CHRISTIAN COMA WINS ALTERNATIVE PRESS DRUMMER OF THE YEAR!

Congrats to Christian Coma of Black Veil Brides for winning Drummer of the Year in Alternative Press! DDRUM is very proud to have him in our family of artists and can't wait for what looks to be a stellar 2012 from the boys in black. Here he is in Denmark playing a trans black Dios M. 

Blake Allison playing Kick Ass!

Here is a drum's eye view of Blake Allison with Egypt Central, playing their single "Kick Ass".  Blake is using a white on white Reflex kit, with the Artisan Hammered Iron. Check it out!

Shawn Drover in-store appearance in Costa Rica!

Here are the details:

Store Name: Bansbach San José 

Address: 11th Street, 1st Avenue, San José Downtown

Time: 16:00 hours (4:00 p.m local CR time)

Google Maps: http://g.co/maps/dmjuy

Store's phone number: (506) 25227600

The latest from Michael Ehre and Love.Might.Kill!

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL: "Down To Nowhere" video-clip released

German-/Italian melodic-metallers LOVE.MIGHT.KILL released their second video-clip "Down To Nowhere". The track is taken from their highly acclaimed debut-album "Brace For Impact" which was released in Europe through Massacre Records this year. LOVE.MIGHT.KILLs first single "Pretty little mess" featured the very melodic side of the band while "Down to nowhere" is a heavy-uptempo-rocker.

Here´s the link:

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qpG3pEfWvP0?hl=de&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"Brace For Impact" was released in Japan through Hydrant Music/EMI on November, 16th. The Japanese-edition of the album features a bonus-track called "Satans Den".

"Brace For Impact" Japanese-edition-tracklist:

01. Tomorrow never comes

02. Calm before the storm

03. Pretty little mess

04. Caught in a dream

05. Satans den (Bonus-track/Japan only)

06. Through the dawn

07. Brace for impact

08. We are the weak

09. Down to nowhere

10. Pray to your god

11. Reach out

12. The answer

13. Will love remain

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL also welcomes SASCHA ONNEN (ex-Mob Rules) on keyboards as a permanent member. Commented drummer and producer Michael Ehré: "We´re absolutely happy to have Sascha on board! His incredible skills will lift LOVE.MIGHT.KILL to another level!"

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL was founded in 2009 by FIREWIND/ULI JON ROTH/METALIUM-drummer MICHAEL EHRÉ. After touring all around the world with several bands and writing songs for German-metallers METALIUM, Japanese-female-metal-vocalist SAEKO or ex-ZED YAGO-founder JUTTA WEINHOLD, he realised his vision of an own band by writing, recording and producing LOVE.MIGHT.KILLs debut-album BRACE FOR IMPACT. In  addition with the brilliant Italian-singer JAN MANENTI as a co-writer, long-time-friends CHRISTIAN STÖVER and STEFAN ELLERHORST (who were both playing in German-based-metalband CROSSROADS) on guitars and JOGI SWEERS on bass LOVE.MIGHT.KILLs outstanding line-up was completed.

BRACE FOR IMPACT features 13 stunning melodic-metal-tracks in the tradition of the bands longtime favourites like f.e. RAINBOW, JUDAS PRIEST, DIO or BLACK SABBATH. Michaels production and MARKUS TESKEs mix (SAGA, VANDEN PLAS, SPOCKS BEARD) underwrite the fact that LOVE.MIGHT.KILLs debut-album will convince all melodic-metal-maniacs all around the world.

For further information please go to: www.lovemightkill.com

Line-Up:

JAN MANENTI – vocals

MICHAEL EHRÉ - drums

STEFAN ELLERHORST -guitar

CHRISTIAN STÖVER – guitar

JOGI SWEERS – bass

SASCHA ONNEN - keyboardsMichael Ehré

www.michaelehre.de

One of our own!

Here is Mike Petrak, ddrum's own customer service manager, playing with his band Amon.  Mike is playing a custom green Dominion Ash drum set.  Just another example of our staff not just working here, but playing out there in the world just like our artists, and just like YOU! Enjoy!

DDRUM is proud to officially welcome Jeremy Spencer of Five Finger Death Punch, to its family of artists!

