Tuesday, December 29, 2015

ACHIM FAERBER-LIVE WITH EISBRECHER-1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14~

Special Thanks going out to Achim Faerber for the pics this week of Eisbrecher's last show of the year in Stuttgart, Germany. Without a doubt, this band is simply the top act in the German Electro Rock scene. They consistently receive rave reviews from critics and fans, & are a huge draw on the live concert scene.

Achim's credits are extensive, and as I have said before in this blog...he simply is one of the most talented, diverse, and busy players on the music scene. He uses the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 live with Project Pitchfork, Prag, Automat, and Peter Heppner exclusively, and has also used it on five records for these bands in the last two years-(See "Records..." section in this site). To see him using it with Eisbrecher was a great way to end 2015.

Thank You Achim for everything.....














Wednesday, December 23, 2015

SAM LUMSDEN-FIRST CLASS DRUMS-SCOTLAND....1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14....

Received several more clips here in an ongoing series from Sam Lumsden of First Class Drums in Scotland. The first is "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch-Brian Setzer Orchestra". It is one of his favorite Christmas songs, and he brings out the sheet music for his students every year and said..."This drum part never get's boring...!" The second is Sam covering Billy Cobham-Sorcery. Thanks for using your 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 on both of these Sam. Great job as always & Happy Holidays to you and your family...













Tuesday, December 22, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU....

Merry Christmas from Beier Drums, and Thank You to each and every one of you for an absolutely incredible year here....



BEIER DRUMS....THE ART & SCIENCE OF MAKING SHELLS...

I get a lot of correspondence from players that truly appreciate the fact that I manufacture my own shells, and that I insist on manufacturing drums in the most traditional way possible. It has always been the top priority here to do so. The refinement of the process took a long time, and it was well worth it. I only use manual tools...Some of them are very old. My slip-roll is from the 1950's, and that era of tooling...Was one of the best in so many ways it seems. The problems that can be encountered in shell making are so numerous...It would be hard to detail here. But the wonderful thing about is that new challenges bring new ideas for efficiency. And when your a sole proprietor, and the manufacturer....You can deal with them directly and expand your knowledge. My output can be limited at times with my process, but I am constantly in production here. If there is a wait for you, it will be brief, and your drum will arrive at the dealer in time for you. My foremost intention here is to truly create instruments that look identical, and also have an identical & identifiable sound that is replicated in each specific size of each drum.

If you have one of my drums with bridge-style lugs, those are engraved by me as well. I use a pantograph. Amazingly, the first one was designed and used in 1603, and the fundamentals of it have not changed since then.

Thanks to all of you who have commented and inquired on my shells and drums. That means a lot here. I will be continuing this story with pictures of my tooling, bending shells, grinding area, the process of cutting snare beds, engraving lugs, etc.., It has been an extreme, sometimes difficult undertaking....And it has been worth every minute spent. This last year was an unbelievable year here, and this next year is looking even bigger. Many Thanks to all of you....



Beier 1.5 Steel--8 x 14 before powder coating...


Beier 1.5 Steel--8 x 14 completed...


NASHVILLE LEGEND DAVID NORTHRUP-OAK RIDGE BOYS CHRISTMAS SHOW-1.5 STEEL--4 X 15~

Had an absolutely great time the other night at the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Show with Nashville legend David Northrup. This is the second year I was fortunate enough to be at their Christmas show. Last year David played his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 for the first part of the show, this year he used his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 for the entire show. As always, his playing was incredible. There is a reason why he has been one of the most sought after live and session players in Nashville for many years now. He has also used his 1.5 Steel Series drums on a number of records with various artists. The Oak Ridge Boys....What does one say. They are simply one of the most entertaining and talented groups in music, and have been for 40+ years now. I cannot imagine not seeing them when they come around. The entire band is a true testament to the word "Artistry".

Thanks David for always-always taking time out for Beier Drums. It was a great time. Thanks also to the FOH Engineer Marko Hunt. Your comments on the drum and thumbs up meant a lot to me. Will update this story when the webcam clips of David are ready. Great angle and sound, and it will include the entire show...













Thursday, December 17, 2015

QUIET RIOT DOCUMENTARY-"WELL NOW YOUR HERE, THERE'S NO WAY BACK"....FRANKIE BANALI

I just ordered and received a copy of the new feature length documentary on Quiet Riot by Regina Russell: "Well Now Your Here, There's No Way Back". Had to pop this in right away and pull a late one for this. Have really been looking forward to seeing it. It is like all of the reviews have been saying, (or rather raving): "Real Life Spinal Tap"-Rolling Stone...."Must See"-Huffington Post...."An Enthralling Ride"....Indiewire.

