In this Yamaha Drums close-up interview we met Justin Foley of Killswitch Engage prior to the bands sold out show in Berlin/Germany supporting the new Killswitch Engage record “Disarm the Descent”.
Justin joined Killswitch Engage in 2003 and was promptly heard on the bands 2004 release “The End Of Heartache”, with the title track earning the band a Grammy nomination and the album becoming the band’s first gold record.
KsE has since toured the world, playing Ozzfest and the Warped tours to name a few.
In 2006, Justin’s variety in his musical background, in particular with frame drums and marimba, was featured on the compilation Drum Nation Volume 3.
Since his early years Justin has furthered his musical education at college, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Connecticut.
He continued his classical training at the Hartt School of Music, earning a Master of Music in Percussion Performance.
Justins strength is his consistent rock drumming and precise sound.
He plays a Yamaha Maple Absolute kit in with a 20” Bass Drum and 12” & 16” Toms and Yamaha hardware.
We are very proud to announce the 1st leg of the summer's LIVE CUSTOM Clinic Tour...
WEST COAST get ready for Shannon Larkin of Godsmack doing an amazing clinic and Q&A with his brand new Black Shadow
Sunburst Live Custom kit! Please share and spread the word...
more info coming soon!
WED. AUG. 14th Guitar Center Hollywood, Ca. THURS. AUG. 15th Gelb Music Redwood City, Ca. FRI. Aug. 16th Guitar Center Emeryville, Ca. SAT. Aug.17th Skip's Music Sacramento, Ca. MON. Aug. 19th Rhythm Traders Portland, Or. TUES. Aug. 20th Guitar Center Seattle, Wa.
LIVE CUSTOM is here! You will be seeing more and more Yamaha Artists on stage, on TV and in videos playing the new Live Custom Drums...here is Steve Hass at Keiko Matsui's show!
Among the many useful topics addressed in this package are the basic role of the drummer, the concept of pocket, learning basic song form, versatility (being able to play various styles), soloing in a musical situation, playing with a click, working with electronics, and conducting business professionally. These discussions are aimed at players of all levels who want to get more and better gigs. There are also informative and useful sections dealing with playing ballads, getting good tone from your drums, working with a group, and dealing with different types of gigs, from clubs to bus tours to sessions.
Interspersed among the educational segments are killer performances from Gorden and his group, The E&G Band, playing various song styles and grooves. There are also interview/advice segments from other famous working drummers, including Aaron Spears, Russ Miller, Will Kennedy, and a segment with jazz/fusion great George Duke, who also performs with Gorden.
Produced by Campbell and Eric Dorris (filmmaker behind Todd Sucherman’s great DVDs) and released on the Hudson Ltd. label, the main program of the DVD runs approximately one hour and 45 minutes, and is followed by extensive bonus footage including a detailed tour of Gorden’s gear (with explanations of the instruments) and a lengthy interview highlighting Gorden’s childhood, development, career, and more.
“Gorden’s playing and professional track record make this DVD a must-see for drummers who aspire to make a living in today’s music industry,” said Hudson Music Senior Drum Editor Joe Bergamini. “But make no mistake, there’s also enough killer playing on this disc to please any drummer just looking for new and fresh ideas and concepts.”
Campbell’s resume—which includes Earth. Wind, and Fire; George Duke; Jessica Simpson; Ne-Yo; Whitney Houston; The American Idol Tour; Mary J. Blige; and Jonathan Butler—clearly illustrates his qualifications for creating such a DVD. The program contains advice and discussion on career-related topics often overlooked on other DVDs, as well as lots of great playing,
KENDRICK SCOTT ORACLE MANIFESTS THE DEEPER PURPOSE ON CONVICTION
KSO's Debut Concord Jazz Release Explores Individual Values and One's Character
With the 2007 release of The Source -- his debut recording as a leader -- drummer and composer Kendrick Scott established a reputation right out of the gate as an explorer, someone with a generous measure of wisdom and insight to counterbalance his youth and newcomer status.
Nearly six years later, Scott and his band continue to dig beneath the surface to find the deeper truths in Conviction, their new CD scheduled for release on Concord Jazz on March 26, 2013 (international release dates may vary). As the title suggests, Conviction is the vehicle by which Kendrick and company look past the mundane and examine the motivating forces that propel us through life, even in those times when the greater truths are obscured by the tedium of the everyday.
"The first record was almost like a potluck project," says Kendrick, who has developed associations with numerous high-profile jazz figures in the decade since his emergence from the Berklee scene in 2003. "There were so many of my friends and people whom I love to play with, and I wanted to have them all in one place on that record. But Conviction is something different. I wanted to make this more of a band statement. This current lineup of the band just molded itself around this music, and then took it in all different kinds of direction at the same time. It all came together so easily and so well."
