I have much love for DrumCraft for giving me an amazing year! We started moving in different directions, respectfully, and I’m now back with my Pearl family. I endorsed Pearl years ago, when I did Christina Aguilera’s Stripped tour and Janet Jackson’s All for You tour, so I’m no stranger to the company and am very happy to be back home.
1999 Mapex called, they want their bop kit back. What’s old is new again, I guess!
On this week’s show, we talk about some cool new gear coming from Musikmesse 2011 in Frankfurt, Germany! In the news, Jason Bitter clinic details, Foo Fighters’ new record breaks records, you can go to PASIC for free, and this just in: Chris Coleman clinic at Memphis Drum Shop to be streamed for FREE! Show notes after the break.
First things first. This review would not have been possible without the guys at Fork’s Drum Closet allowing me to occupy their practice room, tool around with a VERY expensive piece of equipment, and have access their wi-fi so I could do some background research on this pedal. They are supporting drummer-talk and the review monkey by allowing me review their gear so do me a favor and if my review is what convinces you to buy this pedal then give these guys your business. Tell em JABB from drummer-talk sent you, that way they know that they are benefiting from our relationship.
And now the review!
The bass-drum pedal market is a fairly slow one. Even with companies like Trick, Sleishman, Gibraltar, Vruk, Big-Dog, and Off-Set throwing their hats in the ring it still takes forever for produce new and innovative pedals. So when one of the big guys like Pearl put out a new pedal… it’s bound to make some waves in the drumming community. Pearl’s Demon Drive is one sexy piece of equipment, I mean, everything abut it screams fast. It is hands down the most aesthetically pleasing pedal on the market IMO. Then again it will spend most of it’s time under your foot so it’s not exactly going to be a crowd pleaser unless you can do something cool with it. Also if making it ugly would significantly drop the crazy high price then i’ll take the ugly pedal. Pearl seems to have decided that the interchangeable cam system that the previous Eliminator pedal was rocking has no place in the new design. The old chains and straps have given way to a direct drive system, which along with the bearings are what Pearl is touting as the reason for the new pedal smoothness and responsiveness. Trick has compression springs, DW 9000 has the free floating rotor, Giant Step has the rotating pendulum, and Demon Drive has Ninja bearings. Continue..
For the upcoming tour with his new supergroup, Chickenfoot, Chad Smith is pulling out all the stops. He’s been known to go over the top in kit design before, a couple times. This time around is no exception. Smith’s teamed up with Orange County Chopper motorcycle artist Nub. No… that’s really his name. The kit looks pretty flippin’ sweet. Not a bad design. Check it our here.
In a victory for drumming purists everywhere, Pearl has announced that 311′s Chad Sexton has left his former company (Orange County Drums and Percussion) for greener pastures. Having endorsed Pearl’s hardware for awhile, he finally saw the light and wisely left ODCP. No brainer to me. Go Chad!
Alan Kenny: Do I detect a slight dislike of OCDP there, Carter ? Prefer cookie cutter companies to fully custom drum options…
Carter: No. I just prefer companies with actual credibility and a reputation that extends beyond Travis Barker. ;-) My dislike of…
Alan Kenny: Oh I know, I was just pickin' :p
terrydrums: Did he switch to the Pearl that's based in Japan or the Pearl based in Nash-Vegas? :) (I'm just pickin',…
Carter: :P
(k)nick: Yamaha has already released new pedals at NAMM this year. I don't think they are quite as nifty as the…
JABB: Oooh, good catch there Nick. I'll have to check that out.
boltergiest: Nice work JABB. Have you seen the recent David Garibaldi DVD. "Breaking the Code". I have just been through it…
JABB: Breaking the code will be soon Geist. I've got a Paul Wertico DVD and a Neil Peart DVD to do…