X8 Drums Blog

According to the Taipei Times, there are about 65,000 inmates in Taiwan’s prison system. The country’s Ministry of Justice has a program aimed at promoting dialogue and reconciliation between criminals and their victims. Eight years ago, a fight between two men landed one in prison and the other with severe injuries, but in prison, drumming helped turn the life of one of the men around. After being released the man developed a drumming passion and found meaningful work. With the help of the prog …

Veteran punk drummers Doug MacKinnon and Erik Sandin have opened a gym in Long Beach, California. The Long Beach post reports that their gym, called Long Beach United Boxing Club, trains kids by day and rogues by night. The drummers both have a drumming history that coincided with a fighting history and they’ve channeled all that history and energy into a thriving business. Their Club teaches boxing, kick boxing, and mixed martial arts, among other fitness activities. MacKinnon likens fighting t …

In Senegal, it may be perfectly natural to begin a career in drumming simply because it’s in your blood. The Missoulian recently reported on a Senegalese drummer who comes from a long line of drummers and still keeps the family tradition alive. Master drummer Idrissa Gueye is visiting the University of Montana as part of the World Rhythms Concert. Idrissa learned to drum the traditional way: by watching, listening, and doing it. He has spent a week instructing UM percussion students and local co …

The business world is evolving, just like the rest of the world. More business leaders are realizing that fostering relationships and a sense of community is vital to success. In the past, being cut-throat and clawing one’s way to the top may have worked for some, but that model of leadership leaves a lot to be desired. Corporations that focus upon unity and bonding as part of their team platform find themselves with happier employees, as well as higher yields.These realizations make it easier f …

According to a statement published on themusic.com, fans will have to miss Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo during the 2013 Soundwave Tour. Lombardo’s statement began and ended with an apology to fans who were hoping to see him performing with other original members of the band. He offered an explanation of how the situation came to pass, sharing how his efforts to clean up money mismanagement resulted in his replacement on the tour. Lombardo stated that just last week, he was still rehearsing with …

Last week, elementary school students in Stanford, Kentucky, travelled through time and space on a drum. As part of Stanford Elementary School’s Black History Month celebration, a two-man show visited the students to demonstrate how traditional African drumming transformed history and helped create the music we love today. The Interior Journal reported on the show, which starred Papa Malickfaye and Roderick Patterson. Children expressed awe at how loud a single African drum could sound and learn …

We love the variety of sounds that can be heard from shakers. Truly, shakers add a bit of flavor to music and life, in general. There is a lot to be said for how happy a shaker can make anyone from toddler to senior citizen. Available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs, shakers are an instrument that few of us can get enough of.The Toca Bamboo Shakers come in three sizes and are constructed of bamboo shells with rawhide heads. They look like little drums and you can even press down on th …

Taiko drumming is poised to help re-create Phoenix, Arizona’s downtown scene. The Phoenix Taiko Drummers are practicing a modern take on a centuries-old Japanese drumming tradition. Ensemble taiko promotes teamwork and collaboration, according to an article in Phoenix’s Downtown Devil. This kind of drumming is physically demanding, so training is involved. The group practices and trains at a local dojo and have met with some enthusiasm by neighbors who hear them practice. Taiko is more than drum …

Drum circles are becoming increasingly popular worldwide and there are very good reasons for it. Once viewed by some as the domain of hippies, more and more people from different walks of life have been finding reasons to join a drum circle and different professions are beginning to see how group drumming can benefit us all.Perhaps the first of many reasons to join a drum circle is that it’s fun! These days, people are working longer hours for the same or less pay and it is important to balance …

A Brooklyn hotel has found that its soundproofing is effective against the noise of traffic, but not late-night drumming. The New York Daily News recently reported on a conflict between new and old, The Fairfield hotel and The Gowanus Arts Building. The Gowanus is a creative home for a variety of artists and they are defending a 2am drummer’s right to channel creativity when it flows. These Brooklyn artists have taken the opportunity to remind the hotel’s manager and the rest of the city that th …