Long Live the Speed King with Vincent Leef
Do you know what the Speed King Squeak is? Think John Bonham... In 1937, the Speed King changed the world of drumming by being the most innovative pedal of the time. 81 years later, Vincent of Polyphonic Drums is keeping the legacy alive by restoring Speed King's and making them play like new. He shares the whole story of the pedal with us in this episode - from the journey through world war 2 through the 60's and 70's with Bonham and Ringo to its decline in the 2000's, and finally the current revitalization. Check out what Vincent is up to with Polyphonic Drums at his website, or find him on Social Media www.polyphonicdrums.com I hope you enjoy this episode, if you like the show please rate the show and give me a review! Find me on facebook and Instagram and get in touch! @drumhistory_podcast
5 Dec 201839min
Growing Up Slingerland with Jim Moritz
Jim has a deep family history that revolves around Slingerland drums dating back to when Slingerland was a guitar company. His great uncles and father were long time employees of the company running the woodshop, and Jim worked there in his high school years during the night shifts. Did you know "The Ludwig Boys" used to go through the dumpsters at Slingerland to try and figure out what they were working on? Jim shares a number of great stories that only someone on the inside of the company would know! Nowadays, Jim is the founder of Chicago Drum - a company that prides itself on building drums in the vintage Slingerland style, but with all the modern innovations. Check out the amazing kits they build at Chicago Drum at www.chicagodrum.com We touch on the company history a little bit in this episode, but I'll be doing a full history of Slingerland in the coming episodes so stay tuned for that! (P.S. This was the first interview I did for the podcast back in April 2018, so some of the dates we talk about in this episode for various drum shows have already passed but you can catch them next year) Find me on instagram at @drumhistory_podcast for great historical drum videos that I post daily. Subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you like the show, thanks for listening! -Bart
27 Nov 201833min
Made in Japan - The History of Stencil Drums with Marc Patch
"Stencil drums" were Japanese copies of major drum manufacturers like Slingerland and Rogers that were created in the 50's to the 80's. They feature some of the most unique finishes that you can find and have become a unique category of affordable collectors drums. They have a somewhat mysterious history, but fortunately Marc Patch has written a book documenting the history of MIJ (Made In Japan) drums and took the time to talk with me. To check out and purchase any of Marcs Books, check out his website http://www.marcpatch.com Thanks for listening to Drum History, Please subscribe and give me a review. Let me know topics that you want to hear about and find me on all the social media platforms!
13 Nov 201828min
No Metal? No problem... Exploring WW2 Metal-Ration Drums with Joey Boom
For a moment in time, it was ILLEGAL to use more than 10% of metal per drum for drum making in America! The result is a fascinating collection of beautiful drums that feature wooden lugs, hoops, pedals, and hardware...most famously Slingerlands "Rolling Bomber." Find out the reasoning behind this quirk in our nation's Drum History, as we discuss this and much more with war-era drums expert, Joe Mekler, a.k.a. "Joey Boom" of the Delaware Drum Show! Joey Boom's website: www.joeyboom.com The Delaware Drum Show: www.delawaredrum.com Another great resource, Coopers Vintage Drums: www.coopersvintagedrums.com/war%20effort.htm Find me online @drumhistory_podcast and please rate and write a review!
25 Okt 201854min
The Death of Trap Drummers with Kelli Rae Tubbs
What was it like to be a Trap Drummer in the silent movie era as talking pictures take over - making the job obsolete? Listen as Kelli and I discuss this topic - and how a great percussion genre became extinct. Trap Drummers were percussionists who performed alongside silent films and performances before the advent of "Talkies" (talking pictures). Using a wide array of instruments and devices (contraptions), Trap Drummers aimed to make audiences believe these sounds were one with the film or performance. To dive into the world of Trap Drumming, we listen to real samples performed by legendary William F. Ludwig III. In 1927, Talkies took over popular culture and overshadowed America's once-beloved silent films. This left thousands of talented Trap Drummers jobless, with nothing but a forgotten craft to call their own. So what was it really like to be a Trap Drummer in the silent movie era as talking pictures take over? Hear about this and much more on this episode! Check out everything Kelli is up to on her website: www.kelliraetubbs.com Please Subscribe, Share, and write a review if you like the show! Check me out on social media at @drumhistory
20 Okt 201840min
