Friday, July 31, 2009

No. 29 ~Christian Drummers~

For the past few drummers that I have talked about in my post, I haven't really gotten to the ones that I've always wanted to talk about. The drummers that are doing what I want to do in my life. Being a drummer for Christ and winning souls! The ones that you already know are of course Teddy Campbell from American Idol and Marvin McQuitty of Israel & New Breed. But there are many others that did not come from such Gospel Church backgrounds. Many of them were lost somewhere in their life as drummer but soon became saved.

So here is my salutation and respect towards all these great drummers that I have come to enjoy seeing them drumming.

Gregg Bissonette. The drummer that I have come to realize as being one of the most versatile drummers I have ever seen. He has performed with such musicians like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Santana, and Duran Duran.


Here's an old video of him drumming in the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert.



This is him now, which kind of shows his variety of drumming styles as being both a soloist and a sideman.







Luis Conte
. First thing that come to my mind is not just an amazing percussionist, but also a really humble a nice person. I've seen some of his drumming and listened to him being interviewed and I have got to say, he is a very humble and nice guy. Which is hard to find people like him especially when he has performed with such great artists like Phil Collins, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Elton John and even a rock band like Goo Goo Dolls.


Here's Luis Conte drumming along with Phil Collins and Chester Thompson



Zoro the drummer
. Do not be fooled by his looks, he is one powerhouse drummer for Christ! He was interviewed by Joyce Meyer last year and to what it is like being a drummer for the Lord. I have the interview video so if anybody wants the video, you can e-mail me.





Sheila E. There is only one thing I can tell you. Dont judge a book by its cover. She will kick your butt if you think you can drum better than her. As being both drummer/singer...she has worked with many famous people like Prince, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.


Long ago while still working with Prince. Powerhouse drumming!!!


A video excerpt from the "Sisters in Spirit" Tour.
Man, if I had a girlfriend like that, I would be considered the luckiest man in the world. (laughs)

Last but not the very least, the one and only living legend, Vinnie Colaiuta. I have to say, a poly rhythmic master like him being a drummer for Christ is truly a huge win for drummers everywhere and he is one of the most respected musicians among many drummers. I would say he has reached to a status equivalent to Steve Gadd!








To all these amazing drummers, I salute and respect you all!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

No. 28 ~Hannah Who? - Best of What?~

You'd guessed it...



Don't forget to comment both on YouTube and blog! =)

Friday, July 24, 2009

No 27 ~ Youtube copyright laws has awaken the demon. ~

Okay, the fact the my Lady Gaga drum cover has been deleted off youtube due to copyright reasons I guess was fair, but when I uploaded the video again, I have made it clear that what I did was not meant to surpass any copyright law and meant it for leisure only. Despite that, the video was once again deleted... So I made a third attempt, this time I have stated

(Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
)

guess what happened... it worked...for a day and then it was deleted again. Right now, to show my response, I have uploaded another video to in a way show them my feelings and to substitute my Lady Gaga Drum cover. Hopefully this does not have the copyright law protection nonsense. (I will post the Lady Gaga Drum Cover video on blogger if it doesn't have any copyright law protection.)

So here's Waking the Demon by Bullet for My Valentine.
Enjoy!


____________________________________________________
Now, what kind of diabolical drumming style of music do you think he would be doing?


I gotta say..this made my day.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

No. 26 ~My Drumming Update~

I finally got the time to upload my drumming on Youtube.



Now, I know that many of you are thinking, why this song? It's so easy to play! or Anyone can do that...

All that is true, the reason I did a drum cover to this is not because of the technicality of the song, but rather how the fact that you can have all the riffs and fills you want. Yet, something so simple can be so catchy. And as a drummer, the beat is very simple and consistent, leaving alot of room for more flowering on the drums. Thus, this cover is made.

Hope you all enjoy this and dont forget to leave a comment on YouTube.

Something else in mind...


This is a really nice song, and I just felt the need to do a drum cover for it. Despite the fact that tons of ppl have already done it. I just want to do it for the sake of enjoyment.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

No. 25 ~ Andrea Vadrucci a.k.a Vadrum ~

Alright, this drummer is one of the most unique ones I have ever seen. The style of drumming is ofcourse nothing short of excellence but Andrea Vadrucci has really caught the attention of many Youtubers as the Super Mario drummer. And what I mean by that is that he did a drum cover for The Super Mario Bros. game. Sounds strange? At first I also thought of the same thing but when I saw the video, I was really stumped. It was like what if Mike Portnoy had nothing to do and just started playing nostalgic video games... and this is what you'll get.

