Archive - November, 2009

DRUMMERS: How to Get More Gigs

November 30, 2009 in Drummer resources, General Updates with 0 Comments

I just wanted to share something that I think could be pretty cool for all you drummers out there trying to figure out how to get more gigs.

I’ve been drumming professionally for about 10 years and for about the last 5 I’ve been using a charting technique that helps me learn and play artist’s music in the studio and live. I’ve probably learned over 500 songs in the past 5 years, some are songs that I’ve had to learn in a week to play at a gig, and some were songs that I had to learn within the hour at a recording session.

I have actually had band leaders ask me “How did you play all those songs with so little rehearsal and not miss a beat? The truth is I just figured out a method of charting songs out on paper that allows me to basically read/play through any tune no matter how long or how complicated the song/drum part is. I always tell beginning drummers 3 things if they want to get better and get more gigs:

  1. Play with anyone and everyone every chance you get – constantly playing with other musicians makes you better, even if they aren’t very good!
  2. Start using a click track now. Practice and performance.
  3. When learning a new song, chart it out. Continue Reading....

The Rocketboys Music on “Keeping up with the Kardashians”

November 30, 2009 in General Updates with 0 Comments

Last night The Rocketboys had 3 songs on the E! reality show "Keeping up with the Kardashians". The songs were from "Sing Bird Sing" on which I played P.Ellis Drums for the entire album (and the kit I used for that album is the one for sell right below this post!) This is very exciting and hopefully it is only the first of many TV spots for the Rocketboys!

Aaron Ivey House Tour

November 30, 2009 in Drum Building Resources, Drummer resources, General Updates with 0 Comments

I will be on tour with Aaron Ivey for the next 2 weeks. This tour will be very cool, the show is a mixture of music, story telling, and multimedia. We will be playing in people's living rooms, backyards, and patios. Our set for these shows will be somewhat broken down so in preparation for this tour I assembled a small percussion set-up. It consists of a hi-hat using 18" crashes, another 18" crash for a washy ride, a 10" popcorn snare, a 14" djembe for a bass drum. I was using random things to put underneath the djembe to position it correctly, but then it occurred to me that I make drums so I should be able to make a stand for the djembe. This is what I came up with.

 

This stand can be taken apart to fit in my hardware case just like any other stand. It's made of scrap wood laying around in my shop. I stained it and put non-slip shelf liner on the top and bottom.

Come check out this kit at a house show!

West Texas

November 30, 2009 in Drummer resources, General Updates with 0 Comments

DISCLAIMER: This update is full of shameless plugs for people and products that I whole heartedly endorse.

I went to Abilene, TX over the weekend for the wedding of a good friend of mine – Brady Bruton. (Brady also is an extrememly talented musician and craftsman. He makes some of the most innovative and creative road/flight cases available. Check out www.bradycases.com for all your case needs) But while I was in Abilene I was able to meet up with Tyler Dodds to deliver this drum set. 

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8×10, 9×12, 12×14, 18×22, black stain satin finish, standard chrome hardware

Tyler Dodds is also an extremely talented musician. I have been fortunate to be able to play drums with him on more than one occasion, not to mention recording drums on his latest project "This Is Not Our Home" Check Tyler out at www.tylerdodds.com. Tyler and I ate lunch with a guy named Kevin Peters who owns and runs the Glass Jar Studio in Abilene, TX. He recorded 2 of Tyler Dodd's albums and Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys "Sing Bird Sing"  among other great albums. Working with Kevin is fun and your gauranteed to come away with a professional product. Check out www.theglassjarstudio.com for all your recording/mixing needs.

We ate lunch at a resturant called Red Robin. Check out Red Rob……just kidding. I'm done promoting people…for now.

“Like Ice in Water” by the Rocketboys

November 30, 2009 in Drummer resources, General Updates with 1 Comment

Austin, Texas-based band The Rocketboys have released their first new track in over two years.
The track, 'Like Ice In Water', is from the groups upcoming full-length album “20,000 Ghosts,” to be released September 29.

