Welcome to CT's Blog! I will be keeping you up to date with all the news from Supernova Custom Drums and sharing some of my own thoughts. Enjoy!

Friday, December 31, 2010

Photoshoot Video...

Hey!

The video for the photoshoot is NOW ONLINE!



Music - 'Chancellor' by The Bakerton Group from the album 'El Rojo' from Weathermaker Music. Used without permission but with thanks.

Enjoy and HAVE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope to hear from you all soon! All the very best!

CT

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Ray Luzier...

I was really surprised when Korn replaced David Silveria, (and a short-lived appearance from Terry Bozzio), with the great Ray Luzier (Drummerworld). Not because he is a bad player, quite the opposite, because he really is THAT good!!! Not that Silveria's playing isn't good, he was an early influence for me, it's just they are such different players.

I first took note of Ray's playing with David Lee Roth, namely on his 'DLR Band' album. His playing on that record is fantastic, dare I say, taking influence from Alex Van Halen's playing but also adding his own sound to it. A few years later I bought his DVD where he really showcases what he can do behind the drums. There are a few track from Billy Sheehan's 'Cosmic Troubadour' album as well as some from his band The Hideous Sun Demons. They are musically very progressive and Luzier nails each of them perfectly. Subsequently I went out and bought those albums too!

Ray Luzier
I've had the song 'Oildale' by Korn in my head for the last few hours. The groove is simple but very effective and is not really the 'norm'. I think it shows perfectly how innovative Ray is on the drums.

Oh, and if you are ever lucky enough to meet him, it's pronounced 'Lose-ear'!

Ray demonstrating the groove to 'Oildale'. Give it a go!



Track of the Day - Korn 'Oildale'

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Dream Theater's New Drummer?...

So there is a rumour going around that Mr. Marco Minnemann, (Drummerworld), could be the replacement drummer for Mike Portnoy who recently left Dream Theater (Blabbermouth Article).
Damn, he really is a fine drummer and would certainly create very unique grooves and effects for their music. My money was on another MM, the amazing Mike Mangini, (Drummerworld), who has previously worked with DT's singer James LaBrie.

All will be revealed shortly I hope...

Marco Minnemann, the new drummer for Dream Theater?

One of my favourite DT songs, the one that originally made me want to buy their album 'Awake'.

Monday, December 20, 2010

First Set of Drums...

So here they are, a selection of SCD drums to show you! 
Our custom snares and drum kits are offered to you in a massive range of choices giving you literally hundreds of alternatives using wood, metal and acrylic shells. Each of our drum kits are finished with our unique CNC machined Vortex Lugs that are patent pending and exclusively available only from Supernova Custom Drums.










“SCD”, and “Vortex Lugs” are trademarks of Supernova Custom Drums.

“Vortex Lugs” are patent pending to be registered in the U.S, in the EU and to be protected around the World.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Future of Drumming?...



Perhaps............?..............

It's an interesting idea, if a little strange. But I often wonder what else us drummers can do to evolve our playing. I suppose using your face is a unique concept and could, once developed further, be a standard that we all use one day. Or perhaps not... You never know, there could be a drummer out there one day playing 4 limb independence on a kit as well as an electro-percussion groove using their face. Now that would be a talent!

Song of the Day - Foo Fighters 'Statues'

Friday, December 17, 2010

The Korean Keith Moon?...



Song of the Day - Devildriver 'Monsters of the Deep'

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Groove...

Have you ever heard the term 'The Groove is King'?

It kind of means that the Groove is the most important thing to focus on when we play the drums. Don't get me wrong, I love listening to drummers who are playing 300mph around the kit playing polyrhythms and crazy odd time patterns, but ultimately, the drummers that just focus on a Groove and play what's needed are the most in demand players. I've always thought that it is super important to listen to as much music as you can. I've got to admit though, I was and still am a metal head and so focus mainly on them. Classic Rock and Heavy Metal are my forms of music, I love them both, but you really should listen to as much music in all the different genres to get a great idea of where your musical path is and to enhance your playing.

One of my favourite Groove players is Steve Jordan. He has played for many different artists and appeared on hundreds of albums. His work especially with John Mayer is outstanding! Check out 'Continuum'. It is an awesome album, each song is great. One of the tracks is 'Vultures'. It's such a simple pattern to be playing, but the way Steve Jordan Grooves on the track is kind of hypnotic. Incredible!



Ideally, you want to be a 'happy medium' drummer. The ability to throw in what you want on the drums, but also have a great groove.
A couple of drummers that I feel have the best of both worlds right now are Gavin Harrison from Porcupine Tree and session/clinic ace Benny Greb. They have all the chops you could ever want but still keep an incredible Groove happening.





I think Chad Smith can really be called 'One of Every Drummer's Favourites'. I've never met a drummer who doesn't like his playing with the Chili Peppers. During Modern Drummer's Festival in 2005 he showed perfectly what I'm trying to sum up in this post. While all the other drummers during the weekend were all over their kits, showing off their undoubtable rhythmical talents, he just got on his drums and did this -



So folks, start really focussing on your Groove! Make sure whenever you play a track with feel, move a little. If you aren't moving, how do you expect your audience to move? If you are a bit of a loose cannon on the kit, just take a few minutes to just play a basic beat making sure that you get the Groove going.

I hope this helps some people and that you enjoy the tracks on this post. Try some of the artists albums, you never know, you just might like them!

See you soon!

CT

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Inspiration...

What better way to start all this off than to look for inspirational people. Musically, I am always looking back to the drummers that first inspired my own playing.

Last night I watched two documentaries about a couple of my favourite bands, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Collectively, these 8 guys transformed music, inspiring millions to change the way they would look at and play music forever. Being a drummer of course I am immediately drawn to John Bonham and Bill Ward's playing. Both had their own unique feel and groove, enhancing the music that the band collectively was making. To this day I still hear many different things that I hadn't heard before listening back to their albums and you can also notice how many drummers have been inspired by their playing too. A great website to check out is Bonham's out-takes from the recording of Led Zeppelin's 'In Through the Out Door'. You can hear the master play with such great power but also finesse that truly makes him perhaps Rock's greatest drummer. The link for the site is - www.saladrecords.com/bonhamfiles.htm

John Bonham
Bill Ward
But it is also important to find new people to inspire you. Musically, most recently I have really been listening to a lot of Alter Bridge, Devildriver and Karnivool. Each of them fantastic bands with amazing drummers worth checking out.

Drummer - Scott Philips
Drummer - John Boecklin
Drummer - Steve Judd















From a truly inspirational way to look not just at music but also life, I thoroughly reccomend you check out Jason Gerling. His story is one that should inspire us to always keep playing no matter what!



So now for a small update. I am working hard to get the website up and running as soon as possible, very shortly there will be a Mini Site up with a taster of what's to soon be released from SCD. Bear with me, it will all be worth it!

Speak soon and keep grooving!

CT

Song of the Day - Systematic 'Breakable'