Volume 25, Number 11 Cover photo by Alex Solca STEWART COPELAND Two decades after vanishing from the playing scene, Stewart Copeland's back, and he's got Phish's Trey Anastasio and Primus's Les Ciaypool in tow. Will wonders never cease? by Ted Bonar 70 CHICO HAMILTON UPDATE Brian Setzer's Bernie Dresel What's an eighty-year-old jazzer doing aia with Charlie Watts and John Popper on Studio Heavy Dave Mattacks ul La R ahnisd dmisack?i nSga mbeea uotlr iftuhli nmg:u sbicre.aking rules 92 Sinomatic's Matt Lawrence Pa by Rick Mattingly Paul Weller's Steve White Wings Denny Seiwell CSN's Joe Vitale VIC FIRTH Atlantic City Regular Joey CaSS 20 After half a century with the Boston ssett Symphony Orchestra, percussionist 110 REFLECTIONS a extraordinaire Vic Firth takes a final bow. B sy by Rick Mattingly STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' et B ERIC KRETZ ON... Alex Van Haien, Peter Criss, Keith Moon, and more. KISS'S by T. Bruce Wittet 28 ERIC CARR er w o z REMEMBERED 124 WOODSHED o Zl Neil The tiny drummer with the gargantuan ANTHRAX'S band had a heart of gold and sticks of CHARLIE BENANTE thunder. On the tenth anniversary of his passing, MD salutes Eric Carr. Drive north along NYC's famous Broadway, and by John Connell you'll eventually hit the town of Yonkers. You'll know you're there when the sound of Anthrax rehearsing rattles your car windows. by Will Romano 156 MD Giveaway 108 Win A Setup Identical To Travis Barkers, Including Orange County Drums, Zildjian Cymbals And Sticks, DW Hardware, Remo Heads, And Audix Microphones Education 132 Off The Record 142 Rock Perspectives Train's Scott Underwood: Stewart Copeland Drops Of Jupiter Style & Analysis by Ed Breckenfeld by Ed Breckenfeld 136 Rock Charts 154 Concepts Limp Bizkit's John Otto: "Rollin"' Passion And Mechanics: Transcribed by Joe Bergamini A General Rant About Drumming Habits 140 The Musical by Billy Ward Drummer Understanding The Language Of Music, Part 2: The Basics by Ron Spagnardi Departments Page 148 4 An Editor's Overview 146 On The Move Drum Market 164 Renewing Your Subscription Including Vintage Showcase by Ron Spagnardi 148 Critique 168 Drumkit Of The Month 6 Readers' Platform 152 Encore The Who: Who's Next 12 Ask A Pro by Adam Budofsky Stanton Moore, Steve Smith, and Rod Morgenstein 158 Backbeats New Orleans Jazz & Heritage 16 It's Questionable Festival, Korea Drum Festival, and more E q u i p m e n t 40 New And Notable 48 Product Close-Up Yamaha Stage Custom Standard And Advantage Drumkits by T. Bruce Wittet 51 Turkish Cymbals by Chap Ostrander 54 Bearing Edge Drums by Mark Parsons 56 Quick Looks: New Pro-Mark Stick Models And X-Pad Practice Pad 57 Tribes Cocktail Drum by T.Bruce Wittet 59 DW 5000 Delta II Bass Drum Pedals 62 Electronic Review With Elevator Heels Roland V-Session Kit by Martin Patmos by Rick Long Volume 25, Number 11 The World's Most Widely Read Drum Magazine EDITOR/PUBLISHER RONALD SPAGNARDI CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ISABEL SPAGNARDI Renewing Your ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER TRACY A. KEARNS SENIOR EDITOR RICK VAN HORN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR WILLIAM F. MILLER Subscription MANAGING EDITOR ADAM J. BUDOFSKY ASSOCIATE EDITOR TED BONAR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT SUZANNE HURRING SENIOR ART DIRECTOR SCOTT G. BIENSTOCK ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR MICHELE M. NEWHOUSE ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR JOSEPH KING f you're a subscriber to Modern Drummer, or most any other consumer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR BOB BERENSON magazine for that matter, you're probably well aware of the routine. At ADVERTISING ASSISTANT JOAN C. STICKEL EDITORIAL/ADV. ASSISTANT BILLY AMENDOLA some point during the term of your subscription, a series of renewal MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DIANA LITTLE notices starts arriving to remind you that your subscription is due to WEB SITE DIRECTOR KEVIN W. KEARNS expire, and to encourage you to renew before it does. OFFICE ASSISTANT ROSLYN MADIA A renewal series can run anywhere from three notices to as many as MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD: Henry Adler, ten. The interesting thing, however, is that the standard renewal proce- Kenny Aronoff, Eddie Bayers, Louie Bellson, Bill Bruford, Harry dure for magazines is not only outdated, impractical, and costly for pub- Cangany, Jim Chapin, Dennis DeLucia, Les DeMerle, Len DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Vic Firth, Bob Gatzen, lishers, it can also be frustrating, confusing, and annoying for subscribers. Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jim Keltner, Paul Leim, Peter Magadini, George Marsh, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Andy A number of prominent consumer magazines are gradually converting Newmark, Neil Peart, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Smith, Ed to a program known as "automatic renewal." The AR system simply Thigpen, Billy Ward, Dave Weckl, Paul Wertico, means that your subscription automatically continues until you choose to CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Michael Bettine, Robyn Flans, Burt Korall, Rick Mattingly, Ken Micallef, Mark Parsons, Mike cancel. Haid, Robin Tolleson, Lauren Vogel Weiss, T. Bruce Wittet. For publishers, the cost savings that result from not having to write, MODERN DRUMMER magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is pub- design, print, and mail up to ten notices to thousands of subscribers each lished monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc., 12 Old Bridge Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. PERIODICALS year could be better used to expand the magazine's editorial content. For MAIL POSTAGE paid at Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 and at addi- tional mailing offices. Copyright 2001 by MODERN DRUM- subscribers, the benefits include reduction in subscription price increases, MER Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction as well as expanded editorial coverage as a result of the savings. without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers also enjoy the elimination of repetitive renewal notices, EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: MOD- ERN DRUMMER Publications, 12 Old Bridge Road, Cedar Grove, unnecessary phone calls, and the confusion of duplicate reminders and NJ 07009. Tel: (973) 239-4140. Fax: (973) 239-7139. Email: [email protected] payments crossing in the mail. Automatic renewal can easily be handled on a "bill me" basis, or via MODERN DRUMMER welcomes manuscripts and photographic material, however, cannot assume responsibility for them. Such credit card—whichever method a subscriber prefers. With a credit card, items must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped enve- lope. you'd automatically be billed once a year, after you've received thirty days' notice that your subscription is up for renewal and you've been SUBSCRIPTIONS: US, Canada, and Mexico $34.97 per year; $59.94, two years. Other international $41.97 per year, $79.94, two given the option of renewing or canceling at that time. No charges appear years. Single copies $4.99. on credit cards if you cancel, and no further bills are sent. The renewal SUBSCRIPTION CORRESPONDENCE: Modern Drummer, PO Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0480. Change of address: Allow at process becomes simpler, more efficient, and more cost-effective for least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old and new everyone involved. address. Toll free tel: (800) 551-3786. More and more publications are converting to the automatic renewal MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer Retail Vision, 2 system. Though Modern Drummer hasn't taken any steps to convert, it is Maple Street, Suite 6, Middlebury, VT 05753, (800) 381-1288. something we're considering. I'd like to hear your thoughts first, though. REPRINTS: For Reprints contact Diana Little (973) 239-4140. If you're a subscriber to MD, drop me a note or an email at Email: [email protected] [email protected], and let me know what you think. I'll report INTERNATIONAL LICENSING REPRESENTATIVE: Robert Abramson & Associates, Inc. Libby Abramson, President, 720 Post back in a future Editor's Overview with your thoughts and further Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583, (914) 723-4700. information. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, PO Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. MEMBER: Magazine Publishers Of America, National Association Of Music Merchants, American Music Conference, Percussive Arts Society, Music Educators National Conference, Percussion Marketing Council, Music Magazine Publishers Association MODERN DRUMMER ONLINE: www.moderndrummer.com PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES TRAVIS BARKER I just want to say "Well done" for your like George Hurley (Minutemen), Grant fabulous article about Blink-182's Travis Hart (Husker Du), and Brendan Canty Barker. I've been a huge fan of the band (Fugazi). But Travis is right about one since 1997, before Travis joined. However, thing: Next to N'Sync and The Backstreet his creativity and terrific energy makes Boys, his chops are way "alternative." them better than they ever were before. Pete Stewart I found it interesting that the "punk Wichita Falls, TX drummer" didn't like being referred to as a punk drummer. Though he is in a punk- Editor's note: At MD we try to ignore rock band, Travis is definitely not limited "more punk than you" attitudes. Good to this style. He has an amazing way of drumming is good drumming. A quick FYI: adding ideas from his marching and jazz MD has run pieces on each of the above- backgrounds, along with various Latin named drummers, as well as other "gen- styles. This makes his parts as unique and uine" punk drummers like The Sex exciting as a punk-rock band's drum parts Pistols' Paul Cook and The Descendents' can get. Even more commendable, Travis Bill Stevenson. Recently we've highlight- does it all without cluttering the tune or ed the work of The Damned's Rat overplaying. Scabies and The Clash's Topper Headon. Travis Barker is an outstanding musician Travis Barker's aversion to being called a Green Day's Tre Cool has graced our and performer. He will definitely be appre- "punk drummer" is understandable. Like cover. And you can look forward to ciated for a long time among drummers of most people, he has probably only been pieces on The Bad Brains' Earl Hudson many styles. exposed to the banal, Top-40, bubble-gum and Fugazi's Brendan Canty. And go to Brett Schwartz "punk" like Blink-182 turns out. This is www.moderndrummer.com to read via Internet thanks, in part, to your magazine's policy about "The Top Ten Punk (And Reggae) of ignoring genuine punk-rock drummers Albums Of All Time." Mr. Barker doesn't seem to be able to find much in his life that he likes. Considering jazz...and then producing Zack De La evolved from The Grateful Dead, including his good fortune and success, he should Rocha and drumming in a Bonham bag for The Other Ones and Phil Lesh & Friends. I really count his blessings and be grateful Nikka Costa. Talk about your underrated always felt that the drumming in their for just how far he has come. Even if it is player! Why hasn't this guy been in your music was a refreshing combination of only some "punk" band. magazine before now? taste, creativity, and spontaneity. I just Drewblood I do have one question, though. ?uest- didn't know that the same drummer was Chicago, II love plays a 26" bass drum, a 20" floor responsible for it. Nice work, John! tom, a 24" ride cymbal...and he uses 7A Alan Franklin Thank you so much for featuring Travis sticks'? How does he make that work? St. Louis, MO Barker on your August 2001 issue. I keep Talented guy. Thanks for the story. THE MENTAL WARD rediscovering the parts that Barker uses on Billy Sommerfield Enima, so it's great to see that work get via Internet Billy Ward's August 2001 In The Studio recognized. "Adam's Song" especially article, "So You Want To Be A Session JOHN MOLO demonstrates the depth of Barker's imagi- Drummer," is exactly what I buy Modern nation, and the fact that a drum part I loved your August story on John Molo. I Drummer for. His analysis of fills is right doesn't have to be a strict 2 and 4. Travis's particularly appreciated John's candor on the money. And the same theories can music makes me proud to be a drummer. about his experiences with Bruce Hornsby. be applied to other styles of music as well Vince Byrne It's refreshing to know that major drum- as to rock and funk. Rockville Centre, NY mers playing on major albums still have However, what prompted me to write problems with producers, other musicians, was the sidebar to that article: "The Mental and their own muse. It gives hope to the Ward." In it, Billy articulated a vital ingre- AHMIR "?UESTLOVE" THOMPSON rest of us who are having those problems dient for drumming success: not only play- Big man...big drums...big sound. on our own—decidedly not major—pro- ing music well, but listening to it com- Everything about ?uestlove is big. Even his jects. pletely—whether