Session Greats...

I bought Megadeth's 'The System has Failed' when it first came out back in 2004. I was astounded when I read a few weeks later that the drummer on the album was Vinnie Colaiuta. It's a hard and fast album and Vinnie isn't known for his metal drumming, but my word, what an incredible job he did! Check it out!

Session drummers are the most versatile players around, the guys that are called into the studio to make an artists music that much better and I personally have 5 favourite Session Greats that I'd like to share with you here. They are Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Bernard Purdie, Steve Jordan and Josh Freese.

Steve Gadd
You can tell instantly that Steve Gadd is playing on a track. But he isn't bombastic, shouting 'Hey! Check me out', he's an immensely subtle drummer, playing only what's needed but with real taste. He is the master of playing paradiddle grooves and has worked with some of the worlds finest musicians. His discography is on Wikipedia - Wiki/Steve Gadd

Vinnie Colaiuta
Vinnie Colaiuta is the chameleon of the drumming world. He truly can play absolutely anything! The range of different musicians he has played for is awe-inspiring! He has worked extensively with Frank Zappa and Sting but has also contributed to the success of many other artists. His discography is on his official site at - Vinnie's Discography. Check out the video's below. Can you believe the same drummer played on those two tracks?!

Bernard Purdie
If there was a drummer I would love to hang out with it would be Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie. He seems like such an amazing guy! And what a drummer... He has worked with all the stars of Funk and is considered the world's most recorded drummer. His 1/16th Note Shuffle is the stuff of legends!

Steve Jordan
Steve Jordan in my eyes is the King of Groove! His playing is truly immaculate. He always thinks what is needed for a track, the ideal session player! He has played with many artists including Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and John Scofield. He was also the in house drummer for the 'Late Night with David Letterman' show. Check out his DVD 'The Groove is Here' to really see how good he is!

Josh Freese
Josh is the kind of drummer you call upon to play hard and heavy! He has worked with NIN, Guns N' Roses, Ween, Sting, Rob Zombie, Lostprophets and is the full time drummer for A Perfect Circle. He is always in-demand and on a lot of your favourite records! His discography is - Freese's Discography.

Drumkits...

I've had loads of different set ups over the years. It seems that the majority of drummers change their set over time as they develop their ears towards other genres of music. I find myself fascinated at other drummer's set ups, in fact, I'm semi-fanatical about them! I suppose it's cooler than being a stamp collector...

I've put together some of the more unique sets that may inspire you to try something different with your kit.

Terry Bozzio
Some drummers have the most outrageous kits! I'm confident they wouldn't have them if they didn't have an endorsement. The main one that springs to mind is Terry Bozzio's kit. That thing would take a fortnight to put together, I know it would take a while for me to make...

USS Bozzio...

Ian Paice

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Paice at a Chad Smith/Steve White drum clinic in Reading. A true gent! He has had the same set up for many years which includes extra Toms higher up than other ones. So for example, instead of just having 2 Floor Toms, he has 4, great for a Classic Rock pioneer.

Nicko McBrain

Nicko is such a solid player, perfect for Iron Maiden and the speeds he gets with his right foot is awesome. He's 58 but can play most 20 year olds under the table! He has always had his kit practically wrapping around him with everything at arms length. He's also a big fan of deep Toms, even his rack Toms are deeper than most of our Floor Toms.

Neil Peart

The great Neil Peart is also partial to a wrap around kit. His incorporates electronic drums too. If you have an electronic kit, why not trying a hybrid style kit like his?

Mike Portnoy

Portnoy changes his kit every time he goes out on tour. For the 'Six Degrees of Inner Turbulance' tour he took out the kit below, the 'Siamese Monster'. Great if you have an unlimited budget!

Marco Minnemann

For Minnemann's set up, he places his smallest Rack Tom after the last one. So it would go 10", 12" then 8" as you go from left to right. Hey, it works for him, it might work for you too?!

Gavin Harrison

Gavin uses some small Chimes just above his Hi Hats to add cool effects to his great grooves. They are custom built for him so you might have to make some yourself...

