Drummer Live Pics on MySpace

Well we did it! Drummer Live was an absolute blast as always, an amazing show that proved once again that drummers are the coolest & nicest people on this great planet of ours, and the drum industry is without a doubt the best place to work. I will be working on a new e-zine shortly that will give a run down of the events as they happened but in the meantime, check out our MySpace site for a selection of pictures. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi, hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Huge congratulations & thanks to Crofty, Helen, Lucy & Clive for all their hard work :-) enjoy the photos Dean X

This News Update: 26/06/2008

Drummer Live @ LIMS 2008

Hi All - if you at The London International Music Show this week make sure you stop by to say Hi, we are in the Drummer Live hall and our stand number is N10, be great to see you. Please note I am out of the office until Tuesday 17th June, so please be patient re my replying to e-mails. Hope to see you there, it´s going to be a good one!! All the best from Cornwall Dean :-)

This News Update: 10/06/2008

Everything Burns news

South west based rock/metal and Everything Burns have just signed a fully financed multi-album deal with Rising records, which is becoming one of the biggest independent metal labels in the u.k. They will be recording their debut album in January ´09, it´s to be produced by Mark Daghorn (one minutes silence, Trigger the bloodshed) and mixed by Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Fightstar) for european release in April ´09. Catch Protection Racket endorsee Jez Marshall and Everything burns at a show around the U.K, visit www.myspace.com/everythingburnsband for more details.

This News Update: 27/05/2008

Ben Stone Music School

Team Protection Racket test pilot & Roland UK´s foremost V-Drums clinician Ben Stone has opened a Music School in Swansea. Ben is offering drum lessons on acoustic & electronic kits. The Ben Stone Music School (phase1) is housed in Percussion House II, Classic & Custom Drums. This facility is not only one of the best showrooms in Britain but also has some of the best staff and equipment you will experience anywhere. The commitment to quality and detail that Percussion House II displayed is exactly why Ben chose to house phase1 of the music school there. At the Ben Stone Music School it doesn’t matter whether you are 5 years old or 55 years old, all are welcome to learn in a professional environment where lessons are tailored to the individual. Learning has to be fun and most of all effective, so to enquire about available lesson slots contact us on 01792 301010 or pop down to 20 Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AG. Check out www.myspace.com/benstonemusicschool to find out all out it - cheers Dean

This News Update: 21/05/2008

Busy Smiley Smiling :-)

One of our longest serving endorsee´s has just updated us with his activities for the coming months. Smiley is off on tour with BAD COMPANY, Then off to the highlands with 4GM (and those jolly Simple Minds & Wet Wet Wets) Then its off to the States with THE ALARM.. .. He has just finished ARCHIVE new album so they will be touring that probably late this year... Oh and he has opened a studio in Egham Surrey called SUNSHINE CORNER STUDIOS. Check it all out at Smileys myspace website @ www.myspace.com/smileydrums.

This News Update: 08/05/2008

boom da boom boom boom

This just in from our good friend from the US, Protection Racket drum case user and abuser Jere Rehmert; " Good Morning Dean, How are thing´s in the U.K.?? Great I hope. Just a short note say what a wonderful product you have!! But you already know this as I have told you before. Well, last weekend my kid´s were helping dad pack up for a gig, and my 11 year old dropped my 12" tom (in the bag) from the top of the stairs!! boom da boom boom boom, rolling across the floor as I looked on in horror BUT, to my not so much surprise, upon opening the bag, not a scratch!!, not a dent!!, not a scuff. Hallelujah!! Protection Racket all the way! Take Care Dean, Cheerio Jere" Nice one Jere, if you have similar stories, send em on in - Thanks Deano :-)

This News Update: 06/05/2008

Team Protection Racket

Hi all, very proud to announce that we welcome the following amazing drummers to the Team Protection Racket roster this month; Aynsley Dunbar, No other modern rock / jazz / blues / fusion drummer has played with as many successful bands and musicians as Aynsley Dunbar, Rod Stewart, John Lennon, David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Lou Reed have all employed Aynsley and as for all the bands he has been with, I can´t even begin to list, Google Aynsley for more information!! Ian Matthews (Kasabian) what a band!! I love Kasabian, saw them at V festival last year and they were awesome, Ian is a lovely bloke and an incredible drummer, excited to hear Kasabians new material this year, welcome Ian!! In the USA we welcome Ryan Yerdon of Puddle Of Mudd currently # 1 in the Alternative Rock Charts with the wicked Psycho single.

