X8 Drums Blog

Northern California may never be the same again after the dust settles from the 2011 Drum! Night premier drum event. The evening promises to showcase some of the finest known drummers, including the rhythm section of Santana, Raul Rekow and Karl Perazzo, Thomas Lang, and Terry Bozzio as well as Street Drum Corps Presents BANG! and Armando Peraza. Along with performances by these percussionists, the 2011 Drum! Night event will provide opportunities to learn from these greats, try out new …

Go behind the scenes with Sabian Cymbals. Chris Stankee (Sabian AR Manager) & Chris Sears (SMI Drum Instructor) talk about how Sabian Cymbals are made with footage from the factory. Definitely worth watching! Part 1: The beginnings Learn about the copper and tin materials used to create the B20 Bell Bronze castings and the B8 Sheet Bronze. Then see the tempering process, how the hole is drilled in the center and the finishing process. He then talks about how they tweak the sounds of …

Between different drum and percussion kits, there are several different choices that can help accent the music and rhythms being played. From wood blocks and the type of drum sticks or mallets to the different drums and cymbals available, determining the best parts for the job can be a confusing part of any musician's life. Cymbals, in particular, can make or break the sounds in a song, and as such, incorporating the right cymbals into a drum kit can be an important decision for the drummer, …

Noted on Urban Dictionary as the “best looking member” of alternative band, Panic! At the Disco, Spencer Smith is a millennial drummer with the skills and attitude to embark on a drumming career without boundaries. Preferring to maintain his technical mastery over driving rhythms and strong beats instead of improvisational fills, Smith brings a strong dance groove to the music produced by Panic! At the Disco. At the age of 12, Spencer Smith began drumming in Pet Salamander with friend, Ryan R …

Described by some as a “drumming ninja,” Chris Coleman has drummed for legends like Chaka Khan, New Kids on the Block, Prince, Babyface and Christina Aguilera, as well as participated in Drummers 4 Jesus. He has traveled the world, and now calls LA home, but still gives credit to his earliest influences and shares his skills with others through his own drumming clinics and classes. Coleman began drumming at the ripe age of 2 and continued his musical education and experimentation through …

Want some cymbals? Want them for free? Can you shred like a metal maniac? This contest may be the answer to your drumming obsession, love of music or need to be part of something bigger than yourself: the release of a new line of cymbals. Grant McFarland, drummer for This or the Apocalypse, is teaming up with Meinl Cymals in an effort to award a set of Meinl Classics Custom Series Cymbals to one lucky winner. Entering the contest is easy, just download “Toro” from the This or the Apoca …

Zildjian has been a leader in cymbals for centuries, innovating the world of drumming, classical music and performance for over 300 years. Cymbals Direct is proud to announce its designation as an authorized dealer for Zildjian cymbals, bringing the quality, sound and dedication to music direct to customers around the world. Zildjian offers a wide array of cymbals and gear for the avid drummer, as well as for the beginner drummer looking for value and quality. Products include cymbals for …

Metal drummers are unlike all other drummers, throwing body, mind and soul into driving rhythms that can outlast and upstage even the most intuitive drum machine. For these artists, drumming is a commitment to music, to the art of thrashing, and a genre of entertainment that forces pop-flavored, auto-tuned radio peeps to cower, awe-struck and maybe a little jealous.Jon “The Charn” Rice of Job for a Cowboy knows the power and endurance required from metal drummers. Fast hands and extreme do …

When it comes to cutting-edge rhythm and unique sound, drummers often search for the latest and most innovative cymbals on the market to enhance and cultivate a personal drumming style. With the wide array of cymbals available today, the cymbal sound, decay and timbre choices may seem endless. The Generation X line of cymbals from Meinl, however, makes those choices just a bit easier. Known for mystifying tones that are experimental and innovative, Meinl Generation X cymbals bring rhythm a …

The right cymbal is just as important as the right drum when it comes to finding a style and sound that fits the drummer. When a drummer first begins to explore the cymbal options available, it can seem an overwhelming task, especially with all of the various types of cymbals available from manufacturers today. Experimenting with different brands of cymbals can give a drummer the insight needed to produce a unique vibe on the drums, but perhaps the easiest way to begin the journey to cymba …