Jojo Mayer

Mayer is an incredible player! Check out his performance at the 2005 Modern Drummer Festival below. Unbelievable! His set up is a really great looking kit. He also uses the China to the left of his Hats as  Ride in some tracks. But the element I wanted to show you was the auxiliary Hi Hat just next to his main one. Great to have if you are a groover!

Bill Bruford
Bill Bruford's set up is truly unique and I think a really cool alternative. His kit is symmetrical from the middle Hi Hat so it looks almost mirrored from the top. I might give it a go trying this set...

Stanton Moore
Stanton has an extra Bass Drum to the right of his kit where he plays it using a double foot pedal without using the main right pedal. He uses that Bass Drum to create breaks in his songs. Very cool!

Ahmir Thompson
You could always try a real groovy kit where there is virtually nothing to it. Thompson's kit is all about creating a strong beat because there are no real distractions. He mainly uses a couple of Crashes, a Ride, Hats, two Snares, Bass and Floor Tom. Simple but in his case, very, very effective!

Let's finish this list with one of my very favourite players... A drummer who has really pushed the boundaries of how his kit has looked. The awesome Mr....

... Tommy Lee!!!

You could live in that Bass Drum!!!

How about being able to do this in your drum room!

I hope this post has inspired you in some way to think about changing your kit and experimenting with new ideas and options.

Cheers!

CT

The Music That Defines You...

I often wonder what makes people like the music that they listen to the most? Is it the image of the artists as well as how the music makes you feel? Or is it the music that you start listening to as a youngster that stays with you?

Everyone seems to have a fond feeling towards their very first record that they buy. Unfortunately I don't. My musical taste back then was really bad. I mean REALLY bad! The first record I ever bought was The Fat Boys 'Crushin'... The second was Jive Bunny 'Swing the Mood'! Hey come on! I was about 9!!!

Oh dear...

But then I bought an album that helped me improve my taste in music! Aerosmith's 'Pump'. Back then, I thought the track 'Monkey Off My Back' on that album was the heaviest thing I had ever heard!
I also remember around that time I was staying at a friend's house. His older brother had Iron Maiden posters with Eddie plastered all over his walls. I was transfixed on them whenever I went there.

In 1989 I was given a tape by a friend to borrow that would completely change my life for the better! It was like some sort of revelation for me. On Side A - Metallica's 'Master of Puppets', Side B - Megadeth 'Rust in Peace'. Wow..................................................................................................................................

That tape didn't leave my Walkman for months! In fact I still have it! From then on it was all Classic Rock and Heavy Metal tapes for me. Iron Maiden, Slayer, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, etc... I just could not get enough! I also remember getting a book called 'The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal'. I read that book every night remembering the names of bands to check out. Back then there was no YouTube or iTunes to have a listen to them. You just had to go out and buy the albums! I feel old...

So what about my questions asked at the beginning of this long winded blog? I tried getting into Hip Hop at a later date but ultimately, for me it's how Heavy Metal and Classic Rock makes me feel. The loud, heavy power of the music is infectious! And I guess the images of the artists affected me too. After all, there were plenty of pictures of the bands in the Heavy Metal book and the Iron Maiden posters are iconic! You could listen to all sorts of music, but I firmly believe that only one genre will really get to you most.

But what happened to the Fat Boys tape? I left it under a lamp by mistake while I slept and melted it to my side table. Oh well...

Song of the Day - No, not the Fat Boys! Chimaira 'Save Ouselves'



Oh go on then...

Little Drummers...

Check this little guy out! He's going to be a great player when he's older! Let's hope he continues to play... I've taught a couple of young drummers who were really good, getting better with every lesson, and then packs in the drums to start some other instrument or activity. It's so important to keep practicing if you are good at something. The possibilities could well be endless...



I am really looking forward to teaching my little girl how to play the drums. I have already made her a great looking Figured Bubinga Stave Snare and bought some Vater Junior sticks. She's only a week and a half old! Ha! Let's hope she enjoys the drums...

Song of the Day - The Mars Volta 'Cotopaxi'