Check out "Watercolour," the latest single from Pendulum w/new drummer and Meinl Cymbal artist KJ Sawka. Click here to view.

Meinl Cymbals is extremely pleased to welcome Alex Lopez to its family of cymbal artists. 

Alex plays for the modern metal titan known as Suicide Silence. Hailing from Southern California, Alex and Suicide Silence have gained international renown for their punishing brand of deathcore influenced heavy metal.  The band's latest studio offering No Time To Bleed, released in 2009, climbed as high as #32 in the Billboard Top 200 Charts...no small accomplishment for one of the most extreme bands around today.

Alex is known for his able command of dizzying tempos and driving blastbeats, as well as his ability to lay down a solid tasteful backbeat that grooves. His knowledge in what makes drumming feel good translates to Suicide Silence's songs, where the band takes brutal metal and makes it accessible to many. All of this accounts for why Alex recently had his own feature article in the April 2010 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine, as well as why one can search youtube.com and find hundreds of drummers posting videos of themselves playing along to Alex and Suicide Silence's music.

With a slot on the upcoming VANS Warped Tour, Alex and Suicide Silence are sure to be one of the heavier and more instrumentally accomplished bands on the bill. Don't miss one of the best up and coming bands in metal this summer!

Meinl Cymbal artist Ryan Yerdon and Puddle of Mudd have been confirmed for an appearance on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno TOMORROW - this Thursday, March 25th. They'll perform their new single Stoned for the first time on network television. Stoned is the second single off PUM's fourth studio release, Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love & Hate.

The performance will mark their third appearance on The Tonight Show. “Stoned” is the second single off their fourth studio release, Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love & Hate.

Stoned was the #1 most added track at Active Rock as soon as it impacted radio, with 60+ new stations coming aboard in a week! With another hit in the making, the band will make a stop at the popular, nationally syndicated radio show, Rockline with Bob Colburn on March 29th.

Catch the band live when they hit the road, starting April 1st in Anaheim, CA and extending into the summer with festival dates, including Rock On The Range, May 22 in Columbus OH.

Meinl Cymbals is pleased to welcome Danny Terchin and Spencer Peterson to its family of cymbal artists.

Danny Terchin mans the drum throne for Chicago, IL deathcore masters Oceano. Danny and the band has been touring non-stop in support of their debut Earache Records release Depths for the better part of a year now, and show no signs of stopping. Danny's uncanny sense of timing and his precise approach to drumming have helped Oceano earn the title "The heaviset, most pissed-off band on the planet"...and for good reason.

Spencer Peterson is currently drumming for Princeton, NJ pop-punk veterans Saves the Day. While the band may have been around for some time due to its unwavering popularity, Spencer is the new-comer to the group, having replaced their most recent drummer. Prior to Saves the Day, Spencer came to prominence as the drummer for emo/VANS Warped Tour favs Hidden In Plain View. Following the band's dissolution, Spencer has hit the road doing a variety of odd jobs, such as drum-teching for his good buddy and fellow Meinl Cymbal artist Nate Novarro of Cobra Starship (who he also plays percussion with) and filling in for bands in need of a drummer, such as emo favs Versa Emerge. While Spencer has made his living drumming primarily for bands in the emo world, the truth is that he could play in almost any setting. A HIGHLY educated and skilled drummer, Spencer would be just at home playing for prog-masters The Mars Volta or even backing up any number of R&B superstars of today with the fat four on the floor funk that he's so capable of dishing out. Keep an eye out for Spencer...he'll be drumming in the public eye for quite some time to come. 

Here are all the new products which Meinl cymbals is introducing at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt this week:

- Designer Series Jawbreaker Cymbal Bag
- Designer Series Jawbreaker Stick Bag
- Jawbreaker Drum Rug
- Artist Series Chris Adler Cymbal Bag
- Artist Series Aaron Gillespie Combo Bag

Meinl Cymbal artist Danny Walker caught us up to speed lately regarding what's been going on with him. Here you are - straight from the horse's mouth...

