Brad Davis & Adventure Drums

         Drum Roll Please…this week I bring to you Brad Davis and his company, Adventure Drums. First off, I would like to say that Brad is one interesting character! It’s the fact that he is silly, creative, loud, and awkward that attracts me to his videos and company. Brad’s 20 years as a musician has given him enough background to be able to communicate to several audiences in a fun, new, and quirky way.

The Percussion Arts Society

            Drum Roll Please…This week’s post is all about PAS, the Percussive Arts Society.  As percussionists we have to be aware of certain organizations that exist to teach us about an industry we are so passionate about. PAS is an organization with over 7,000 members and 50 chapters located across the United States with another 28 international chapters. Our industry is filled with passionate drummers.  We just have to network with them; but, first let’s learn a little about PAS.

Mark Applebaum Gone Mad!

Drum Roll Please...allow me to introduce the “Mad Scientist of Music” Mark Applebaum. Mark Applebaum breaks the rules when it comes to music. It is his questions and boredom that drives him to surpass the boundaries that people such as Beethoven and Bach placed before him. That is the area where I can personally relate to Mark, as I want to become the “Mad Scientist of Drumsticks”. I want to be able to break the boundaries of drumsticks like Ahead did with their carbon fiber drumsticks or like Vic Firth did with different tip designs. I have many questions, all which still have yet to be answered as my research continually progresses. But what surprised me most about Mark is his boredom with music. How can that be?

The Blue Man Group

I personally feel that percussionists are always trying to make some sort of new sound. Well this past week I had the pleasure of being able to experience percussion unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I was able to watch The Blue Man Group. The Blue Man Group is a group of three percussionists who have innovated the world of percussion and sound design by creating rhythms and melodies while using unique things. So what is The Blue Man Group all about?

dB DrumShoes

        Drum Roll Please...this week’s post is all about dB Drumshoes. Yup that’s right I said it, “DrumShoes”. Shoes specifically designed for drummers. The crazy thing about drummers is that I personally know many that love playing without shoes. However, most of us can be a bit hardheaded because even though we cut ourselves up many if us still don’t wear shoes while we play. So some may ask well why do drummers like to play drums barefoot? Well some feedback that I have received has been that they can’t feel the pedal when they play with shoes also that, it allows for easier and faster pedaling. For some shoes are too heavy so they resort to play without shoes. That is where dB got the idea to make shoes specifically designed for drummers from.

Soultone Cymbals

Drum Roll please…for this week's post I will be introducing a company I came across on Twitter. As a percussionist, I find that I am overwhelmed with seeing big brands such as Zildjian, Vic Firth, Tama, etc. I also find that I want to know more about companies that are hidden throughout this awesome industry. As a business graduate and current grad student, finding out the motivation, stories, and inception behind new companies intrigues me. This is where Soultone Cymbals come into play. 

Iki Levy founded Soultone Cymbals in 2003. Iki Levy is a percussionist that has worked with several names in the industry. He has worked with acts from Paula Abdul & Donna Summers, to the High School Musical Cast and O-Town. Iki had this to say "I wanted to use the best products possible, and I had the opportunities, but I was not happy with anything those companies were producing". Now, that is what I'm talking about! A percussionist that says he wants to change what makes him unhappy so that he can make a difference in an industry that he is passionate about is something to truly admire. So what makes Soultone Cymbals unique enough? Well let me tell you!

Introduction. Thumb Thang & CCP

First off I would like to introduce myself. I am Daniel Botana, a passionate percussionist who has taught himself for the past 5 years. As a percussionist, I find myself in a world filled with many questions about this industry that I am so passionate about. These questions range from why consumers should represent certain brands, to what makes these companies different from one another, and what is so unique about each one. That is what this blog is all about. This blog is meant to bring information to you, the reader, surrounding the latest of the latest in the percussion industry and why you as a consumer should represent certain brands in the industry. A quick side note, to keep up to date with quick information head on over to twitter.com and follow @BotanaDrums.

Recently, through my Twitter account, I was able to find out about a new innovated product, the Thumb Thang, and a custom drum company, Chicago Custom Percussion (CCP).