Drummer’s Review‘s Ollie Winiberg chats to drumming legend Nick D’Virgilio in this exclusive interview for Gretsch Drums. Nick shares his passion for the brand and reveals why Gretsch is so special to him, while also giving us a sneak peek at what was on show at the Gretsh booth at The NAMM Show 2025.
Be sure to check out more of what Gretsch Drums have to offer at The UK Drum Show, 18 & 19 October at ACC Liverpool…Grab your tickets for the UK’s hottest drum weekend now: www.theukdrumshow.com
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Join Drummer’s Review‘s very own Ollie Winiberg as he catches up with Jeff Mulvihill from Sonor Drums at The NAMM Show 2025 in Anahiem, California where they’re celebrating their 150th anniversary!
In this exciting discussion, Jeff reveals what makes Sonor truly special, gives us a sneak peak at some brilliant new releases and dives in to the rich history behind the brand.
Be sure to check out more of what Sonor Drums have to offer at The UK Drum Show, 18 & 19 October at ACC Liverpool…Grab your tickets for the UK’s hottest drum weekend now: www.theukdrumshow.com
For more interviews with some of the biggest names in drumming along with completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released.
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Drummer’s Review is sad to report the death of Rick Buckler, drummer with seminal Mod band The Jam.
The Jam were one the biggest successes in the 1970’s, with six studio albums, and 18 consecutive Top Forty singles, four of which reached Number One. The band enjoyed a ten-year career before disbanding in 1982.
The Jam were forged in the growing ‘pub rock’ scene in London, which gave career starts to The Stranglers and R ‘N’ B stalwarts Dr Feelgoood. As the engine room of the three-piece Jam, the sharp attacking style of Buckler’s drumming was the backbone to Paul Weller’s incisive rants about the inequality of the society in which the band was living. It was as much Buckler’s urgent percussive style that drove the music of The Jam, as Bruce Foxton’s fluid bass lines, and Weller’s spikey minimalist lead guitar. The staccato drum-roll climax highlighting the classic Northern Soul rhythms of A Town Called Malice were typical of Buckler’s approach to the drums, an absence of flowery embellishments in favour of solid melody-enhancing rhythms.
Following the sudden and unexpected split of The Jam, Paul Weller formed The Style Council and his career continued in a different musical direction. Foxton and Buckler however, were unexpectedly cast adrift.
Rick Buckler formed another short-lived band, Time UK, and tried his hand at record production. He left the music business and embarked on a new career in the furniture design and restoration business, before returning to music in 2005 with a new band, The Gift. His project with bassist Bruce Foxton, From The Jam, lasted four years, with the band touring and playing The Jam’s back catalogue. Buckler departed from the line-up, citing frustration at the absence of new material, and apparently unimpressed by Foxton’s decision to work again with Paul Weller.
Following the end of his full-time career as a musician, Rick Buckler continued to play drums occasionally, and also wrote several books about his experiences with The Jam. He was due to undertake a Spoken Word tour which was cancelled due to health problems.
Rick Buckler passed away on February 17 2025 at home, surrounded by his family, after a short illness – the cause of death has not been announced at the time of writing. He was sixty-nine.
Drummer’s Review wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to Rick’s family, friends, colleagues, and many fans, at this sad time.
Here’s the latest video from the Drummer’s Review Live Room featuring an Independent Drum Lab (INDe Drums) Nestingshell pack
Featuring:
20″ x 14″ Bass Drum,
12″ x 7.5″ Rack Tom,
15″ x 8.5″ Floor Tom
14″ x 3.75″ Aluminium Piccolo Snare,
Construction:
Bass Drum & Toms:
5-ply, 4.3mm Maple Shells,
Low Mass Shell Hardware,
Bass Drum & Floor Tom Split at Centre Point.
Snare:
1.5mm hand rolled and riveted aluminium shell,
8 x dual-ended low mass lugs,
1.6mm chrome over steel triple flanged hoops.
