I was only in SOAD for a few months and we were playing one of my first shows with the band at the @thewhiskyagogo in Hollywood . @shavoodadjian came up to me excitedly and said @davelombardo was in the audience ! We were in disbelief! How did he know about us ? We were just a local band playing a local show , what would attract one of the best drummers of all time and the man responsible for one of my favorite albums , South of Heaven ! To make everything more surreal he complimented us after the show and said he was a fan of the band and that he would love to jam with us sometime. The jam actually happened but partially out of respect and mostly out of nervousness I didn’t go and just let the rest of the band experience jamming with Dave. Since those days we became friends , Dave is by far one of the nicest and fan appreciative people I know. Never an unkind word , always a fan of music with no pretentiousness. He drove two hours to see an unsigned band play a show because we incorporated eastern rhythmic themes in our style and that was something that interested him . Dave is one of the best to have picked up the sticks but he never forgot his love for drums and is always looking for inspiration irrespective of where it comes from. He is a gift and still inspires all of us ,his fans.
Not the crown I expected. Blurry picture compliments of @dianadolmayan
Come join us at torpedocon in Glendale ca , comics art and good vibes ! Glendale Hilton on Glen oaks and brand !!
Sound check last night @systemofadown @gregwatermann
I remember right around the time system was getting signed to a record deal we were afforded the opportunity to see @rageagainstthemachine live . We got our first back stage passes and laminates and were allowed to watch from the side of the stage and even met the band . What an amazing experience! @bradwilk is an excellent drummer and has been an integral part of every band he’s played with including the album he did with Black Sabbath. On top of that he’s a genuine and sweet human being and loves classic muscle cars( pretty cool ) . I’d like to thank him for his positive influence and for always being such a welcoming and nice guy ! Rage kicks ass and Brads a big part of why they do !
Even before I joined the band we would sit around and marvel at the uniquely intricate drumming of Danny Carey . Tool to me is like a mix of Pink Floyd and Rush, modernizing those sounds and adding an even more prolific singer . I spent many nights in the crowd during Ozzfest laying on the grass and enjoying the power and beauty amplified by the massive speakers . (Their Led Zeppelin cover is amazing !)At some point someone had the bright idea of challenging them to a basketball game ( we lost ). This was the second time system lost ( first time was to slayer , they killed us ) but we began a friendship between the bands that is still thriving today. Danny is on the Mount Rushmore of modern drummers , he balances technic and style perfectly . For someone as tall as he is he’s incredibly graceful and there is a marvelous liquidity to his drumming style . Danny is a shy , introspective person but once you get him comfortable his inner joy and zest for life overtakes you. I have been fortunate to have played with them on stage going back and forth on timbales as he played a solo. Every time we did this was such a thrill and again I count my blessings that these opportunities have been afforded to me. I can’t explain how much respect and admiration I have for Danny and Tool in general . I pray we do a tour together one day and create a massive 2 or 3 drummer solo . I promise to give you a run for your money Danny 🤙
Quick heads up for those of you who sent me songs to potentially work on I will start laying tracks this Sunday . Over the coming months I will track as many of your songs as possible so please be patient and Please send .Wav or .Aiff file format to…
Email: [email protected]
Subject: JD Drums
To answer a frequently asked question , there is no charge for this . Just want to have some fun and collaborate with you , the fans who helped make my dreams come true !
Photo by @gregwatermann
Over the years and hundreds of interviews journalists would ask a question that hit a recurring theme , who inspired you to play drums and who is your biggest inspiration. One of the three pillars of my drumming style and inspiration is Neil Peart from @rush . Not only was he a brilliant drummer and one of the most creative of all time , he was an incredible lyric writer and poet . Sadly he passed away and his gifts passed with him. There is only one drummer alive I would pick to carry on his legacy and that man is @mikeportnoy . As prolific a drummer as we’ve seen in the modern era Mike navigates around a drum set the way an eagle rides the thermals . His style , as intricate as it is , looks casual and flows without trying to. The best way i would describe him is to combine the highest achievable level of technique with the most intuitive feel. Truly a master .
On top of that Mike is humble and without pretext . If Rush comes back and honors Neil’s legacy Mike needs to be behind the kit!