The film documents the rise and fall of Quiet Riot, the death of Frankie Banali's bandmate and best friend Kevin DuBrow-and the pain of that, early and behind the scenes footage, and finally...Their resurrection. Regina did with this film what all great producers & directors do: She captured this naturally. It is not contrived or staged. It goes from being very emotional, to out and out hilarious. As well, it is so good you do not have to even be a music fan to enjoy this. Great documentaries do that...This is one of them.

The film completely and accurately depicts individual band members as well. In short: They are just a great bunch of guys.The way the film illustrates their sincerity in doing so, is the way they are. They have time for everyone. Frankie is someone who has always taken time out for me and Beier Drums. He has used my drums live for a number of shows in different sizes, and I have had long conversations with him on drums which I will always value.

Congratulations Regina Russell on an incredible job. This is no easy task. You totally knocked it out-of-the-park on this one. It is definitely something I will always keep, and watch again and again....







SOUTHERN ROCK CHRISTMAS-MONTE YOHO-ARTIMUS PYLE-PAT McDONALD-DAVID NORTHRUP...BEIER DRUMS~

The new Southern Rock Christmas album is out for 2015, and it is an all-star gathering of Country & Southern Rock superstars. I was simply thrilled to see that Monte Yoho of The Outlaws, and Artimus Pyle of the Artimus Pyle Band used their snares on their tracks. Both use a 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 as their main snare live as well. Several other drummers are on this record as well: Pat McDonald of the Charlie Daniels Band also uses Beier Snare Drums as his primary live, and David Northrup of the Oak Ridge Boys also has used Beier Drums live, and on releases. Thanks all the way around to all of you...







Tuesday, December 15, 2015

MY PICKS FOR BEST DRUM COMPANIES OF 2015...

It is almost the end of 2015, and every single year there is at least one drum company out there that just simply knocks me out. This year, it is Van Kleef Custom Drums. Alan is a true old school craftsman/manufacturer, and his work is simply unbelievable. My favorites are his Stainless, Copper and his Thomas Lang Signature Titanium Drum. If you have not, you simply have to check them out. Congrats Alan on a job...Not well done...But superbly done. Check in with Shane or Tony at the Drum Center Of Portsmouth...They have a great selection of them.









My choice for wood drums has remained the same for quite some time now: Stanbridge Drums. Pete is a master craftsmen, and to me is a legendary figure in the world of segmented wood drums and wood hoops. He is a Master Craftsman, great guy & he truly is the origin of these types of drums. His collaboration to produce The Empyrean with Todd Sucherman, and the Pro Mark 50th Anniversary drum are unprecedented, & will always be remembered by everyone.   







ACHIM FAERBER & AUTOMAT....AUSTRALIAN TOUR...

Achim Faerber (Automat, Eisbrecher, Project Pitchfork, Prag, Peter Heppner) recently returned from his tour of Australia with the Germany based electronic trio Automat. The tour was a great success and was the first time the band has been there. I stay in touch with Achim regularly, and was looking forward to the reviews of this tour. From my time in Australia and catching the music scene there, I knew these guys would fly big, and they did exactly just that. I have added news about Achim on a regular basis here because he quite simply is one of the busiest and most talented players on the European scene. His primary snare live is the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 (which he has used on every single Automat release), and he also has used his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15 extensively and a 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14. Add to that he is just simply a great guy, an excellent communicator of details, and a player that has, and will continue to produce, an enormous volume of incredible work. I am so grateful that my drums are a part of that, and will continue to be. Link below to review of the tour and an excellent clip from on the live shows. Thank You Achim...







Thursday, December 10, 2015

BEIER DRUMS ARE COMING TO SINGAPORE DRUM SHOP....BENNY LIM...

Beier Drums will be available in Singapore in the next couple of weeks. The store will be stocking several sizes, and I am really looking forward to working with you Benny. I have had some great discussions with you, and your dedication and knowledge are impressive. I will update this story when the drums arrive. Thanks Again...




Link below to Benny's Interview in DRUM! Magazine





BEN SMITH...HEART-LIVE...MILWAUKEE....