The streamlined version of Oracle on the new recording includes saxophonist and bass clarinetist John Ellis, guitarist Mike Moreno (the only member to also appear on The Source) pianist Taylor Eigsti and bassist Joe Sanders. Guest vocalist and guitarist Alan Hampton makes appearances on two tracks.
NAMM Show 2013 was held at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 23 through 26. The big Yamaha drum news for this year’s show was the announcement of the new Live Custom series!
The new Live Custom drums feature oak shells using oak layers that are 20% thicker (1.2 mm) than the Oak Custom models, resulting in a huge, powerful tone that is ideally suited to contemporary live performance. The lineup includes Black Shadow Sunburst, Emerald Shadow Sunburst, and Amber Shadow Sunburst gloss finishes, plus a lusty Black Wood finish. Black painted interiors and dark silver hardware add to the overall visual appeal. Newly designed features abound, including strainers, floor tom brackets, bass drum legs, and more.
At the press release event on the second day of the show Tommy Aldridge and Matt Halpern played demonstrations that dazzled the crowd with big, punchy sound.
Since this year is also Yamaha’s 125th anniversary, we decided to display a little history at the drum booth. A Recording Custom kit in Quartz Grey finish was set up at the entrance, and then as visitors entered the booth they encountered the hybrid PHX/Recording Custom setup that Carter Beauford actually uses on stage, and a double-bass carbon fiber kit that was used by Tommy Aldridge.
At the back of the booth was a PHX kit set up in Dave Weckl style, along with Birch Custom Absolute, Recording Custom, and Club Custom models with backdrop graphics of Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, and Dave Weckl. The overall effect was a fitting tribute to Yamaha’s 125-year history of musical instrument innovation.
As in previous years an artist autograph and photo session was held at the Yamaha booth, providing a rare opportunity for fans to rub shoulders with their favorite artists.
Artists who participated in this year’s event included Bill Gibson, Bobby Blotzer, Dan Needham, Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi, Donald Barrett, Gorden Campbell, Jamie Oldaker, Matt Halpern, Ndugu Chancler, Paul Bostaph, Phil Ehart, Prairie Prince, Rick Marotta, Teddy Campbell, Tom Brechtlein, Tom Hunting, Vince Wilburn Jr., and Xavier Muriel.
The long line of fans waiting for autographs extended to outside the venue, and the event, which started at 11 AM, overran the original schedule by a wide margin and continued until 2 PM. Although this was a gathering of some of the most respected players in the music business, smiles and friendly conversation all around attested to how much these artists value the opportunity to spend time with their fans. Seeing so many happy fans carrying drum heads covered in autographs from their idols was a memorable experience.
The Yamaha drum division is constantly working with artists in pursuit of the perfect drum sound for the times. We sincerely believe that it is our mission and duty to always stay in touch with that goal, providing the tone and playability that artists need to deliver today’s music without compromise. The Live Custom series introduced this year presents a new facet of the Yamaha drum sound that we’re confident will become an important and highly regarded feature of live performances by our “family” in years to come.
If you’re a drummer, it’ll be worth your time to hear and play these exciting new drums for yourself.
BIG NEWS: today we are presenting the new Yamaha LIVE CUSTOM Drums at the Namm Show in USA.
Yamaha´s new LIVE CUSTOM series drums consist of 100% Oak shells built to satisfy the demands of drummers performing in a live environment. Thicker oak plies than with the previous Oak Custom series deliver a sound with greater strength and depth, providing rich expressive power and the punch you need to cut through in live situations.
Dark Silver finished Hardware and Black Finished Shell Interiors not only look cool but make your kit resistant to signs of heavy touring. The newly designed heavy-duty snare strainer operates with a solid feel while providing easy strainer changes and adjustment while playing.
Check out what Yamaha Artists Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Dafnis Prieto / Dafnison Music, Kendrick Scott, David Garibaldi, Oscar Seaton, Oscar Kraal, Terri Lyne Carrington, Neal Wilkinson and Oscar Kraal have to say about the new series of Oak Drums! Watch in HD!
Check out Steve Jordan and Leroy Hodges Groove Session live webcast from Memphis Drum Shop online this Friday.
Steve Jordan Live Webcast - Jan 18, 2013 Join us for a live webcast "groove session" featuring Steve Jordan along with special guest Leroy Hodges on bass guitar
Friday, January 18, 2013 at 12:00 P.M. CST
Live Webcast at memphisdrumshop.com & myCymbal.com