Filmed January 2025 at Paul Caboche Studios, Cornwall, UK. (scroll down for recording & equipment details)
“First impressions when unboxing and setting up the kit were really good. The natural finish combined with the fairly unique sizes gives the kit a classy, boutique feel…”
INDe Says…“This is the ultimate kit for the gigging drummer. Carry your complete INDe drum kit in one standard bass drum bag! Our nesting kits “Un-Nest” in seconds, and sound just as great as our regular Flex-Tuned drums. These are built with our lightweight maple shells, split in half and joined together with our exclusive Quick-Link connectors, which weigh a total of less than 100 grams per drum, and effectively join the drum to resonate as one. Nesting kits are build to order and ship in 6-8 weeks. Custom sizes and finishes are available too- click the button below for a quote!“
“…the Aluminium piccolo snare gives a loud, crisp and well projected tone that sings through the studio nicely. For a piccolo it has much more depth and body than we were first expecting making for a very nice overall drum.”
“Overall and the kit sounds incredible and is a pleasure to play. It has a fullness of sound that we thoroughly enjoyed and feels every bit a boutique kit.”
Pro’s:
Highly musical, full sound
Excellent construction and attention to detail
Several key innovative design elements
Con’s:
None!!
For more details on the INDe Drums Nesting shell pack, head to:
Kick Rear: Electrovoice RE27ND
Kick Front: Electrovoice RE27ND
Snare Top: Electrovoice PL80
Snare Bottom: Electrovoice PL80
Hi Hat: Oktava MK-012-01 Cardio
Ride: Oktava MK-012-01 Cardio
Toms: AKG C414B
Over Head wide: AKG C414B (pair)
Centre Over Heads: AEA R88 MK2 Stereo Ribbon Mic
Front Centre Room : AEA R88 MK2 Stereo Ribbon Mic
Wide Room Mic’s: sE2200T Tube Mic’s (pair)
Recording Process:
Microphone Pre amps: 16x Rupert Neve Designs 5052
Pre amp outs to Avid HD analog to digital converters connected to Avid HDX card
Recorded into Pro Tools Ultimate latest version running HDX cards mounted in an Apple Mac Pro 2019 16core.
Audio Template Details:
No EQ:
Direct microphone sound – no EQ either pre or post recording applied from the Neve 5052 Pre-Amps EQ section.
Basic EQ:
Basic EQ setting using the EQ section of the Neve 5052 mic Pre-Amps. No post recoded EQ or processing applied.
Full Studio Mix:
Post EQ section of the Neve 5052 mic Pre-Amps plus post production EQ, gating, parallel compression and some reverb added to the snare and toms. There was also some room mic processing along with parallel drum bus adding compression and reverb to the overall sound.
A Note From Paul…
“The microphones were set up with the overheads and room mic’s measured to the centre of the snare drum to keep the phase of any stereo pair in phase. The AEA R88 MK2 mic’s being stereo mic’s had no issue with phase but the front centre room mic and centre overhead where aligned with each other to keep the same stereo image. The phase reverse switch on the front kick mic was used to correct the phase between the two bass drum mic’s. The phase reverse switch was engaged on the bottom snare mic to correct the phase between the two snare mic’s. Hi pass filters only used on the hi hat mic, Ride mic and overheads. The AKG C414B mic’s on the toms have very little proximity bass boost so can be considered a pretty flat representation of the toms. The same can be said for the Electrovoice PL80 mic’s on the snare drum. Every effort was made so that the NO EQ sound example audio on the video was as true a representation of what the drums sounded like in the live room. The live room of the studio has been treated to also provide a neutral sound close to the drums with the room mic’s then giving a true representation of what the drums sound like in the room. Using 16 identical Mic Pre amps also helps with electrical phase so there is no difference between tone and phase of the Mic Pre amps. The brief for recoding the drums was to give as true a representation as possible of what the drums actually sound like and to then give examples of what can be done to the sound of the drums.”
For more completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released. You can also follow Drummer’s Review on social media:
All of Drummer’s Review videos are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform be sure to listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
Having played for Justin Hawkins, Jordan Rudess, Martin Barre, Devin Townsend and even on the West End for Disney’s ‘The Lion King’, Darby Todd joins our very own Ollie Winiberg for a chat and kit tour.
