Drummers of Los Angeles, grab your sticks and join us. Why let guitar players have all the fun? We see you guys supporting each other, forming communities on YouTube and the forums and message boards, we want to give you a platform to get together in person to trade knowledge, network, and have fun.

Where:

Musician’s Choice Studios, 3727 Robertson Blvd, Culver City, CA (map)

When:

Wednesday, October 21st, 7:30pm-9:30pm

RSVP:

Meetup.com, Facebook, or Upcoming.org

Brent Barnett, Gibraltar‘s drum rack builder to the stars will be on the scene at this event. Brent has helped design drum racks for Clown (drummer for Slipknot) Jonathan Moffett (drummer for Michael Jackson), Joey Bumpus (drummer for Lady Gaga), Marc Schulman (drummer for Pink), and Tris Imboden (drummer for Chicago). Come and meet Brent to get the expert opinion on your drum setup.

Gibraltar Hardware Product manager, Ken Fredenberg will be on-hand to discuss everything you ever wanted to know about drum hardware.

Talk shop with Jim Stanek, Product Manager for Dixon Drums, who will be demonstrating Dixon’s Outlaw kit, and award winning Rosewood snare drums.

We’ll provide the food and drinks, some kits to work with and some pro talent to get things started.

But wait, there’s more! We’ve got great giveaways!

• Dixon Rosewood Snare Drums
• Dixon Demon Series 6-pc drum set
• Gibraltar Stealth VMS System
• Gibraltar Pedals and Ultra Adjust Hi Hat Stand
• Gibraltar Hybrid Mounting Pod with Boom Stand

Don’t miss out on your chance to win these sweet prizes, talk with the pros and meet your fellow drummers!

Parking:
There is street parking on Robertson and a municipal lot behind Del Taco.

RSVP for the LA Drummer Meetup:
Meetup.com, Facebook, or Upcoming.org

Bedrock Studios is a new mega recording/rehearsal studios has opened in Echo Park, an area in known for its art and music scene, between downtown Los Angeles and Dodger Stadium. But it is not only rehearsal with 27 lockout rehearsal spaces and 8 recording studio. It is also an instrument repair shop, an instrument rental facility, an instrument accessory shop (probably selling guitar strings and drum heads) a brewery/pub/restaurant with a small stage, a cafe, a concierge, and a 3 suite hotel!

Bedrock also feature Dixon Drum kits available for use in their rehearsal or recording studios, pictured here (click for larger photos).

We were given a preview of their beautiful pfd brochure touting all of their offerings. It looks like a truly unique environment for musicians, putting other dingy spaces downtown to shame. This is during a time when the music industry is undergoing massive change. While most musicians can simply record at home, Bedrock allows them to be immersed in a special place that can help evoke a great performance. Each studio and rehearsal space is uniquely decorated by artists, and are outfitted with mood lighting. I can’t wait to visit!

Update 10/8/09: it looks like they have launched their website, at bedrockla.com (was linking to their myspace page prior to this)

With this years introduction of Dixon Drum Hardware’s 911DB-L left-footed double pedal, it got me thinking about the definition of a “left-handed” drummer. I have read much debate on this subject, and there are a few different opinions.

Here’s my take on the subject: There are drummers like Phil Collins, who used to set his drums up in a “left-handed” fashion, completely opposite of a “right-handed” set up. Then there are drummers like Simon Phillips, Carter Beauford, and Mike Bordin, who play with an “open-handed style”. We also have a lot of drummers that are left-handed, meaning they write with their left hand, but play on a “right-handed” set up.

Can we just say that a drummer is a “lefty” if he leads with his or her left hand, and that’s the end of the discussion? The same can be true for a “right-handed” player My personal take on this subject is that, a drummer is a drummer, no matter how he or she sets up their drum set. Left or right, who’s to say what’s right or wrong.

My top Three drummers who play on a left – handed set up are:

• Ian Paice
• Phil Collins
• Rod Morgenstein

My top Three drummers who play open – handed are:

• Simon Phillips
• Carter Beauford
• Mike Bordin

So I invite you to give us your opinion here in the comments, and tell us who your favorite “left-handed” drummers are. The first 20 to leave a comment will get a Dixon Drums T-shirt. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so we can contact you about your mailing address.

Here is a letter from Hal D, the Grand Prize winner of our Modern Drummer Contest.

Hey y’all, I’m the Grand Prize winner of the Modern Drummer Dixon Drums/Sabian Cymbals June ’09 giveaway! Wow, am I BLOWN AWAY!

I’ve played drums/percussion for almost 50 years….school bands and orchestras, cover bands, jazz bands, Riverside, CA Symphony Orchestra while still in high school, (*** years ago), the Air Force Bands of the West and Midwest…studied music education in college….full time professional musician at times, and part time at other times. These days I’m retired from my ‘day job’, am the principal percussionist with our local community/professional symphony orchestra, (for the last 22 years), play in various rock, blues, jazz combos, big bands, and teach private drum lessons.

When I first learned that I’d won this awesome prize package, I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d end up with. Dixon drums have just recently entered the drum market, and like probably many of you, I was unfamiliar with them. But once they arrived?….my expectations were definitely exceeded! This Outlaw Series set, in the Rock Configuration, is certainly a pro quality set of drums! The ‘build’ is top notch….solid, true 100% maple shells….clean and flawless bearing edges….quality low-mass lugs….quality/solid Dixon stands and pedals….the 24” bass drum is a CANON!….the ten lug snare is sensitive AND powerful, (very nice!)….and a beautiful, lustrous lacquer finish! Yeah! I also didn’t have any first hand knowledge about the Sabian XS20 cymbals. They ALSO exceeded my expectations…with their great quality sound!

Probably neither the Dixon Outlaw Rock configuration drums, nor the Sabian XS20’s would fit into a jazz genre. But if you want to ROCK on a professional level, at a VERY affordable price, you should really make a point of checking these drums and cymbals out!

Now, the thanks…and thanks….and THANKS! First I want to thank Modern Drummer Magazine for offering this giveaway, and OF COURSE, for drawing my name! I also want to thank the staff of Modern Drummer, (specifically, Kevin Kearns), for handling the whole process in such a wonderful, helpful way. Secondly…but CERTAINLY NOT least….many, many thanks to Jim Stanek of Dixon Drums and Sabian Cymbals for ALL of his great, professional, TIMELY effort to see to it that these awesome prizes arrived at my door quickly and safely. That effort, and his follow-up speak volumes about his professionalism and personal character. Thanks Jim!

All the best, and ROCK ON!
Hal D.
Southern Oregon