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Leaving social networking is liberating

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:25:36 +0000

I have not been on facebook for over a month (and would have killed my account completely, but it's linked to a tribute page for Karen I. Karr (my deceased love of my life). Leaving has been so liberating that I just today killed my google+ account. Personally, I am coming to believe that social networking is a waste of time and akin to drugs at worst or TV at best (I have not subscribed to cable or satellite service for going on 9 years!)

Has anyone else left FB, google+ or other social networking sites?

Rhythm Generator

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:07:54 +0000

Rhythm Generator

I stumbled to this today and it looks like it could be a fun little toy for whenever you just want to break the mold and find a new pattern to play. Its like a slot machine of music. Some of the rhythms suck, some are intriguing. I kinda wish it incorporated triplets and sixteenths, but its definitely something I'm going to have to play around with when I get home tonight.

meh, maybe some of you will enjoy playing with it too.

Anyone know where I can get a Tom protector

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:57:45 +0000

You know, a pad that protects your rack tom from getting chewed up by your snare. I have a cheap one from Guit Ctr but have seen ones made out of leather,

Thanks

Happy Birthday Bill Bruford!

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:16:20 +0000

Happy Birthday Bill Bruford!
63 yrs old today , May 17th

Happy Belated Birthday Billy Cobham
68 yrs old on May 16th

Happy Early Birthday Pete Townshend
67 on May 19th

Disco just Died

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:00:55 +0000

Everyone put away your disco balls. There is no use for them anymore.

Donna Summer

Semi-OT: Attack of the drum shell woods...

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:21:48 +0000

Saw this on tree pollen counts on the local weather forecast the other night and had to chuckle:

a minor warning for the Chicago Drum show attendees

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:58:45 +0000

This is actually very unlikely to be a factor for the drum show itself, but just a caution for those who might go into the city proper. This weekend the 2012 NATO conference is starting in Chicago and all kinds of security stuff is going up and some areas will be difficult to get into and around. The show is an hour away from any of this, but it might affect travelers through the airports, etc. Going into the city to visit a drum shop could be a little tricky. Just a friendly caution.

Lyle

Where to begin...

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:39:49 +0000

I picked up 5 paperback books last night in a deal for a Tama Stagestar kit, the books I intend to keep and hopefully learn from.

2 of them are more advanced and will probably just use these to mess around a little bit once I get some of the basics down.

- Ultimate Realistic Rock by Carmine Appice

- Advanced Funk Studies by Rick Latham

Let me state that my drumming(if it can be called such) is poor at best. I can keep time pretty well, and single stroke roll...that's about it.

So, what do you guys think? Should I work out of all three, or concentrate on one specific?

Thanks!

Hmmmm, this was supposed to be a poll. The three books are:

Stick Control

Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer

Alfred's Drum Method Book 1

sweet sounding supra?

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:19:23 +0000

i've gotten a pretty good response for this video on youtube... i still think i could get a better sound out of the drum though.

does anyone else have supra videos to share?

second hand electric drums

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:56:23 +0000

an acquaintance of mine on facebook is planning on selling his legacy D505 which has a broken cymbal and hi-hat. At the moment he's asking for $250 when i have seen them new for about 400-500 and i was just wandering about how you would go round fixing them or replacing parts. by the sounds of it its something to do with the actual pad part itself, meaning it needs replacing. but seeing how most (all?) electric sets just have a 1/4" jack to the interface could i simply get a pad of a different brand and plug it in or will it not talk right? any info regarding this would be helpful, im more on a novice with drums

Outdoor drumming sun and sand issues

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:38:09 +0000

Just curious, does direct sunlight. From outdoor playing affect the finish(lacquer)? I'm playing a show on the beach and I'm debating between bringing my normal kit (good kit) or a beater.

Chicago show preview: Quilted Maple

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:07:25 +0000

Another one you can meet in person at Booth #111 this weekend: steambent solid quilted maple with knots.

Chicago show preview: Birdseye

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:04:38 +0000

Some wonderful flame in the traditional birdseye figuring on this one. It's a steambent solid, 7 x 13. Stop by the booth and check it out while you're at the show.

Johnny was a Ludwig guy

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:07:01 +0000

Watched the Carson show on PBS the other day.. They touched on his drumming some, one shot in particular of him behind a Club Date duco set was interesting to me..

Favorite 'drum along' LP?

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:47:24 +0000

What's your some of favorite LPs to play along with for practice?