Tweeters studio, Leatherhead UK. The home of Devin Townsend drummer, Darby Todd. This was my first interview for Drummers Review and I was buzzing! Not only is Darby a good friend, but he is one of the most capable, reliable and relevant drummers I know and his ever-impressive CV continues to grow. Alongside being a prominent and significant member of Devin’s band, Darby has also worked with Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), The Darkness, Robert Plant and even played for Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ in the West End. This back catalogue evidences just how versatile he is as a musician.
After being welcomed in by Darby and getting a full tour of the enormous and impressive space that is Tweeters Studio, we went upstairs to his drum booth to set up for filming. As I walked in, the first thing I spotted was his famous orange British Drum Co kit, which sat proudly, surrounded by a beautiful selection of Zildjian cymbals and a pair of used and abused pro-mark 5a’s on his snare.
The four-tom, double kick set up was a condensed version of what you may have seen him use on stage with Devin (which was the same set up he used at 2023’s UK Drum Show) and in the kit tour, Darby details his set up and how he has cleverly created one kit for playing both metal and jazz.
We spoke a lot about who he has worked with and why his phone doesn’t stop ringing with job offers, but what stood out for me is Darby’s work ethic. He was a delight to interview and is always cheeky and charming, but beyond the jokes is a man who is absolutely and completely dedicated to his craft and who deserves all the success he is getting.
For more interviews with some of the biggest names in drumming along with completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released.
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Here’s the latest review from the Drummer’s Review Live Room featuring a Norseman Snare Drum from Tarian Drums.
Filmed November 2024 (scroll down for recording & equipment details).
The snare features…
13″ x 7” shell,
Handmade from Hybrid Premium 17-ply Scandinavian Birch and Welsh Oak,
Black Nickel shell hardware,
45˚ Bearing edges,
Blue dye grain filler and hard waxed finish.
Tarian Drumssays...”Inspired by the Viking sagas we bring you The Norseman snare drum. Boasting a 14×7 or 13×7, 17ply shell with alternating layers of oak and Scandinavian birch, The Norseman packs a powerful punch. Oak, favoured by Viking ship builders gives The Norseman a focused sound with excellent projection, whilst the birch layers native to Scandinavia maintain some warmth in its attack.
The grain pattern of the outer oak veneer is beautifully highlighted in blue, inspired by the blue dye used in traditional Viking tattoos. The inner oak veneer is equally beautiful and is adorned with custom wooden washers modelled on the twin battle axes that are synonymous with the vikings.
Expertly cold-pressed and handcrafted, the 17-ply shell is exclusively crafted from 100% premium Scandinavian birch and Welsh oak. The shell is cross-laminated for optimal strength. Meticulously chosen inner and outer veneers highlight the stunning grain pattern which is further accented using blue dye, and is then finished with a natural wax to impart a subtle sheen.
Adorned with premium black hardware, this snare is offered in sizes 14×7 and 13×7, featuring double-ended tubee lugs and high-quality die-cast chrome rims.
The Norseman really is a statement both visually and sonically with the power to cut through even the heaviest of genres.“
Kick Rear: Audix D6
Kick Front: Electrovoice RE27ND
Snare Top: Electrovoice PL80
Snare Bottom: Electrovoice PL80
Hi Hat: Oktava MK-012-01 Cardio
Ride: Oktava MK-012-01 Cardio
Over Head wide: AKG C414B (pair)
Centre Over Heads: AEA R88 MK2 Stereo Ribbon Mic
Front Centre Room : AEA R88 MK2 Stereo Ribbon Mic
Wide Room Mic’s: sE2200T Tube Mic’s (pair)
Recording Process:
Microphone Pre amps: 16x Rupert Neve Designs 5052
Pre amp outs to Avid HD analog to digital converters connected to Avid HDX card
Recorded into Pro Tools Ultimate latest version running HDX cards mounted in an Apple Mac Pro 2019 16core.
Audio Template Details:
No EQ:
Direct microphone sound – no EQ either pre or post recording applied from the Neve 5052 Pre-Amps EQ section.
Basic EQ:
Basic EQ setting using the EQ section of the Neve 5052 mic Pre-Amps. No post recoded EQ or processing applied.