Basically, in this post I really dont need to say much cause the videos themselves will truly get your attention even for non-musicians, they'll find it very entertaining...



This was the first video that grabbed my attention of Andrea Vadrucci and the rest they say, is history.




Other than the Super Mario stuff, he has also approach the Classical Music realm and add the progressive rock element into them. Now for many Classically trained musicians esp the pianist might probably find the next few videos as an insult because they dont like it when their music gets tampered with. It was for me a very subjective matter because you cant please everyone. But nevertheless, I find it to be something new and awesome. Also, hats off, it has made me a believer that he truly really is a musical genius!







Out of all of these drum covers/arrangements that he did. This one takes the cake as bringing back much fond memories of my favorite cartoon.

The Simpsons!

To Andrea Vadrucci, the most awesome/coolest drummer on YouTube.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

No. 24 ~Terry Bozzio & Chad Wackerman~

When these two names come to my ears, I have to say holy #@$!. You will all now why once I show you their drums, especially Terry Bozzio's kit.

The major thing about these guys' playing is that it is not your ordinary, "fast drumming" or extreme drum solos. In fact, they have made something that is really out of the ordinary; making melody on the drums! (I am serious). And that is really not what you would expect to see or let alone hear from a non-melodic instrument. And because of that, they require drum sets that are massive and having each tom, and bass drum tuned differently.


First off, let's talk about Chad Wackerman, he was the first one that really brought to my attention that drums can be melodic! And this was the video that really opened up my mind to having new ideas to be more creative "in a melodic" sense besides just making rhythm.



In this video, his right hand and both feet are providing a 7/4 time signature rhythm, while his left hand is free to lead a melodic fill all around. Soon after at 1:40, he lets his feet to do the rhythm and his hands continue with a solo that is a mixture of rhythm and melody which is one of the coolest thing I have ever seen.

F.Y.I. yes, he composed that melody.
Now, the man with the biggest arsenal of drums known to man. Terry Bozzio.

Although he has been ridiculed by alot of people because of his unnatural approach to playing the drums, I believe he brings out something new, original and not just having a big drum set just for the sake of having it.

He has played in numerous bands such as Frank Zappa, Steve Vai and his latest project with KoRn.

His drum set is what I would consider as the biggest drum set in the world.

This is his current set-up. (Excerpted from Wikipedia)

Drums

Vertical Low Timbre drums in olive ash burl finish with satin chrome lugs and black powdercoat rims. All heads are Terry Bozzio Attack signature in clear mylar

  • 10" snare tuned to D
  • 13 - 8" x 3" piccolo toms - tuned from high C to a low C
  • 12" solid craviotto snare tuned to B
  • 8" x 3" piccolo tom tuned to Bb
  • 8" x 6" tom tuned to A
  • 4 - 10"x 6" toms G-F-E-D
  • 10" x 8" tuned to C
  • 12" x 6" tuned to B
  • 12" x 8" tuned to A
  • 13" x 9" tuned to G
  • 14" x 10" tuned to F
  • 16" x 12" tuned to E

Cymbals

All cymbals are Sabian Radia Terry Bozzio signatures.

  • 21" ride
  • 16" china below 8"china
  • 18" china below 10"china
  • 14" china w/12"crash stack below 7"china w/6"crash stack
  • 16" china w/14"crash stack below 8"china w/7"crash stack
  • 18" china w/16"crash stack below 10"china w/8"crash stack
  • 20" china w/18"crash stack below 12"china w/10"crash stack
  • 20" china below 12"china
  • 22" china below 14"china
  • 36" Chinese gong (behind right w/beater on cym boom)
  • 10" hihats
  • left remote china hi hat 16" over 18"
  • spoxe hi hat
  • 12" hi hats
  • lp tambourine
  • 12" heavy bell under 8" cup chime
  • 11" heavy bell under 7 1/2" cup chime
  • 10" heavy bell under 7" cup chime
  • 9" heavy bell under 6 1/2" cup chime
  • 20" flat ride w/20"china stack, under closed14" flat bottom hi hats, under factory metal , under pete englehardt ribbon crasher
  • 26" B-20 radia gong on dw custom 3 point gong holder designed by Terry
  • 20" crash w/20" novo type china stack
  • right remote china hi hat 16" over 20"
  • 6" closed flat bottom mini hihat
  • 7" closed flat bottom mini hihat

Foot operated

  • 12" Chinese gong or
  • 8" x 3" foot tom tuned to
  • 10" x foot tom tuned to
  • 12" x foot tom tuned to
  • 10" hi hat
  • Vic firth/emil richards jingle stick
  • Wooded headed tambourine
  • 12" wooden headed djembe
  • 16" x bd tuned to F
  • remote china hi hat 16" over 18"
  • 20" x 12" bd tuned to C
  • spoxe hi hat
  • 12" hi hats
  • 20" x 16" main left kick drum (muffled) tuned to Bb
  • Metal tambourine shaker or tb special tambourine foot plate jingle device
  • 20" x 16" main right kick drum (muffled) tuned to G
  • 24" x 14" bd tuned to A (w/ akg d-112 may mic)
  • right remote hi hats 16" over 20"
  • 18" x bd tuned to D
  • 18" x bd tuned to E
  • 20" x 8" bd tuned to B

Other

  • Glockenspiel
  • 36" wuhan Chinese gong
  • One octave set of wuhan Chinese bossed gongs


Now when you put these two monsters together, you'll get probably one of the most amazing site to behold for not just drummers but also all musicians.


Up until today, this video is one of my personal favourite drum solo and also can be considered as my favourite drum song! Keep on drumming and rock on Chad Wackerman and Terry Bozzio.

Friday, July 3, 2009

No. 23 ~Famous + good = extremely overrated ?~

Okay, so the title in itself will probably explain to you the two drummers are definitely famous, good, and without a doubt overrated. Reason why I am doing this is because many have given false information about these drummers and have exaggerated their talents on the drums to a point where it is unrealistic!

Now this post is not meant with any intention to rip on these two drummers but to really help many young drummers and non-drummers to open up their mind in showing them that there are many other "unknown drummers" who are either just as good and (in my opinion), better then the ones that I am about to mention...

Famous, good and overrated drummer no.1
Travis Barker
Now many of you will probably know him from the band Blink 182 with his speed and ridiculously famous showmanship in literally whacking on the drums. But he is in no way the only "good" punk drummers in this world.

In my opinion, he is a good drummer, but I would strongly recommend that no one should try and copy his style of showmanship and drum setting because it is unethical.

Watch this video first before reading on...


As you have noticed, it may look cool to drum like that, but it will definitely increase your chances of having nerve and wrist damage in your hands. Other than that, if you set your drums similar to Travis' set up, it makes it extremely hard and challenging to play around the drums with ease. Plus, without any proper technique, setting up the drums like that will probably cause any drummer to have back injury if they are required to play songs like these or songs that are much faster....

In conclusion, Travis Barker is a great drummer, but not reasonable to follow his style of drumming and drum set-up. But here are the few drummers that I would recommend to follow and see for yourself if they are of equivalent to Mr. Barker.

Tre Cool from the band Green Day.
Who is probably one o the craziest punk drummers I have ever seen.


Mike Johnston former drummer of the band Simon Says. Currently a drum teacher.
One who is more than just a punk drummer but also extremely versatile in many other styles.






Famous, good and overrated drummer no.2
Joey Jordison

In the music genre of Metal, the drummer that is on every one's lips is a Slipknot member by the name of Joey Jordison.

This Metal drummer is pretty much known for being a member of Slipknot. His drumming has many licks that includes double pedaling and fast singles around the drums.

But probably one of his most well known drumming is not in any of the songs but this particular drum solo that he performed infront of a huge crowd with a li'l element of surprise in his performance that got everyone up on their feet screaming for more.



Overall, Joey Jordison is an okay drummer and can pass as a heavy metalist but by far cannot surpass to the metal drummer that I am about to show. These heavy metal drummers do not need any introduction and any words. The videos that I'm going to show you says it all.

The drummers are Derek Roddy and George Kollias!

Derek Roddy

George Kollias



So there you have it my fellow readers. The drummers whom I consider you all to put into your knowledge as being amazing and no longer "unknown" drummers.

Hope you all enjoyed this post. God bless.