INTRONAUT

INTRONAUT made it safe back from our tour of India. We headlined the Great Indian Rock Festival in cities New Delhi and Kolkata. We had a blast and made new friends. We might play this years Great Indian Rock Festival again hitting different cities this time. Since our return, we have been continuing to write for our 3rd full length record. We're about 7 songs deep and have a few more to go. We will have some guests collaborating with us on certain tracks. Justin Chancler (Tool bassist) is one to mention. We're really excited about this new material and feel it is the heaviest and most technical, yet catchy and melodic record we've done. 

We hope to hit the studio in May and hit the road in September. 

UPHILL BATTLE

My old hardcore / metal group UPHILL BATTLE (Relapse Records) Recently reformed for a reunion and are playing a handful of shows on the west coast this month. There is slight possibility the group may do a full U.S. tour and maybe another record. We shall keep you posted! 

3.25.10 Santa Barbara, CA @ Jensen's Main Stage 

3.26.10 Ventura, CA @ Nicholby's 

3.27.10 Los Angeles, CA @ The Blvd 

www.myspace.com/uphillbattle

SESSION WORK

BAD ACID TRIP

I recently tracked drums for fusion/grindcore group BAD ACID TRIP.

The group is in the process of finishing up the record and should be ready to mix soon. The17 song full length record is to be released on Serjical Strike Records (Serj Tankian - System Of A Down) 

www.serjicalstrike.com/site/

EXHUMED

I will be working with death metal band EXHUMED (Relapse Records) this year on their new full length record. Date for studio time is up in the air. The group is getting back together after a 4 year hiatus and is planning to support the new record next year. I've done a plethora of session touring with EXHUMED in the past, but have not contributed to studio works. I'm excited to be a part of this.

www.myspace.com/exhumed

PHOBIA

I recently parted ways with PHOBIA as a full time drummer and have been replaced with drummer Bryan Fajardo (Kill The Client, Noise Ear & Gridlink) but I will gracefully bow out with a string of gigs:

Mar 5 TIJUANA, México @ BILLARES

Mar 6 MEXICALI, México @ TUMBAO

Apr 9 PHOENIX, Arizona @ TBA

Apr 10 FLAGSTAFF, Arizona @ THE ORPHEUM THEATER / HAMMER FEST

Jul 24 URBANA, Illinois @ CANOPY CLUB / CENTRAL IL METALFEST

www.myspace.com/phobiagrindcore

BASTARD NOISE

20 Buck Spin is proud to release “The Red List,” a split album between two titans of the North American underground, Bastard Noise and The Endless Blockade. This long awaited and much anticipated album 

“The Red List” marks a huge turning point for US noise legends Bastard Noise. The harsh noise and power electronics they are well known and revered for here is mixed into a foundation of brutal modern hardcore with progressive tendencies that will cause the mind to wander into worlds yet ventured. Recalling their seminal past ties with Man Is The Bastard, the band turns to a “music-based” direction for the first time under the name Bastard Noise since their inception in 1991. The exemplary bass-playing (“four steel girders”) of Eric Wood certainly recalls MITB in their heyday, with recent addition and master drummer/percussionist Danny Walker (Intronaut/Phobia) providing the perfect foundation for Wood’s brutal technicality. Long-time Bastard Noise/MITB member W.T. Nelson keeps the custom-built electronics sound of the band planted firmly in the present.

-Danny Walker

www.myspace.com/dwalkerdrummer

Meinl Cymbals is pleased to welcome Andrew Wetzel of Attack! Attack! to its family of cymbal artists.

Andrew and Attack! Attack! issue a punishing blend of metalcore and elctronica that results in heavy angst-ridden tunes with an ambient atmosphere that lightens the load enough to make the music memorable and catchy. 

Don't miss Attack! Attack! this summer as they head out onto the VANS Warped tour.

Meinl would like to congratulate its endorsing artist, drummer Wolfgang Haffner who has won the international 2010 Echo Jazz Award for his album Round Silence in the best national instrumentalist category.

