Tuesday, February 28, 2017

MIKE HANSEN LIVE TONIGHT-WHISKY A GO-GO-ULTIMATE JAM NIGHT-MUSIC OF BLACK SABBATH-

Mike Hansen (Hurricane, George Lynch, Pointer Sisters, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Bouillet) will be one of the guests at the Ultimate Jam Night tonight in Hollywood at the Whisky A Go-Go. Tonight is the Music Of Black Sabbath, and Mike will most assuredly play this music perfectly. Looking over the list of talent, which is lengthy and is a Who's-Who....It should be a great show.

I am lucky I live where I do, everyone seems to come through here so I can see them live. So often I find though I am disappointed I cannot attend something....This is one of them. Mike is a long-time player of Beier Drums, and has used a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15 as his go-to from the day he started with it. Looking forward to seeing him live again soon at a Midwest show....


    



NEW VAIN RECORD-TOMMY RICKARD-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14....

The new and long awaited record from fans of Vain is finished, and is available for purchase. Tommy Rickard used his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 on this entire record, with the exception of two tracks. I ordered my copy, and should have it in several weeks and will update as always.

Tommy also has numerous projects in the works including filming a spot for television, & a new record from Orchid. Both of these he will be using his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14. Summer of 2017 will bring him back to Europe for live dates as well with a 1.5 Steel--4 x 15.

Link below for details on the new Vain record. Thanks Tommy....Great talking this week.....





CHAD MELCHERT-LIVE AT RANCHMAN'S-CALGARY-ALBERTA-VINTAGE GRETSCH KIT & HIS BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14....

Canada's Finest.....Chad Melchert was out playing live last week with his vintage Gretsch kit. The kit truly is stunning (26" Bass Drum!), and to have his 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 included for this show in Calgary at Ranchman's with this kit....Was really something special here. In early Summer...Chad will be firing up another drum from Beier Drums here. More on that later, but this can be said now: It is going to be a lot of fun seeing him play this drum. Check out the link below for Gord Bamford's site for tour dates with Chad. 

Thank You Brother.... 








Thursday, February 23, 2017

JARRED POPE UPDATE..THE TOM KIEFER BAND....

It is no surprise that one of Nashville's great players, Jarred Pope, (Latest News 1/24), just landed the seat for the Tom Kiefer Band last week. Amidst all of his recent live and studio work with Damon Johnson, Aerosmith's Buck Johnson, and upcoming live dates with Gene Simmons....Jarred is going to be one extremely busy player.

He currently uses a 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 15, & that is a drum he is absolutely in love with. He also has used a 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 live and recorded a live soon-to-be-released record with Damon Johnson with that drum, and performed live with Thompson Square with a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14.

As a long time fan of Cinderella and Tom Kiefer...This was great news here. Tom's solo band comes around to this area pretty frequently, and this will give me a chance to catch Jarred live again. Last Summer when he shied around was just the greatest time.

Congratulations Jarred.....See you soon!




VIDEO-HIGHLAND LIVE AT THE REGENT THEATER IN L.A.-MICHAEL SEMERDJIAN-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--7.5 X 15...

Progressive Death Metal artists, Highland, performed live at The Regent Theater in Los Angeles last Friday night. This was also the first night that Michael Semerdjian (Latest News 2/17) had his new 1.5 Steel--7.5 x 15 out live. 

Michael mentioned to me he was skeptical of how a 15" drum would fit in with his playing and set-up. Subsequently he mentioned to me "It works, it fits, and it's classy...". Below are some more of his comments on this drum. 

Gotta tell you Michael....You guys really impressed me. This band is so tight, so rehearsed....Your set was stellar. Congrats to all of you on that....Highland is a great band from A-Z, and I really hope you guys shy around the Midwest sometime. It would be great to see you live. Looking forward to all of the updates on the band, and your experience with your 1.5 Steel--7.5 x 15.... 