A Note From Paul…
“The microphones were set up with the overheads and room mic’s measured to the centre of the snare drum to keep the phase of any stereo pair in phase. The AEA R88 MK2 mic’s being stereo mic’s had no issue with phase but the front centre room mic and centre overhead where aligned with each other to keep the same stereo image. The phase reverse switch on the front kick mic was used to correct the phase between the two bass drum mic’s. The phase reverse switch was engaged on the bottom snare mic to correct the phase between the two snare mic’s. Hi pass filters only used on the hi hat mic, Ride mic and overheads. The Electrovoice PL80 mic’s on the snare drum have very little proximity bass boost so can be considered a pretty flat representation of the drum. Every effort was made so that the NO EQ sound example audio on the video was as true a representation of what the drums sounded like in the live room. The live room of the studio has been treated to also provide a neutral sound close to the drums with the room mic’s then giving a true representation of what the drums sound like in the room. Using 16 identical Mic Pre amps also helps with electrical phase so there is no difference between tone and phase of the Mic Pre amps. The brief for recoding the drums was to give as true a representation as possible of what the drums actually sound like and to then give examples of what can be done to the sound of the drums.”
For more completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released. You can also follow us on our social media channels:
All of Drummer’s Review videos are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform be sure to listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
Drummer’s Review, based in North Devon, England would like to thank the www.theseagate.co.uk for the use of their hotel for this photo shoot in their stunning bar. Photography by Guy Harrop on location at The Seagate Hotel, Appledore, Devon.
The LP Black Box II Cajon is based on Latin Percussion’s best-selling LP Black Box Cajon, winner of the DRUM! Magazine’s Drummies! Award for best Cajon.
Upgraded, the Black Box II Cajon now offers an enhanced playing experience while sticking to its eco-friendly ethos and affordability. Retaining the MDF body, which gives it density and durability, it now boasts a Meranti soundboard for punchy, bright tones. Its two internal snares add crispness to the characteristic buzz and an integrated bass port boosts projection during live performances. The slightly larger dimensions, H-19” W-11-3/4” D-11-3/4”, give it a deeper and fatter sound.
The Black Box II Cajon is completed in a signature all-black matte finish with a white LP logo, giving it slick, stunning aesthetics.
To learn more about the new LP LP Black Box II Cajon and all the other products, please go to https://www.lpmusic.com/.
ABOUT LATIN PERCUSSION (LP)
Founded in 1964, Latin Percussion (LP) is the largest hand percussion instrument brand in the world. The company offers an extensive line of hand percussion instruments and percussion accessories including patented designs such as the Jam Block®, Ridge Rider Cowbell® and Egg Shaker. Many of the world’s top artists play LP including: Giovanni Hidalgo, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Karl Perazzo, Stewart Copeland, Steve Gadd, Travis Barker, Mike Portnoy and Cindy Blackman-Santana among others. For more information, visit www.lpmusic.com
Here’s the latest video from the Drummer’s Review Live Room featuring an EICH Tactile Drum Throne (DBCTB Bundle) Monitoring System.
Featuring…
DBC400R Throne,
TB250 Micro Sub-Bass Amp,
DBC Stool Mounting Bracket,
SC60 Speakon Cable.
Filmed November 2024 at Paul Caboche Studios, Cornwall, UK.
EICH Says…“All drummers, bassists, keyboardists and music lovers who work with the “in-ear system” know the problem: not enough low end, missing sub-bass and the resulting lack of control. The DBC400R is the ideal subwoofer seat for stage, studio, rehearsal room or at home. a TS300 transducer pushes the bass into your body. A great experience that many professionals no longer want to do without. Nowhere is the feeling for music transmitted more intensely. Thanks to the additional adjustable “phone” output and the vibration-free mounting of the seat, you can still enjoy music or practice late at night without disturbing anyone. The DBC400R can be connected to the specially developed TB250 . In this combination you get a self-sufficient system that adapts to all circumstances. Another possibility is the connection to an amplifier at the loudspeaker output. (available from mid 2023). Have a Seat!“
EICH Tactile Drum Throne (DBCTB Bundle) Monitoring System : UK RRP: £1025.00
Pro’s:
Adds true depth to what you’re feeling
Incredibly comfortable throne
Good amount of control over volume & frequency response
Con’s:
No thru output to connect direct signal to your F.O.H.