With the Echo Award, the German Phono Academy annually honours outstanding and successful accomplishments of national as well as international artists. It has become one of the most established and popular music awards worldwide. It is the first time that Jazz has been given its own exclusive awards, and in 31 categories no less. The official and exclusive Jazz Echo Award ceremony will take place on May 05, 2010 at the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum, Germany.

The 2010 Memphis Drum Shop Cymbal Summit...the first international conference dedicated to the cymbal! Hosted by Memphis Drum Shop, Cymbal Summit is set for May 7-8, 2010, in musical Memphis, Tennessee. The two-day conference will feature the top cymbal manufacturers, industry experts, and artists - along with the world's largest collection of cymbals - all gathered in one spot, and Meinl cymbals will, of course, be there.

Meinl Cymbals Presentation (Saturday, May 08 @ 12:00pm): Tradition Meets Technology

Meinl Cymbals presents a new breed of cymbals, created for the drummers of today and tomorrow. During its presentation at Cymbal Summit 2010 hosted by Memphis Drum Shop, Meinl will give attendees a thorough understanding of the company’s half century-plus history and how its development of cymbal sounds through the years has culminated into a new sound for the drummers of today. Meinl will give an inside look at its blend of old-world craftsmanship and new-world technology in creating its cymbals. In addition, an in-depth look will be taken regarding Meinl’s focus on developing the highest quality cymbal sounds utilizing more alloys than any other cymbal company. Meinl Cymbal artist Thomas Lang will assist in Meinl’s presentation, show-casing Meinl’s cymbal sounds through his revolutionary drumming.

The online ticket sales for the upcoming Meinl Drum Festival on June 26th 2010 have started today on meinldrumfestival.com.

Two different kind of tickets are available:


1. Option

Ticket for the festival including accompanying events such as production tours, drum circles, cymbal exhibition, and so on.

Presale price online               € 20
Box office                               € 23
Reduced price for students    € 17
Kids up to 12 years of age    free

These tickets will also be availabe during the upcoming Musikmesse in Frankfurt and can be purchased at the meinl booth 3.0.B25.



2. Option

Ticket for the festival including the Benny Greb & Frank Itt drums/bass groove workshop.
The groove workshop is limited to 100 people and will be held in a separate venue away from the festival.

These tickets are only avaiable online on meinldrumfestival.com. First come, first serve.

Price online                             € 28
Reduced price for students     € 25


If you have any quesitons about the Meinl Drum Festival, feel free to contact us on info@meinldrumfestival.com

Meinl Cymbal artist Andrew Stricko will perform at the 2010 KOSA Winnipeg Drumtalk Festival. Currently with the hit Canadian pop/rock group Faber Drive, Andrew will perform at the festival at 1:30pm on Sunday, March 21.

Location - 

CCFM

340 Provencher Boulevard

Saint Boniface, Manitoba, Canada R2H 0G7

About Andrew -

Andrew is a young drummer with knowledge and skill far beyond his years. Born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario, Andrew was first exposed to music through his parents and grandparents. A product of an extremely musical family, Andrew became familiar with the world of music quickly and early in his life. With his earliest musical memories ranging from watching Michael Jackson's televised concerts to seeing the best imitations of The Beatles at local festivals with his mother, it was no surprise that Andrew would embrace his family's history and embark on his own musical journey. Growing up around many different musical influences such as his grandfather who was a bass player, and father who was a respected accordionist as well touring musician, Andrew's transition into the world of drumming seemed natural.

Having toured North America multiple times fresh out of high school, Andrew made it clear that touring and playing music was his most undeniable love. Touring extensively and playing in countess bands helped bud musical knowledge and personal growth well beyond his 21 years. Being a young Canadian drummer is something Andrew is proud of. After all, most of Andrew's influences, whether they be multi-platinum selling artists or local favourites are fellow Canadians. Frequenting local shows and travelling countless hours to see live music is something passionate and honest about Andrew. Appreciative of his Southern Ontario upbringing, he credits a significant amount of his success to where he is from.

