Claudio Montuori – Portuguese Street Performer

This is a crazy video I came upon of a street performer in Portugal named Claudio Montuori known as the “Portuguese Bird Man.” His act is really interesting and unique, check him out!

Interview With Dawes Drummer Griffin Goldsmith

If you haven’t heard of Dawes, chances are you will soon. This ATO Records band is growing rapidly, and for good reason. Their debut record “North Hills” featuring the single, “When My Time Comes” has a distinct Americana/Soul vibe, a sound that’s gaining ever increasing popularity across the country. This group has no trouble staying busy, as they spend most of their time on tour with such notable acts as Band of Horses, Deertick, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. They were a hit at the 2010 SXSW Music Festival, and recently made their television debut on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Griffin Goldsmith, Dawes drumming phenom, along with bassist Wylie Gelber, holds down the rhythm section with style, and class. His solid groove, tasteful fills, and vintage tones reminds one of such legendary drummers as Ringo Starr, and Levon Helm. Griffin was kind enough to take time out of Dawes’ hectic schedule to let me interview him regarding his playing, tones, and influences.

1) At what age did you start playing drums?

I started playing drums at the age of twelve

2) I understand that your father is former Tower of Power, and Sweathog singer Lenny Goldsmith. Was he a significant musical influence or inspiration for you growing up? Also, who are some of your other musical influences, both drummers and non drummers?

I would say that my father is one of the most influential people in my life. He raised me on a strict diet of Funk, Soul, and R & B music. His preferences lean towards a locked in ryhthm section as the basis of a song. He is very much responsible for my preferences as a player.

3) Have you ever taken lessons, or had any professional musical education?

I’ve taken lessons from a couple different players, but never extensively. I was self taught for the first couple of years that I played, and then took some lessons from Stuart Johnson, Willie Ornellas, and one of my dads oldest friends Frosty. I am currently taking from James Gadson. I am so grateful to have taken from all of them, as they are all some of my favorite drummers. As for musical education, I grew up playing piano and singing, and know all of my basic theory.

4) It seems that Dawes maintains a pretty intense tour schedule. What’s the craziest road experience or gear failure story you can tell me about?

I wouldn’t even know where to begin with the tour stories. A lot of wild things happen on the road. Just last night our tour manager sliced his knuckle off. We were on tour with Deertick recently, and I went through three snare drums in phoenix.

5) I love your drum and cymbal choices both live, and on Dawes’ debut record “North Hills.” What brand of drums and cymbals do you use, and what inspires your particular tone/instrument choices in both live, and studio situations?

I’m currently playing a ‘61 Rogers black oyster kit. I have a ’40s wfl snare drum that has been one of my favorite drums for a while. That drum is always with me on the road, and recenly in Portland I picked up a ’20s Ludwig, and Ludwig snare that I’ve been using a lot. I play a 24″ k Light Ride and next to it a 20″ Constantinople Light Ride. My hats are custom A’s that I like a lot, but I would like to get some new ones once I have the money. In terms of live drum sounds, I like my drums to be open. I don’t ever put anything inside of them. Most of my drums are tuned low, and I don’t necessarily mind a beat up head. For the recording process of North Hills, I used all of our producers gear. He is a great drummer himself and his studio is ready-made. His drums already sounded so good that it didn’t take much after he put the mics on them.

6) I noticed at the show that you sing harmony on just about every tune, and even took over the lead vocal for one song. What is your role in the Dawes songwriting process?

My brother Taylor writes all of the songs himself. However, what you would hear in one of his demos usually differs greatly from how you would hear it at our live show, or on a record. We work through all the arrangements as a band. The harmonies either come about naturally, or we will sit down and work them out. In either case we always try to be meticulous about them.

7) Could you tell me a little bit about how you construct your parts, and what you listen for, or reference when you write drums for a song?

I try to listen to the song more than anything else. The song is always the main priority and I try to let it come through as well as it possibly can. My favorite drummer of all time is al Jackson, and all he really does is get great sounds, and then play the backbeat. Nobody grooves harder then he does. He’s also much more reserved when recording, and when the time comes to play live, he plays a little bit more which gives the show more energy.

Do you play any instruments besides drums?

My first instrument is piano, but it didn’t come as naturally to me as the drums did.

9) Where is Dawes going from here? are you guys writing for a new record, or primarily focusing on touring in 2010?

We take any time that we have to arrange new songs, but it’s a hard thing to do on the road. For now we’re gonna keep touring North Hills, and gradually work more and more new songs into our live set.

Check out Dawes on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson!

Me Recording Drums in Los angeles

Hey all! Sorry I haven’t been posting much lately. I have been super busy, but fear not! I am hitting the road for a short tour very soon, and will be posting about the places we visit and play along the way. Also look out for a great artist feature/interview for the month of April coming in the next week or so.