"The tuning range if this drum is HUGE. It cuts & cracks, and sounds fat & full at high tuning's even though it is a Steel shelled drum...."

Michael Semerdjian-Highland

    




SCOTT THOMPSON LIVE AT THE WILDHORSE SALOON WITH LARRY FRICK-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--4 X 15.....

Scott Thompson (Latest News-1/30) was back home from the road with Pure Prairie League last weekend, and was playing live with Larry Frick at the Wildhorse Saloon. He was using his new 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 for the night, and according to Scott....That went over great. 

The 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 has been Scott's main since the day he started with it, and with the addition of the 1.5 Steel--4 x 15....There is no doubt both drums will see a ton of use with him. Thanks Again Scott...!


"James Beier....I'm in love again. The 4 x 15 is amazing. You are a master sir. Thanks Mark Beckett for your design inspiration..."

Scott Thompson  














SAM LUMSDEN IN SCOTLAND-NEW DRUM COVER-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14.....

As from Day 1 of knowing Sam Lumsden, he continues to show why he is one of the most diversely talented players, educators, and live performers in Scotland. His most recent clip & cover of Physical Edication by Animals As Leaders illustrates this perfectly.

Sam used his main-The 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 on this, & has for virtually all of his material. He has done numerous video clips with that drum, and his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15. There are also several excellent clips in the Audio section of this site with each drum that he did. He is also a full-time educator and runs First Class Drums in Inverness, and performs live regularly. 

He is yet another player who uses Aquarian Heads on my drums. I used a lot of Aquarian Heads here this last year, and will most likely use even more in 2017. Chris Brady mentioned to me in conversation the number of players that are using their heads on my drums. That is a testament to a company that is doing a great job.

Thank You Sam.....As always, we will be in touch.....    

  





Wednesday, February 22, 2017

DON BREWER-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 x 14 & 6.5 x 14-GRAND FUNK RAILROAD EARLY FOOTAGE-WERE AN AMERICAN BAND-

Michael Foster of Firehouse recently posted a clip from Grand Funk Railroad from 1973, and simply had to make note of this. (First link below is to this clip)

I was extremely fortunate to have spent some time with Don Brewer. He is arguably one of the most influential drummers in Rock....Ever. No matter who you talk to or where, no matter what genre of music...His drumming and influence is staggering. He was an amazing player, performer, and singer in the early day's, and today he is as great he has always been. You hear people say about concerts: "Close your eye's and it is 1973 again...". That is a Grand Funk Railroad show with Don Brewer now. 
  
Don used a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 live, and subsequently used a 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 on a Grand Funk Tour. Seeing him play through their show, especially to Footstompin Music, is, and always will be one of my great musical memories. It was also a big surprise to get a statement from him for my site, a sample of the intro for "Were An American Band" on his 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14, and a statement as well from Glenn Preston their FOH engineer. (Friends section of this site for the statements, and Audio for the samples). The second link below is a clip of a live show with his 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 during his solo as well. 

Thanks Michael for posting this. Michael posting this goes back to what I said above. Michael Foster is one of Rock's legends. And Don Brewer...Like with so many....Is one of his heroes and major influences. That....Say's it all!















TESLA IN MILWAUKEE-TROY LUCCKETTA...JACK O'DONNEL & BRIAN WHEAT-J STREET RECORDERS-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14...

Last week Tesla rolled through town, and as always...They were unbelievably great live. They always have been. I have seen them numerous times over the years, and like so many of the legendary bands in Rock like Styx, Firehouse, etc..,....They just deliver in a huge kind of way. They have added LED screens, do an acoustic set in the middle of the show, have one of the best FOH engineers in the business, and show song after song why they will be performing for many years to come.

