Travis Barker Video Update
October 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The video below summarizes the interview Travis recently gave to Us Weekly.
Benny Greb at Meinl Drum Festival 2008
October 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Meinl has given the drummingverse a major treat by posting this new vid of the superbly grooving Benny Greb. The performance was captured at this year’s Meinl drum festival, and it features a tune from Greb’s upcoming CD. Two more videos will be released over the next few days. We’ll of course embed them all here at BTD for your viewing pleasure.
New Performance Clip From Rush
October 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The new concert DVD from Neil Peart and the fellows won’t be released until November 25, but a sneak peak of the song “Far Cry” was shown on VH1 last night. Try not to slobber on your monitor.
[via Blabbermouth]
Travis Barker in Complete VMA Videos
September 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Because we’re all still reeling from the Travis Barker news, MTV has kindly posted the full-length videos of Trav and DJ AM performing at this year’s VMA show. The duo played with Katy Perry, Lupe Fiasco, The Ting Tings, Kid Cudi, and (our sticks-down favorite) LL Cool J. Check out their version of “Going Back to Cali”:
The Only Good Thing About the VMAs…
September 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
…was seeing a little more of Travis Barker playing with DJ AM. In the video below, the dudes are performing with Lupe Fiasco on his song “Superstar.” What do you think about Trav’s cross-armed, ride cymbal beat in the intro? It would be easier to play by leading with the left-hand on the hi-hat…but it definitely wouldn’t look as cool.
Lars Ulrich on YouTube
September 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
It took almost a decade, but Lars has definitely relaxed a bit about this whole social media thing. In the video below, he gives kudos to fans who have posted their renditions of Metallica tunes on YouTube. You can watch all the band’s favs here.
DVD Review: Guerrilla Drum Making
September 2, 2008 | 1 Comment
Guerrilla Drum Making:
Drum Making With Realistic Tactics and Realistic Tools
86 minutes
$41.99
Preamble
First off, a confession: I suck at building stuff. I can’t turn on a power tool without soiling my shorts (the fear of puncturing or outright severing a limb is really quite the bowel loosener), and frankly I can’t even hang a poster without bruising a finger. So even though I love the hell out of drums and have long been fascinated with the art of drum building, I didn’t think there was any way I could customize a kit on my own.
Until now. John Dutra’s Guerilla Drum Making demystifies the process of customizing drums and—most important of all—gives you the knowledge and confidence to do it yourself. While watching the DVD, you’ll soon be thinking, “I really can do this.”
The Lowdown
Just to be clear, though, this DVD doesn’t show you how to build actual drum shells. If you have a hankering to carve out a kit from that big birch tree in your backyard, Guerrilla Drum Making won’t help you. What the DVD does instead is expertly guide you through DIY methods for customizing the look of shells.
Like all good teachers, Dutra starts with the basics and clearly defines his terms: what’s a unibit? Or a straight-edge square? Or tailors tape? The DVD’s first chapter shows the viewer what those and other recommended tools actually look like and how to use them, along with a few time-saving tips. For any tooltards out there like me, it’s a greatly appreciated intro.
The rest of the 86-minute vid is divided into 6 more chapters that demonstrate how to work with and apply a variety of finishes—from stains to wraps to veneers to acrylics. Looking for a cool-ass collage kit? Chapter 2 takes you through each step to a perfectly finished and unique drum. Want a striped laminate for your bass drum? Check out Chapter 6. As each chapter progresses, you’ll also learn how to mark and drill a shell for proper lug placement, whether the lugs are in-line or offset.
Throughout the DVD, the vid quality is top-notch, the camera work is slick, and Dutra’s voice-over explanations are professional and easy to follow. Even the background music, which ranges from downtempo to metal, is good.
Who Should Watch
If you’ve always been interested in customizing drums but didn’t know how to get started, then Guerrilla Drum Making is essential viewing. Stop whatever you’re doing and go buy it now.
If you have some experience with drum building or are even a seasoned pro, then Guerrilla Drum Making is highly recommended viewing. You’ll pick up some great tips that will make your drum-building life easier. And at the very least, you’ll see the instructional quality you need to aspire to in case you ever decide to turn teacher and make your own video.
If you have no desire to ever take a drill or piece of sandpaper to your drums, you’ll still get a lot out of watching this DVD. Dutra’s clearly a guy who is passionate about the craft, and he imparts his knowledge well. You’ll appreciate drums even more after seeing the skill that goes into making them. In this case, learning some of the tricks doesn’t at all spoil the magic.
BDT rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Travis Barker, The Game, and Jimmy Kimmel
August 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Barker and The Game performed a thumpin’ and bumpin’ version of “Dope Boys” on Jimmy Kimmel’s show last night. Check it out before the vid is yanked down.
Replacements Drummer Is Dead
August 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
He manned the Replacements throne from 1990 to 1991, but now Steve Foley is no more. He died last weekend from a prescription drug overdose; he was only 49 years old. Doubly tragic, he’d also been working as a car salesman in Minneapolis before his death—no way for a brother thumper to spend his final days. Check out the MTV vid below for a little bit about the Replacements’ final year on the road and how Foley got the gig.
Tito Puente Remembered
August 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
It’s been eight years since Tito Puente left us, but thankfully he’s in no danger of being forgotten. NPR and drummer/percussionist Bobby Sanabria recently discussed Puente’s life and work, including his seminal album Tito Puente And His Concert Orchestra.