Some battles you just can’t win. Lily 3, John 0
I’ve been getting requests for some sticks from @sicknewworld .Regrettably I always throw the ones I play out into the audience after the show , but I do have 20 or so pair from rehearsals. Soooo , I’m going to give some out ( let’s say 10 individual sticks ) to those who wish to gift them to someone special who may enjoy having one . Any suggestions ? DM me . Also would be cool to see who went home with one of the ones I played that night , send a pic of you with the stick 🤙
We met for the first time during Ozzfest 99 ( my personal favorite of the 4 times we were on Ozzfest) . Zombie was co headlining and system was opening the main stage (1pm) , usually playing to 1500 people and a mostly empty first 70 rows. We had met so many inspiring musicians in 98/99 and @johntempesta was one of them. Almost immediately we became lifelong friends and John would allow me to watch from behind his kit as he played his set nearly every night. Not only is he a phenomenal drummer and incredibly versatile (playing almost any style he wants )but John is a humble and open person. I’ve never seen him even slightly upset , he always has a smile on his face and an excitement to play and his attitude is infectious. Like any family member, anytime we see each other we pick up exactly where we left off. I remember vividly that both of our kits were set up next to each other backstage at Ozzfest 2002 . We happened to be together and were checking our kits to make sure everything was in order when we spontaneously went into a double drummer drum solo . We went back and forth , trying to escalate the technique and feel of our solos using each others talent as inspiration to out do each other on the next phrasing . Before we knew it there were a hundred or so techs , guests , and security watching the impromptu show behind the show happening 100feet away. I wish my friend Mike ( he taped it ) wasn’t such a damn stoner and lost the tape! Drummers like John make me want to be a better drummer and are the fuel for learning and improving. I’ve learned much from him over the years both in being a better drummer and a better human being . Recently Dave , John , and I went to dinner and it was such a fun time . Reminiscing and laughing , friends enjoying life. I can’t believe I get to hang out with the drummers who inspired me in my formative years and who continue to do so today ! I hope there are kids out there who are equally inspired by what I do , one day the baton will pass from us to you and so on and so on .
Captain Carpenter. She has been an integral member of the Ascencian security forces for over 100 years . @ascenciacomicbook
If there’s a way to explain @vbecunninghvm drumming style I would have to say it’s similar to an earthquake. Deep , booming , and inescapable! He’s been a friend and inspiration since the first time I saw him play . Always humble , never seen without a massive smile , and when he sits behind the kit he unleashes hell ! Absolutely the closest to Bonham in our generation Abe mixes rhythm and power better than almost anyone. A fantastic father to his kids and a wonderful friend . So happy to have seen you play as many times as I have and seen the secret tattoos in person ! One of the most recognizable sounds from the first hit !
The ants go marching one by one ! @sicknewworld
In 1998 system went on our first ever tour , 2 months in the states and ending in a 2 month run in Europe with the incomparable Slayer . Broken down RVs , showering after Serj ( clogged drain every time) , sleeping next to Shavo in the top of the RVs crawl space . Eating for free whenever possible as we were all broke . It was the best ! I first met @paulbostaphofficial at the NAMM show . This was just before our tour and we were talking to all the drum companies about endorsements ( I received none ). Walking down an aisle was Paul , by himself and with a backpack on his shoulder . We were introduced and he gave me some advice spending a good 30 min with me . This is an example of who Paul is , he didn’t know me from a hole in the ground but he took time to take me under his wing .Months later we were on tour ,I busted through my kick drum . Sako had both hands on top of his head and was just looking at my kick pedal which had gone through my kick drum head. All of a sudden Paul appeared on stage with a drum key on a drill bit and was helping us takeoff the drum head. He was the headliner, and he was on stage helping the opener change his drum head .I’ll never forget the many acts of kindness that Paul and the wonderful crew and band of slayer showed us. We were in Europe we didn’t have $.10 to our name we were staying in the shittiest hotels if we were lucky enough to get one (usually we just stayed in our bus in the middle of a field somewhere we were showering at the venue )At nights we were playing 20 or 30 minute sets and I’d be sweating ,boiling because we couldn’t afford a fan and then one day Paul had gone and purchased a fan for me because he knew I lacked the funds to get it . Slayer gave us advice, but more than anything they spent time with us watched us play every night. Paul made sure that if I ever needed anything I had it he is a ripping drummer but more important is his character. Paul has had an incredible career playing for some of the best bands on the planet . Hi is an enormously talented drummer , with amazing feel and technique.. I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his many acts of kindness !
@jimlee was nice enough to improve one of the sticks ! Winners look out for this special edition !
Happy Independence Day ! Hopefully we keep striving to maintain the beauty of this country!
Trust Sneaker Grading is very close to production, here is our latest prototype with a handwritten “grade”. We will be hiring experts in sneakers and grading . Extremely excited about this and proud of what we’ve achieved over the last three years. There are also investment opportunities for a select few ! PM for details
We programmed our own destruction . @ascenciacomicbook
@joelgomezart , a lone stranger rides towards the city of Bethany that surrounds Ascencia , hoping to one day gain Ascencian citizenship. Million’s apply , dozens are chosen . @ascenciacomicbook
This is my dream life encompassed in one photo . I call this picture “ toxic masculinity “
The struggle. @ascenciacomicbook
Started a character chart to organize and help with the massive world that is Ascencia!
