NEW COVER: 'Paramore - Decode'

Let me know what you think below.

FAQ #2: Are you poor?

No! I'm guessing that people think this because: A) My equipment is cracked/broken/disintegrating before my very eyes, and B) It looks like i play drums locked in a cupboard.

In response to the first point, i agree that my equipment is falling apart. When i started playing i bought some of the best stuff out there. This included top of the range cymbals/heads/pedals (i've spent £400 on bass drum pedals over the years - yes, pedals for Christ's sake! I could have bought a car for that.)

Now it's all breaking, and i can't be bothered to replace it all. I'm a hard hitter, so i have to expect that it will all eventually get ruined. It's like watching a member of your family slowly die from a degenerative brain disease: they don't act/sound the way you remember them...yet you can't let go and buy new cymbals (Ok, the analogy fell apart at the end there).

No, i don't play in a cupboard. I actually play in a small, soundproofed (though the neighbours tend to disagree with this) shed down the bottom of the garden. It's a good place to be, as it is far enough away from people as to not be very annoying, and it means i can play really loud.

The only problem with this shed is that it's very compact, and it contains a lot of spiders. But hey, that's life!

NEW COVER: 'Spineshank - Synthetic'

I uploaded this to my Youtube account, but then they took it down.

NEW COVER: 'Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Under The Bridge'

WOW! #1: 'Buddy Rich Hi-hat workout'

Things placed under the 'WOW!' (meaning 'amazing!', not 'World of Warcraft!') headline/tag will be drumming videos so astonishing that they will literally blow your ill-equiped minds.

This is the first one, showcasing Buddy Rich's amazing 'hi-hat workout'.

I've heard he was an arrogant knob - but i still wish he was my 3rd Grandad.

NEW COVER: 'My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Ok'

Covers, covers, covers!

I don't get to come home much, so i've been drumming like a madman all day today to make the most of it (and have the blisters on my hands to prove it - yes, i'm hard as nails). I've got a fair few covers done, and will upload them in due course.

A lot of the songs i have done today i've only played along to a handful of times, so they won't be as accurate as the other ones on my profile (though In Too Deep turned out ok - surprisingly enough.)

I'm reasonably happy with the Green Day covers i uploaded on here. I particularly like the tom beat out of American Idiot.

In drum kit related news, another bit broke off my left crash cymbal today. It started off as a 16", but it's gradually getting smaller and smaller. I figure soon i will just end up having another splash. Ah well!

Right, i'm off to bed. I'm going to try and tackle Decode from Paramore tomorrow. It has a few tricky parts (What the hell does he do after that first chorus?!), so i'm sure that will keep me busy. Wish me luck.

Oh, and luckily this little fella (see pic) kept me company whilst i was drumming today. Cheers mate!

NEW COVER: 'American Idiot - Green Day'

I kept forgetting which part was coming up next. This is why i'm glad it's not on Youtube to get 'U SUCKK!' messages.

NEW COVER: 'Green Day - Minority'

Drumming Heroes #2 - Josh Freese

Today's feature focuses on Josh Freese, a session drummer who has played on over 300 albums, and also been a full-time member of bands such as A Perfect Circle and The Vandals.

Chances are you have heard one of Josh's drum tracks - you may not know it was him, but he has played on so many popular tracks that, by the law averages, you will have heard one; Avril Lavigne, Lost Prophets, Kelly Clarkson, 3 Doors Down, Evanescence - Josh has drummed on albums from all of these artists (plus shed loads more). The music industry loves this guy, as it knows he will bring the goods each and every time. This is why he is always in demand. Yet he is not just a session drummer. He is known for his energetic live performances, which is probably why, over the years, artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Sting and (currently) Weezer have taken him on the road with them.

Many of you will know Josh through the band A Perfect Circle. I still remember hearing the song Judith (off debut album Mer De Noms) for the first time and thinking...'wow.' He manages to play powerfully, yet still remain in control at all times. That whole album is an education in drumming, with highlights including Orestes - with its shifting dynamics and epic crescendo - and 3 Libras. Hell, the whole album is a masterpiece! Check it out.

He remains one of my biggest influences and inspirations on drums, which is why i tend to cover his songs a lot.

Below is A Perfect Circle playing Brena live. Just watch it.

Drumming Heroes #1 - Carter Beauford

This will be an occasional series of posts where i list some of the best/most influential drummers i have heard over the last 10 years.

The first subject is Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band.

I had never even heard of the Dave Matthews Band before someone recommended i listen to Carter's playing (the band are not big over here in England). The first song of theirs which i heard was The Space Between which, to be honest, was not really representative of his playing, as in an interview i heard him say he had to play somewhat restrained on that album.

But then i listened to songs off Under the Table and Dreaming, such as Ants Marching and What Would you Say, and i finally 'got' it. Subsequently, i picked up their Live in Chicago album and #41 became my favourite song and he became one of my favourite drummers.

I love Carter's drumming for two reasons. Firstly, his technique is amazing. He has such a relaxed way of playing, which is easy to watch and sounds great; secondly, his open-handed technique on the hi-hat gives his playing a freedom which allows him to break out of the 'standard beat' trap, and helped to open up my mind to the possibility of more creative beats.

Attached is a video of him playing Say Goodbye. The speed and smoothness with which he rolls with those Flix sticks at the start is astounding! So check him out, and let me what your favourite Carter grooves are by commenting below.

FAQ #1: Why does your snare sound like s**t?

I'm going to answer some faqs on this blog, as i repeatedly get asked the same kind of questions. This one is easily the one i get asked the most.

To be honest, it probably sounds rubbish because i'm lazy; too lazy to tune it correctly, too lazy to buy new heads for it. Recently i decided to put some masking tape on it to get rid of the ringing noise it makes, but i don't know if this has made much of a difference.

Anyway, i can't see myself buying new equipment anytime soon, as i like to get the most out of what i've got. This means viewers of my covers will have to put up with it for the foreseeable future. Sorry!

Do any of you have any good snare drum head reccommendations?

New covers coming 19th Sep

I'm aware that i created this blog, and haven't actually done anything with it! To be honest, i didn't think anyone was actually looking at it, so i thought '...Meh.' But now i've had a few questions (which i like answering!), so i might as well keep updating this thing.

Anyway, i've got new covers coming on the 19th. These are the ones i'm thinking of doing:

- Spineshank - 'Synthetic'
- At the Drive-in - One Armed Scissor
- Sinch - Something More
- Muse - Knights of Cydonia
- 30stm - Attack
- Dead By April - What can i Say

Anyone got any other ideas? I want to do some covers that actually get a decent amount of covers for once, so any 'popular' suggestions are welcome.

If you are not signed up for blogs, you can still comment as 'anonymous' ... just don't slag me off as it!