You have seen the posts over the last few weeks.  The kit was built, the pieces put into place.  Now witness in all its glory, the new allegiance between DDRUM and Jeremy Spencer!  Hot on the heels of there billboard debut at #3, begins the American Capitalist Tour.  5FDP will crisscross the country, bringing metal to the masses.  At the center of it all, Jeremy and his custom Reflex kit.  Sporting 3 bass drums, and literally every tom size that is offered in the Reflex line. This monster kit also includes our DRT triggers, DD1 Brain, and DD1 trigger pads.    We took our alder Reflex shells, and covered them in a custom drum wrap by Rockenwraps.  We then added chrome face off lugs, and gave them the full metal treatment, added in spiked inserts, to give the kit's already menacing look a push over the edge. 

SHARE THE WELT TOUR: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH w/ ALL THAT REMAINS, HATEBREED, RAINS
10/19 Magna, UT @ The Great Salt Air http://www.ffdptickets.com/
10/21 Kansas City, MO  Freakers Ball @ Independence Events Center
10/22 Broomfield, CO @ 1st Bank Center http://www.ffdptickets.com/
10/24 Missoula, MT @ Adams Center http://www.ffdptickets.com/
10/25 Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena http://www.ffdptickets.com/
10/26 Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory http://www.ffdptickets.com/
10/28 El Paso, TX @ Speaking Rock Entertainment *FREE SHOW
10/29 San Antonio, TX @ Sunken Garden http://www.ffdptickets.com/
10/31 St. Charles, MO @ Family Arena http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/01 Little Rock, AR @ Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/02 Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/04 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/05 Grand Rapids, MI @ Delta Plex Arena Conference Center http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/06 Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room/ Old National Centre http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/08 Houston, TX @ House of Blues http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/09 Corpus Christi, TX @ The Pavilion at Concrete Street http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/11 Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Pavilion http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/12 Dallas, TX @ The Palladium Ballroom http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/14 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/15 Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/16 Greenville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center - Pepsi Pavilion http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/18 St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live! http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/19 Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/21 Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/22 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/23 New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/25 Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/26 Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/27 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/29 Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theater  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
11/30 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/02 Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Presents The Oakdale Theater  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/03 Lewiston, ME @ The Colisee  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/04 Montreal, QC @ Metropolis  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/06 Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/07 Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/09 Waterloo, IA @ McElroy Auditorium http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/10 Council Bluffs, IA @ Mid American Center http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/11 Springfield, MO @ Shrine Mosque http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/13 Fargo, ND @ The Venue  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/14 St. Paul, MN @ Myth  http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/16 Plymouth, MI @ Compuware Sports Arena http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/17 Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s http://www.ffdptickets.com/
12/18 Chicago, IL @ http://www.ffdptickets.com/

For more information on FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, please visit:
www.facebook.com/fivefingerdeathpunch
http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com/
www.twitter.com/FFDP

Caleb Kelly...plays DDRUM!

Caleb Kelly, formerly of Language Room, and currently holding the drum chair for Country star, Grainger Smith.  Here are some clips of Caleb on his ddrum kit.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH "OCCUPY" THE TOP OF THE CHARTS: New Album 'American Capitalist' Debuts at #3 on the Billboard Top 200

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH’s new album, American Capitalist, has charted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, topping new debuts from artists such as Lauren Alaina, Ryan Adams, Martina McBride, Joe Jonas, and more.  The album sold a staggering 90,509 copies in its first week, making it the band’s strongest debut yet.  American Capitalist is an impressive continuance of the band’s success, building upon the already concrete triumph of their last two albums, both of which are RIAA Certified Gold.  American Capitalist also charted at #1 on the Independent Current Albums chart, #3 on the Top Current Albums chart, #2 on the Top Current Rock Albums chart, Current Hard Music Albums chart, Top Hard Music Albums chart, and the Overall Digital Albums chart.  The album also charted at #4 on the Physical Albums chart.

More impressively, American Capitalist is a completely independent release with no major label backing, making a #3 charting position a genuinely amazing achievement.  Prospect Park is a new independent production and management company founded by Jeff Kwatinetz.  Kwatinetz is known for starting former management powerhouse, The Firm, a company once known for managing chart-topping artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Linkin Park, and Snoop Dogg.  Prospect Park’s music division has a stellar track record of tremendous success with acts that not only include 5FDP, but Jane’s Addiction, Ice Cube and Korn, just to name a few.  Prospect Park’s project spectrum is leading them into the world of television in January; the company plans to kick off an internet-based online network beginning with the airing of soap operas, including the classics ‘One Life to Live’ and ‘All My Children’.

