Monday, January 28, 2013

Russ Miller joins the Mapex artist family


The Mapex Drum Company welcomes Russ Miller to their family of artists. Russ, who endorsed Yamaha until now, is internationally known as one of the top drummers of today. As a multi-platinum recording artist, he has played on multiple Grammy award winning recordings with combined sales of over 26 million copies.

Russ Miller's musical versatility has led him to work with an incredible list of over fifty international artists from legends like Ray Charles, The Fifth Dimension, Natalie Cole, Tina Turner and Bobby Caldwell through modern stars, Nelly Furtado, The Psychedelic Furs, Hilary Duff, Steve Perry, Andrea Bocelli, Daniel Bedingfield and Meredith Brooks.

As a star of the Los Angeles studio scene, the Modern Drummer Magazine Readers Poll has repeatedly voted Russ in the top 5 studio drummers in the world, including 2010, when he was voted the #2 session drummer.

Russ also has authored two books: 'The Drum Set Crash Course', and 'The Drum Set Crash Course Tuning Edition' from Alfred Publications. A 7-time Modern Drummer reader's poll winner, Russ' solo projects were also voted the #1 educational books and videos in the world (2001-2004). Says Russ:
"I have been playing drums professionally for quite some time, ...and most of my endorsement relationships have lasted well over 20 years. But after seeing the direction that Mapex is headed in, I felt it was time for a change to a brand and a team that has their eye on the future. What Mapex does so well is the delivery of all aspects of the instrument. The sound, the presentation, the quality …the finishes are impeccable, piano like lacquer…that's what I am looking for in a company. We innovate together and that is really important. I am really happy to be associated with Mapex."

Michael Robinson, KHS Director of Marketing, states:
"Several of us on the Mapex team have known and respected Russ for a long time. His knowledge of the instrument and design experience is a perfect fit with where we want to take the brand. The fact that he's a great guy and is easy to work with make it that much better."

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Christian Netzell rejoins Volturyon


Original drummer Christian "Crille" Netzell has rejoined Volturyon. The Swedish metallers have issued the following update about their skinsman's return:

"We are very happy to announce that Crille has rejoined Volturyon as a permanent member on drums. During the session time in the band he felt more and more that it was time to rejoin forces and start kicking ass again. The rehearsals for the new album is going very well and we are hungrier than ever to make this third album our best album so far!"

Christian Netzell, who also plays drums with In Mourning and Spasmodic, left the group in April 2012.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Hit Like A Girl 2013 celebrates female drummers

Developed to support, promote and inspire the growth of female drummers, the Hit Like A Girl drumming contest for women and girls attracted nearly 400 contestants and more than 400,000 online votes from around the world in 2012. This response has allowed organizers to plan for an even bigger event in 2013.

Hit Like A Girl 2013 will begin accepting online video entries at hitlikeagirl2013.com on Friday, February 1, 2013. Entries will close on Sunday, March 31, 2013.

A panel of world-renowned drummers including Meytal Cohen (independent), Hannah Ford (Prince, Bellevue Suite) and Dawn Richardson (4 Non Blondes, Tracy Chapman) will then select and judge the finalists.

In addition to offering drum and accessory prizes valued at thousands of dollars, Hit Like A Girl 2013 has been expanded with the participation of corporate sponsor School Of Rock and divided into under and over 18 age divisions to create more interest and a more even playing field.

Submitted videos can be drum covers, solos or performances with a band or pre-recorded tracks and will judged on factors such as technique, musicality and overall effect.

Additional details will be announced as they become available. To learn more and view the top women’s drumming videos from last year, visit hitlikeagirl2013.com.

Hit Like A Girl 2013 is led by Drum! Magazine with Drum Workshop, TRX Cymbals, Evans, Vater Percussion, and SKB Cases as participating sponsors, along with media sponsors Drum Channel, Alfred Music, Tom Tom Magazine, and the Enter Music Network.

Rock on female drummers :P