Modern Drummer Magazine – September 2023
English | 88 pages | pdf | 31.58 MB
AN EDITOR’S OVERVIEW Old and New
Firstly, NO, I’m not calling anyone “old!” However, it is possible that no issue of Modern Drummer Magazine portrays the idea and the relationship of old and new, better than this month’s issue. What more can be said about Max and Jay Weinberg, they simultaneously represent music of the past, music of today, and music of the future. It was fun to spend time with both of them while talking (and learning) about old and new music, drummers, ideas, and philosophies. I was left with the thought that maybe some things in life are just timeless, and are neither old or new.
The 2023 Modern Drummer Readers Poll is always an interesting study of old and new. We see that the future of drumming is in very good shape with younger drummers like Elijah Wood, Sarah Jones, CJ Thompson, Paulina “Pau” Villarreal Velez, and Kristina Rybalchenko, and with the work The School of Rock is doing with younger musicians around the country. We can also notice a mighty appreciation and respect for the musical present and past through the poll winners that have had long careers like Gregg Bissonette, Giovanni Hidalgo, Chad Smith, Peter Erskine, Questlove, Mike Portnoy, Dave Weckl, Travis Barker, Thomas Lang, Steve Smith, and Dave Grohl.
A special congratulations goes out to the newest Modern Drummer Hall of Fame inductee, the legendary Alex Van Halen. His name has come up in countless recent Modern Drummer Magazine interviews as a drumming inspiration for both younger and older drummers of today. For drummers that came up during the 70s and 80s we all agree that Alex Van Halen is the Ringo Starr of our generation. He had (and HAS) it all: The instantly identifiable and creative drum parts, the playing on the hits, the iconic drumsets, the sense of groove and swing, and the personification of everything that is rock and roll. We all thank you Alex, and I (personally) hope that we all get to hear more of your amazing drumming.
Old and new, young and old, no matter how you say it, drumming and music is constantly blurring the lines between them, and I love that! I just listened to James Europe’s 369th Infantry “Hell Fighters” Band (recorded in 1919) and the new Mammoth WVH CD (recorded in 2023) back-to-back in the same sitting. I also appreciate both generations of Weinberg drummers, Kristina Rybalchenko, Questlove, and Alex Van Halen, and everyone in between.
Old, new, young, old… Who Cares!
Mark Griffith
Editor-in-Chief, Director of Content
@ModernDrummer @modern_drummer
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Old and New
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