Deb Klein, the GM for Prospect Park Label states, “This is our first number 1 on the Billboard chart and it's an incredible testament to the partnership we have with the band and EMI label services. By being independent we are able to take chances and do things quickly and efficiently in this digital age.”

Maria Ferrero, President and CEO of Adrenaline PR adds,“ These days, it makes a  statement for any band to sell more than 90,000 in its first week, but it is a phenomenon for a Heavy Metal band on an independent label to scan more than 90,000 records.”

American Capitalist is now available for purchase everywhere music is sold: Best Buy, Amazon, Newbury Comics, iTunes (Deluxe, Explicit or Edited) and many more.  5FDP just kicked off their headlining Fall trek- the SHARE THE WELT TOUR with All That Remains, Hatebreed, and Rains as support.  Tickets are still on sale to the general public and VIP packages are available at www.ffdptickets.com and www.FIVEFINGERDEATHPUNCH.com now.  All currently booked dates are now available, so see below for all current tour dates.

SHARE THE WELT TOUR: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH w/ ALL THAT REMAINS, HATEBREED, RAINS

10/19 Magna, UT @ The Great Salt Air WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

10/21 Kansas City, MO  Freakers Ball @ Independence Events Center

10/22 Broomfield, CO @ 1st Bank Center WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

10/24 Missoula, MT @ Adams Center WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

10/25 Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

10/26 Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

10/28 El Paso, TX @ Speaking Rock Entertainment *FREE SHOW

10/29 San Antonio, TX @ Sunken Garden WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

10/31 St. Charles, MO @ Family Arena WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/01 Little Rock, AR @ Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/02 Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/04 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/05 Grand Rapids, MI @ Delta Plex Arena Conference Center WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/06 Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room/ Old National Centre WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/08 Houston, TX @ House of Blues WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/09 Corpus Christi, TX @ The Pavilion at Concrete Street WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/11 Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Pavilion WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/12 Dallas, TX @ The Palladium Ballroom WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/14 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/15 Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/16 Greenville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center - Pepsi Pavilion WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/18 St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live! WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/19 Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/21 Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/22 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/23 New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/25 Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/26 Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/27 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/29 Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theater  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

11/30 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/02 Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Presents The Oakdale Theater  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/03 Lewiston, ME @ The Colisee  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/04 Montreal, QC @ Metropolis  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/06 Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/07 Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/09 Waterloo, IA @ McElroy Auditorium WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/10 Council Bluffs, IA @ Mid American Center WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/11 Springfield, MO @ Shrine Mosque WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/13 Fargo, ND @ The Venue  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/14 St. Paul, MN @ Myth  WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/16 Plymouth, MI @ Compuware Sports Arena WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/17 Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

12/18 Chicago, IL @ WWW.FFDPTICKETS.COM

For more information on FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, please visit: 

www.facebook.com/fivefingerdeathpunch

www.FIVEFINGERDEATHPUNCH.COM

www.twitter.com/FFDP

Jeremy Spencer and Five Finger Death Punch: Under and Over It!

Here is a clip of the video for 5FDP's new single "Under and Over It". 

The set up in the video:

Reflex in Copper Finish

7x8

7x10

8x12

9x13

12x14

14x16

16x18

20x20x2

dios cast chrome snare

From the Office of Special Projects:

A bit of a work in progress, for the newest member of the ddrum roster.  Shouldn't be TOO hard to guess who. This is a custom covered Reflex kit.  No other modifications were made to the shells, only the custom wrap from Rockenwraps.  More to come.....

Megadeth's Shawn Drover In-Store Appearance

As the drummer for the legendary metal band, Megadeth, Shawn Drover delivers hard hitting performances night after night. Join him for one afternoon in Steve’s Music Store. Shawn will do A meet & greet and sign posters. 

Saturday, October 29 from 2-3:30 PM

Steve's Music Store - Toronto

415 Queen Street W
Toronto, ON M5V 2A5

www.stevesmusic.com

416.593.8888

Download and view the promotional pdf

Lets talk about snares.

