October 15, 2012
OK, time to toot my own horn a little bit. Here’s video of my old band Acumen Nation from the COLDWAVES benefit back in September. It wasn’t the same without Jamie but it was great to get back together with the whole CrackNation family and honor his memory with some of our old favorites. (And yes I am a lefty playing on a right-handed kit. Not as easy as it looks. Especially when the kit pedal stops working right before you get behind the kit! hehe)
October 8, 2012
It’s amazing to watch how great Todd Sucherman is, whether live or on his DVDs. Enjoy this musical solo from a clinic he did at Vic’s Drum Shop in Chicago.
October 1, 2012
Speaking of Rally and Sustain – a longtime Acumen/CrackNation fan decided to do a documentary on our family of bands. He shot a ton of footage and the entire show so that’s going to be one cool DVD set. I’m so proud to be a part of this. Here’s the first trailer for “Rally And Sustain: The Cracknation Documentary.”
September 24, 2012
Here’s my old bandmates in Acumen Nation doing “Rally and Sustain” from the COLDWAVES show. We also did a band interview with COMA magazine that was hilarious to us but maybe not to the interview. Stay tuned for that mess if it ever see’s the light of day.
September 17, 2012
Gotta show more COLDWAVES videos. Here’s Paul, Chris and Duane from Revolting Cocks along with my pals Dan Brill on kit (Czar, Acumen), Eric Powell on guitar (16 Volt) Curse Mackey on vocals (evil Mothers, Pigface) and yours truly banging on a floor tom. I can say for one magical night I was revolting haha
September 10, 2012
WOW. The COLDWAVES show was amazing. So many bands dropped everything and moved mountains to make this show happen and it was so very worth it. Here’s one of Jamie’s faves – 16 Volt doing Cut Collector with my new pal Keith Hirschman on drums. (I dragged Dan Neet up to do vocals with me, Jamie and I used to do that when we toured with 16 Volt way back when.)
September 3, 2012
My dear friend and former bandmate Jamie Duffy passed away this Summer and this weekend we are honoring him with a sold out show at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge. Here’s what we use to do back as Acumen in the old days (I’m playing Bass!)
August 27, 2012
Wackerman is a great name for a drummer, yes? How about a drummer who has 2 sons who are also drummers. I bet that was one loud house growing up. Here’s Chuck Wackerman receiving an award for his great accomplishments as an educator.
August 20, 2012
More Wackermans? Why not! This is John Wackerman, doing an Aquarian head demo.
August 13, 2012
How about another Wackerman? Here’s Chad doing some cool Zappa stuff from back in the day.
August 6, 2012
My pal Justin Heron loves some Bad Religion and this one is for him Brooks Wackerman is awesome and I love how he plays with power and finesse at the same time.
July 30, 2012
Just finishing up a week of dates and I’m in Kansas today. So how about some Kansas? Phil Erhart is indeed an underrated drummer and you gotta dig that he’s rocking the Owen Wilson in Royal Tennnbaums look 20 years before the movie came out, haha.
July 23, 2012
Sometimes you just gotta give the people what they want: spectacle. How about some good old fashioned arena rock drum solo work from Tommy Lee? (This still make me giggle a little bit…)
July 16, 2012
Miles Davis was (still is?) synonymous with the word “cool” and Philly Joe Jones was definitely one of the reasons why – plus bonus points for the swank 70s style in this video. haha
July 9, 2012
Remo Percussion posted this video awhile back and I just can’t get enough of it. Mark Shulman just shredding!
June 2012
Taking a little video break but I’ll be back with some great stuff to share in July.
May 30, 2012
Went to see my pal and fellow #Tayeguy Josh Collazo on tour Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Check out the end of the show – I shot this via my iPhone from the side of the stage and it’s just nuts!
May 23, 2012
Here’s a friendly little drum battle between my twitter pal Yael (DRMADKT) and Korn’s Ray Luzier. Look at all that great Sabian stuff!
May 16, 2012
The Black Page! Here’s Terry Bozzio doing an updated version from 2007 on his monster DW/Sabian kit.
