L.A.-based drummer Brooks Wackerman departed his 14-year punk-rock gig with Bad Religion to go metal with Avenged Sevenfold, recording the band’s latest release, The Stage, and in the process, rediscovering his love of double bass drumming. Meanwhile, in Nashville, Platinum-selling country group Little Big Town is powered by Hubert Payne’s deeply creative grooves, which are in abundance on the band’s new release, The Breaker. Go behind the scenes with Blue Man Group at its world headquarters in New York on the occasion of the theatrical percussion ensemble’s 25th anniversary. Veteran session ace James Gadson shares his 13 favorite recorded tracks spanning a 50-year career during which he has worked with top artists such as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King, and Doyle Bramhall II. Elvin Bishop Big Fun Trio percussionist Willy Jordan discusses his discovery of the cajón. And, we review Yamaha Rydeen drums and Meinl Pure Alloy cymbals; examine innovations in electronic percussion; and explain the concept of playing shapes to help you improve your dexterity around the drum set.
