CHOOSING THE RIGHT STICK

One of the most important choices a drummer must do is the choice of sticks. This is not just done in an eyewink due to playing style and of course, style of Music. Here´s the tip of the day.

The drumstick choice is a personal affair and all manufacturers has their own sizes/models and even though there are no standards, almost everyone follows these guidelines. All drumsticks have a number followed by a letter. This is a guide to help you to the style of Music and heaviness in the drumstick which in the next step will effect your performance. Important to say, this is just a recommendation so, you should look at it as a curious but good to know information. Lets have a go:

The Letters first:

S=Street; Heavy performance stick originally made for marchingdrums.

B=Band; Lighter sticks for brass and symphonic Orchestras for greater performance yet high in striking volume.

A=Orchestra; most suitable for bigbands and dance Orchestras were the drums are to be held back in volume but fast in action when needed.

Then we got the numbers:

The numbers indicate the diameter of the drumstick. The higher the number, the thinner the stick. Most popular models are: 7A, 7B, 5A, 5B and 2B. The 7A is the thinnest and therefore the fastest stick. 5B is the most common stick in rockbands due to its high durability and volume but its more heavier to play. 2B is the most volume strong stick but hard to play fast and to be technical with. Uncertain of choice? Start to play with 5A or 5B and work your way from there, a good compromise.

The next thing to take in considoration, is the tip of the stick.

Round Oval Triangel

The round tip will give you a small striking area which gives you a small variation of flexibility in tone.Basically it sounds the same all the time. The Oval shape gives you a greater variation of flexibility between dark and light tones due to greater striking area. Good to know when you need to change tone in cymbal playing. And then there´s the Triangel. The most variated shape between dark and high tones. A personal favorite. You have to explore your style and of course what you are playing.

Material

The drumstick is often made by different choice of Wood. Hickory, Maple or Oak is the most common ones. Then there´s the choice of glossy or not?? As you can see there´s a lot of choices to be made and do try to have patience as this is the first thing that interferes with your playing!!

Need more info?     Of course you do. 🙂

Follow the link and get on with you´re prefered drumstick! Enjoy…

http://www.mikedolbear.co.uk/story.asp?StoryID=459&Source=Arch

 

 

SLEEP-DOPESMOKER-

Released  for the first time in 1998 this ledfuelled Power trio originates from the bay area of USA. With an unparallelled match to anything earlier, this is either a masterpiece or a complete failure. But one thing is perfectly clear..nothing you´ve Heard erlier can match this HEAVY METAL thunder of recording, absolutely nothing.

Guitarist Matt Pike and bass player/vocalist Al Cisneros joined forces with drummer Chais Hakius in the eárly 90´s and toured with both Hawkwind and Cathedral, they got recognizion through their first release of “Sleep´s Holy Mountain”. London Records signed the band and gave them an advance of 75 000 dollars which was spent on custom amplifiers, guitars and presumably marijuana. The rumour has it that it took four years(!) before the track”Dopesmoker” was finished into the form,  which is presented on this release.

As the finished recording was presented to London Records, they where really dissapointed about the result and refused release the album. Sleep refused on their behalf, to do anything about the recording and the standoff was at full display. It would take two years after Sleep´s disolvment to release the album under the name”Jerusalem” and since then Three different reissues has occured. The final one by Southern Lord Records who, with a new remix and artwork, put out the definitive press of the album. A Wonderful job!!

Whatabout the drummer, Chris Hakius?? As much of the rest of the band this is a joint venture. Nothing good or bad just a raw, stoner fuelled asskick. I am impressed how this drummer can motivate himself to keep pounding those drums for over an hour and nothing ever falls through. This guy must be high as mount Kilimanjaro…:-)

To sum this album up I qoute what a New York Times critic wrote: “What seems disorienting and monochromatic at first grows richer and more rewarding upon repeated exposure. It’s like a Mark Rotho painting hitting you over the head with a bag of hammers.” ´Nuff said,  It´s hammer time….