It was great to see Troy Luccketta. I see him a couple of times a year, and stay in touch with him.  He has been an incredible friend to me over the years, and is always willing to lend his advice and thoughts on what I am doing here at Beier Drums. He has used my drums on many, many studio records from Doris Day's last record, to the latest single from Tesla "Save That Goodness" which was released on the Mechanical Resonance Live album. That has always been an enormous honor for me! (See "Records" section on this site)

Also want to send out a big Thank You to Jack O'Donnel & Brian Wheat of Tesla. Brian owns J Street Recorders, and has a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 there for recording. I touched base with Jack who works in the studio, and had a great conversation with him. They both really, really like the drum, and there is no doubt it will pop up on a lot of material that they are producing and engineering. They recently used the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 on a single from Katie Danberg as well. 

Thanks Again for everything you guy's...Will be in touch....!

  














Sunday, February 19, 2017

TOMMY RICKARD-NEW INSTAGRAM CLIP WITH HIS BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14.....

Sending out a big Thank You to Tommy Rickard this morning. I really, really dug his latest Instagram clip, and it was great to see him with his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 as I so often do. That drum has seen a ton of use with him, and his tuning and his style are perfectly suited to it. IOW....He is a such great player, and he knows just how to make this drum sing.

He recently did a tour with Orchid in Canada with that drum, and has had a long and incredibly interesting career. He was with Vain in the earlier years, and also held the seat for the late Scott Weiland. In Summer of 2016 as well he had a run in Las Vegas and performed with Dee Snider & others with his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14. (Link below) Please see his website also for all of the info. on his playing, schedule, and musical endeavors.

Thanks Tommy....Always great to hear from you....











Friday, February 17, 2017

TRACY BROUSSARD'S KIT-BLAKE SHELTON'S DOING IT TO COUNTRY SONGS TOUR 2017-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14....

Blake Shelton's "Doing It To Country Songs Tour" kicked off last night in Bakersfield, California at the Rabobank Arena. As always...It was wonderful to see Tracy Broussard out with his 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 as his main. Below are some pics from last nights show that he took.

Looking forward to seeing Tracy live again in the coming month's. As always....I will be updating the Latest News on this. I have another drum for him that I think is really going to go over big. Thanks as always Tracy.....See you soon...








MICHAEL SEMERDJIAN-HIGHLAND-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--7.5 X 15...

I wanted to follow up with Michael Semerdjian of Highland last week, and was able to do so. He recently ordered a 1.5 Steel--7.5 x 15 from Drum Center Of Portsmouth. This was in Gloss White, and was the first one in that color of this new drum. He is incredibly happy with this drum, and has been posting a series of clips on Instagram. (Links Below). Tonight as well, Highland is playing, and he will be using the drum for the first time live. Looking forward to hearing the reaction from that a great deal. 

Tony Interlande of Drum Center Of Portsmouth sent me this order, and all of your timely and excellent communication was really appreciated. You guys are great....Good Luck on the big move as well!

Thank You Michael Semerdjian...Looking forward to staying in touch, and Thanks as always to Drum Center Of Portsmouth...   







Thursday, February 16, 2017

GARRETT GOODWIN-MODERN DRUMMER-MARCH ISSUE-STORYTELLER TOUR-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14, 6.5 X 14, 4 X 15....

In the March Issue of Modern Drummer, Garrett Goodwin discusses his use of the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 on Carrie Underwood's Storyteller Tour in 2016. He used that drum on the second leg of the tour for the second set. On the first leg of the tour he also performed live in both sets with his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 & 6.5 x 14. 

I saw two of these shows, and without a doubt it is one of the great tours to have ever hit the road. I have mentioned that before in the Latest News here, and have also mentioned that this band floored me as well. I am hoping & assuming that this tour comes out on DVD, so if you did not have a chance to see them live....This is the next best thing.

Thank You Garrett for everything!....Looking forward to seeing the band again very soon...  














Tuesday, February 14, 2017

RUSS WHITMAN-CRAIG MORGAN 2017 TOUR-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14...

