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Download missing Tommy Lee feature page here

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:37:00 +0000

This month's Rhythm features a huge Tommy Lee cover feature in which the Mötley Crüe man tells us all about his evolving drum sound, his need to be 'hands on' with the music and how he's driven the Sunset Strip stalwarts for 30 years.

The more eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that the final page of this feature is missing from the issue. This is due to an unforseen printing error. Apologies to all of our readers for this issue, but worry not, as you can download the missing page right here.

For the rest of the Tommy feature, plus interviews with Ben Carter (Evile), Bill Gibson (Huey Lewis and the News), Brandon Barnes (Rise Against) and much more, pick up the latest issue of Rhythm in all good newsagents, online or through Apple Newsstand.

March issue of Rhythm on sale now

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:16:00 +0000

Tommy Lee

He's a multi-talented musical chameleon getting his kicks s a frontman, songwriter, guitarist, producer and DJ, but in this huge cover feature Mötley Crüe's flamboyant showman tells Rhythm about his evolving drum style, being 'hands on' with the music and why he still loves life behind the kit. Plus we take a tour of Tommy's incredible drum rollercoaster riser.

INTERVIEWED

Brandon Barnes (Rise Against)
Ben Carter (Evile)
Ranjit Barot
Bill Gibson (Huey Lewis and the News)
Lee Barratt (Gallows)
Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats)
Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers)
Jose Pasillas (Incubus)

PLUS: The final part of our vintage restoration series on how to bring drums back to life

REVIEWED

New albums, DVDs and books from Van Halen, Soulfly, Gavin Harrison, Steve Gadd and more

GEAR

Natal Walnut drum kit
Istanbul Agop Art20 cymbals
Ahead Armor stick and cymbal bags
Ludwig Accent 100 Power drum kit
Duende Pro and Elite cajons
Protection Racket cases

ON THE RHYTHM CD

Learn Trivium's double bass workout 'In Waves', 'Rapunzel' by Dave Matthews Band and Paramore's 'Monster'. Plus get your head around Jason Bowld's latest fills (this month he tackles The Chopper), conga playing with Robin Jones and much more.

WIN

Win yourself one of ten Drumports

You'll find all this and more in the brand new issue of Rhythm, on sale in all good newsagents, online and on Apple Newsstand now.

Craig Blundell clinics announced

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000

Craig Blundell is heading out on his first Premier clinic tour, and the dates start later this month.

The Rhythm-backed tour has dates at Falkirk's DD Drums (19 Feb) and Drumshop in Gateshead (20 Feb) confirmed, with more set to be added.

A statement from Premier said: "The Form Over Function tour will be previewed to audiences over three dates where Craig will be delivering a unique, interactive clinic with a structured and inspiring approach to all the simple things we have left behind as drummers. The tutorial content of the show will be filmed prior to the tour and shall be made available to all members of the audience on the evening to take away and practice."

For more details keep an eye on www.premier-percussion.com.

Black Veil Brides' Christian Coma shows us some stick tricks

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:21:00 +0000

© Paul Hebert/Corbis

This week we're celebrating flashy playing, and rather than just bombard you with watching other people's stick tricks we thought we'd teach you a few to add to your own arsenal.

Check the video below to see Black Veil Brides drummer CC showing off a few of his tricks.

For more drumming videos, interviews and lessons head on over to our YouTube channel.

Stix Zadinia: I like drummers that play 'from the nuts up, not the brain down'

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:04:00 +0000

As drummer for hair metal jokers Steel Panther, Stix Zadinia's playing requires a little flash. As the band prepares for their forthcoming UK tour we sat down with Stix to ask him about his favourite drumming showmen.

What makes a great showman in your opinion?

"My favourite showmen, being the kind of drummer that I am, I'm not a Neil Peart/solo kind of drummer, I like watching drummers hit hard. I like when it's visceral and you can see him hit it and see the swing of their arms and you know that they're beating the s*** out of it because they love what they're doing."

How about the whole stick trick side of things?