May 9, 2012
May is looking good so far, vintage drum show in Chicago and a Mike Mangini clinic at Interstate Music this month. (I hope I can shoot some video!) Until then, enjoy this scientific video from Discovery channel’s Time Warp with Mike Mangini that shows what drums and cymbals really look like in super-slow motion.
May 2, 2012
I couldn’t resist the opportunity to link to one more Keith Carlock/Steeley Dan track. Kid Charlemagne!
April 25, 2012
Back from a well deserved vacation and getting excited for a Keith Carlock clinic at Interstate Music tomorrow. Check out this great clip of Keith in action with Steely Dan. (Aja!!!!)
April 7, 2012
VACATION!!!! Be back in a few weeks.
April 4, 2012
Buddy Rich and Steve Gadd are just two famous drummers who were also known for their footwork. No doubt that musicians and entertainers who came out of theaters and dancehalls a century ago had to be able to do it all to keep the crowds happy. Now we just yell at our TVs even though no one can hear us, haha. Anyway, the first time I saw this I was mesmerized and it was on TV so I couldn’t rewind it. Believe it or not, I had to wait to watch it again A WHOLE YEAR LATER. Thanks Youtube (even though this is colorized)
Happy Easter!
March 28, 2012
And why not a snippet of Mr. Neal Peart in a more recent setting. Here’s a teaser of him from the Hudson music DVD “Anatomy of a Drum Solo.”
March 21, 2012
Happy Birthday to me! If I had to identify the first drummer I knew by name (well, after Ringo) it would have to be this guy. Got a drumset when I was twelve and this was the first thing I wanted to learn how to play. (it took a while and I still air drum to it when I hear it haha)
March 14, 2012
just sit back, relax and let the late, great Jeff Porcaro teach you all about half time shuffles (and how all great drummers steal from other great drummers!)
March 7, 2012
Mick Fleetwood is a drummer who most likely gets heard everyday in America. What seems simple upon first listening is actually very unique and tasty. And HUGE drums back in the 70s as well. Check out this live video and spend some time with Mick. There is a lot to love (and steal haha)
Celebrate Leap Day with a Mozambique
It’s a word that sends chills down my spine and puts a hop in my step. Seriously, I could just loop this and listen to it all day once he gets going with it. Steve Gadd is the best!
February 2012
February is a short month and this is a long video. Please enjoy this episode of PBS’s Live at The Alley, featuring Mike Mangione and The Union. (Doesn’t my gear look and sound great in this one? Thanks to Taye drums, Woodshed Percussion for the custom kickhead, Sabian cymbals, Remo drumheads and Regal Tip and Promark for sticks and sizzlers!)
January 25, 2012
Here’s a live video of us from our Evanston Space show last week, courtesy of the Rooftop Concert Series in Chicago.
January 18, 2012
Mike Mangione and The Union live from WGN TV! We taped on Monday but it will air on Thursday 1/19. Sorry, no youtube embed on this one so use the link!
January 11, 2012
A little more from NAAM 2011 in anticipation of the 2012 Winter show. Here’s my favorite drum company (I endorse ’em so you know they’re good haha)live from the Taye booth.
January 4, 2012
NAMM is coming up – here’s a video I shot last year when I was there – Stanton Moore working out his signature Remo pandeiro.
Taking a break
A long year winding down and I need a little bit of a break. I’ll be back on 2012 with tons of new links!
October 26, 2011
Sometimes, playing is about what’s in your head too. Here’s Tommy on attitude.
October 19, 2011
Mixing yourself in real time – Tommy is talking about something here that not a lot of drummers really think about when they play. This is extremely good advice!
October 12, 2011
I think October is going to be Tommy Harden month! This video is about playing with a loop. He’s so right that “loops are everywhere today and as a drummer you gotta know how to play with them.”
October 5, 2011
I’ve been really enjoying Tommy Harden’s 5 Minute Monday videos and here’s just a taste – a hihat/ride beat!
September 28, 2011
Ok, more from lefty Daniel Glass – this is from PASIC 2009 with Zoro. Gotta work on those shuffles!