For me it's:

Boston 'Boston'
Ringo 'Ringo'
Beatles 'Revolver'
Miles Davis 'Sketches of Spain'
Humble Pie 'Live'
Various Artist 'Complete Stax Singles'
Various Artist 'Loud, Fast, and out of Control'

These are a few that I've played with for several years, but I'm sure I will think of others.
These are necesarily my fav lps, but ones that are just 'fun' to play along with.

Tokyo drum stores

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:31:17 +0000

I'm off to Japan in a couple of weeks and was wondering if there's any decent drum shops in Tokyo that might be worth a visit. Anyone have any ideas?
I know there's a whole street of musical instrument shops "Ochanomizu-Gakki-Gai"... but I have no idea other than that (despite the help of Mr Google)
Any bargains to be had on drum related gear (mics, mixers, drums)??? ......something other than Sushi

Cheers

Budyy Rich interview...

Thu, 17 May 2012 05:58:25 +0000

Interestingly revealing as to what the man Buddy Rich was made of...

Evans GMAD bass batter

Thu, 17 May 2012 01:11:23 +0000

Hi!
In the market for a new kick head. I've been using Aquarian SK-II for about six years now but now I'm interested in something with a bit less splat and a bit more tone. I like the GMAD clear sound sample on the Evans website, but curious about the opinions of those who had actually fired bullets with it. Thoughts?

Split Drum Throne

Thu, 17 May 2012 01:05:34 +0000

Interesting concept. They do it for bicycle seats, so why not drum thrones?

http://carmichaelthrone.com/

A little Philly Joe with Monk

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:10:15 +0000

Back In The Saddle Again!

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:05:19 +0000

After a sloooow spring we are finally picking up some gigs! This Saturday we are playing a nudist colony. I've played gigs at this place for a few years now and have to say its been a blast! Very receptive to the music and one of the best crowds I've played for! Pay is stellar as well!

Can't wait to get back out and play live!!

Okay, People! Who is NOT going to the Chicago Drum Show?!?

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:51:51 +0000

Guitar Center Article in Music Trades

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:11:51 +0000

GC Bets On Brick & Mortar Stores; Online Sales Struggle

IN ITS MOST RECEDNT FINANCIAL FILING, Guitar Center management gave a strong vote of confidence for the future of its brick-and-mortar operations, pledging to open between ten and 20 stores in the next 24 months. Simultaneously, the company offered a downbeat forecast for its Musician's Friend Direct Response unit, declaring, "Changes in the online competitive landscape have made it more difficult to attract and retain customers, as established online retailers add musical instruments to their product offerings. We expect this competition to [adversely] affect this segment's net sales and gross profit for the foreseeable future."

For the first quarter, ended March 31, 2012, the industry's leading retailer posted sales of $528.1 million, a 5% increase over last year's level of $502.8 million. Operating income for the period also increased to $25.5 million, a 25% gain from $20.6 million a year ago. Despite the improved operational results, the company posted a $16.1 million loss for the quarter due to $41.1 million in quarterly interest charges. The net loss was $11.4 million a year ago.
Bucking the widely publicized travails of many "big box" chains and the rapid growth of e-commerce, Guitar Center's sales growth for the quarter was driven entirely by its brick-and-mortar operations. Sales at the 227 Guitar Center stores increased 8.1% to $393.7 million, versus $364.3 million a year ago. Revenues from the 105 Music & Arts locations also advanced, rising 4.3% to $43.4 million, versus $41.6 million a year ago.
The Direct Response unit, which includes Musician's Friend, Music 123, and Woodwind & Brasswind, presented a starkly different story. Sales declined 6% to $91 million from $96.8 million a year ago. Gross profits also suffered, slumping to 26.8% compared with 28.2% a year ago. Management attributed shortfalls to an increasingly competitive environment, deep discounting, smaller order sizes, and higher freight charges. They place the blame for these problems squarely on competition from an unnamed "established online retailer" that many suspect is Amazon.com.
Notwithstanding solid operational performance, Guitar Center has been hobbled by a crushing $1.56 billion debt burden that was incurred in late 2007 when Bain Capital acquired the business for $2.2 billion. Since the acquisition, the company has consistently operated in the red, unable to cover the approximately $160 million in annual interest expense. The steady losses have triggered regular credit "downgrades" from the ratings agencies Standard & Poors and Moody's.

Anyone playing TRX Cymbals

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:43:34 +0000

Got to review the Dark Icon cymbals recently. I was very impressed. Played a bunch of the newer Turkish brands and these took the cake pretty handily. Very nice.

TRX Dark Icon Cymbals

The beauty of the Bikini

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:29:01 +0000

A fun video of Jojo Mayer on a 2 piece all over the world:

Plus, a cool potential avatar: