The acclaimed documentary "Hit So Hard" The Life and Near-Death story of drummer Patty Schemel is being released April 13, 2012!

When Nirvana burst onto the national scene in 1991, the music they played spoke directly to a generation that had emerged from the Reagan-Bush years angry and disenfranchised. As grunge took off, the music industry was completely transformed in a way nobody expected... especially the young musicians who went from tiny shared Seattle apartments to international superstardom, sometimes overnight. Some handled it well... and some did not. Just three years later, the drug-related deaths of several prominent musicians, capped by the suicide of Kurt Cobain, closed the books on an all too brief era.

As the acclaimed drummer of Courtney Love's seminal rock band Hole, Patty Schemel was right in the middle of all of it. The openly gay woman who always felt "different" never dreamed she would be part of a multi-platinum selling band, touring with legends, or on the cover of Rolling Stone. Or that, thanks to drug addiction, she could lose it all. HIT SO HARD tells the story of Patty's rise to fame (and nearly fatal fall from it), with no punches pulled... and it's one hell of a story.

Told with insider interviews and stunningly intimate, never-before-seen footage shot by Patty and her friends (Patty was given a Hi-8 camera just before Hole's infamous Live Through This world tour), HIT SO HARD is not only an all-access backstage pass to the music that shaped a generation, but a harrowing tale of overnight success, the cost of addiction, and ultimately, recovery and redemption.

"Hit So Hard" Trailer:

In his September, 2010 article for Musicians Local 802 News, Todd Bryant Weeks referred to Charli Persip as “The World’s Most Perfect Drummer” with good reason! “Persip’s technical mastery of the instrument…has allowed him the luxury of appearing in a multiplicity of settings with some of the greatest names in jazz: Dizzy Gillespie, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Harry James, Billy Eckstine, Archie Shepp, Benny Golson and Art Farmer, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Eric Dolphy, Duke Ellington.” Now an octogenarian, Charli has not only played with every major name in music, but has led SuperSound his own big band for over thirty years, is the author of How Not to Play Drums (published by Second Floor Music and distributed by Hal Leonard), and is an in demand drum teacher, and he’s still going strong.

A tribute in honor of this legendary master drummer will be held at 7:30p.m. on Monday, April 30, 2012 at Saint Peter’s Church, corner of Lexington Avenue and 54th Street, New York, New York. Hosted by WBGO’s Rob Crocker, invited guests include musicians Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Roy Haynes, Anthony Nelson, and Kenny Washington; writers Amiri Baraka and Nat Hentoff; and Martin Mueller, Director of the New School jazz program.

Charli started his musical career in and around Newark, New Jersey. A chance meeting with trombonist Benny Green resulted in Charli going on the road with Dizzy Gillespie, and that was the beginning of his star touched occupational path. Among his most memorable experiences during his rich, long career was his time with the incomparable Duke Ellington, who he felt was an incredible role model. Persip’s musical ability enabled him to defy stereotypical image of jazz drummers. At a recent presentation at the Jazz Museum in Harlem, drummer Kenny Washington said of him, “Persip was one of the black drummers that dispelled the idea that black drummers can’t read music.” During that presentation, Persip advised his audience about “…the importance of using your imagination to the fullest, and that listening is an art, not only as a drum accompanist but in life itself….And when dealing with an unruly audience, don’t be belligerent, just let your artistry quiet them down.”

As a jazz educator, he is said to be among the best. Since 1974, Charli Persip has been instructor of drums and music, for Jazzmobile Inc. – New York. He is currently a professor of jazz at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan, having worked there for almost two decades, and he has had a highly successful private practice for over thirty years.

Charli Persip is also a popular attraction at drum clinics, and gives lecture-demonstrations at the nation’s most prestigious schools, including Howard University, University of Massachusetts, Ohio State University, and North Texas State University. Just as Duke Ellington left a serious impression with Charli, he has had the same effect with his students. Jeremy Carlstedt, one of his former students wrote in his blog, “…I was lucky enough to study with Charli Persip and just like anything a legend shows you, you can replay the lesson over and over in your head and still learn from it.”