"When I start seeing dudes flip, twist and twirl, doing all of that stuff, it's cool to be able to do that stuff but sometimes the drumming takes a backseat to the flippin'. It's cool, don't get me wrong, it's cool looking but I think there's a fine line between flipping all the time and just hitting hard. From a visual standpoint for me a guy like John Bonham, watching him you can tell he's in the groove, he's in the song, he's playing it from the balls. He's not playing from the brain. That's the kind of show that I personally like to watch a drummer play from the nuts up, not the brain down. Does that make sense?!"

You're happy with the tricks as long as they don't detract from the playing?

"I'm totally not opposed to stick twirls and there are times it looks cool but I'll get so into the song we're playing that I just want to beat the s*** outta stuff. That's what I do in Steel Panther – just push the whole thing. It's like pushing the band forward through the crowd and into their faces. Instead of being there like, 'Hey, look at me, just me out,' I just want to ram that s*** down people's throats."

You've mentioned Peart and Bonham, who else does it for you showmanship-wise?

"I'm an old school guy. You watch Stewart Copeland and Steve Smith, those guys are incredible. Nowadays, and I can call them kids because they're younger than me because I'm 62, the kids get caught up in what they're doing, the flashy s***. Dude, just f***in' play! And what about the faces they pull?! With Steel Panther we have a look as it's important for us to look bitchin', but when we're playing the song it's most important for us to look bitchin', and then sound good. I just want to watch a drummer that's into I, don't try to sell me with bulls*** moves, sell me on playing."

In Pictures: Tommy Lee's Motley Crue drum rollercoaster

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:27:00 +0000

© Paul Brown

As Motley Crue continue their reality-defying world tour (stopping off for a run of suitably sinful Las Vegas shows) we've taken a look around Tommy's unbelievable drum rollercoaster riser.

Steve Moore's top showmanship tips

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:52:00 +0000

His viral YouTube video racked up millions of hits and recently Steve Moore's unmistakably flashy drum style even scored him a cameo spot on sitcom The Office.

As the man who has taken stick tricks back into the mainstream, we sat down with Steve and asked for his tips on how to add some showmanship into our playing.

Give the people what they want

Once I found out people liked it I began watching people very closely for reactions – what they like and what moves them. I would work up a really different twirl and work on it for months and do it and nobody would really care and I'd go, 'Well they must have not saw it', so I'd do it again and it'd be the same. Then I'd move on my side and kick my left leg in the air and people would go nuts! You'd think, 'Are you serious?!' But I started to learn that it's about entertainment. It's about what gets a reaction not what is complex.

Keep calm

When you see me it looks like I'm out of my mind but nothing could be further from the truth because I do my best to be as relaxed and calm as possible because that's the way you can play well. My arms are all over the place but my mind is doing yoga. Even though it looks like I'm in beast mode, you don't want it to sound that way.

Work on it

I practiced a lot but I didn't spend hours and hours in front of a mirror. I spent more time trying to make the music feel decent while doing all that stuff.

Steal from the greats

I haven't invented a thing, I'm just stealing from everybody else. I try really hard to not take credit for inventing some new movement. I'm just doing the same stuff Gene Krupa was doing, I just do it a little differently.

Study showmen

My favourite is Shannon Larkin. I opened up for Shannon when I was 17 or 18 with my old band, we opened for Wrathchild. I could do a couple of Tommy Lee twirls, I was a big fish in a small pond and nobody else in my area could really do that. I was an arrogant kid like most 17 year olds thinking I knew everything. My god, I practically went into a deep depression for six months. I wanted to stop because I thought, 'My god, if this is what the real world's like, I've had it!' Shannon is just a freak, he's insane and he's a super nice guy too. Once my video went viral it gave me the reason to get in touch with Shannon. I thanked him for inspiration and his kindness back when I was 17.

UPDATED: Bill Ward out of Black Sabbath reunion?

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:29:00 +0000

© Tony Frank/Sygma/Corbis

Bill Ward has stated that he will not be part of Black Sabbath's reunion album and tour unless he is given a "signable contract".

In a statement Ward said: "At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band."

He went on to say: "The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign 'as is,' I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician."

The rest of Sabbath have now responded to Ward's comments, check out their statement below, but it doesn't make good reading for Ward and his legion of fans.