Over the span of ten years, Andrew has taken his playing from his parent's basement across the continent, including playing in front of ten's of thousands of concert goers at some of North America's most talked about festivals. Extremely thankful and respectful, Andrew stays grounded by reminding himself of days in his unfinished basement, pounding his drums along to his favourite albums. Now residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Andrew realized that sometimes sacrifices must be made to follow your dreams and make the most of yourself that you can. From basements to festivals, from buying albums to receiving multi-platinum awards. Andrew is a true example of dedicating countless hours to music, and an even bigger example of how practice and determination can pay off.

Drummer Bram Raeymaekers from Belgium visited the Meinl cymbal factory today and handpicked a few cymbals to complement his current Meinl cymbal set up. Bram's choice has been a Byzance 14 thin hihat, Byzance traditional 20 thin ride, a Byzance brilliant 6 splash, and a Soundcaster Fusion 18 Trash Crash.

Bram also took a set of Meinl playback cymbals for his various appearances on Belgium TV.

Here is an exclusive video interview which Tokio Hotel drummer Gustav Schäfer gave to us very recently. Enjoy!

Meinl cymbals congratulates the winners of the German 2010 ECHO Musicawards:

Xavier Naidoo (with Meinl artist Ralf Gustke): Best National Rock/Pop Artist
Jan Delay (with Meinl artist Jost Nickel): National / International HipHop
The Baseballs (with Meinl artist Tomas Svensson): Best German Newcomer

World class drum performances will be held on Saturday, June 26th, 2010. Yet again, some of the world's premier artists will present drum entertainment and showmanship of an extraordinary level. The technical realisation of the event along with the line up is among the best in the world making the Meinl Drum Festival a memorable experience for every drummer.

Meinl is pleased to announce the line up for their upcoming Meinl Drum Festival taking place on the company's premises on June 26th, 2010:

Gergo Borlai, Hungary
Oli Rubow (De-Phazz) & Bertil Mark (Thomas D), Germany (drum & percussion duet)
Dave Mackintosh (Dragonforce), England
Chris Coleman (Prince, Chaka Khan, NKOTB), USA
Thomas Lang, Austria

Plus one more artist – soon to be announced!

Additional master classes, autograph sessions, drum circles, a Meinl cymbal exhibition, guided production tours, and the give-away of Meinl cymbals and percussion instruments will complete this extraordinary experience.

Doors open at 9am and the event will last until about 9pm.

Ticket prices:

Presale                                     €20
Box office                                  €23
Reduced price for students       €17
Kids up to the age of 12           free

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Private master class by Benny Greb and bass player Frank Itt

In a private master class, Benny Greb will give an in-depth "groove workshop" about musical interaction between drums and bass. He will be joined by 3erGezimmer bass player Frank Itt.

Topics will include:

Time-training
Constructing applicable drum parts
Phrasing
Drums and bass in various styles

This master class will be held independently from the regular festival in a separate venue. Tickets for Benny's groove workshop are limited and will only be available online. They allow access to the regular Meinl Drum Festival too.


Ticket prices for Benny Greb's groove workshop (including access to the Meinl Drum Festival):

Regular price                              €28
Reduced price for students        €25

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Ticket pre-sales will begin soon on meinldrumfestival.com

Meinl Cymbal artist Jason Bittner and his band Shadows Fall are hosting two in-store meet and greets at Steve's Music stores.

March 04, 2010 - Steve's Music / Toronto, Canada

March 08, 2010 - Steve's Music / Montreal, Canada

Meinl artist and clinician Michael Schack performed at Rhythm Impact's Slagwerkfestival in Berlicum, Netherlands yesterday sunday February 28th. After teaching three workshop classes, Michael closed the show with his solo performance and a jam session with Meinl percussion artist Roel Calister.

In his presentation Michael focused on the different Meinl cymbal series and showed possibilities to combine them in a musical way. The day ended with an extensive autograph session.

Thanks to Tonn and his Rhythm Impact team for organising this great event.