If you´re into Stoner/Heavy/slow/psych rock this is one of the best albums ever recorded. On the other side of the scale, it´s just so comprehensive that it´s absolute crap. One way or the other, and what a perfect way to end 2016 on top, or bottom!!  🙂 Happy New Year!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

9-DIVINE-WOULD MAKE YOU WANNA LEAVE YOUR GIRLFRIEND-

1-WTF?-I DON´T GET IT??-

 

DIRTY TRICKS-DIRTY TRICKS-

This British outfit released their debut album in 1975. Trying to cross the elapsing bridge between hardrock versus Heavy metal this must be the proof a venture shot down in flames. No disrespect for “don´t stop believing” but most things for succés is missing here.

Dirty Tricks is a  blues/hard rock album. The debut album find Kenny Stewart’s distinctive vocals and the wonderful guitar playing of John Fraser-Binnie to set this band apart from their contemporaries. The producing is top notch by Rodger Bain with a touch of Rolling Stones baked into the sound Picture. Very Nice.

Regretably the album was released when the Punk movement was erupting sending new hard rock Music back a Century. The songs have some difficulties to reach the mountain top, not bad but then not really good either…just like your ordinary suitcase, no trick bag..

Whatabout the drummer, John Lee?? Nothing fancy to put on display. Good Clean striking with avarage drive and attitude. I miss some “Cajones” due to this is a bluesbased album that lacks that bit of “in your face” attitude. Another ingredient missing.

Not to be on the downside but should you get this album? Yes and the only reason is that there´s nothing else to be compared with for trying to elaborate the gap between Music styles by this time period. An important album in that sense. Great copies are out there for descent Money so please do history a favor and put it on your turntable.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

STONE THE CROWES-TEENAGE LICKS-

This is the third album released in 1971 from this outfit, originated from Glasgow Scotland. Most famous for Maggie Bell who reminiscents of Janis Joplin on vocals. But also to have included Alex Harvey´s younger brother Les, on guitar and as a major songwriter on these three albums.

Heavy Blues/soul/prog rock is the direction on this great album. Les Harvey impresses on the guitar and the production is as you´ve expected from the timeperiod. A bit daft but in all acceptable.

Touring for years Before this album, in army bases across Europe and in festivals in Great Britain the big break eluded the band. Peter Grant had some Money interest in Les Harvey and kept a watchful Eye on the band who, though great Reviews in the press, never came to any big numbers concerning record sales. The band nearly came to quits soon after this album when Les Harvey was electrocuted on stage in Swansey in 1972. There´s some  fried Crowe boogie for you…..

Whatabout the drummer, Colin Allen?? This a great blues drummer with no particularly tricks in his pocket. Good drive, excellent delivery with clear striking and good “pondus”. Much of the skills he picked up while with John Mayall´s Bluesbreakers, a great teaching school for gifted musicians.

If you´re in to soulful blues/prog/ rock Music with excellent vocals this is already in you possession. The recommendation is to buy this great album and really find a spot to enjoy Maggie Bells soulful singing. A Lost Gem from Scotland for no Money at all, well almost. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

 

ASTERIX-ASTERIX-

Released in 1970 this german outfit sets a few questionmarks straight.

A predecessor to what would become Lucifer´s friend, much of what is to become is found on this album. Asterix originally had an all German line-up featuring keyboard player Peter Hecht, lead guitarist Peter Hesslein, bassist Dieter Horns, singer Georg Mavros, and drummer Joachim “Addi” Rietenbach.  Together and apart they’d played in a host of ’60s German bands including The German Bonds, The Giants, The Rattles, and a number of anonymous studio entities. By the time they recorded their debut album, the band had become an international act with the addition of English and American lead singers.

The production is flawless with a modern touch and the songs are strong with great resemblence to early protometal albums. Great vocals and gifted guitar playing suits the album and no song really falls under the radar. Great job!!