"We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans...we have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open... We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll... See you at Download!!! - Tony, Ozzy and Geezer"

Weckl, Harrison, Bissonette and more set for Buddy Rich show

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:44:00 +0000

© Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS

A huge Buddy Rich tribute show is on the way, with a ream of top sticksmen signed up.

Dave Weckl, John Blackwell, Gavin Harrison, Gregg Bissonette and Elliott Henshaw are all set to pay tribute to Buddy on at the London Palladium on 2 April – the 25th anniversary of his passing.

On his involvement, Weckl said: "Any time I get to pay tribute to one of the greatest players of our instrument, I am first in line. To be able to play with a great Big Band and play songs from the Buddy Rich book is one of my favourite things to do as a drummer."

Co-hosted by Cathy Rich, the event will feature a reformed Buddy Rich Big Band fronted by drummer Gregg Potter.

Tickets are on sale now from www.seetickets.com.

Roy Mayorga picks his favourite drum showmen

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:15:00 +0000

© Paul Hebert/Corbis

Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga knows a thing or two about showmanship.

His own playing style is fantastically frenetic. As he explained in March 2011's Rhythm, "That just happens to be my personality. It just comes out naturally. I've always experienced over-the-top things, like the kind of music I listen to from heavy rock to punk rock and the whole outlandish idea of being a spectacle. When I'm on stage I'm just possessed to do that. I'm not really thinking about it, it's all instinctive. I just feel the music and the room and the crowd. All of that caters to what I do on stage. It makes me give everything I've got. That night might be my last show, you never know. That's behind why I play the way I play."

"It's just subconscious. Every night's different, some nights I'm more full-on than others. It's how I feel during the day and my mood or what the vibe and low of the set is, how the crowd's going, how the band reacts and so forth. It's something you can't just put on, it can't be contrived and it has to come naturally. But it doesn't make you a bad drummer if you're not flailing around like a f**king maniac."

As Roy is such a renowned showman we asked him to give us his top three similarly charismatic tub thumpers. Here's who got the Mayorga nod.

Keith Moon

"His personality comes out in his drumming. This flamboyant personality. That's what I loved about his drumming, it was different from anybody else's. When you heard Keith you always knew it was Keith because he also did the four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern with these crazy triplet patterns on the snare and toms with accented cymbal crashes."

Gene Krupa

"The king of all showmen. Incredible. Without him you wouldn't have any stick-twirling or any of the crazy antics and just being over the top with your instrument. It all comes from Gene Krupa."

Arejay Hale (Halestorm)

"He has that crazy, on-the-edge energy, like Keith Moon. He's got this flailing about but such a pocket at the same time. That's really hard to do, being a showman and having a pocket. He keeps it solid."

Mike Byrne talks Smashing Pumpkins, rabid fandom and click tracks

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:49:00 +0000

Back in 2009 the drum world waited with baited breath as Smashing Pumpkins prepared to announce who was going to take on the mammoth task of replacing Jimmy Chamberlin.

It's fair to say there was a dollop of surprise when the chosen sticksman was revealed to be Mike Byrne, an at that point unknown young drummer who had been working at a fast food joint to pay his way through music college.

Three years on and the world has seen what Billy Corgan spotted in the now 21-year-old sticksman. Not only has he wowed audiences with unnervingly accurate interpretations of those classic Pumpkins tracks, he's also proved his worth in the studio as the band entered a purple patch, the result of which is the huge Teargarden by Kaleidyscope project.

Now, as the band are about to drop new album Oceania, we spoke to Mike all about the crazy last few years.

You were a surprise pick for the Pumpkins in 2009. How did you get the gig?

"I was perusing the internet and saw they were holding open call auditions for the band. At the time I was working in McDonalds saving up to study at Berklee College Of Music. I sent over a video and got an email back from management saying they wanted me to go to Burbank to audition. I did a couple of cartwheels in the house and flew out and had a half hour audition."

How did it progress from there?

"I went to the audition, the next day they called me saying they were interested. On paper hiring a 19 year old kid that you've played with for 30 minutes and has absolutely no background in anything, that seems like a pretty healthy way to commit career suicide. I went down there and we had a two week period where I played with the band and everything clicked. The last two years has been cool. There's such a big learning curve to playing this music. You have to get stronger and faster. We had a name plan, it was, 'Ok. You're going to join this band but you have to do x, y and z so when we tour you hit the ground running.'"

