M.D Gets trashed again

This time on HASS' site:
I guess people are realizing that even drumming is political.
http://www.stevehass.net/discus/mess...tml?1107291417

How's DRUM? Is that one any better?

I haven't purchased a copy of MD in years. It used to be a great mag too...such a shame.

I stopped buying M.D about five years ago. No offense to anyone, but there's no need to see same guys on the cover time after time. What a waste. We know Elvin was amazing, we know Gadd is god. Enough! And Blackwell twice? Already? Don't waste my time and money. Please. My heart went out to him when I read about his loss, but what does Modern Drumming have to so with that?
DRUM is much better Para.

Not to start a drum magazine fight, but in my opinion, DRUM! magazine is a joke. I can barely open the pages of that mag.

Rhythm magazine, from the UK, is much better than both MD and DRUM! If you are in the States, you can buy them at any Barnes & Noble. Also included are CD's that have minus drums and all that good stuff. Lessons included on CD... much better learning.

Matricks you're 100% correct. I wasn't including international mags. At least DRUM exposes you to what's current now and not 5 to 40 years ago.
That's a great one, but then again Europe has it much more together regarding american art forms. Don't you think?

I was surprised recently picking up a copy of MD -- it was sort of like reading a People Magazine for drummers. I don't minds some personality, but . . .

The ads were just as bad.

Quote:

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I was surprised recently picking up a copy of MD -- it was sort of like reading a People Magazine for drummers.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's a very accurate way to put it, MRhet. It's really a shame that MD let itself "go to pot" like that. It used to be a great mag.

What disappoints me the most are the spineless equipment reviews. They are afraid to evaluate equipment thoroughly and honestly, seemingly for fear of losing advertising money, or vendor relationships that generate "freebies."

Following closely behind are the weak interviews with drummers. I'm expecting to see questions in the near future like, "So, what did you have for breakfast this morning?" or "Wow, is that a new shirt? Looks great!"

I might have to pick up a copy of Rhythm on the way home tonight!!

Look, I know that MD needs to put certain flakes on their cover in order to sell mags and appeal to the younger crowd (WHERE THE MONEY REALLY IS!) - and the bottom line is that is you DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER, you will find valuable info within.

Do you think I was happy when I looked in my mailbox and saw Lars Ulrich? Tre Cool? Etc.

MD is the drum mag of all drum mags... sure others are good, but MD seems like THE ONE. I don't see why so many people are boycotting it just because they don't like who is on the cover a certain month. It's a shame.

A lot of the things you guys are pointing out are legit. However they do make sense when you think about the fact that they are first a business. They need to make a profit.
As far as who gets featured, clearly the guys with the high profile gigs get the coverage. Then again all of us have seen guys in MD we've never heard of and checked them out as a result. Another thing to take into consideration is PR from labels call these mags and pushes them to cover Joe Band drummer because they have a new CD out. It's not coincidence that interviews pop up right when the new CD is on shelves.
With this in mind I think there *are* guys that should get covered that don't. Kirk Covington, Joey Hereida, Joel Taylor, Toss Panos. All monsters that have name gigs under their belt but stay under the radar. MD is on the east coast however and is not in touch with the scene in LA really.
This is why the internet is so much better for this kind of info. Dicenso, Haas, I heard of these guys from YOU. Not MD. These guys are the "Modern" drummers in my opinion. Perhaps "Popular" drummer would be better suited for the magazine.
As far as hardware reviews, I've been bugging Derek to do a in depth Gretch vs Yamaha write up , or comparing various Yamaha models to each other for HOD. (This is your chance to endorse the idea and let him know) And HOD is not relying on ads for income so we will tell it like it is. Always have. Always will (respectfully).

MD is what it is. We all grew up with it. My first issue was the Sly Dunbar issue of 85(ish). I cut out drum ads and put them in the sleeve of my Trapper Keeper. [img]wink.gif[/img] Perhaps it's the sentimental value that makes me browse through it in the news stand (it's been a long time since I actually paid for one). They did review my video and I was a tiny bit disappointed with it but if you put something "out there" specifically for critique you're literally asking for it. SSL was the first pro-quality vid sold on the net to my knowledge and they didn't acknowledge that at all.

I'm not too worried about MD. Mags are old school now and the age of instant info is here and we clearly Love it. I love you guys all being here as much as you are. The heavy hitters that post here is further evidence. The internet rocks. YOU guys rock. MD still rocks in their own way.

OK thats my rant.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 01, 2005 06:21 PM: Message edited by: Steve Holmes ]</font>

I found the interview with Questlove in the latest issue interesting and also the update on Chuck Morris' new set that is coming out. If it had not been for MD I would not have known about Chuck new band, which incidentally seem like it is going to be slammin. I also found the review of the new Tama snares with the wood hoops rather informative. I have to agree with Matricks on this one. Not every issue is going to be chocked full of everything that we may be looking forward to and their is some repitition, but nonetheless, if you really get into the magazine and take your time they usually have something to offer that is either informative or educational. Just bypass the fluffy stuff and get into the nuts and bolts. PT.