The exciting album cover looks very similar to a female bodypart (at closer excamination )and this prohibited Asterix from releasing the album in the States with this cover.

Funky… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Joachim “Addi” Rietenbach??? Besides the great name there´s not much to pick up from this chap. Steady as a train with few bumps this is a solid performance but a bit dull. Avarage to say the least.

To sum things up, this is a good record and an optional tip to buy. Nothing revolutionary but all in all a good performance when you know what to expect on their next album under the name “Lucifer´s Friend”. The album cover just say “Fresh fruit anyone?” and I Think I´ll say yes to that….:-)

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

 

 

ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION-HOODLUM THUNDER-

Released in January 1991 this is the higly sought after second album from frenzy Hard/sleaze/industrial rock bad boy Zodiac Mindwarp and his love reaction.

Originated from UK his real name is Mark Manning, a former graphic artist who, just fed up of the Life he was living, created his alter ego, Zodiac Mindwarp, determind to Live the debauchery Life as a rock´n´roll star. They got signed to Food Label a part of Phonogram records and made their debut with single ” Wild Child”. The full lenght album hit the desks in 1988. A fist in everyones face.

Having toured with Guns´n´roses, Alice Cooper in the US they failed to drag their album with them. They were dropped by the record Company with millions in debt..no one would touch them, even with a ten foot pole. But as Always things turnaround and a new deal saw the second album release in ´91. This time the Grunge wave was sweeping the World and if you were playing anything that reminded the public of ´80´s metal you were doomed. Again timing is everything….

This is a sad story because this album is more mature, better produced and in some sense a fortune teller on whats to come. The style swings a bit from jagged rock to early signs of the industrial sound which was to become very big in the early ´00´s. Very solid songs. The take on “Feed My Frankenstein” a co written piece with Mr. Cooper shows that Zodiac wasn´t so far from stardom. Standout tunes would be “Elvis died for you”, “Feed My Frankenstein”, “Trash Madonna” and “Hoodlum Thunder”. No song falls off the wagon but there are mood swings.

Whatabout the drummer, Slam Thunderhide (real name Stephen Landrum)?? Nothing bad really and on the other hand not really good either. I just feel a bit ambivalent about his input. On the upper side the striking and delivery all suits well but there´s a lack of something I cannot put my finger on. Curious…

Should you get this album? If you´re into hard/sleaze/industrial rock with a bit of glam sprinkled on it you feel right at home. A great party album. On the other hand, if you don´t have heard Zodiacs first Album then the advice would be to start there. No regrets.. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

 

 

THE PIRATES-SKULL WARS-

Released in 1978 this outfit is the offspring from Johnny kidd and the Pirates and originates from London.

With high octane rock`n`roll they conquer your senses and give you no chance to surrender. Just move along to the high beat or be the partypooper, the choice is yours! The swasbuckling fury upon the seven seas awaits, grrrr….. 🙂

The album itself contains both studio and live perfomences with great guitar playing from Mick Green and well, should we say strained vocals from bass player Johnny Spence. The speed is fierce, the Dynamics are totally thrown out and maybe a bit one handed in the selection of songs. But hey!! This is a party album not a hangover session on sunday morning!!

Whatabout the drummer, Frank Farley?? This chap do have to work for his Money! Thight, fast and may not the best in Dynamics but his striking is Clean with no intention to greatness. A perfect fit for a “Pubrock” outfit. It reminds me of the best gigs I played in my youth, sweaty, beerdripping joints packed with people with one mission only. To Party!! Great Times.

This record is a must for bikers, speedfreaks, rumblers and brawlers. The must to possess it is not necessery but, if your looking for an odd album in the style of Rockpile, this is the shit!!  🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

 

CRANK-A NIGHT IN THE CAVE-

Released in 1997 as a compilation together  with “Thump Theater” this is a mystery box.

