05/10/07:
ICD::
You can now find "Smoke's" Hoop Knockers™ at the Boston Drum Center. We're very pleased to announce that our products will be available through this fine establishment. Visit their website at http://www.bostondrum.com/
12/14/2006:
ICD::
Iron City Drumworks is happy to announce a new addition to our list of distribution partners, Drum Authority. Drum Authority will be handling ICD Hardwood Counterhoops™ and ICD "Smoke's" Hoop Knockers™. Hit them up at http://www.drumauthority.com
05/31/2006:
Smoke::
Woodstick '06: 533 Drum sets of all sizes, configurations and colors.
From tiny kiddy kits for the 4 year old to a Neil Peart Rush clone circa back when Neil played 2 Bass Drums.
The Drummers' Hang was twice as big as last year. Woodstick the next day was a blast. I took the bus straight to the venue, so I was in line early. A few of us had some Irish Coffee waiting for the doors open. Picture an arena sized venue with a stage full drums and the floor covered in drum sets. Drum sets of all makes and types; from the beginner’s no name kits, to the pro stuff, to some tasty custom stuff. Lots of cool vintage stuff too.
Loud? Ear plugs were NOT an option. We jammed out to a bunch of tunes played by a local band: Spike and the Impalers. "We Will Rock You” was pretty neat. So the 533 drummers played a short written piece and had to do so for a minimum of 5 minutes. We rocked it and broke another record. (My third) We missed last year by only five!!
05/10/2006:
ICD:
Iron City Drumworks would like to welcome our newest distributor, Chad Sexton's Drum City. Located in North Hollywood California Chad's (Yes, that Chad Sexton, the drummer for 311) shop tries to bring back the sense of community lacking in many music/drum stores these days. Thanks alot Chad. We wish you luck, and look forward to making drums and percussion equipment for those on the left coast.
02/15/2006:
Smoke:
NAMM was a blast! I worked the Metal Factory Percussion Booth and I was beat by the end of each day....the kind of satisfied beat that makes you smile as you fall asleep.
You can see pix here:
www.davefender.com
click on NAMM 06 to see the day by experience.
Wed was set up, a booth plus 3 displays.......more than I thought.
The Factory Metal Booth is set up by the restrooms between Modern Drummer and S Hoops/Chop Shop Drums. Rikki Rocket (Poison) and Brian, the drummer for Kids on the Block own this upstart drum company.
Thursday, first day was very busy.....FMP was a hit and pretty much mobbed. I actually ended up at one of the displays playing and doing demos.
Thurday night: A star studded dinner at Bucca di Beppo. Cathy Rich sat across from me as did Paul Mason (Tempus Drums)
Friday another busy day. Mick Fleetwood is a true English Gentleman. ALL the latin cats stop by for FMP's newest creation: Cross Hatz. By now I'm starting to get jadded about "famous" drummers.......too many turn out to be real jerks. The folks over at Pearl welcome me like a VIP, invite into their private lounge allow me to reast my tired feet and serve me a few cold brews.........a class act all around.
Friday Nite: I hang with my friend Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz. (Weird Al's drummer) at a gig he plays at a club in Hollywood. The place is kind of seedy and the music is hard rockin; blues. The guitar player is a touch too loud and seems full of himself (typical for a guitar player) Both Jon and myself laugh about this later. I spend the rest of the night and 1/2 the next day visiting with in-laws.
Saturday. NAMM is total mad house. All the posers and wanna be's somehow get in and it's more a circus than a trade convention. The number of famous drummers in the hall reaches critical mass. The running joke between me and Rickki Rocket in the next both: "Hey! Are you famous? "Who me?"
01/20/2006:
ICD:
Well, ICD endorser Richard "Smoke" Winfield is off to the NAMM Show. Smoke is out in Sunny California rubbing shoulders with the movers and shakers, while I'm stuck in Pittsburgh in January. Doesn't seem fair does it? But I'm sure Smoke will let us in on all that happened once he returns, and we'll share it with you. Stay tuned for more information!