I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Ben Smith of Heart here this week in Milwaukee, and see him play live.  Ben has been with the band for 20 years, and the show, like his playing, was just truly unreal. Heart is a very endearing favorite among music lovers, and they just were simply spectacular. It takes hearing the intro to the first song and you realize why this band is an all-time favorite of virtually everyone, and how they have not lost a step...Not a single one.

Ben Smith...I told him this and will repeat it here because I truly mean it: His playing is so on the mark & is so in the pocket. He is never out of it, above it, or below it. His playing honors the original tracks of these songs, and he adds his own entirely to the newer one's which they do. This is a mark of all of The Greats. They respect the original versions of songs, and then weave their own mastery in and out of the hits without altering them. That is a very difficult thing to do, and he does it unbelievably well.

As well...Have to say a big Thank You to Matt Sabin his tech. He was nice enough to take some time, & I had the best conversation with him. I am always looking to sit down with techs like him. He has this encyclopedic knowledge of anything about drums, hardware, heads, etc.., He also performs live when not on the road which adds further to his insights. Discussions like this I really value.

Look forward to seeing you guy's soon....And to staying in touch. Thanks Again for the opportunity to come on out Ben.....













SAM LUMSDEN-NEW SHARKY SHARKY RECORD-1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14~

The new record from UK based Sharky Sharky is set to be released this Friday. The band is a side project of the power metal band Ascension, and uses kid's themes to introduce them to Rock music. The project has been met with great success. Sam Lumsden, aside from his many drumming duties, played on this entire record. He used his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14, & he also has a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15. Without a doubt, he is one of the most versatile players I have had the privilege of knowing. His clips are incredible, & he is amazingly diverse in his playing & approach to drumming. It seems like almost anything he sends me just kind of floors me in how he can change gears, and do it so flawlessly. I got to know him through Andy Parker of UFO some years back now. I really value your friendship Sam and support. Great talking to you last week. Your someone who's opinion means a lot to me. Looking forward to hearing this record, & Thanks Again for all of your great work and for always using your Beier Snare Drums...






NEW UFO CLIP IN FROM THE JUDAS PRIEST REDEEMERS OF SOUL TOUR-ANDY PARKER--1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14...

Link below to a live clip of UFO doing "Only You Can Rock Me" at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden several days ago. UFO is winding down a huge 2015 in support of Conspiracy Of Stars with Judas Priest on a series of Arena dates. The band, as easily illustrated by this clip...Is as strong and as popular as ever. Andy has quite a few Beier Snare Drums that he travels with, but has been using his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 most often on this last tour. Looking forward to seeing these guys in Spring here in Milwaukee. Thanks as always Andy....










MICHAEL GRANDO IN NASHVILLE....1.5 STEEL--4 X 15~

Got a great pic in today that just made my afternoon. Michael Grando was doing routine maintenance as everyone does on their kit, and he posted this pic with his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 in Gloss White. Michael is a very seasoned Nashville pro, and is also the touring drummer for Joe Diffie. I got to see them live this last Summer, and hands down it was one the best shows of the Summer, and was simply a great time. That show was his first time live with his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15. He also had his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 with him and he has used that drum for some time while on tour. There are several great sound clips of him and the drums in my Audio section as well. Thanks Again for the pic Michael .... 








DREW McKEON-LIVE WITH MICHAEL BOLTON-1.5 STEEL--4 X 15~

It was so great to see my friend, and supporter of Beier Drums the other night at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois: Drew McKeon. Drew has been behind the kit for Michael Bolton for some time, and it has been quite some time as well since I last got to see him and this band live. He has had the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 on the road with him for two years, and plays it live every single show. That is something that really means a lot to me here. Not only does he love it, he told me the entire band does as well...Including the FOH engineer. This time around I got to see Drew live with his new 1.5 Steel--4 x 15. He played it for the entire show, and the response from him is that he truly thought it was awesome. That drum has a huge bottom end, and not just for a 4" depth drum. It is comparable to a lot of 8" drums. This drum...Is not a "Piccolo". (Sound sample from sound check is on the Audio page). Great to see you Drew & this always unbelievable band...I really appreciate you taking time out as always. Looking forward to further updates from you on the new drum....








NASHVILLE'S RUSS WHITMAN....BEIER SNARE DRUMS....

