big drum thump :: drums, drummers, and drumming

Audition for the Smashing Pumpkins

SFL — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:18:39 +0000

Think you got what it takes to sit on Jimmy’s throne? Then sharpen your best pair of sticks and step on up: Billy Corgan is holding open auditions for a new Pumpkins drummer. Auditions will take place Friday, April 10, in Los Angeles. All requirements—including photograph/headshot, background info, and links to digital files—must be sent via e-mail to pumpkinsdrummer@gmail.com.

Soon you will call me "Master"....

Josh Freese Talks Guns N’ Roses

SFL — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:08:19 +0000

Is Axl Rose really a crazy, egomaniacal pain-in-the-rump? Not at all, at least according to drum-meister Josh Freese, who chats about his 2-year stint in Guns N’ Roses here.

Everyone always baits me to give them a crazy Axl story. I don’t really have any. I spent two years in a studio with him [and] I never saw any mood swings. He was never not cool to me. So, I am always quick to defend the guy, even though I know his reality is different than mine. Then again, everyone has a different reality.

Why Did Jimmy Chamberlin Leave the Smashing Pumpkins?

SFL — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:43:54 +0000

That’s what everyone wondered when it was announced last week that he was out of the band. Looking no doubt to quash all the sure-to-be-insane rumors, Jimmy himself answered the question on his site:

By now you have heard the news of my departure from the Smashing Pumpkins. I will say, without going into any unnecessary details that this represents a positive move forward for me. I can no longer commit all of my energy into something that I don’t fully possess. I won’t pretend I’m into something I’m not. I won’t do it to myself, you the fan, or my former partner. I can’t just, “Cash the check” so to speak. Music is my life. It is sacred. It deserves the highest commitment at every level and the Pumpkins are certainly no different. I’m sorry but it really IS that simple. There is no drama, bad blood, or anything else but a full commitment to music. My best goes out to Billy and I’m glad he has chosen to continue under the name. It is his right. I will continue to make music with the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex as well as pursuing other musical interests. I feel that I have a long way to go and a lot to give. Thanks to everyone for your kind words and support through all of this. I am constantly humbled by all of you! It is an honor and a privilege to play music for a living and I don’t take it for granted not even for a second.

Stay tuned……. JC

Drummer Uriel Jones Is Dead

SFL — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:36:00 +0000

Motown legend and Funk Brother Uriel Jones died today after suffering complications from a heart attack. The 74-year-old drummer had created the beats behind just about every classic tune you ever wished you could have played on, including “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” Jones and the rest of the Funk Brothers were featured in the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown. Head on over to YouTube to check out Jones in action.

Drummer Carlos Hercules to Host ICMP Masterclass

SFL — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:50:41 +0000

[Press Release]

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) is proud to announce a unique masterclass with drummer Carlos Hercules on Monday, April 20, 2009.

Arguably one of the best names in the business for more than 20 years, Carlos’s musical and personal skills have allowed him to work with some of the world’s most influential and iconic music legends, including Belinda Carlisle, reggae legend Jimmy Cliffe, the Eurythmics, Lulu, and George Michael. Carlos has also made significant contributions to some fantastic current acts such as Kelly Clarkson, Heather Small, Emma Bunton, Mel B, and Westlife. And as if that wasn’t enough, he has been Beverley Knight’s drummer of choice for 12 years.

Working with these iconic artists has led to his participation in some fantastic tours, allowing Carlos to share stages with rock legend Bryan Adams, Cher, Alicia Keys, and the fantastic Take That reunion tour. He has also played prestigious global events such as the American Music Awards and various charitable events for breast cancer and AIDS awareness. Carlos was also the first drummer to play at the new Wembley Stadium in London!

This masterclass presents a great opportunity to learn from one of the great drummers of our time and will be delivered at the ICMP’s facilities in Kilburn, London on Monday, April 20 from 7pm to 9pm. For further information, contact the ICMP.

Larry Mullen Jr. Has Balls

SFL — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:27:28 +0000

…and he isn’t afraid to put ‘em on the table. First he called out Tony Blair, and now he’s publicly stated the obvious: U2 need to retire while they’re still on top (i.e., while they still don’t suck too much). Mullen said:

There will be a time when it’s like, “It’s time to go.” I would like that to be on a high when you’re still achieving as opposed to the curve down. That’ll be sad for me. I think it’ll be a more dignified time to go.

We might come back in five years’ time and may do something together for old times’ sake because we know we’ll want to. That’ll be a beautiful end to a long beautiful career. It can’t go on for ever. It just can’t.

