#159 Bill Bachman- Drummer and Rudimental Guru!
Bill is a world-renowned specialist in hand technique with a heavy background in rudimental drumming and its application to the drumset. Bachman is a regular contributing columnist for Modern Drummer magazine and is the author of the books Stick Technique, an Essential Guide for the Modern Drummer and Rhythm & Chops Builders published through Modern Drummer Publishing (nominated for “Best Product” in their 2018 Readers Poll, as well as the Logic marching percussion instructional book series for Row-Loff Productions. Bachman is the founder of DrumWorkout.com, designer of Vic Firth’s Heavy Hitter pad series and his signature Billy Club drumsticks and the inventor of the patented Remote Speedy Hat.
Bachman is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and has studied percussion performance at the University of North Texas. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society’s Health and Wellness committee and Modern Drummer magazine’s education team where he was recently nominated in the 2016 reader’s poll under the “clinician/educator” category.
Bill has played with and instructed many award-winning marching percussion groups, including the UNT drum line and various DCI World Class finalists (Cadets, Bluecoats, Blue Knights, and Carolina Crown). On drumset, Bill is the drummer for Herd of Instinct, Spoke of Shadows, has toured with progressive rock artist Neal Morse, and freelances playing and recording in the Dallas area. Bachman is an international drum clinician, and he endorses Vic Firth sticks, Remo drumheads, Zildjian cymbals, and Row-Loff Productions products.
RIP Neil Peart and Angel “Cachete” Maldonado
“Peart was one of rock’s greatest drummers, with a flamboyant yet precise style that paid homage to his hero, the Who’s Keith Moon, while expanding the technical and imaginative possibilities of his instrument. He joined singer-bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson in Rush in 1974, and his musicianship and literate, philosophical lyrics – which initially drew on Ayn Rand and science fiction, and later became more personal and emotive – helped make the trio one of the classic-rock era’s essential bands. His drum fills on songs like “Tom Sawyer” were pop hooks in their own right, each one an indelible mini-composition; his lengthy drum solos, carefully constructed and packed with drama, were highlights of every Rush concert.” - Read more
“Ángel “Cachete” Maldonado, a renowned percussionist and co-founder of the celebrated Afro-Puerto Rican Batacumbele ensemble died on January 10, 2020. He was 68 years old. Maldonado was born in Barrio Obrero, Santurce, and became a leading Afro-Caribbean percussionist. He performed with some of the leading Latin jazz, salsa, jazz and Puerto Rican artists, including Carlos Patato Valdés, Pablo Rosario, Ernie Agosto, Larry Harlow, Eddie Palmieri, Louie Ramírez, Conjunto Libre, Típica 73, Machito, Dizzie Guillespie, Gato Barbieri, Freddie Hubbard, Weather Report and Jorge Dalto.” - Read More
Happy Birthday Steve Jordan!
“Steve Jordan (January 14, 1957) is an American drummer, songwriter, and record producer who has spent much of his career as a studio musician. During the 1970s and '80s, he was a member of the bands for the television shows Saturday Night Live and Late Night With David Letterman. In the early 80's Steve Jordan was a member of the Steve Khan band, along with Anthony Jackson on bass, and Manolo Badrena on percussion. Since the middle 1980s, Jordan has been a member of the X-Pensive Winos, the side project of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Jordan and Richards have been production and songwriting partners on many of Richards's solo works. In 2005, he became a member of the John Mayer Trio.” - Read More
Gig Alerts
Damon will be at the NAMM convention Jan. 16th-19th, he will be doing some work with LP, hanging out, and lock down some interviews. On Jan 31st Damon will be at the Cisco Brewery in Portsmouth, NH with Billy Ruegger.
Morgan James is on tour with her new album “Memphis Magnetic.” Damon recorded percussion for this album and he will be a guest artist during one of the shows at the Fairfield Theatre Company (FTC) Stage 1.
On the 17th Marcos will be at Casona from with 6-9PM and at Gonzalez y Gonzalez with Arturo Ortiz & 7 Con Calle. He will be with Jeremy Bosch at Rockwood Music Hall on Jan 25th as well as Feb 28th.
Marcos just finished recording some videos with friend of the show Paulo Stagnaro for his website Congachops. Marcos is working on the next portion of the site, Bongos!
If you would like to apply to be a clinician/performer at Pasic, CLICK HERE
The 2020 Superbowl featuring Shakira and J. Lo will be using Adam Blackstone as the musical director featuring Brian Frasier-Moore on drums and Roland Gajate-Garcia on percussion.
The 17th there is a Puerto Rico Benefit at the Lehman Performing Arts Center in the Bronx.
Educational Spotlight
Aaron Sterling Masterclass: King Dojo. CLICK HERE
Subscribe to our (friend of the show) Gerald Myles’ YouTube page, and get great content like this video here!
Because of inclement weather, this Marching Percussion Drum Clinic, has been rescheduled to the following weekend (the 25th).
Iconic Recording
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The song leading into the interview is “Pendulum Swings” by Spoke of Shadows
The interview starts with a shout out to Mike Dawson who mentions that Bill is his rudimental guru.
Bill had a stroke since the last time he was on and talks about what that is and how he worked through that.
Before Bill got an MRI and found out he had a stroke, the doctor he saw on first assessment, thought it was just nerve damage and “Saturday Night Palsy”.
While Bill was working on his three limb coordination, he was using the Funky Primer Drum Book.
Damon mentions Rick Allen, the drummer from the band Def Leppard who lost an arm in an accident.
Bill and Damon talk about the Full Down Tap Up exercises (Bill calls it Free Down Tap Up).
You can get this content and more at Bill’s site, Extreme Hands Makeover (dot com).
Damon brings up Dave Elitch and his use of Alexander Technique. You can see more of that HERE. Damon also talks about how jumping rope helps your muscles and warms up your body.
Bill mentions the cover of his book Stick Technique that shows his lug locking secret.
Damon mentions getting a heat gun to help set the drum heads to mold to the bearing edge of the drum.
Damon brings up Hanon exercises on the piano to help with finger strength.
You can follow Bill on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and even take Skype Lessons with him!
Bill uses Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads exclusively. He also has written some publications for Row-Loff Productions as well as his two books Stick Technique and Rhythm & Chops Builders published by Modern Drummer (where he is a regular contributor to the magazine).
The song leading out of the interview is “Sun Gun” by Herd of Instinct
