To complete the trifecta of robotic percussion, here’s a video of an extremely creepy MIDI controlled robot drummer. After seeing this, I now have no fear of loosing my job to one of these machines.

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A few days ago, we reported about some tech-geeks who created a sampling robot drummer. Well, now here’s a LEGO robot drummer!

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I’m not sure how this shook down, but according to Zildjian.com, both John Blackwell and Chris Layton have left Sabian and are now endorsing Zildjian cymbals.

Commented Chris Layton: “I’m very excited to be playing Zildjian Cymbals. After trying some of the Armand Series cymbals Mitch Mitchell was using last year on the Experience Hendrix Tour, I found myself searching for the sound I started out with, which led me to Zildjian.”

John Blackwell commented, “I’ve always loved Zildjians - my dad always played A Zildjians, so I grew up playing them. After hearing the crispness of the Hybrids and other lines like K Constantinople and the Armand Series, I was hooked. And the people at Zildjian are like family.”

I’d guess the Sabian folks are none too happy, and I wonder if they have to give all those Sabian cymbals back?

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Source: Modern Drummer

SABIAN, Ltd. announced recently the return of the SABIAN Dream Spot competition. The second annual promotional contest will give one lucky undiscovered band the chance to play 10 dates on the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. The winning band will earn the opportunity to play the “Kevin Says” stage, the launching pad for many SABIAN bands including “My Chemical Romance,” “Fall Out Boy,” and “Avenged Sevenfold.”

Read the full story …

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Source: Blabbermouth.net

In a recent interview with Finnish magazine, Soundi, Tomas indicates he will miss some of Meshuggah’s Tour.

We are going to make this public with an official statement soon, so I guess I can talk about it here. I have shoulder impingement in my right shoulder and will have to undergo surgery. It’s quite a usual ailment with men of my age and the surgery is a totally routine operation. But the recovery period will make me have to forget about playing the drums for a couple of months. In fact, I shouldn’t even go on the MINISTRY tour as my doctor would prefer to operate right now.”

Read the full story …

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Source: BirminghamMail.net

PINK Floyd’s Brum-born drummer Nick Mason has refused to rule out a full reunion of the band, insisting the team were just waiting for the right cause. … Mason said that relations between the other members of the band - Richard Wright, Roger Waters and Dave Gilmour - were good at the moment.

Read the full story …

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Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson show up during a Foo Fighters show in Toronto and jam to YYZ with Taylor Hawkins.

Click more for other angles …

(more…)

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Ok .. this has absolutely, 100% NOTHING to do with drums, but I thought it was unique enough to post here. You know we try to stay on topic, but I couldn’t resist. To make it drum related, let’s call it an exercise in practice concentration.

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Source: Harmony-Central.com

Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Gretsch® drum-making excellence, Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument and professional audio retailer, is proud to team up with Gretsch Musical Instruments to announce the Gretsch Vintage USA Maple Limited Edition Snare Drum. The drums were hand selected from 300 original Vintage USA Jasper shells recently found in an amazing discovery at the Gretsch factory in Ridgeland, South Carolina, and a mere 125 have been produced and made available worldwide. Offering unsurpassed, legendary tone, these drums are a dream for collectors and players alike.

Gretsch has made only 125 of these snares (which will be going for $599) and they will each be signed by Fred Gretsch himself.

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To prepare for an upcoming role, Rainn Wilson (aka Dwight Schrute in NBC’s The Office) the actor practiced on Neil Peart’s (yes, THAT Neil Peart) kit in Winnipeg.

… I got to see them on their warmup for their tour and got to meet Neil Peart, who probably is the greatest drummer of all time,” Wilson said. “He let me sit behind his kit and play it. So I was initiated in the world of drumming.”

You can read more here …

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Remember Julian Pavone, the 3 Yr old drumming “prodigy” we reported about a couple of weeks ago? Well, now thephoenix.com is reporting that the story is false, and an inaccurate press release may have been circulated by the parents …

“The press release about Julian Pavone attending a Berklee program at the age of three appears to be the result of some miscommunication,” says Rob Hayes, Berklee’s assistant vice-president for public information. “We simply aren’t in the business of educating children that young. I expect our Summer Performance Program for high-school students will still be going strong 10 years from now, and perhaps Julian will join us at that point.”

What’s more, the original post here at Drummer Talk has been getting inundated with spam comments from “different” visitors with links to new videos and such. Curiously, all of these different visitors all sport the same IP address. We’ll keep you posted as this story unfolds.

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I’m sure you’ve all seen this before, but I thought I’d post it anyway. This is the classic video of of Animusic’s Drum Machine. It’s a fascinating watch.

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Have an afternoon free and are itching to build your own, homemade electronic drums? Thanks to instructables.com, you can scratch that itch with a tutorial on building your own electronic drums from scratch!

We’ve not actually done this tute yet, but if someone out there does it, please let us know!

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Ok ok ok … so, after getting some feedback, I’ve designed another Drummer Talk T and wanted to get your thoughts on this one!

Here is the link to the first design …

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Source: Drummercafe.com

William F. Ludwig II
1917-2008

It is with deep regret that we report the passing of the patriarch of the Ludwig Drum Company, William F. Ludwig II, respectfully known as “The Chief.” Bill was 91 years old and has been in declining health for a few years. The Chief passed from this Earth to his position as principal timpanist in heaven’s orchestra on Saturday, March 22nd, 2008. We can hear that thunderous roll now.

Bill Ludwig lived a long and productive life and was a mentor to so many percussionists and the music industry. He was a true leader that developed so many percussion products and marketing concepts to promote music and percussion education and further along the advancement of percussion instruments and performance throughout the world.

We are so blessed to have known and worked with this powerhouse of a man for his vision, dedication and passion for percussion. It is said that the greatest legacy that anyone can leave in this world is “making a difference.” Well, Bill Ludwig made a difference in our world of drums and percussion that is legendary and we are all the heirs to his accomplishments.

Thank you Chief. You inspired us to carry on from here. You will be missed, but always remembered and honored.

Respectfully,
Jim Catalano - Ludwig

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