The snare drum is one of the most important drums, in the drum set.  Some would argue THE most important drum.  Most major artists are defined by their snare tone.  Most drummers, will generally sound like themselves on just about any snare drum.  Despite this, many drummers have multiple snares while others have a veritable arsenal of snares.  Recording artists have told the tale of the 100 snares they brought into the studio to record hit records.  Others still, talk about the one snare that does it all.  It is with almost a Tolkian-like reverence in which they hold the drum.  They will either tell you exactly what it is, extremely proud of its exotic or innocuous nature. Others won't say a word, for fear their secret will be out.  Here at ddrum, we have been inching closer and closer to the one drum to rule them all .  The snare in question, the Reflex Black Chrome.  This drum has proven to be a versatile addition to the line.  The steel shell is thick enough to deliver power, yet thin enough to resonate warmly. 2.3 Triple flanged hoops a re sturdy, yet allow the drum to sing out.  This gives the player the option to further enhance the character of the snare, based on: heads,tuning and muffling techniques. This drum is truly a work of art, in its ability to handle the variety of music it is called upon to deliver.  Weather it's the throaty, center-of-the head punch of Cheney Brannon, with Collective Soul, or the cranked up, jazz-metal sticking of Robb Reiner with anvil.  This drum gets it done. Check one out today....you will wonder how you went so long without it. http://www.ddrum.com/snare_reflex_black_chrome.php

Blake Allison w/ Egypt Central plays "Kick Ass"

Drums: Reflex in white on white
5.5x14 hammered iron
9x13 tom
14x16 floor tom
20x22 bass drum

Collective Soul.....LIVE! w/ Cheney Brannon

                               

idrummag, Featuring Carmine Appice!

idrummag is a new online drum magazine.  They combine the tried and true print format, with the added bonus of Internet video.  It makes the article truly come alive, and allows you to see and hear the artist in stunning HD. Last month featured the incomparable Keith LeBlanc in both an interview and performance with the legendary Tackhead. This month features the legendary Carmine Appice.  If you have never had the pleasure of meeting Carmine, this interview gives you some insight into his career, but also his very outgoing and friendly personality.  For a peek into the mind of a drumming icon, click on the link below!

www.idrummag.com/issue4

Click the Link for studio footage of Richard Christy with Charred Walls of the Damned

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED drummer Richard Christy (formerly of ICED EARTH, DEATH, LEASH LAW, CONTROL DENIED, BURNING INSIDE) has partnered with Modern Drummer magazine to premiere his studio performance video for the song "Admire The Heroes". Richard filmed his drum takes while recording the band's sophomore album, "Cold Winds On Timeless Days", earlier this year at The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Florida. Those takes from two different cameras were edited into the video you can see below.
Christy's approach to this record was that he wanted a more organic and spontaneous sounding album. Amazingly, drums were recorded in a mere two days and the video is evidence to his ability to record the songs in an entire, contiguous take. Christy elaborates: "The drum sound on the second CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED album, 'Cold Winds On Timeless Days', turned out better than I ever could have imagined thanks to engineer Mark Lewis, the amazing drum room at Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, and all of the great equipment that I endorse like Ddrum, Sabian, Vater, Axis and Aquarian! Rehearsing the full album every day for two months straight definitely helped, too. Fortunately, I set up a couple of video cameras at the studio and filmed a lot of my drum tracking for our second album. We did three or four takes straight through on the drums for each song so what you'll see on these videos isn't necessarily what we used on the album (some of the drum fills don't match up exactly) but they'll give you a great idea of how amazing the drum room at Hit Factory is and how we were able to get a very natural drum sound on the new CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED album!"
Fans that want to read more about the album can read an article about Richard Christy and CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED in the December issue of Modern Drummer, which hits shelves in October.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXHc3GK2mrM&feature=player_embedded

Have you met.....BJ Zampa?