For more details on the EICH Tactile Drum Throne (DBCTB Bundle) Monitoring System, head to:
For more completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released. You can also follow Drummer’s Review on social media:
All of Drummer’s Review videos are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform be sure to listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
150 years of SONOR quality, tradition and craftsmanship. To celebrate this milestone, Sonor proudly present their 150th Anniversary SIGNATURE and SONORLITE Shell Sets.
Sonor 150th Signature Heritage
These instruments equally pay homage to their legacy while also representing modern technology. The exclusively redeveloped original shell constructions match the icons from the eighties, while innovative cutting-edge hardware features guarantee superior playability.
Both are available in two configurations – 50 each in contemporary shell depths and only 25 each as Heritage Edition, reviving the iconic 80s shell depths.
Sonor 150th Anniversary SONORLITE Kit
Each kit is meticulously handcrafted, featuring hand selected genuine Bubinga or Scandinavian Birch veneers and individually numbered badges and certificates. Strictly limited to 150 pieces total.
SONOR to introduce 150th Anniversary SIGNATURE Cast Bronze Snare Drum!
150 years of SONOR of quality, tradition and craftsmanship. To celebrate this milestone, we proudly present the 150th Anniversary SIGNATURE Cast Bronze Snare Drum.
These snare drums pay hommage to the iconic HLD 590 Bronze snare drum that was introduced in 1987. Up until today, SONOR has used the same shell construction for all cast bronze snare drums, therefore, the 14”x08” shell of this limited edition is an exact replica of the one used on the HLD 590.
However, this drum is more than just a reissue of the original from the 1980s. It is a tribute which merges tradition and innovation by combining a replica of the original cast bronze shell from the HLD 590 with contemporary state-of-the-art shell hardware features to guarantee best playability. Numbered Badges and Certificates of Authenticity make each snare drum unique. Strictly limited to 100 pieces total.
Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) introduces the Limited Edition DW MFG True-Castä Snare Drum built in collaboration with longtime DW artist, renowned drum educator, and session player Dave Elitch. These snare drums offer a unique and powerful voice that’s dynamic and distinct.
The 7 x 14” sand-cast, seamless bell bronze drum shell is machined with 45-degree bearing edges and a precision snare bed. The shell also features a concave inner wall, graduating from 5mm at the edges to 3mm in the middle, which enhances attack and focus.
This beefy drum delivers fat, low-end punch that does not choke out at any tuning while producing slightly darker tonality. The snare is fitted with True-Castä counter hoops, Mini Turret Lugs, Mini MAGä throw-off, and True-Pitch® tension rods, all machined from 100% brass to exacting standards.
Assembled in DW’s legendary California Custom Shop, each drum is capped with a 20-strand True-Toneä snare wires and Remo® Ambassador single-ply snare heads branded with the DW MFG logo.
Only 100 of these handcrafted snare drums will be produced. Each will include a DW MFG flight case by Calzone and a True-Castä certificate of authenticity.
To find out more about the Limited Edition DW MFG True-Castä Snare Drum please go to http://www.dwdrums.com/.
About Drum Workshop Founded in 1972, Drum Workshop, Inc. is widely recognized as the global leader in designing and manufacturing award-winning musical instruments including drums, pedals, hardware, and accessories. Drum Workshop manufactures, markets and distributes an iconic portfolio of brands including DW® Drums and Hardware, PDP®, Gretsch® Drums, Latin Percussion®, and Slingerland. Drum Workshop’s wide range of products have earned their reputation as The Drummer’s Choice and are endorsed by many of the world’s top artists including Dave Grohl, Matt Gartska, Chad Smith, Mick Fleetwood, Tommy Lee, Nick Mason, Jim Keltner, and Sheila E., and many other legends. Drum Workshop, Inc. is headquartered in Oxnard, California. Drum Workshop joined the Roland family of brands in October 2022, combining two of the world’s best acoustic and electronic drum companies to push the boundaries of innovation for drummers. For more information, visit DWDrums.com.