Jimmy Chamberlin Out of Smashing Pumpkins…Again

SFL — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:56:14 +0000

Billy Corgan made the announcement today that drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has left the band. We don’t know any of the details yet (i.e., whether the split was mutual or forced, amicable or hostile), but we do know that the drumming-verse is a less perfect place tonight. May we see Chamberlin again very, very soon.

[via Hard to Explain]

Dixon’s “Beats for Eats”

SFL — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:25:58 +0000

Yet more proof that drummers are some of the coolest people on the planet, Dixon Drums is hosting “Beats for Eats,” a food drive to benefit food shelters in Southern California. The participating locations are as follows:

Saturday April 18th
Singer Music, 12pm-3pm
1217 N Hacienda Blvd.
La Puente, CA 91744
626-917-9300
Your non-perishable food will benefit The Gary Center.
For details and to RSVP, go to dixondrums.net/singerparty

Wednesday, April 22nd
Santa Monica Music Center, 5pm-7:30pm
1901 Santa Monica Blvd. (corner 19th)
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-453-1928
Your non-perishable food will benefit Ocean Park Community Center.
For details and to RSVP, go to dixondrums.net/smmcparty

Thursday, April 23rd
Tom’s Music, 5pm-7pm
17180 Bear Valley Rd.
Victorville, CA 92395
760-241-3184
Your non-perishable food will benefit High Desert Homeless Services.
For details and to RSVP, go to dixondrums.net/tomsparty

Along with the satisfaction of contributing to a great cause, you also get to rock out on Rock Band 2, scarf down some free pizza, and maybe win a Dixon snare drum. RSVP now!

Lick Library Releases Drum Legend Tuition DVDs

SFL — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:01:58 +0000

[Press Release]

Lick Library, one of the world’s leading suppliers of tuition DVDs, has just released a series of Drum Legend DVDs encompassing arguably the greatest and most influential drummers the world has seen. From Chad Smith and Taylor Hawkins to Dave Grohl, John Bonham, and Stewart Copeland, the series brings you up close to the legends and explains in an easy-to-follow format how to play their most famous tracks.

The DVDs explain in detail essential drum rhythms, grooves, and techniques and those must-know fills and patterns. Each song is broken down into bite sized parts, covering beat by beat what you need to know to play like these legends. The series covers the greatest and most often requested tracks to learn. From Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” to The Police’s “Roxanne” these are definitive video guides complete with backing tracks to play along to.

The John Bonham DVD really gives you the inside track on the dynamic grooves of arguably the greatest rock drummer of all time. Accessible to drummers of all levels of ability, this DVD is packed full of ideas for fills, improvising, and grooves and covers five classic tracks including “When The Levee Breaks,” “Good Times Bad Times,” “Black Dog” and “Fool In The Rain.”

Lick Library has perfected a unique format to help drummers really play like their heroes. Imagine a one-to-one lesson focusing on Chad Smith, the powerhouse behind the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, where you can study over and over again his intense funk grooves on “Give It Away” or “Californication.” Watch up a close our top drum teacher explain and demonstrate Stewart Copeland’s unique style on tracks such as “So Lonely,” “Walking On The Moon,” “Message In A Bottle” and “Can’t Stand Losing You.”

The Dave Grohl DVD focuses on the influential, multi-talented musician, songwriter, and drummer, covering tracks from Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, and Foo Fighters. The DVD will help you get a real understanding of the musicality in Dave’s playing as well as his sense of power. Finally the Taylor Hawkins DVD covers five killer Foo Fighters tracks and like the other DVDs analyzes the songs and gives an insight into his playing.

All the DVDs are presented by Pete Riley, who has worked with artists as diverse as Republica, Motorhead, and more recently Keith Emerson of ELP fame. He is a regular contributor to Rhythm magazine and author of three bestselling drum tuition books.

The DVDs are available to purchase through www.licklibrary.com along with over 20,000 other tuition products.

Kenny Aronoff Talks Tama Signature Snares

SFL — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:42:56 +0000

Tama has released a video of Kenny Aronoff chatting about and demonstrating his signature line of Track Master snares. Three sizes are available (14″ x 6.5″, 14″ x 5″, and 15″ x 4″), and the shell of each is made of nickel-plated brass, which Kenny describes as sounding both aggressive and warm.

Prices? We don’t know yet, but here’s hoping that Tama also throws in a pair of flippin’-sweet Kenny Aronoff signature sunglasses with each drum.