The 2017 Craig Morgan Tour has started, and Russ Whitman has his main snare, the 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 out with him with his Pearl Blue Sparkle kit. (The first pic is from this last weekend in Oklahoma) This was also the kit and configuration he used on last years tour. He has a new kit he will be starting with, and the hardware is in the process of being finished. There will also be a new Beier 1.5 Steel Series Snare he will be using as well. That drum will arrive to him in the next couple of weeks. 

New Kit-New Tour-New Snare=Something I am really looking forward to hearing. I'll be seeing this band along the way this season, and will update this entry....! Tx Russ.....
  






RANDY VAUGHN IN THE STUDIO...BLUVUDU PRODUCTIONS...BEIER 1.5 STEEL SNARE--5.5 X 14......

Randy Vaughn was one of the early users of the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14, and is a player that uses that drum constantly...Seemingly always. Every time I see a pic of him in the studio or playing live, he has it with him.

He has always been a big fan of the Supra, and we discussed that when we talked the first time. That was a number of years ago now, and his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 has been his #1 choice in snare drums ever since. In addition to his live dates, he was recently at BluVudu Productions for a session, and will update this when that material is released.

Thank You Randy......!



 





"Without a doubt.....The finest snare drum I have ever owned"...

Randy Vaughn






CHAD MELCHERT-UPCOMING TRACKING WITH GORD BAMFORD-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--4 X 15 & 6.5 X 14....

I have had so many great conversations with Chad Melchert...It is hard to count. He is forever up to something interesting, and is hands down one of the busiest drummers I know. Was extremely happy to hear that he will be using his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 & 6.5 x 14 on the new Gord Bamford record. They will start tracking it in April, and it will be a hit no doubt. 

Thanks Chad for your recent below comments on your 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 and brush work. I value and appreciate your comments enormously....  



"My Beier Drums 4 x 15 is a cracking beast, but is also the best brush snare I've ever recorded. Can't get enough of it"... 

Chad Melchert



Monday, February 13, 2017

DAVID PETERSON-NEW RELEASE-ONE WAY CITY-SIMPLE QUESTIONS-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--8 X 14

David Peterson (Latest News 1/6) just released his record Simple Questions from One Way City. It features his 1.5 Steel--8 x 14. He mentioned to me he is trying to truly capture the sound of the drum on this, and after listening...He surely did. On the track Velocity, the full sound of the drum is fully heard, and on Simple Questions, the cross-sticking is great. 

Looking forward to more tracks being released David....Many Thanks!, and great job....   





Friday, February 10, 2017

MICHAEL GRANDO-JOE DIFFIE-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--4 X 15 & 5.5 X 14....

Was great to see Michael Grando had his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 out this week. He currently has a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 as well.

Both of the drums have seen a lot of use in Nashville, and on the road in his main gig with Joe Diffie. It has been about a year and a half since I saw that band live, and I am hoping to see them again very soon. It was a great time all the way around, and this band lit it up big time. I had a long drive to the show that was way out in the country, and it was worth every mile. Driving on roads with endless miles of cornfields to arrive in a small town with a stage in a field is something I absolutely love. Thousands of people came out for this show, and it is one of those things where you wonder where everyone is coming from. (I was surprised there were that many people in the county). Joe Diffie and this band lit it up big time, and this crowd had an unbelievably great time.

Have to talk to Michael about it, but I noticed he had an Evans 15" on the drum. I am assuming it is G2, he had mentioned he changed out the head to a thicker one. Originally the drum had an Ambassador on it, which always are great on the 15' drums. But I have to say, recently using the Evans G1 & G2 on the 15" drums has gone incredibly well. Both of those heads were a pleasant surprise, and with the number of players requesting Evans these days....Both the G1 & G2 are going to see a lot of use here.

Link below to a clip of Michael at sound check with his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14, a live clip with his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15. and for tour dates for Joe Diffie. Check in with this band and see them....Guaranteed great time. Thanks Michael for everything. Your name pops up frequently in discussions and I really appreciate you mentioning my gear to so many players. Hope to see you soon...