ENTRY-LEVEL DRUMSETS AN MD SPECIAL REPORT You're about to make your first important purchase as a drummer: a serious drumset. (Of course, we mean after a subscription to the world's most widely read drum magazine.) Have no fear, our in-depth look at today's entry-level market will help you make the right decision4. 0 ABE LABORIEL JR. Sure, as the son of a first-call LA bassist, Abe Laboriel Jr. got to watch Vinnie, Jeff, and Gadd lay down timeless studio takes. But don't think for a minute this rising star hasn't earned his credits with Jeff Beck, k.d. lang. Seal, and a host of other top stars. by Robyn Flans 56 photo by Jim Esposito IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT DRUMSTICK Choices, choices, choices. Is there really such a big difference between all those new models crowding the racks? Glad you asked! In this exclusive investiga- tion, MD taps, measures, records, and pontificates about that magical, elusive, "perfect" drumstick. by T. Bruce Wittet 74 Volume 22, Number 2 Cover photo by Jim Esposito education equipment 100 ROCK CHARTS 28 NEW AND NOTABLE Matt Chamberlain: "The Difference" Transcribed by Vincent DeFrancesco 32 PRODUCT CLOSE-UP Ayotte-Keplinger Stainless Steel 104 RUDIMENTAL SYMPOSIUM Snare Drums Egg Beaters & "Odd Ball" Rolls by Rich Watson by Chet Doboe 35 Dixon Ultra-Phonic And Piccolo Snare Drums 106 ROCK 'N' JAZZ CLINIC by Rick Mattingly Time In Time, Part 1: "5 In 6" by David Garibaldi 146 SLIGHTLY OFFBEAT The Studio X 116 SHOW DRUMMERS' SEMINAR by Rick Van Horn Making Waves: A Drummer's Life On Cruise Ships, Part 1 150 COLLECTORS' CORNER by Rich Watson Leedy Utility Snare Drum by Harry Cangany 130 IN THE STUDIO Jack DeJohnette And Don Alias: The Making Of Talking Drummers news by Artie Traum 10 UPDATE Brendan Hill of Blues Traveler, Ben Perowsky, Big Back Forty's 138 A DIFFERENT VIEW Pat McGann, The Boneshakers' Denny Weston Jr,, and What The Pros Look For In A Drummer Sonic Joyride's Ken Tondre, plus News by Cheech lero 154 CONCEPTS 158 INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS Florida Drum Expo, Berklee Percussion Week, and more Productive Practice by Joseph Pescatello departments profiles 4 EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 16 PORTRAITS Nir Zidkyahu Of Genesis 6 READERS' PLATFORM by Matt Peiken 90 UP & COMING 24 ASK A PRO Jeremy Taggart Of Our Lady Peace Eric Singer and Roy Haynes by T. Bruce Wittet 26 IT'S QUESTIONABLE 153 ON THE MOVE 110 CRITIQUE Jeff Porcaro Tribute, Doors, and Barrett Deems CDs, 98 David Garibaldi funk book, Pat Torpey video, and more MD GIVEAWAY 163 DRUM MARKET Win an amazing Prize Package Including Vintage Showcase including a Grover Pro Percussion Drumkit, Zildjian Cymbals, Gibraltar Hardware, and Impact Cases, or one of 39 other 168 DRUMKIT OF THE MONTH great prizes—worth over $14,000! New From The MD Library his month, I'm happy to present the latest addition to the rapidly by those proficient with the technique. Most of the time, MD Book Division, a new title called Cross-Sticking it's nearly impossible to fully grasp what the artist is doing. TStudies. Cross-Sticking Studies clears away all the mystery through a I originally wrote Cross-Sticking Studies back in 1976, one series of progressive exercises designed to help drummers year prior to the start-up of Modern Drummer. The book was understand the technique, and develop a good measure of facili- released by a prominent drum method publisher, but eventually ty with it. went out of print when that publisher's catalog was sold. Over The book incorporates four basic cross-sticking manuevers the years, I've continued to receive inquiries from players and within a framework of 8th notes, 16th notes, and triplets. Nine teachers regarding the whereabouts of the book—so many that varied stickings are used, which, when combined with the four we recently decided to update the content, revise the layout, and cross-sticking moves, offer hundreds of interesting combina- rerelease the work under the MD Library banner. tions that can add visual interest and flair to a player's solo Cross-sticking is a somewhat specialized technique that work. We think students and teachers will find Cross-Sticking involves moving from one drum to another with the hands Studies a welcome addition to their library. crossing over one another. By its nature, Cross-Sticking Studies My thanks go to Bill Miller, Adam Budofsky, and Rick isn't really for beginners, but rather for intermediate and Mattingly for their skillful editing, proofing, and engraving advanced players with basic solo skills who are looking to add assistance, and to Scott Bienstock and Joe Weissenburger for more rhythmic and visual interest to their solo work. the creative layout and cover design. And finally, my thanks to The cross-sticking technique has been used for years by mas- all of you who requested that Cross-Sticking Studies be released ter technicians like Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Joe Morello, once again. and Ed Shaughnessy. Unfortunately, students are oftentimes left bewildered when viewing