Who is rocking the double bass lately?

One person I would have to say who is doing a great job of not overplaying right now is Jeremy Spencer. He is the drummer for Fiver Finger Death Punch. I can't say how much his drumming just fits with the song all the way through. There are always a few beats or ways that drummers play to a song that doesn't always sit good in my stomach. All of his beats fit very well and don't overshadow the rest of the band. I guess it also helps having a killer vocalist with an amazing guitarist and the amount of experience the entire band holds. I feel comfortable in saying that this is one of the first bands in general that gives me that getup and want to kick some butt feeling that Pantera gave me. I know there are a lot of hardcore Pantera fans that would disagree, but it is more in the way that there sounds backs what they are saying, and the singer doesn't have a whiny voice. Some bands just get that you don't have to play fast to be heavy, thanks to Vinni Paul, we are aloud to have those styles today!

Is Rockband/Guitar Hero Real Drumming?

YES IT IS REAL DRUMMING, the cost is highly different though, anyone can learn the guitar version for these games, Expert+ is fun, oh yeah, for all the musicians out there, it is a video game that is for fun. Got that!

Nobody is calling themselves real musicians who play these games. I see a whole bunch of people who worked hard to get good at an instrument bash something that is actually helping the music industry and them. You will have more fans come to your show if they are exposed to more music, how is this a bad thing? As for drums go, I am a double bassist who just tried playing Guitar Hero 5 on drums, real playing required. How the heck is a 7 year old supposed to play those higher levels, well, isn't drums just pathways when it comes down to it?

You learn rhythms, which now are more accurate than the first couple of games. For guitar, yeah its just fun, but drums...I actually do have to slow it down and practice the faster songs. Can you jump on the drums and start playing Children of Bodom 100% perfect because it is showing you the notes, nope, you still have to have timing and endurance. SO, in conclusion, bright shiny colors and fake notes, actually do help your drumming. Prove me wrong, I dare you!

Yes, I do practice the real drums, too. Anything that helps, helps, so for all the skeptics and negative people who like raining on every ones parade...nobody is making you play.

Sick new pedal! I am in love...Ooooooooh, Shiny!

Not only does TRICK Percussion's dominator pedal look cool, but it is functional too. I have been waiting for someone to take the riegns in design for pedals, its been the same thing for almost the last 100 years practically, first I saw Axis, and now these. Long foot board, and more attention to resistance prevention. The beaters make sense, they are aerodynamic, want one? Ooooh, shiny!

Practice makes what perfect? LIAR!!!

Well, I guess some of us will never find out, actually most of us. I can't say how many times I see musicians who do not practice. I am guilty myself of not practicing enough, but why do we do this to ourselves? It has to be the human need for instant gratification. If we don't see what we want come out on the other side, we get frustrated and get comfortable. Practicing involves being uncomfortable and learning from the bottom up. In double bass drumming, you really have to learn all of the same rudiments with your feet as you do your hands. So push past the stuck feeling in your stomach and pay your freaking dues...I know I have to!

Bigger is Better? Big Bass Drum Versus Little Bass Drum

Bigger is better? Not always. It is obvious that a smaller drum will produce more of a bounce or pop if you will. Tighter surface area, bigger bounce. It is funny how a lot of double bass drummers aim for speed but then get 22-24" bass drums, it doesn't really make much sense unless you have triggers to compensate for the loss in thud. I saw Fear Factory in concert, Raymond Herrera (now with Arkaea), the drummer had some of the smallest bass drums I had ever seen in live concert. Considering his playing style of very fast double bass that consists of many in between rests, he gets it! You can check out a song that he used the 18's on, Fear Factory-Cyberwaste it was very fast, also 24's which I own, have to be some of the slowest drums I have ever played on. But I like playing with complications, once I have a couple more levels of drumming under my belt, and some spare cash, its time to get some small bass drums. If you really want to go fast, besides practice, there is always physics! Now you can fit your set into a VW bug!

Who is The Worst Double Bass Drummer Ever?

It always makes me laugh when people say certain people are "bad" or "crappy" drummers. When it comes down to it, if you are signed, touring, and have been around for over 5 years in the mainstream, how could you possibly be a bad drummer? Often people say Lars Ulrich from Metallica is a crappy drummer, which is a just a huge way to say that you don't understand music or double bass drumming. It takes talent even if you don't have the best timing to come up with drum parts and to not overplay double bass. The fact is people can't be fixed by recording, but the edges get rounded out and timing can be helped. I don't think anyone is a bad drummer, maybe if they are drunk I can make an exception, but otherwise I stand behind what I said. Also, if you don't like a certain musician or band, then why are you listening to it in the first place. Lot of critics, but then again, its not uncommon for people in glass houses to throw bricks. Style shouldn't be equated into talent, but then again, its how you equate talent in the first place that really matters.

Double Bass Powered Car

I can dream can't I? When driving in hectic traffic on a lovely raining day, why can't I practice my bass pedals in the car. SO I figured it out, you just need to have a car that produces energy off of playing the double bass pedals where your regular pedals would be. Or the Flintstones could have used that technology to run the cars in Bedrock. Come on inventors, alternate power source and a way to practice, I think I just came up with the best way to counter attack global warming and build endurance!