Bill (BJ) Zampa isn't your typical Rock Drummer. In Fact , It is more accurate to label Zampa as a "Groove-Meister ". Zampa combines Head Banging beats with funky idioms to produce the biggest Foot Stomping sound around. Known for his exceptional drumming abilities, Zampa at the age of 22 after playing New England local clubs with acts such as The Excerpts , Mad Racket , Run 21, was asked by Mike Varney to join up with Tony MacAlpine to finish up his Squwk Polygram release Eyes Of The World album .
In 1990 Mike Varney called upon Zampa again to fill the drumming spot with the band Driver which consisted of Rob Rock vocals, Roy Z guitars) later Z went on to produce Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson) , Emil Lech-Brando bass.The band toured the East Coast until 1991 and soon after disbanded. Upon leaving Driver, Zampa did a short stint with guitar hero Blues Saraceno until he received a phone call from guitar great Yngwie Malmsteen asking him to join his band and finish up his Seventh Sign North American tour.(Mike Vescera vocals, Barry Sparks bass, Mat's Olausson keyboards, Yngwie Malmsteen guitar). After leaving Malmsteen Zampa and Vescera started to put together a new band with ex Malmsteen bass player Barry Sparks and Scott Boland guitars. The band was called M.V.P. Pony Canyon picked up the band and released the album entitled Windows . Soon after the release there was a line up change and Vescera called upon Shrapnel recording artist Joey Taffola to fill the guitar spot and Jammie Scott of (Tyketto) to play bass. Zampa and M.V.P. with the new lineup toured South America supporting Quite Riot.
With South America behind him, Zampa built Father Panic Studios and started producing local New England bands, when his old pal Ted Bullet ex(Thunderhead-Son Of A Bitch guitar player vocalist) gave him a call from Germany looking to start yet another band. After Bullet and Zampa finished up some demos, German label SPV picked up the duo and requested that Bullet reform Thunderhead. Without a guitar player or bass player Zampa looked up old pal from the local club days guitar great Jimi Bell ex -(Geezer Butler- Joined Force) and Mark Franco ex (Joined Forces - Canyon)bass, to fill out the new Thunderhead lineup. One month later SPV released Thunderhead's Ugly Side. Thunderhead toured Europe with "METAL GODS" OF THE 1980's Metal Church. Back from Europe,and blown away by Thunderheads live shows Metal Church vocalist David Wayne called upon Bell ,Zampa and Franco to join him in his new project called David Wayne's Metal Church .The album was released by Nuclear Blast records and sold 30,000 units world wide topping metal charts in Japan and Europe.
With the success of David Wayne's Metal Church, Zampa decided to call ex (Malmsteen -Loudness) front man Mike Vescera to start another album this time using Thunderhead /David Wayne's Metal Church shredder Jimi Bell on guitar to create a heavier sound for the new M.V.P. album. Vescera also recruited ex (Malmsteen keyboardist) Mat's Olausson ,Chris McCarvill { Jeff Scott Soto band } on bass,"Metal" Mike Chlasciak (Rob Halford guitarist) and many others. The album is called The Altar and was released in Europe and Japan by Avalon/Marquee and once again made a bunch of noise in the "metal world".
As of 2006 Bill {Bj} Zampa can be herd on the new House of Lords CD called World Upside Down. Look for him in a city near you with the House of Lords as they start there 2006 / 2007 World Tour. In 2008 Bj was very busy, in March of 2008 House of Lords released Come To My Kingdom, The band followed up the release with a world tour.
Fresh off the successful House of Lords tour Bj was asked to fill the drum spot as a fill in for the legendary rock band Dokken on there summer tour with Poison..

Currently as of 2009 to present House Of Lords has released Cartesian Dreams and followed that up with another world tour. In 2010 Bj was called upon again by Dokken to play on there Summer tour that stretched over a span of  four months. During this time Dokken played shows with the Scorpions, Ratt, Cindarella, Tesla , Winger and many more.

2011 will be another busy year for Bj starting off with a Summer tour with Dokken,  a new House Of Lords CD titled Big Money due for release in the fall , a two song video shoot for VH1 Classic and MTV Europe in support of Big Money along with a supporting tour planned for the fall.
Bj's experience with House Of Lords and Dokken is yet another testimonial in his abilities and his sense of professionalism.

BVB + A7X = HOTTEST TOUR OF THE FALL!

Black Veil Brides Heading Out On The Road

Opening For Avenged Sevenfold

Select Headline Dates Will Be The Last for 2011

(September 19, 2011 – New York, NY) – California’s greatest exports are teaming up for the hottest tour of the Fall.  The Black Veil Brides have been tapped by Avenged Sevenfold for The Buried Alive Tour. The idea for touring together came after both bands were featured on a recent cover of Guitar World calling both bands “The Future of Hard Rock.”