cross-sticking patterns played so MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD: Henry Adler, EDITOR/PUBLISHER RONALD SPAGNARDI Kenny Aronoff, Louie Bellson, Bill Bruford, Harry Cangany, Jim Chapin, Dennis DeLucia, Les DeMerle, Len DiMuzio, Charlie SUBSCRIPTIONS: US, Canada, and Mexico $34.97 per year; ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ISABEL SPAGNARDI Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Vic Firth, Bob Gatzen, Danny Gottlieb, $56.97, two years. Other international $41.97 per year, $63.97, Sonny Igoe, Jim Keltner, Peter Magadini, George Marsh, Joe two years. Single copies $4.95. MANAGING EDITOR RICK VAN HORN Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Andy Newmark, Neil Peart, Charlie Perry, John Santos, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Smith, Ed Thigpen, SUBSCRIPTION CORRESPONDENCE: Modern Drummer, FEATURES EDITOR WILLIAM F. MILLER Dave Weckl. PO Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0480. Change of address: Allow at least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old ASSOCIATE EDITOR ADAM J. BUDOFSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Robyn Flans, Burt Korall, and new address. Toll free tel: (800) 551-3786. Rick Mattingly, Ken Micallef, Mark Parsons, Matt Peiken, ASSOCIATE EDITOR RICH WATSON Robin Tolleson, T. Bruce Wittet. MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale EDITORIAL ASSISTANT SUZANNE HURRING at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer, MODERN DRUMMER magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is pub- Dealer Service, PO Box 389, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Tel: (800) SENIOR ART DIRECTOR SCOTT G. BIENSTOCK lished monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc., 334-DRUM or (815) 734-1214. 12 Old Bridge Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. PERIODICALS ART DIRECTOR LORI SPAGNARDI MAIL POSTAGE paid at Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 and at addi- INTERNATIONAL LICENSING REPRESENTATIVE: tional mailing offices. Copyright 1998 by MODERN DRUM- Robert Abramson & Associates, Inc. Libby Abramson, ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR JOE WEISSENBURGER MER Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction President, 720 Post Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER TRACY A. KEARNS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATIVE PO Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR BOB BERENSON OFFICES: MODERN DRUMMER Publications, 12 Old Bridge Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Tel: (973) 239-4140. MEMBER: Magazine Publishers Of America ADVERTISING ASSISTANT JOAN C. STICKEL Fax: (973) 239-7139. E-mail: [email protected]. National Association Of Music Merchants MARKETING AND DIANA LITTLE American Music Conference MODERN DRUMMER ONLINE: www.moderndrummer.com Percussive Arts Society PUBLIC RELATIONS Music Educators National Conference MODERN DRUMMER welcomes manuscripts and photo- National Drum Association WEB SITE DIRECTOR KEVIN W. KEARNS graphic material, however, cannot assume responsibility for Percussion Marketing Council them. Such items must be accompanied by a self-addressed, Music Magazine Publishers Association OFFICE ASSISTANT ROSLYN MADIA stamped envelope. respect for Weaver's versatility if one lis- impressed. He gets a great sound out of his tens to any three Petra albums at random kit, and what he plays is both creative and (especially if Beat The System is among appropriate for the song. Congratulations, them). He's a man who has truly dedicated Chad; I've been waiting for someone to give himself to his craft without sacrificing "the you credit. song" or the band's pop sensibilities in the Jim Rotoli process. Thanks again for spotlighting such via Internet a great drummer! KENNY ARONOFF Bill Dox Congrats to Rick via Internet Mattingly for an RESPONSE TO KNEGTEN insightful, well-writ- The Louie Weaver article truly inspired me to In response to Paul Knegten's letter about ten, and enjoyable keep trying harder to reach my full drumming Silverchair's Ben Gillies [Readers' Platform, article on Kenny potential. The fact that Louie has been my Oct. '97 MD]: A bit of the green-eyed mon- Aronoff. I've been idol in the drumming scene since I first heard ster, eh? Let's get one thing straight: There drumming for eight the Wake Up Call album a few years ago are all types of drummers, and trying to cate- years, and I vividly made it that much more inspirational. I've gorize them in the '90s is a futile effort. remember practicing only been drumming for five years, and I can Drummers are all talented, no matter what to a number of honestly say that the combination of Louie's type of music they play. Simply because a Kenny's recorded performances. He is stand for the Lord Jesus Christ and the awe- drummer did not practice rudiments does not truly one of the best rock drummers of our some talent God has given him makes him make him/her a "lazy, mediocre" drummer. era. His dedication—not only to the the best drummer I've ever heard.