you are playing at the influence is big: Look at the gigs he's done I've actually followed John's career moment or not. Thanks, Billy! or is doing. Big variety, too. From without knowing it—or him. I was a big Todd Strait D'Angelo to The Roots to The Hornsby fan in the early days. I've also via Internet Philadelphia Experiment, R&B to out gotten into the various sub-groups that WEB SOUNDS APGAR GOES FISHING The new Playing sections on your Web site Wow! While I knew that my June are a great addition. It's much easier to Readers' Platform letter would generate recreate the patterns I see in your magazine some response, I didn't expect to see so when I can hear them being played correct- many rebuttals to my comments. I'd like ly. Keep them coming. to set the record straight and apologize Dick Howard to MD's readers and to Ginger Fish. via Internet MD's JAZZ INFLUENCE I did not intend to offend anyone with my comments. I don't know Ginger Fish, Recently, while listening to a Donald Brown nor do I have any reason to dislike him. CD called The Sweetest Sounds, it occurred My main complaint was not about the to me that my love of jazz—and indeed the abundance of material geared toward jazz section in my CD library—exist in large younger readers that appears in MD part because of Modern Drummer. I've been each month. My gripe is with the playing drums for twenty years, and I've increasing lack of coverage given to subscribed to MD for twelve. It wasn't until other drummers—especially jazz and about five or six years ago that I really start- big band drummers like Dave Weckl, ed to check out jazz. One day it just clicked Louie Bellson, and Elvin Jones. in my head to check out the music of all the I agree with every letter that rebutted jazz drummers that I was reading interviews my comments. I was narrow-minded with and articles about. and negative, and it is unfair for me to I'm so glad I did! Jazz has had a great attack Ginger just because I don't influence on my drumming and on my life in appreciate his style of music. His com- general. My jazz collection is full of record- ments may not have been as technically ings that I learned about from your Artist On descriptive as I would like (as one read- Track articles, Critique reviews, interviews, er put it), but that's just my opinion. I and more. Thanks! come from an era in which drummers Wright Maney like John Bonham, Ginger Baker, and via Internet Joe Morello inspired me to pursue the How To REACH Us drums and be the best I could. I certain- Correspondence to Readers' ly never intended to deter any young Platform may be sent by mail: reader from gaining the same sort of 12 Old Bridge Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009, inspiration from his or her hero. fax: (973) 239-7139, or I had the good fortune of studying email: [email protected]. with Joe Morello a few years back. While this dramatically improved my playing skills and my overall versatility We Want as a drummer, it also caused me to ana- lyze everything from a technical per- Your Licks! spective. I may have—at least for a Introducing Chop Shop brief period—lost sight of the fact that drumming is an art, and that it doesn't Modern Drummer is launching a brand-new col- really matter how technical or complex umn featuring readers' favorite licks. That means you! To have your "chops" featured, simply send something is, as long as (as Ginger put us a transcription of your favorite lick or pattern it) "it makes you feel good." (limited to four bars), preferably with an accompa- nying cassette tape. Include a brief note to say Rick Apgar what makes the lick hip, and include some tips on Ringwood, NJ how to play it (including sticking, tempo, and dynamics if not shown on the music). And so the world will know who sent such a musical gem, Modern Drummer is toss in a good, clear photo of yourself. If we choose your submission, we'll send you an MD pleased to welcome T-shirt in return for your efforts! Billy Ward Mail your entry to Chop Shop, Modern Drummer, 12 Old Bridge Rd., Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Include as the newest member your name, address, and phone number on all items of the MD Advisory Board. you send. Materials will not be returned, so don't send originals you can't part with. OOPS! The photo of Deceased's King Fowley in the September Backbeats department was inadvertently uncredited. The photographer was Joseph Delconzo.