Lately I have been doing lots of session work, and recently managed to get a video of myself tracking at Eagle Rock studios in Los Angeles. This is from a session I did for a local pop singer. I hope you all enjoy, and again be on the lookout for cool drum stuff coming soon!

A little Easter Bunny Drum Solo

Happy Easter Everyone!!

Ray Luzier Becomes the Newest Member of the Pearl Drums Family

The Pearl Drum Corporation posted on their Twitter account this morning that Ray Luzier is the newest Pearl Drum endorser. Ray, who spend most of his drumming career with OCDP, semi recently switched to DDrum. He has now left them, and joined the Pearl family.

Ray is a fantastic drummer, and is most known for his playing in Korn since 2007. He previously played with Army of Anyone with Filter Frontman Richard Patrick, and Stone Temple Pilot’s Robert and Dean DeLeo. He was also a recording and touring member of the David Lee Roth band from 1998 to 2003, among many other things. Below are a few videos of Ray for your viewing pleasure.

Korn Medley From Clinic

In Studio – Performance with Solo

Audition for Korn

A Jam Session / Interview With the Legendary Drummers of Frank Zappa

So Drumchannel got a bunch of former Frank Zappa drummers together to have a big ol’ jam session/interview. I still haven’t seen the entire thing, but the parts I have seen were fantastic. How can you go wrong with such legendary drummers as Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson, and Ruth Underwood. Below is a little preview of the jam, and below that I have linked part 1 of the round table interview with these amazing drummers. Enjoy!

Click HERE for the link to Drumchannel’s interview with these guys

Drumchannel also released a DVD of the amazing performance/interview footage. Click HERE to go to Amazon where you can purchase it!

A Little Snare Drum Action In the Spirit of St Patrick’s Day

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s day I have posted a video of the Hanover Lancers Drum and Bungle Corps Drum Line playing “The Turkey.” These guys have still got it! Don’t forget to wear green today people. Hope everyone has a great day!

Slipknot’s Joey Jordison Now Touring with Rob Zombie

It was announced this month that Tommy Clufetos has been replaced by Slipknot member Joey Jordison as Rob Zombie’s new touring drummer. Joey has signed on to do a handful of 2010 dates/tours with Zombie including the “Gruesome Twosome” tour with Alice Cooper, and the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with Korn. Thus far, no word has been given on the reason for the switch, or whether its permanent. Click HERE for a full article on the matter.

Tommy Clufetos has been the touring drummer for Rob Zombie for several years, and has been featured on a few Zombie records including Educated Horses, Zombie Live, and Hellbilly Delux 2. Tommy has also played with legendary guitarist Ted Nugent (and was featured on his Full Bluntal Nugety DVD, Craveman, and Love Grenade records) and Alice Cooper (with whom he recorded the record Dirty Diamonds.) Tommy is an awesome drummer, and a showman himself. He inspires energy and intensity with his signature hand raise before every backbeat. He’s a solid, hard hitting drummer, and was an amazing part of the live Zombie foundation. Click HERE to be linked to Tommy’s website to learn more about him. Now enjoy a couple of videos of Tommy doing his thing!

A Few Great Groove Demonstrations From Musician Benny Greb

This is just a video of drummer Benny Greb laying down some awesome grooves in his studio. Notice the different combinations of snare, and bass drum tones he uses together, and the kind of feel he puts into his grooves. Enjoy!

An Innovative Drummer with a Unique Setup

I recently discovered this drummer while watching R&B artist Maxwell’s performance on the Grammy’s. I first noticed the unusually dry, trashy tones he was using, and then got one glance of his setup, and had to find out who he was. As it turns out, Chris “Daddy” Dave has played and recorded with other big name artists such as Kenny Garrett, Dolly Parton, Pat Metheny, Me’shell N’Degeocello, TLC, Toni Braxton, Mos Def, Common, Maxwell, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Mint Condition (Janet Jackson World Tour), Yolanda Adams, Robert Hurst Trio, Donald Brown Trio, Soulful Symphony and Reginald Veal, and many others.

The only thing that compares to the uniqueness of this guys tone and playing style, is his setup. As far as I can tell the largest kit this guy uses is only 3 or 4 peices. He will use either 1 or 2 snare drums, and sometimes one tom. His drums are placed in a rather uncommon pattern around him, leaving room for all of his cymbals to be right in front of him. The only way to truly understand his playing is to see him in action so below I have placed a few videos and pictures of this innovative drummer. Follow THIS LINK to visit Chris’ myspace if you want to learn more about him. Hope you enjoy!

Chris Playing with Maxwell at the 2010 Grammy’s

Chris with the Chris Dave Trio Playing “Nefertiti” at Charlie Wrights in London