A huge Thank You going out to Russ Whitman in Nashville for the recent pic of all three of his Beier Snare Drums. The sizes of the 1.5 Steel Series that he has are: 6.5 x 13, 5.5 x 14, & 6.5 x 15. He will be taking them on the road with him as the dates for Craig Morgan for 2016 come out.  That starts with an appearance at the halftime of the Liberty Bowl where Russ will be using one of the drums. He will also be taking one in the studio to record the track for the halftime show shortly, and will be doing a lot of late-night television in the Spring with the drums. You have been great to deal with Russ...Looking forward to seeing you live out on the road, Thank You for your appreciation of my gear, and Congratulations again on your recent engagement!







Saturday, December 5, 2015

THE MAN BEHIND THE KIT FOR BILLY IDOL-ERIK ELDENIUS-DRUMMER-PRODUCER-SONGWRITER-1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 15....

Was very happy to hear here recently that Erik Eldenius, the powerhouse behind the kit for Billy Idol, has his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15-Gloss White in the studio right now. He has had an extensive career and has worked with numerous artists (Including Cher, Jackson Browne & Donna Summer to name a few),  has appeared widely on television, and is a touring & studio pro from A-Z, I had a great visit with him here in Wisconsin recently that I thoroughly enjoyed. His approach and ideology to playing live and in the studio are very academic and thorough. In other words...This is a guy who is a serious player, someone who loves playing drums, is someone who has been extremely successful, and like all of the great players...Is one of the nicest and most humble people I have met. Thanks Again Erik for taking time out, and will look forward to your updates. (Link enclosed to a live solo clip from earlier this Summer as well)

Have to mention as well how good it was to see a friend I had not seen in a very long time-Gary Schroeder. Gary invited me to a dinner party to introduce me to Erik, and it simply was a great time. He has a knockout home, a beautiful woman in his life, and a business that is flying. That...Was wonderful to see. Really appreciate it Gary....Great to see you....









                 


SAM LUMSDEN...SCOTLAND...1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14....

I am always delighted to receive these clips from a great supporter, friend, and one of the incredible talents I am fortunate enough to know-Sam Lumsden. I have added many clips to this blog from him, and it is always amazing to get another one in. They are all diverse in style, and it is obvious Sam truly enjoys embracing new playing styles and challenges. The result?....He is an unbelievable player who is ever expanding in his playing. This particular clip he is using his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14, and also has used his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15 on many occasions. Right On Sam...Thank You as always....








DAVE MAIER...INTELLASOUND PRODUCTIONS...1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14...SONNY LANDRETH SHOW...

Thank You going out tonight to Dave Maier of Intellasound Productions. Dave picked up a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 with custom Brass Hardware, and a Ludwig Millenium Throw in Brass. The drum was beautiful, sounded just like a 1.5 Steel Series Snare in 5.5 x 14, and it arrived yesterday. Tonight he is using it already at show with Grammy Nominated Blues & Slide Guitar legend Sonny Landreth. Sonny requested a Steel drum, and I so appreciate you taking it out Dave.

I have run into Dave on the road on and off for several years. Hands down, he is one of the most professional, organized, and all around nice guys in that business. His shows run flawlessly, his gear is immaculate and in perfect order, his staff is highly competent and are all extremely personable, and it truly amazes me what they do, and how well they do it. From small shows, to major concert events....They do it all.

Thanks Again Dave....Look forward to running to you out on the road, and the feedback from the show tonight...






  

PAT McDONALD-CHARLIE DANIELS BAND-1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14....THANK YOU~

A very big Thank You to Pat McDonald for his recent statements on his 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 that he uses live. Pat has long been considered by his peers as one of the absolute finest, and most diversely talented players in music. He has three Beier Snare Drums that he has used live: 1.5 Steel--4 x 15, 5.5 x 14, and the one he uses live these day's...The 6.5 x 14. Really appreciate your comments Pat, and am always grateful to hear and see that the only snare drums that you carry with you on the road are the 1.5 Steel Series from Beier Drums. Links below to live clips of Pat using the 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 and 4 x 15 live.... Looking forward to seeing you soon...


"I have been meaning to post this for all my drummer buddies for the last few nights, and finally remembered after the show to do so.....you know how sometimes you have a stretch where something on your kit sounds so good it inspires you? My 6.5 x 14 Beier Snare Drum is sounding SO good in my ears that it just makes me laugh out loud. It is just buttery, silky smooth and has JUST the right pop on top. It's simply beautiful. Jim Beier makes somes incredible instruments...."

Pat McDonald-Charlie Daniels Band