kind of Good drummers should be judged by how a module that can edit every single aspect warning or indication that the leader was they contribute to their music, and not by of the soundwaves! unhappy with my playing. popular opinion. I do not listen to death Nathan Scott In addition to the advice given by your metal music, nor do I subscribe to that par- Tampa, FL panel of "fired" drummers, I would like to ticular lifestyle. But I will not sit idle while offer these tips to other drummers who a different breed of drummer is chastised might find themselves in a similar situation: just for being different. Before you do anything on speculation To quote another famous drummer: LEFT-HANDED DRUMMERS (read: for free) with any band, get some "Polarities are not to be resisted, but recon- Brad Schlueter obviously forgot to consult kind of agreement that you and the band are ciled...not to be seen as some existential with Phil Collins, Ian Paice, Ian Wallace, comfortable with—in writing.