Peterson's Drum Blog
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Roland adds second CY-12R/C crash/ride cymbal to TD-12KV.
Roland has recently announced that they are adding a second CY-12R/C cymbal pad to their TD-12KV-drum kit for no extra cost. Roland prides this cymbal for offering the "rebound, inertia and “swinging” motion of an acoustic cymbal." This cymbal also includes choking capabilities, making it even more similar to an acoustic cymbal than many other electronic pads. This will most likely put more interest in Roland's products due to the additional cymbal, and thus additional setup possibilities, at no extra cost to the customer.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Gig Talk 2
People, you have to submit more storys! I only have two to post this month. Please remember that I love to hear from you and love to listen to your gig storys, so go submit them!
-Peterson
Nathan
My band A Legend Unknown got asked to open for "The Big Show" on the mainstage of SOMA, an abandoned movie theater transformed into San Diego's most legendary music venue. It had been a dream of mine to play mainstage for quite a while.
We showed up a bit late to the venue because of bad traffic, but when we got their everything was completely surreal. I entered the stage area and was greeted with the sight of two huge crane-like machines lifting several technicians up to set up the lighting that rested high above the stage floor. I began bringing my drums in, and was barely able to get my kick up onto the riser, it was so huge! After nitpicking every detail of my setup, I simply sat behind my drums and looked out over the empty, football-field-sized floor which was soon to be filled with 1000's of kids enjoying all of my band's hard work. I had the highest seat in the house, and it felt like a dream come true.
After soun d check, which was incredible (you haven't heard your drums at their fullest until you've heard them through 20 foot towers of powered speakers), I went down the street and enjoyed some Arby's curly fries. After that I went and mingled with people waiting in line for the doors of SOMA to open. The line stretched all the way down the line of buildings next to the venue, which was very pleasing to see. I saw so many of my friends in line that I did not even think would come, and it was amazing to have everyone there supporting us.
20 minutes later, we were standing backstage with seconds left til showtime. We did our ritual pre-show huddle, and after a few words of encouragement and a few mouthfuls of water, the production manager informed us it was time to go on. The stage lights went out and the crowd roared. I took a seat behind my drums as the twinkling keyboard triplets began. With a sustained cymbal crash and huge open d-chords from the guitarists, the lights shot on and the audience was illuminated. A feeling of great awe arose inside me, to see 1000 faces staring up at my bandmates and I, like gods. Our intro/breakdown commenced, and a huge void errupted in the crowd and suddenly filled with a swirling mass of flying fists, spin kicks, and various other hardcore dance moves. I had never seen so many people go so crazy for our music, and there are no words to describe the way I felt at that moment.
25 minutes later, we walked off stage, drenched in sweat, but inspired by the awesomeness of the size and power of the show we had just played. After loading up my drums,i met up with my friends and enjoyed the rest of the show. I was offered countless cigarettes (which I declined) by people impressed by our performance, and we received numerous complements and t shirt sales at our merch booth. After the show, the whole band and a big group of friends went to a tiny Asian restaurant and ate countless dumplings and drank bob a tea into the wee hours of the morning. When I got dropped off at home by my friend at 3 in the morning, I immediately went to bed, reflecting on one of the best nights in my life. So there you have it, my coolest gig story.
Seth
Once upon a time, i was in a Christmas play at church. I was actually playing in the orchestra, on the drumset. During the final song, we all smelled a burning smell. My friend, who was growing his hair out for locks of love at the time, had just been the proud recipient of a young lady holding a flaming candle. Needless to say, that was where the burning smell came from. And we all lived happily ever after (well... except for my friend. who smelled of burnt hair for a week). Good stuff.
-Peterson
Nathan
My band A Legend Unknown got asked to open for "The Big Show" on the mainstage of SOMA, an abandoned movie theater transformed into San Diego's most legendary music venue. It had been a dream of mine to play mainstage for quite a while.
We showed up a bit late to the venue because of bad traffic, but when we got their everything was completely surreal. I entered the stage area and was greeted with the sight of two huge crane-like machines lifting several technicians up to set up the lighting that rested high above the stage floor. I began bringing my drums in, and was barely able to get my kick up onto the riser, it was so huge! After nitpicking every detail of my setup, I simply sat behind my drums and looked out over the empty, football-field-sized floor which was soon to be filled with 1000's of kids enjoying all of my band's hard work. I had the highest seat in the house, and it felt like a dream come true.
After soun d check, which was incredible (you haven't heard your drums at their fullest until you've heard them through 20 foot towers of powered speakers), I went down the street and enjoyed some Arby's curly fries. After that I went and mingled with people waiting in line for the doors of SOMA to open. The line stretched all the way down the line of buildings next to the venue, which was very pleasing to see. I saw so many of my friends in line that I did not even think would come, and it was amazing to have everyone there supporting us.
20 minutes later, we were standing backstage with seconds left til showtime. We did our ritual pre-show huddle, and after a few words of encouragement and a few mouthfuls of water, the production manager informed us it was time to go on. The stage lights went out and the crowd roared. I took a seat behind my drums as the twinkling keyboard triplets began. With a sustained cymbal crash and huge open d-chords from the guitarists, the lights shot on and the audience was illuminated. A feeling of great awe arose inside me, to see 1000 faces staring up at my bandmates and I, like gods. Our intro/breakdown commenced, and a huge void errupted in the crowd and suddenly filled with a swirling mass of flying fists, spin kicks, and various other hardcore dance moves. I had never seen so many people go so crazy for our music, and there are no words to describe the way I felt at that moment.
25 minutes later, we walked off stage, drenched in sweat, but inspired by the awesomeness of the size and power of the show we had just played. After loading up my drums,i met up with my friends and enjoyed the rest of the show. I was offered countless cigarettes (which I declined) by people impressed by our performance, and we received numerous complements and t shirt sales at our merch booth. After the show, the whole band and a big group of friends went to a tiny Asian restaurant and ate countless dumplings and drank bob a tea into the wee hours of the morning. When I got dropped off at home by my friend at 3 in the morning, I immediately went to bed, reflecting on one of the best nights in my life. So there you have it, my coolest gig story.
Seth
Once upon a time, i was in a Christmas play at church. I was actually playing in the orchestra, on the drumset. During the final song, we all smelled a burning smell. My friend, who was growing his hair out for locks of love at the time, had just been the proud recipient of a young lady holding a flaming candle. Needless to say, that was where the burning smell came from. And we all lived happily ever after (well... except for my friend. who smelled of burnt hair for a week). Good stuff.
Labels: Gig talk 2
New writer.
Hey everyone, some of you may know me as Indirect Delete on the Pearl Drummers Forum. Peterson commissioned me to be the drum news article writer for the site and I'm excited to start! At the moment I'm very busy so it might take me a little while to start, but expect news from me soon. I've been playing drums for about four years now and post constantly on the Pearl Drummers Forum. The drumming community is a warm and welcoming one and I'm glad to be a contributor to this excellent blog.