This News Update: 14/04/2008

Jerry Brown @ Drummer Live

We are pleased to pass on this piece of news from one of our longest standing endorsee´s Jerry Brown, (currently playing with Girls Aloud, yeah I agree what a view!!!)!! Jerry tell´s us he will be giving a Master Class in the Mike Dolbear room during the Drummer Live weekend. Watch this space for times and further details but get your tickets now, this is an event not to be missed. Jerry will also be performing at future Pearl Day´s in May, I´ll pass details as soon as I have them. Cheers Deano :-)

This News Update: 03/04/2008

Steve White Drum Clinic

The evergreen Phil Solomon who produces the incredible DRUM STUDY newsletter (100 issues & going strong!) is presenting Steve White in clinic on Friday 11th April 2008. The venue is Portslade Town Hall in Portslade West Sussex, the tickets are 10 of your fine english pounds, the doors open at 7pm and Steve is on @ 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Phil tel: 01273 608916 or 07780 764613. Whilst you are at it, sign up to Phil´s DRUM STUDY newsletter to recieve this amazing drum filled FREE newsletter. Phil can be contacted at P.O Box 1101 Brighton, BN2 5WY. Keep up the great work Phil!! Cheers Dean

This News Update: 26/03/2008

Alex Alexander Update

Here’s an update as to what’s happening in the world of Team Protection Racket’s Alex Alexander (Dido). Alex is currently in South America doing some session work, he e-mailed in with this news; it’s warm down here! I´m very Honoured and Happy to have been asked to join the James Brown Tribute Tour for 2008. We will start in May and continue until Dec. The tour will be worldwide and will go to Europe, Japan, Australia and many more. This is truly going to be a fun experience with Bootsy Collins as master of ceremonies and all the JB’s present. In Dido news, Dido is still working on her next record and hopes for an end of the year release with a tour for Next Year. We are all looking forward to that as well. Check out everything Alex @ www.alex-alexander.com

This News Update: 27/02/2008

PR Welcomes Ralph Salmins

We are honoured to announce the introduction to Team Protection Racket one of the UK´s most prolific session drummers, the one & only Ralph Salmins. Ralph is without a shadow of a doubt one of U.K.´s busiest session drummers. Ralph´s versatility and signature groove have established him as the drummer of choice for producers and composers worldwide. Artists he´s worked with in the studio include Madonna, Macy Gray, Alanis Morrisette, Sheryl Crow, Celine Dion and reputable producers such as George Martin, Burt Bacharach and Michel Legrand - the list goes on and on. Some of you may have heard his work in passing on movie soundtracks such as ´Bridget Jones Diary´, ´Donnie Brasco´, ´Philadelphia´ and the recent Oscar winning ´Gosford Park´ and ´Moulin’ Check out Ralph’s myspace site to see who Ralph “hasn’t played with!!” www.myspace.com/ralphsalmins Welcome to the team Ralph.

This News Update: 30/01/2008

Drum Guru Tuning Basics DVD

Martin Ranscombes ´Tuning Basics for the Modern Drum Set´ Team Protection Racket artist and drum tuning guru Martin Ranscombes passion for drums started nearly 30 years ago and, coupled with a natural tendency to experiment with pretty much anything, has developed, stolen and modified many ideas and methods relating to tuning and enhancing the sound of drums. After years of study, Martin has compiled his expert advise on an interactive DVD which covers all aspects of getting the most out of your drums, dispelling myths and tales on drum tuning ´folk law’. Martin told Protection Racket, ‘The DVD is essentially aimed at getting drummers of all persuasions enthused about tuning their drums by giving them a straightforward and easy to remember system that will, hopefully, go some way to demystifying the so-called ‘black art’ of tuning drums. Most drummers seem to struggle on some level or another with tuning, so it’s one part of my long-term mission to make the whole subject a great deal easier and a whole lot more fun in the process. I´ve got a copy and have to say it´s a brilliant instructional DVD that does what it says on the tin (sorry DVD case!), Martin is a natural presenter (very funny!) and the drumming clips with him and Ian Palmer are blinding!! Go get yours elf a copy and sack ya drum tech :-) The DVD is published by Stick Library and is available NOW through www.MusicRoom.com and all good music shops via Music Sales Ltd. Check out Martins website @ www.drumguru.co.uk Cheers Dean

This News Update: 28/01/2008

Brooks Wackerman new album!

In 2003, Team Protection Racket´s Brooks Wackerman of Bad Religion formed his own band named "Kidneys", in which he not only plays the guitar and sings but also writes, produces, and plays drums for all of the in studio recordings. Brooks recently finished his work on the album and has just released it for purchase on myspace. I´ve had a listen and it´s definately worth checking out :-) here´s the link: www.myspace.com/kidneys ** check out the 4 star review of Kidneys in this months Drummer! Mag **

This News Update: 23/01/2008