The new version of Dave Weckl News.com has launched with a very impressive layout. It’s a virtual online magazine covering in extensive detail what Dave has been up to recently including plenty of pictures from the NAMM show, as well as shots of Dave in the studio with Mike Stern and the immortal Anthony Jackson. Have a look.

A little bird recently sent me some audio of a Vinnie clinic at Berklee during what I think is the late 80’s. Quality is good and the topics are informative. The clinic is split to two parts: Part 1 here, and part 2 is here.
Enjoy.

Well the good news is the forums have 200 members now. The bad news is our hosting company can’t keep up with log files being cleared, which results in forum outage (like now). I’ll see to it the outages end all together. Until then may I recommend some other sites for Saturday surfing: Digg.com, Fark.com, Slashdot, and Waxy.org

Well, we have finally switched to the new layout, courtesy of my friend Kekoa Lee-Creel! This also means that the new forums are in effect as well. All the media files here have been re-organized and presented in the MEDIA page linked above. There are some additions there so be sure to check it out. This is all just a starting point; changes, fixes, etc will be added over time. I’m open to suggestions so feel free to Email me with feedback. Thanks everyone for hanging out.

There’s some good pictures from NAMM up already. Lots of pictures of gear here on Mike Dolbear’s site. Our friend Joe “Pocket Player” has some good pics of who was at the show this year. The guys in the first picture look suspicious. More soon!

It’s that time of the year again. The official NAMM chat thread is here on the forums. Looks like Dave Weckl and Joel Rosenblatt will be doing some gigging during the show, all that info available here
I will be playing with Electric Violinist Dorian Cheah on Wednesday January 18th at 9pm at 14 Below in Santa Monica. Some video footage of that band available here. Gary Novak will be at The Baked Potato Thursday and Friday this week as well.

Happy Holidays everyone. New site is almost done, should be up soon. I’m going to South Jersey through New Years eve, anyone in that area interested in lessons can Email me.
Meanwhile make sure you watch the the funniest SNL skit in years. It’s all about the Hamiltons baby!

We have some new forums we’re currently testing, feel free to head over, sign up, and post away right here. 84 members and counting!
Also it looks like Traditional Grip himself is back, and has created his own MY SPACE account of all things. Pics include Mr. Grip with his Porsche, as well as posing for an art class. Those who missed Mr. Grip’s cinematic debut a while ago, check it out right here.

UPDATE:
According to the same site Chad Wackerman is now playing drums instead of Vinnie. Let’s bow our heads in a moment of silence.
…
OLD NEWS==> According to this European Jazz web site, the “Alan Holdsworth / Alan Pasqua Band featuring Vinnie Colaiuta and Alphonso Johnson” will be doing some touring in March or 2006. Quite the lineup indeed, although still 6 months away. We demand recordings of any and all types!
Thanks to Jeff Miley for the heads up on this gem.

Someone was on the fourum asking about the now famous Blushda video.
There were a lot of responses which prompts the question just how well known is the blushda video?
A quick Google search shows the Blushda in Russia, and our own Klem (I think) spreading the Blush-Love here (in Danish?). Some German Love here. Some Netherlands Blushda Love also.
They call me a geek on the offical Meshuggah Forums (although someone comes to my defense wich was nice). According to the PlanetX Forum the blushda video is an Oscar® contender. The blushda also representing on the Pollution Free Environment For Christian Youth. And of course you’re not legit unless you’re on the DrummerWorld Forum.
Some may say I’m spreading knowledge. Others say I’m spreading evil. Those who haven’t seen it can decide for themselves. Just remember, it’s not a toy. =)