“I love it when a plan comes together,” exclaims Biersack.  “We are looking forward to going out on the road with all of these guys and playing in front of their fans as well as introducing them to the BVB Army.”

The 16 city run in four weeks kicks off on November 21 in New Orleans, LA and wraps up on the west coast in mid-Decmeber.  The tour makes stops in markets such as Jacksonville, Madison and Minneapolis to name a few with more dates to be announced. The Brides will also be playing select headline dates leading in to the Avenged Sevenfold tour.  Black Veil Brides are touring in support of their latest Lava/Universal Republic Records release, Set The World On Fire, which was released on June 14.

Set The World On Fire is the follow-up to their chart-topping debut album, We Stitch These Wounds. Released in 2010, the album came in at #36 on the Billboard Top 200. The latest release sold 23,000 copies and marks over a 100% increase in first week sales and a jump of 19 chart positions since the band’s debut album that was released only 11 months ago landing at #17 on the Top 200.  As Revolver Magazine proclaims the album is “Full of breakneck tempos, crunchy guitars and shout-along melodies custom designed for an arena sized audience.”  Set The World on Fire is available for purchase in stores and online.

Gaining international recognition, Black Veil Brides were recently voted the Best International Newcomer in the UK at Kerrang! Awards and also bagged the Best New Band award at the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods. Both of these prestigious awards were decided by fan voting and the band’s devoted BVB Army played an important role in the Black Veil Brides victory.  The band has also landed on the covers of Alternative Press, Kerrang!, Music Connetion, Big Cheese and Rock Sound.

Black Veil Brides are Andy Biersack (vocals), Jake Pitts & Jinxx (guitar), Ashley Purdy (bass) and Christian “CC” Coma (drums).

Have you met.....Walker Adams?

Walker Adams is a very talented drummer, currently working with the band Miggs.  He has also done a tour of duty with Carmine Appice's SLAM!, alongside another ddrum artist, Felipe Torres, and of course, Carmine himself. In Miggs, he alternates between delivering tight rock grooves, and then switching to a more percussion-oriented approach.  He can take a floor tom and snare and create a full percussion ensemble, bringing multiple tones from a minimal set up.  The videos here feature Walker playing an open solo, and Miggs' recent new video for the song "Let The Games Begin". Be on the look out for their supporting slot on this years Candlebox tour!

Queensryche-Live, at the High Voltage Festival!

Little bit of Queensryche to start the day.  Scott Rockenfield on a Trans Black Dios M kit.

Uproar, roars into Tampa

Summer touring season keeps rolling right along.  Tampa played host to Rockstar Energy Drink's second festival tour, Uproar.  Playing counterpoint to Mayhem, earlier this year, playing the main stage was yet another ddrum artist, John Humphrey with Seether! John is a rock drummer of the highest order.  Seether takes the stage as a power trio these days, which really allows John to shine.  He anchors the band while spicing up the arrangements with well-placed tom hits and tasteful double pedal work.  The song is the number one priority, and John lays it down with authority.  The set was lean, and powerful, with radio-hit after radio hit, including the brand new single Tonight, and their previous single Country Song.  This was John's 6th show, on his all-new Dios kit.  For this tour, we custom-fitted a red cherry sparkle kit, with black-nickel hardware.  The hardware made the already rich painted finish even deeper and more intense.  John augmented his usual one rack, two floor set up, with a 14" floor tom to the left.  This added a bit of dimension to grooves and fills. Ever the explorer, John has 3 different snares on this tour.  In addition to his signature snare, he is also rocking the Dios Bamboo, and the Dios Zebra.  He choose the bamboo for this show, and it cracked through the PA like a metal drum, but with added warmth and punch, that can only be had from a wood shell.

Have you met....Adam Pierce...?

Fresh off the Rockstar Mayhem tour, Adam Pierce with All Shall Perish.

A few words on Adam, from Adam himself....

