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.

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.

No. 22 ~ John Blackwell ~

When it comes to powerhouse drumming and extreme showmanship; no one can match up to the amazing drummer by the name of John Blackwell...

John was raised in a very musical family and started his playing since the age of three when got his first drum kit. He studied in one of the most prestigious music college (Berklee College of Music) soon after, his career kicked off and was playing for big Pop, R&B, and Rap artist like Prince, P. Diddy, Utada Hikaru, and Justin Timberlake.


John Blackwell drumming for Justin Timberlake at the Grammys.

He has made a trademark of himself with his kung-fu like stick twirls when he drums which is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. He does it so fast that at times I though the video was being fast forward...it's that fast!


You can see him doing it at 0:52 in this video...

Not only is John Blackwell good in his showmanships, but also in his amazing groove and style of playing which really nice to hear...



Rock on John Blackwell!

This concludes my series of my favorite gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop drummers. My next post will be about drummers that the majority of readers will know and recognize as famous, good, cliche and extremely overrated. Although not alot of drummers like them, they have truly caught the attention of many non-drummers and non-musicians. Causing an effect that made many people want to play drums. So for that, I would have to thank them by mentioning them in my posts. But to clarify things, I do not like those drummers but I respect them.

No. 21 ~ Marvin McQuitty ~

Possibly one of the most admired drummers among many aspired Christians is what Teddy Campbell calls "Marvin- the Magnificent- McQuitty." And the word magnificent is just a small word for man this talented!

It began when he just 3 years old, mimicking his father playing the drums, soon it became what Marvin was destined to do.
His drumming is very well known for his groove and uncanny musicality, also not forget to mention an amazing versatility!
Because of his amazing ability to change and adapt in music, he has worked with many of today's big artist like Destiny's Child, Stevie Wonder, Mary Mary, Israel & New Breed etc.


Marvin McQuitty was brought into my attention when he performed at one of the most prestigious drumming event known to man. The Modern Drummer Festival! where he play along to one of his compositions called "Get Your Life Back". In which he performed flawlessly with tremendous fill and groove that made my eyes glued to the TV screen!



Marvin is and I quote from www.drumemrworld.com that
"Marvin is living his dreams, walking in his purpose and affecting the lives of thousands with his spiritual inspiration and affinity for God."

I have got to say amen to that! Currently, Marvin is now working with grammy award winner Israel Houghton in his group "Israel & New Breed".



you can catch Marvin worshipping with Israel & New Breed and Hillsong's Darlene Zschech in that video... the camera catches Marvin at 1:19/ 2:22

My salutes goes out to Marvin McQuitty, an amazing drummer for God! Amen!

photos and info courtesy of www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Marvin_McQuitty.html

No. 20 ~ Aaron Spears ~

Ever since his appearance on the Modern Drummer Festival 2006. He has been one of the most talked about drummers in the Gospel arena. He has also won the award for being the "Up & Coming" drummer in the Modern Drummer readers' poll. Aaron Spears is definitely one of the most impressive drummers I have ever seen. His licks, groove, and linear fills are unbelievable!


Here is a video of him drumming to "Usher - Caught Up" at the Modern Drummer Fest 2006. It will blow your mind at how awesome his fills/licks are...



For your information... he is the official drummer for Usher.



You can catch Aaron in this video drumming for Usher & James Brown at 4:18. Which was also one of the coolest fills I have ever heard.

To Aaron Spears...one of the most breath-taking gospel drummers I have ever seen.

Photos & Info courtesy of www.drummerworld.com

No. 19 ~ The Most Beautiful Woman In The World! ~

There is absolutely no one in this world,
that can compare to you.

Nobody can ever show me kindness,
like the way you do.

Who can cook such amazing meals like you?

It is your unconditional love that continues to amazes me.

No matter how I have been naughty,
you gave me the rod of discipline.

It is because of you,
that I can become the handsome, young man I am now.

Who could ever tell me stories at night,
when I was a little child.

And sang songs,
when I was afraid.

You loved me since the day I was born,
and I never knew how much it pains you that I have disobeyed you from time to time.

Yet you still show grace and embrace me in my time of need.

Whenever I am happy, you celebrate with me.

When I am sad, you comfort me.

No matter how far I go, I will always remember to love you.

No matter how old you might think you are,
you will always to me,
be the most beautiful woman in the world.
I love you mom.

Happy Mother's day.

Your son,
Raymond Goh


P/S. Remember to hug & kiss your mom on Mother's Day!