September 21, 2011
OK, it’s been too long since I gave some to one my left handed drumigos – here’s Daniel Glass doing some crazy stick work with Royal Crown Revue!
September 14, 2011
Ohhh, how about strutting with a young Steve Gadd and The US Army Band? Too cool. (Steve’s solo starts at 2:08)
September 7, 2011
All right now – it’s time to strut with The Meters- I wish this was a live video but you can still dig the tune and the insane playing of Zigaboo Modeliste!
August –
taking off the month of August but I’ll be back with more cool videos next month.
July 27, 2011
And now for something completely different. Nope, not that. Its dueling Michael Caines!
July 20, 2011
Hey, Family Guy fans – it’s the James Wood High School Marching Band 2011!
July 13, 2011
How about some college marching band? Here’s the great Bethune Cookman Marching band at the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands. High Steppin!
July 6, 2011
How about a little DCI to start off July? The Cavaliers drumline working it out in the end zone.
You can see other videos and subscribe to my YouTube channel at http://YouTube.com/LLRLRR
June 29, 2011
OK, let’s round out the month with a little Afrocuban with Raul Pineda on drums. Sabroso!
June 22, 2011
Dafnis Prieto Live at the Modern Drummer Festival (via Hudson Music)
June 15, 2011
Oh yeah! Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez. (this is more like Latin Fusion, but damn it’s still good!)
June 8, 2011
Mas, por favor! Gonzalo Rubalcaba, with Ron Carter(!) and Julio Barreto.
June 1, 2011
It’s time for some Latin Jazz with Tito Puente!
May 25, 2011
OK, one more. The title says it all: Max Roach at his best.
May 18, 2011
Let’s keep it going with the master Ed Thigpen.
May 11, 2011
How about we brush up on some technique from the late, great Joe Morello.
May 4, 2011
In anticipation of the upcoming Cascio clinic this weekend – here’s Todd Sucherman just playing his you-know-what off!
April 27, 2011
And now for the ultimate duet/battle: Buddy Rich and………. Animal from the Muppets! (Ronnie Verrell is the actual drummer who plays Animal’s parts)
April 20, 2011
Let’s keep it up: a percussion duet with Karl and Raul from Santana. Sabroso!
April 13, 2011
Here’s another duet (sort of) – Terry Bozzio and Pat Masteletto from Sabian Live 2010 at The NAMM show.
April 6, 2011
How about a duet? Phil Collins and Chester Thompson going at it. (As a lefty, Phil is probably my #1 influence. He made it OK to be a lefty drummer back when I was getting started…)
March 30, 2011
Different versions of this video showed up on twitter last week and what can you say? Steve Jordan is the master and its even better watching him work on a GIANT video screen. (He really gets the “Elvin Jones” face going too! That’s how you know he’s killing…)
March 23, 2011
Why not do another Joey Waronker video (hell, I use his Regal Tip signature stick, so you know I like his style!) Here’s from the Atoms for Peace tour with Thom Yorke and Flea.
March 16, 2010
Had to go with one of my all time favorites (and a lefty!) Joey Waronker. Back in the 90’s when I was in Chicago I saw them alot and even shared a few bills with his band Walt Mink.
March 9, 2011
I had to go back for another dip: Here’s more Matt Chamberlain with Tori Amos.
(I get to play mallets on the kit with Mike Mangione & The Union and I just love that sound that comes in at around 3:02)
March 2, 2011
Talk about a gig that I would kill to have: Tori Amos! And of course, backed by the always superb Matt Chamberlain from an ’03 Soundstage performance.
February 23, 2011
Hows this for some video – Mike Mangione and The Union live from the WGN TV studios in Chicago!
(I can’t embed the video so here’s the link)
MIke Mangione & The Union: “Offering” on WGN TV
February 13, 2011
I love watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – mostly for the Roots and everyone’s favorite bandleader, ?uestlove!
So how about a little Questo plus John Paul Jones!
February 6, 2011
Jim Keltner and Steve Jordan anyone? (A resounding chorus of YES!!!)
