X8 Drums Blog

FREE TICKETS to WORLD PERCUSSION PERFORMANCE in Austin, TX Hi, I'm Kristin. My husband, Mark, and I run X8 because we're passionate about percussion. In my personal life, I fell in love with the joyful sounds and high-vibration of African Marimba and Zimbabwean hosho shakers. For the past 2 years I've been studying and performing with the Rattletree School of Marimba ( www.learnmarimba.com) in Austin, TX.This weekend is the culmination of so much hard work by me and m …

Drum Corps International is the non-profit governing body managing the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for members aged between 14 and 22. Founded in 1972, its mission is to impart a life-changing experience for the junior corps through music and performance. Drum Corps International represents "excellence in performance and in life" for more than 7 million youth in the US participating in musical arts programs. DCI is composed of a small group of full-time executive …

There is nothing like a little ska, reggae, punk and funk rock to brighten up the day, and few know the keys to true alternative rock better than Philip “Fish” Fisher. Fisher, a founding member of Fishbone, the band hailed as the most underrated group of the 80s, is the drumming genius behind songs like “Bonin’ in the Boneyard,” “Everyday Sunshine,” and “Freddie’s Dead,” to name a few. Fisher has played with the best of the best since leaving Fishbone in 1998. His list of credits …

When he is not touring with superstars like Jason Mraz, recording with Joss Stone or blues great, Watermelon Slim, Michael “Leroy” Bram performs regularly with his blues band, Michael Bram and the Alternators and many others in New York. A musical inspiration in his own right, Bram has not only mastered the drums, but is also an accomplished singer, harmonica player, “coffee shop guitarist,” and harp player. Bram started drumming at the early age of four, after receiving a drum set for …

Modern jazz drumming is an evolution of the styles of drumming most noted in turn of the century (the 20th century) swing drumming, which was a combination of military drumming patterns, African drumming and European music. The main function of an early jazz drummer was to keep time for the rest of the instruments, much like the drummers in a marching band. Today’s jazz drummers, however, are known less for the ability to keep a rhythm or band intact, and more for the unique rhythms produced, …

Whether cymbals have been kept in storage or carried around from gig to gig, they can develop a layer of dirt or grime that affects not only the appearance, but also the sound of the cymbals. Most professionals caution against cleaning cymbals, as the process of cleaning the metal may, in fact, hurt the finish and cause irreparable to the metal used, but there are times that call for a thorough cleaning, as well.For cymbals that have been in storage, weather conditions, dust or even pollen can t …

Whether you are a fan of Clyde Criner, The Steve Kimrock Band or Santana, chances are that you have heard Rodney Holmes take drumming to an entirely different level that crosses the boundaries between jazz, rock and even techno and ambient drumming. This artist is as creative and diverse as the audiences who come to see him play with SKB, bringing a powerful sound and structure to a wide assortment of musical genres.Holmes was raised in a musical family, giving him the ability to appreciate many …

As every drummer knows, a drum kit is only as good as the care given to it. Since most drum kits consist of drums, cymbals and hardware that puts it all together, it is important to protect the various components within the kit from damage during transportation, including the cymbals. Cymbal damage usually occurs during transportation or storage, but by following a few guidelines, this damage can be reduced or eliminated.The metals used in cymbals are sturdy, but can still be damaged by im …

They shine and gleam, whether metallic, glossy, matte or grungy, beckoning the novice and professional drummer to sit and sample the sound of a simple, yet complex, round of metal goodness that can inspire the rhythmic charms only a cymbal can. These signature beacons of drumming excellence bring a mystery to a drum kit, providing unique variances and tones that are described as anything from mellow and sensitive, to dark, cutting or symphonic. A cymbal is more than the accent to a fill …

Divine Empire, Aura Borealis, Malevolent Creation, and Meinl Cymbals all have one person in common, Derek Roddy. Known as one of the fastest drummers alive due to his ability to keep up not only the speed of death metal drumming, but also keep up those speeds for minutes at a time as well as hitting “blast beats,” on the bass drum using only one foot, a drumming technique that usually requires both feet. Roddy has released a DVD that seeks to educate others on how to hit blast beats, and docu …