Presumably you were a Pumpkins fan before getting the gig

"I was what you would call a rabid fan. At 11 years old a friend of mine had a mix tape with '1979' on it and within the span of a year I had every single Pumpkins record, all the b-sides and a bunch of stuff I found on the internet. I was hugely influenced by them so it was weird for a decade later to come play with the band."

"I saw they were holding open call auditions for the band. At the time I was working in McDonalds..."

Were you apprehensive about taking on such a big gig?

"I don't think apprehensive is the word because when an opportunity like this comes at you if you're going, 'Well, I don't know', at that point you're kinda dumb. But initially it was nerve-wracking. The fans of this band expect a level of proficiency that is above and beyond. They expect the drummer of this band to be able to nail things that other bands just can't do. Even though it's straight ahead aggressive rock there's so many elements in there. I was super nervous when we started but the more we play together the band has a really natural discourse that alleviates that stress."

Tell us about the new album, Oceania

"The band as a whole worked on that on a creative level. Billy and I have been making music since I got hired. We're working on the overarching project Teargarden by Keildyscope which is the free 44-song deal. Billy and I have been making music since I got hired. I'd never been in a real professional studio so I had to learn the ticks of the trade and make it sound articulate like Jimmy was capable of doing."

Were you using a click?

"We did the whole record click free. There's stuff that's programmed but any time you hear acoustic kit is all click-less, which was a real interesting challenge but it makes the pockets seem much more natural. I'll be honest there were moments I was banging my head against the wall but I think the overall feel of the album benefits from it. I enjoyed having a freedom and pocket on the record, it's got a Zep-vibe in that way."

You'd already been in the studio with the Pumpkins recording tracks for Teargarden by Keildyscope, how did Oceania differ?

"When we got into the studio this last time it was more interesting in that it was a whole different set of information. There was a whole different set of ascetics on this record that made it seem much more natural."

"As a rule this band is bored of the traditional system of drop a record, play behind the record, same old song and dance"

What kind of kit sound were you going for?

"We went for a very consistent kit sound. Typically we dance between kits because we have an extensive collection of vintage kits out there. Recording on Vistalites sounds like a weird move but they sound so distinct. We landed on a Grestch USA Custom and used that through the whole recording along with a variety of snares. We spent three days dialling in the core set of sounds."

Do you have any favourite moments from the album?

"At the beginning of the record we have a real one-two punch with real furious drumming. We a song called 'Quaser' which has flam fives all over the thing. We spent all night honing the parts and didn't do a single take, just ironing out every fill. The next day we came in and did the check your tones take and by the time I was finished they called me into the control room and we'd done it on the first take. That was the happiest surprise of the three weeks. We did the whole record click free. There's stuff that's programmed but any time you hear acoustic kit is all click-less, which was a real interesting challenge but it makes the pockets seem much more natural. I'll be honest there were moments I was banging my head against the wall but I think the overall feel of the album benefits from it. I enjoyed having a freedom and pocket on the record, it's got a Zep-vibe in that way."

What's on the horizon for the Pumpkins?

"We have this record dropping in March. As a rule this band is bored of the traditional system of drop a record, play behind the record, same old song and dance. Around March you'll start seeing us again, we're not sure how exactly we'll promote the record but it'll be something extravagant."

For more from Mike pick up the February issue of Rhythm.

Download adds Slash, Megadeth and more

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:06:00 +0000

Download has added 14 new bands to ita line-up, and there's some killer names in there.

Joining the bill as Friday's second stage headliner is Slash, while Rise Against take Sunday's second stage topping slot.

Elsewhere, Megadeth and Black Label Society are added to Sunday's mainstage, while Billy Talent, Five Finger Death Punch, Steel Panther, Fear Factory, As I Lay Dying, Reckless Love, Ginger, Periphery, Kyuss Lives and Terrorvision will all perform at the annual Donington rock feast.

Full more info head to www.downloadfestival.co.uk.