January 30, 2011
Round out the month with some classic Buddy Rich. (thanks Hudson Music!)
January 23, 2011
Art Blakey! (man, I don’t know how these guys could play so explosively while still wearing suits – I wonder if drummers back then had specially tailored jackets haha)
January 16, 2011
Or some Tony Williams? (With Miles!)
January 9, 2011
This week, how about a little Elvin? (With Coltrane!)
January 2, 2011
I’m going way back in the month of January – all black and white videos from some classic drumset masters.
First up: Louie Bellson, Philly Jo Jones, Shelly Manne, Irv Cottler and Caterina Valente.
December 15, 2010
This one had me cracking up for along time. “”it was totally fantastic, like Steve Gadd on Aja” HAHAHA
December 8, 2010
Check out my new pal Hannah Ford and those sweet sparkly blue Gretsch new classics!
December 1, 2010
Sometimes we take drums a little too seriously. Thankfully, we have Jens Hannemann to help us reset our priorities. Polynesian Nightmare HAHA!
November 24, 2010
Black Dub show was awesome – I wish I could download a video of how great it was live. This will have to suffice:
November 17, 2010
Going to see the great Brian Blade with Black Dub next week and I know they are going to play this one. Look at Brian working out that vintage MOP kit. Can’t wait!
November 10, 2010
Johnny Rabb! Working that one handed roll to perfection….
November 3, 2010
Benny Greb – I love watching him play – having fun with sticks at the Memphis Drum Shop.
October 27, 2010
Another Palmer! How about this one from Carl Palmer during the ELP days – Tank!
October 20, 2010
I realized I’ve been heavy on US drummers, so how’s about this guy from Jolly Old England – David Palmer. One of my faves, from ABC to The The to Rod the Mod and more…
October 13, 2010
Stanton Moore and Zigaboo Modeliste! If you don’t know who Zigaboo is then you better get down to NOLA and get some schoolin’
(and a nice Stanton Moore hop at 3:45)
October 6, 2010
Tommy Igoe – this DVD is fantastic and I have the audio files on my iPhone for warm up time.
September 29, 2010
OK, had to do another one from Black Dub – Brian Blade has no equal, pop, rock, jazz, soul…he is a total musician. And I love Lanois as the conductor….
September 22, 2010
I love everything about this: the song, the sounds, the vibe….it’s just so cool…Black Dub. I carry this one around with me on my iPhone just for that fill at the 1:42 mark! (Get well soon Daniel Lanois!)
September 15, 2010
Mr. Jojo Mayer – I saw some Jojo prototypes when I was up in Meductic, NB and he’s always working on sounds. Sabian really is the best company for new ideas (IMHO)
September 8, 2010
I was on vacation out east all of last week and guess where I went? Here’s a hint:
August 25, 2010
Levon Helm! Man, I gotta get out to a Midnight Ramble before they stop doin’ em…
August 18, 2010
I picked up this Steve Jordan DVD recently – I never get tired of listening to him play or watching him talk….
August 11, 2010
Took a little time off in July but here’s a little video of the most recent Mike Mangione & The Union show at Lincoln Hall on 7/24/10:
June 28, 2010
The new Taye MetalWorks pedals are coming out soon. Looking pretty cool!
June 21, 2010
I like to turn on Pandora radio and practice from time to time and one of my favorite channels is my Stevie Wonder channel. Stevie is one bad ass drummer!
June 14, 2010
This one is a good one – my pal Bob Rupp from Sabian doing a demo last year for Sigler Music.
June 7, 2010
I had wanted to get video of the Verge Music Festival but the rain didn’t cooperate…
May 27, 2010
Here’s a “bootleg” video shot from a camera phone – live from Evanston Space.
(I like how the crowd gives us a “woo” when they recognize the song. It’s our little Austin City Limits moment haha)
May 20, 2010
In honor of our Cup O’ Joy show this weekend, here’s a video from one of our 2009 shows:
You can see other videos and subscribe to my YouTube channel at http://YouTube.com/LLRLRR
LLRLRR 