''Drum!'' is an American educational
drumming magazine. It features artist profiles, product reviews, lessons and advanced transcriptions covering rock, pop and related styles of music. The magazine was launched in 1991 with Andy Doerschuk as editor. In the 1990s it gained a reputation for its coverage of younger drummers in contemporary styles such as punk, rap-rock, and metal. It was the first magazine to feature artists such as
Tré Cool (
Green Day
Green Day is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Rodeo, California, in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, with drummer Tré Cool joining in 1990. In 1994, their majo ...
),
Chad Smith (
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, consisting of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (musician), Flea (bass), John Frusciante (guitar), and Chad Smith (drums). Their music incorporates elements of a ...
),
Travis Barker (
Blink-182) and others on its covers.
Contents
A typical issue of ''Drum!'' includes artist features and in-depth stories on topics such as playing techniques or new products. Additionally, it includes reviews of new recordings and drum products (cymbals, drums, hardware), short news items, career and health tips, and challenging lessons. The magazine has an annual readers poll award, the Drummies. Voting takes place from February to April each year, and the winners are announced in the summer months.
History
The magazine was started by Andy Doerschuk, Phil Hood, and Connie Hood in 1991.
The first issue appeared in September 1991, with
Charlie Benante of the band
Anthrax
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Bacillus anthracis'' or ''Bacillus cereus'' biovar ''anthracis''. Infection typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption. Symptom onset occurs between one ...
and session drummer
Joe Franco on the cover. At the time it was a tabloid-sized magazine that was distributed free musical equipment stores and record shops within California. In 1996 the magazine converted to a conventional glossy format and began global distribution. Today it is available in 24 countries worldwide, with more than 90 percent of copies going to Canada, Australia and the U.S.
Prior to starting ''Drum!'', Andy Doerschuk was the founding editor of ''Drums & Drumming'' Magazine, a short-lived publication that was part of GPI/
Miller Freeman, the publishers of ''
Guitar Player
''Guitar Player'' was an American magazine for guitarists, founded in 1967 in San Jose, California
San Jose, officially the City of San José ( ; ), is a cultural, commercial, and political center within Silicon Valley and the San Francis ...
'', ''
Bass Player'' and other magazines in the late '80s and early '90s. Phil Hood also worked at GPI and was the publisher of ''Drums & Drumming'' and ''EQ'' magazines. Previously, he had been the editor of ''Frets'', an acoustic music magazine. ''Drums & Drumming'' was shuttered by GPI during the
1991 recession. The assets of the magazine were sold to ''
Modern Drummer'', a competitive publication. At that point, Doerschuk and Hood decided to start their own magazine.
Effective 1 November 2016, ''Drum!'' was purchased by Stringletter, a media company headquartered in
Point Richmond, California that also owns other brands including
''Acoustic Guitar''.
In November 2019,
''180Drums'' magazine acquired ''Drum!''.
References
External links
* {{Official website, https://drummagazine.com/
Music magazines published in the United States
Magazines established in 1991
1991 establishments in the United States
Drumming