Monthly Archive for September, 2009

Jonathan Moffett’s Drum Rack for Michael Jackson’s “This is It” Tour

Jonathan Moffett at the rehearsal for Michael Jackson's Memorial

We recently posted a history of the Drummers of Michael Jackson featuring Gibraltar artist, Jonathan Moffett as one of several esteemed drummers that Michael worked with during his career. Our own Brent Barnett interviewed Jonathan Moffett during “This is It” tour rehearsals at The Staples Center, just weeks before Michael’s untimely death. Here is our exclusive video interview, shot during “This Is It” rehearsals, showing how Brent helped to design and assemble Jonathan’s rack for the tour, the same rack that Jonathan performed with during Michael’s memorial service on July 7th. Both Jonathan and the rack that Brent helped design can be seen in the film This is It opening October 27th.

stage from Michael Jackson's Memorial on July 7th, 2009 Jonathan first toured with the Jackson 5 during their Destiny Tour. The rack he had during that time was also pretty elaborate and custom designed. When Gibraltar Hardware came along, it gave Jonathan the opportunity to not only design and build the rack himself, but at a much more affordable price. Since Jonathan’s racks are so elaborate, they often take several days to design. Fun fact: The first Gibraltar Hardware rack that Jonathan toured with has designed for Janet Jackson’s 1993-94 tour seen here.

Here is a list of clamps model numbers Brent mentions in the video.

(photos by soultonecymbals.com)

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LA Drummers Meetup, October 21st 2009

Drummers of Los Angeles, grab your sticks and join us. Why let guitar players have all the fun? We see you guys supporting each other, forming communities on YouTube and the forums and message boards, we want to give you a platform to get together in person to trade knowledge, network, and have fun.

Where:

Musician’s Choice Studios, 3727 Robertson Blvd, Culver City, CA (map)

When:

Wednesday, October 21st, 7:30pm-9:30pm

RSVP:

Meetup.com, Facebook, or Upcoming.org

Brent Barnett, Gibraltar’s drum rack builder to the stars will be on the scene at this event. Brent has helped design drum racks for Clown (drummer for Slipknot) Jonathan Moffett (drummer for Michael Jackson), Joey Bumpus (drummer for Lady Gaga), Marc Schulman (drummer for Pink), and Tris Imboden (drummer for Chicago). You can see videos of Brent’s creations here at the Gibraltar DIY blog. Come and meet Brent to get the expert opinion on your drum setup.

Gibraltar Hardware Product manager, Ken Fredenberg will be on-hand to discuss everything you ever wanted to know about drum hardware.

Talk shop with Jim Stanek, Product Manager for Dixon Drums, who will be demonstrating Dixon’s Outlaw kit, and award winning Rosewood snare drums.

We’ll provide the food and drinks, some kits to work with and some pro talent to get things started.

But wait, there’s more! We’ve got great giveaways!

  • Gibraltar Stealth VMS System
  • Gibraltar Pedals and Ultra Adjust Hi Hat Stand
  • Gibraltar Hybrid Mounting Pod with Boom Stand
  • Dixon Rosewood Snare Drums
  • Dixon Demon Series 6-pc drum set

Don’t miss out on your chance to win these sweet prizes, talk with the pros and meet your fellow drummers!

Parking:
There is street parking on Robertson and a municipal lot behind Del Taco.

RSVP for the LA Drummer Meetup:
Meetup.com, Facebook, or Upcoming.org

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Frank Zummo Talks About His Experience Playing Drums for Mötley Crüe

Frank ZummoNoisecreep.com has a post by Frank Zummo reporting that he was thrilled to fill in for Tommy Lee during Crüe Fest 2 in August. Lee was recovering from a hand injury and was unable to play.

I was thrilled and freaking! We got to work immediately with me taking copious notes from ‘Coach Lee.’ Since the next day was an off-day for the band, I holed up in my Virginia Beach hotel room with the set list and music to prepare to play the entire ‘Dr. Feelgood’ album and other seminal hits. Once the curtain dropped, exposing the stage, we were off! It was like being in a surreal dream and I played my heart out, loving every second of it.

Read the entire story.

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Kicking Daisies, Featuring Drummer Caitlin Kalafus, Release a New Video


Inspired by groups as diverse as Led Zeppelin, Paramore and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kicking Daisies draws from a wide variety of influences to create a sound that is truly unique.

You need to experience Kicking Daisies live to know what they are really about. They’ve been said to be prodigies; but what they really are, are great musicians, songwriters and performers.

While they pull influences from the past, they are clearly the direction for the future of music. Singers, songwriters and multi instrumentalists’ intent on setting a new path that blends riff driven rock with incredible vocal harmonies to create a sound that fills you with that “I’ve just heard something amazing” feeling.

Caitlin has been featured in numerous publications. Two times in the Connecticut Post, the New Haven Advocate, and Modern Drummer. She is also a Gibraltar Artist.

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Tris Imboden’s Drum Rack

Brent Barnett with Gibraltar Hardware gives us a behind the scenes look into the assembly of Tris Imboden of the group Chicago’s drum rack. He details each piece of hardware with all its features along with the model numbers.

Parts mentioned in this video:

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