I began playing drums when I was 12 years old when me and my cousin decided to start a cover band. At first we were unsure who was going to play what, but it soon became apparent that I would be the one to pick up the drums seeing how two of my uncles were both drummers. Soon after, me and my cousin begged our parents to buy us both our instruments. I fortunately was able to borrow a drum set from my uncle and I began taking drum lessons in the Fall of '98. I continued taking drum lessons for 3 years until I felt that I needed to grow and find my own way as a musician. Taking lessons taught me a lot, but I soon learned that one of my biggest teachers would become playing along to my favorite records.

Early on, my uncle Doug was a huge inspiration in my playing. He exposed me to a lot of  new music. He is honestly responsible for giving me the extra push I needed to really work at making music my career. I remember watching King Crimson's live DVD Deja Vrooom with him and realizing at that moment I wanted to make music for a living.

Throughout my high school career I gigged around in bands in the Louisville area. I began pulling influences from the local Midwest metalcore scene. Along the way I made some amazing friends which helped me network to where I am today. Some of my biggest influences are Mike Portnoy, Dave Abbruzzese, and Pat Mastelotto.

Adam is playing Dios M series in Transparent Black:
6x14 Dios Maple snare or 6.5x14 Dios Bamboo snare
7x10 tom
8x12 tom
14x16 floor tom
20x22 bass drum x2

John Humphrey's new Uproar tour kit.

Here it is, the first shot of John's new kit for Uproar.  Dios with a twist.  We added black-nickel hardware to match John's soon-to-be-released signature snare. 

Uproar will be rolling through Tampa on September 3rd, stay tuned for more pics and maybe a little video of this beast in action!

Have you met....Blake Allison?

Blake Allison has played drums for 12 years. Coming from Little Rock Arkansas, he started playing in bands when he was 16. His influences are Chad Smith, Abe Cunningham, Matt Cameron, Travis Barker,
and Abe Laboriel Jr. After playing in jam bands through high school, he was awarded a scholarship to the University Of Memphis for music education. He signed his first record deal at the age of 20 and was recording his first nationally distributed record with Josh Abraham (Korn, Limp Biscuit, 30 Seconds To Mars, Linkin Park). Over the next few years he toured heavily as the drummer for the band Egypt Central sharing the stage with Disturbed, Nonpoint, Drowning Pool, Hinder, Pop Evil, Adelitas Way, Five Finger Death Punch, Saving Abel, and 12 Stones as well as a tour on both Ozzfest and Family Values.

He currently is touring off his second record with Egypt Central promoting the single "White Rabbit". Which reached 15 on the active rock chart

Blake is currently touring with a White on White Reflex kit, in the following configuration:

6x14 Artisan Hammered Iron snare

9x13 tom

14x16 floor tom

20x22 bass drum

MIGGS, with ddrum artist Walker Adams, "Let the Games Begin" Staring Lindsay Lohan

Also in the video, Dios Ash in Cherry Red.

Blackberry Smoke perform "Up in Smoke"

Atlanta based Blackberry Smoke continues to grow into the premiere Southern Rock band of America. On drums, Brit Turner plays show after show with his ddrum USA kit. This video was taken recently in Athens, Georgia playing their hit "Up in Smoke".

Brit Turner's Configuration:

14" x 24" kick 

14" x 6.5" snare 

13" x 9" tom 

16" x 16" floor 

For more information:

www.blackberrysmoke.com

www.ddrum.com

What do you think?

Going over some samples here at the shop, and we are wondering what YOU think about this one.

100th Blog Post!

Hello ddrum land.  We are proud to bring you the one-hundredth ddrum news post.  The news blog was handed over to artist relations rep, Felix DeLuna back around December of 2010.  Since that time, we have tried to bring you various stories on ddrum artists, as well as new products and other news worthy items. We want to take a moment and thank everyone that has made this blog part of their regular web travels.  There are many exciting new items in store for 2012.  Most of which will be debuting in the next few months, all the way up to the winter NAMM show. For the moment, we shall leave you with Vinny Appice's USA custom drum set, as he begins rehearsals with his new band, Kill Devil Hill. 

Free Shawn Drover Florida Drum Clinic

Free Shawn Drover Florida Drum Clinic!

Megadeth drummer and ddrum artist Shawn Drover will be conducting a free drum clinic on September 8th at Seminole Music. Please contact Seminole Music for more information.

September 8th

Seminole Music

Seminole, FL 33772

(727) 391-3892