Skip to content

Shameless Plugs

Asaf Sirkis Time For Space Drum Playalong

Time For Space Drums Play​-​Along by Asaf Sirkis

My teacher, Asaf, has released the instrumental tracks from his recent series’ of YouTube videos as drum playalongs. This is a really cool collection of original music that gives drummers something interesting to play along to. Time For Space Vol. 1 is not for “comfort playing”. You won’t be able to just stick a track on and play your favourite funk grooves and fills. Each tune needs a dfferent approach to filling the space and playing along to these will… Read More »Time For Space Drums Play​-​Along by Asaf Sirkis

Better Call Saul Theme Includes JPF Amps Regent 25

OK, nothing to do with drums at all but I’m always pleased to plug the fine work of my friends and associates. The theme tune for Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul which is looking like a great TV show so far, is by the band Little Barrie. Lead singer and amazing guitarist Barrie Cadogan used a JPF Amps Regent 25 built by my friend and Astrojets band leader, Frank Cooke at JPF Amps maker of fine guitar and bass… Read More »Better Call Saul Theme Includes JPF Amps Regent 25

Shameless Plug for A Couple of Cruise Ship Drummer Books

Just a quickie to let you know that the Samba and Bossa book (wot I reviewed in my last post) by the Cruise Ship Drummer is now available in dead tree format. Also the Book of The Blog 2014 is out. It’s a compendium of last year’s posts including stuff on jazz and Afro-Cuban drumming, snare drum exercises and transcriptions of drum parts in a variety of styles. I highly recommend checking out the blog for tons of free drumming… Read More »Shameless Plug for A Couple of Cruise Ship Drummer Books

My New Custom Moulded Earplugs Are Here

I’m very excited this morning because the postman bought me my new pair of ACS ER-15 custom moulded earplugs. My old pair died and I’ve had to wait a few months before ordering a new pair. Without my proper earplugs I have been using Elacin ER20s and ProGuard PR20s, both of which seem pretty good although the ProGuards are more comfortable for longer periods of time. The-off-the-shelf musician’s earplugs are not bad, I think all musicians should have a pair… Read More »My New Custom Moulded Earplugs Are Here

Drum Lessons In North-West London

A quick note to let you know I still have a few free slots available for drumming students in the North-West London area. Please get in touch if you want drum lessons starting in September. I teach in Mill Hill and Colindale and can work with people of all abilities from beginners to advanced. I have students of all ages and am dedicated to helping everyone become as good as they want to be. I like to think of myself… Read More »Drum Lessons In North-West London

Todd Bishop’s New Album, Travelogue, Out Now

Todd Bishop of the Cruise Ship Drummer blog puts out a high volume of interesting, valuable and varied drum set lessons and exercises. I like to show my support by buying the stuff he’s got for sale like his books and records. It’s come to my attention that Todd’s latest album, Travelogue, is out so I thought I’d give it a mention here. I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet but you can preview it on the… Read More »Todd Bishop’s New Album, Travelogue, Out Now

Chuck Silverman’s Keepers of the Flame – Cuban Rumba Traditions

Legendary drum educator Chuck Silverman’s documentary is in the editing stage and they need a few more shekels to help them finish it off. This is a good cause to support if you have an interest in Cuban drumming and the traditions of drums and percussion in general. Keepers of the Flame ? Cuban Rumba Traditions is a documentary project about the elder statesmen of the Cuban musical genre called Rumba. The history and culture of these men and women,… Read More »Chuck Silverman’s Keepers of the Flame – Cuban Rumba Traditions

JPF Amplification, Custom Made British Valve Amps – Documentary

The founders of JPF Amps are old friends of mine and I’ve had some small part in their evolution since I got to experiment with some of their early models including the MKII featured in the following film. JPF is dedicated to building high quality amps for guitar and bass as well as operating an amp repair workshop which serves a broad range of clients from weekend warriors to well known performing artistes. They are based in Denmark Street at… Read More »JPF Amplification, Custom Made British Valve Amps – Documentary

Footes Music Store – Helpful & Knowledgeable About Drums

Like many people, I don’t go in to music shops much any more. Buying drum stuff online is easy, cheap and doesn’t involve having to deal with surly or smug music shop staff and lack of stock and annoying upselling and misinformation. A couple of weeks ago I went into the legendary Foote’s which recently moved to the appropriately named Store Street, a few minutes walk from Goodge Street Tube station. I needed to pick up some sticks and a… Read More »Footes Music Store – Helpful & Knowledgeable About Drums