“20,000 Ghosts,” was engineered and produced by Louie Lino (Nada Surf, Matt Pond PA), mastered by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens, Animal Collective) and features artwork from “Dark Was The Night” artist, Ryan Feerer.

Describing the new album, guitarist Daniel Wheeler said, “’20,000 Ghosts’ displays a new range of diversity and maturity in our music, while maintaining the pop-sensibility that fans have come to love. We try to find the balance between a light, drum-driven brand of indie rock and darker, more atmospheric sounds coupled with lyrics and melodies you can’t get out of your head.”

The release of “20,000 Ghosts” will be followed by a North American tour and several festival appearances, including CMJ in New York.

- Absolutepunk.net

Check out the Rocketboys at www.myspace.com/rocketboys. This is a video of me laying down the drum tracks at Louie's studio in Austin, TX.


New Drum Beats FOR YOU!

November 30, 2009 in Drummer resources, General Updates with 0 Comments

This past week I had a little bit of down time to make some drum videos. I've always been fascinated with Afro-Cuban and latin music, so I wanted to share a little bit of my passion with you. I'm no authentic Cuban drummer, but I try to fake it every now and then. I hope you like these drum videos! In these videos I use my custom drum set that I built! Learn more about how to build your own custom drum set by signing up for the email list!
 


“Between the Beauty & Chaos” – #1 On Itunes

November 30, 2009 in General Updates with 0 Comments

Aaron Ivey's new record just hit #1 on Itunes in the Christian genre. I'm honored to say that I was able to lay down the drums on  2 songs for this record – "Found" and "The Name". I'm also excited because P. Ellis Drums were used on this record. Check out Aaron site for more info! www.aaronivey.com


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Instructional Drum Videos

November 30, 2009 in Drummer resources, General Updates with 0 Comments

I don't have any custom drum sets to work on in the shop today, so I've decided to make some instructional drum videos of all of the Rocketboys' drum parts. I will be broadcasting while i'm doing this, but i'm also going to be editing film from another camera to put on YouTube! I'll let you know when they are up.

Live Broadcast from the shop starting 9am (5/4)

November 30, 2009 in Drum Building Resources, Drum Building Tutorials, General Updates with 0 Comments

I'll be working on finishing up some drums tomorrow wanted to broadcast it all live.Specifically I'll be staining a couple of  bass drum hoops that i've already cut inlays into, and then i'll be cuting out sparkle for the inlay, waiting for the stain to dry, assembleing 2 bass drums and a floor tom…so it might not be the most interesting broadcast, but i'll try to throw in some witty comments for my viewers. You can also use Twitter to comment on the broadcast. @pellidrums (<–if you use twitter this makes sense to you)  Hope you enjoy!

SXSW ’09

November 30, 2009 in General Updates with 0 Comments

It’s that time of year again, when 27,000 music and film lovers assemble in Austin, TX  to partake in one of the greatest music festivals to grace this Earth. Make sure that you check out The Rocketboys sometime this week! If you still haven’t heard a P.Ellis Drum set yet, one of their 3 shows would be a great opportunity to see and hear some great drums and great music.

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8 P.M. – The Blind Pig – FREE SHOW
Friday, March 20, 2009 7 P.M. – Cissi’s Wine Bar – FREE SHOW – Also playing: Dignan and Pompeii
Saturday, March 21, 2009 Cactus Cafe – $10 – lots of other great bands including Eleisha Eagle

The Rocketboy’s shedule can also be found at www.myspace.com/rocketboys

Also on Friday P.Ellis Drums will be providing the backline drum set for a FREE dayparty at Big Red Sun. The party is 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will be featuring music from Eleisha Eagle, Molly Venter, Billy Harvey, Jeremy Messersmith, Tara Holloway, Kacy Crowley, The Soldier Thread and Wideawake. There will be food and beverages provided by Curra’s Grill, Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop and Maine Root. We’ll have some sort of booth set up where you can get information about P.Ellis Drums, see some of our work, and basically just hang out and have a good time!

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