Nothing to reveal who or what is playing on the album all information is based upon internet rumours and perhaps actual facts. I think the bass player is Johnny Castle but that is just a hunch. Labelled as “Led Zeppelin JR” this is the right description for this US outfit.

Produced and recorded sometime in late 60´s or maybe early 70´s, this album rock your socks off!! Great riffs and terrific vocals with great arrangement on the songs. This album is just plain cool 70´s bluesbased hard rock. Big Smile, Big smile….

The test of time has done its job on the production but, the less we know the more it becomes interesting as a time piece of the 70´s. Excellent job..

Whatabout the drummer??? Well I don´t know who´s in charge of the the kit.The only thing that strikes me is the ordinary playing style. Nothing out of the toolbox to get you exited but all in all a good performance well suited for the rest of the band.

This recording is just why I write about this kind of albums. A great record but maybe not your first buy when it comes to visit the recordstore. Worth exploring though and if you´re a sucker for early 70´s rock it could be Worth putting in a hard Days earnings in this album. You do get two bands for the price of Three… 🙂

And don´t forget to Crank it up when played!!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

 

 

MOURNIN´-NIGHT SUN-

Released in 1972 this outfit originated from Manheim Germany. This is their only album release and please..buckle up because your in for a tough ride…Produced by the talented Conny Plank the record has a fantastic soundframe with no what so ever wear of time, just fabulous!!

The record sets of in in a rocket frenzy style with”Plastic shotgun” and please be seated, the ride isn´t over. It’s the ensuing, slightly more settled “Crazy Woman” that represents the core elements of Night Sun’s potent yet regimented sound, including the first of many Purple-inspired guitar-and-organ solo battles between Walter Kirchgassner and Knut Rossler. A nervwrecking.journey.. 🙂

This Krautrock masterpiece offers you the best of the “genre menu” and it will attract new followers every year as follows. This is a forgotten gem and a bit surprising that it didn´t surfaced on the radar back in the day of its release.

Whatabout the drummer, Ulrich Staudt?? As I have described Before you got to be on your toes when you´re in a krautrock/prog band. Fast delivery, on the edge playing with blistering technique is what you will find. This is a really good drummer with possessive drive which benefits the other musicians. A great experience..

If your in to mindfucking Kraut/Prog/hard rock this is a must have record. Few albums can messure up to its potential. If you´re not German lover of Kraut I still recommend you to explore an odd bird in the pond. Terrific. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

CASTLE-UNDER SIEGE-

Released in May 2014 this outfit originates from San Fransisco and what a great Power trio! Married couple Matt Davis and Liz Blackwell on guitar and bass respectively, share both vocals and the pen to all lyrics. This 70´s sounding stoner trio gets all things right with their second album. Deep, dark and suggestive is the silver thread here and it almost find its way through.

Great production lifts the album like a bay area thunder but with a bit of hesitation on the vocals at some Points. Not weak but a feeling of hesitation on hitting the notes right or with Power and precision..peculiar feeling.

Resemblences to greater acts like Black Sabbath, Pentagram are obvious but these musicians are noway near any Copycats. All songs sounds personal but with familiar ingredients. Very good.

Whatabout the drummer, Al McCartney??? Fast and firm with no suprises would be the judgement and that´s not a bad Review. Good Clean striking with great delivery cements a right fit for the band. Overall a good experience but it´s obvious that this is not the drummer who´s in charge.

Standout tracks would be “Labyrinth of Death”, “Pyramid Lake” and “Evil Ways” but no song falls under the radar, a very solid album in That sense.

If you´re into to Hard/Heavy/stoner / rock with a bit of doom hanging over your shoulder, this is the perfect album. It reinvests some good fresh attitude to the genre and it is a pleasant listen. As Castle has evolved since their first album, not much has happened into the art of bending into the borderline of other genres, but perhaps that will be the case of the new album just released in 2016…we will have to wait and see..exciting. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-