Who: Friends of Master Drummer Charli Persip What: Tribute for his 6+ decades creating music

What: Tribute for his 6+ decades creating music. 

Where: Saint Peters Church Corner of 54th Street and Lexington Avenue New York, NY

When: April 30, 2012 @ 7:30pm Cost: $20 suggested donation

Contact: Pamela Morgan – pemorgan@wim-n.com - 973-996-8342, or Silvia St. John - cancrizans@verizon.net - (845) 565-2578Who: Friends of Master Drummer Charli Persip

Vater is pleased to welcome Chris Knight to the Artist Family. Chris Knight began playing drums in church when he was 8 years old. This was a direct result of growing up in a musical home and having an entire family deeply rooted in music. In his teenage years, it had become a dream and passion to pursue playing drums for a living. After high school, Chris decided to attend Lee University in Cleveland, TN. While there, he performed with various traveling groups and began to get a feel for life on the road. Along with that, Chris had come in contact with session drummer and producer, Scott Williamson. It was Scott who took him under his wings and showed him the 'ins and outs' to being a professional musician... not just a professional drummer. In May of 2004, Chris received a phone call to audition for an artist in Nashville, TN. Chris took the audition, got the gig, packed his bags, and made the move to Nashville.

Chris is now an up-and-coming talent in the Nashville music scene. At only 28 years old, and only 7 years under his belt in Nashville, he has begun to make his mark. He has played a wide variety of Christian, Pop, and Country artists on the road and in the studio. His most noted artist gigs have included Grammy Nominated and Dove Award winning band, SONICFLOOD, and 14-time CCMA Award winning country artist, Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

In the Spring of 2010, Chris got the call to hold down the drum chair for Grammy Award winning and Multi-Platinum selling artist, LeAnn Rimes. He described this as a "dream come true phone call". Chris has made appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Opry Live, Ellen, Regis and Kelly, America's Got Talent, GAC, CMT, and more. Chris is currently on tour with Rimes as things ramp up for the release of her new record, "Spitfire".

Chris Knight is now using the Vater 2B Wood and Powerhouse models.

 "The biggest factor in a stick for me is feel... this is why I switched to Vater sticks.  The sticks just feel like an extension of myself... very comfortable in the hand, and they have a great and very consistent weighting.  If I'm comfortable with them in my hand, it propels me to play at my highest level. I'm also somewhat of a hard hitter, so I also need a stick that will hold up with all the touring and studio work, and these certainly do just that!  I couldn't be happier!" -Chris Knight

Lit and Vater Artist Nate Walker, have announced a June 19th release date for their new album, "The View From The Bottom". the band's first studio album in 8 years. Lit will also be hitting the road April 25-May 16th, with another US Tour starting on June 28th that will include Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms and Marcy Playground.

Check out LitBand.com for updated news and added tour dates.

Vater Artist Dan Whitesides of The Used took the time to write up his insight into the bands new album that was released March 27, 2012.

Our new album VULNERABLE comes out MARCH 26 it's our fifth studio album and my third with the band. Out of all of our albums I think this one might be my favorite for the simple fact that the songs are amazing. It's such an experimental album, there are so many different types of songs but it all ties in so well and It still has that classic THE USED sound. I think if you like THE USED then you'll love this album and if you don't like THE USED I really recommend checking it out because I'm guaranteeing there's a song in there for any music lover.

One of my favorite tracks is called KINDA TURNIN' ME ON. It has one of the coolest beats on the album; it's a beat that uses kick, snare, hi hat and floor tom to make one of the more original sounding beats on the album. You'll need to listen to it to hear what I mean. I'm a rocker at heart so all of the crazier jams are my favorites. KISS IT GOODBYE is another one that rules. That song stemmed from someone saying "play something sort of crazy" and that beat came right out and we wrote that song really quick.

I think this album is probably the most experimental album we've ever done. Some of the songs were written in our practice space as a full band, some were written on a keyboard, on piano, on acoustic and some we wrote in the studio. I think we work best when we mix things up and sort of keep things fresh. It was cool coming up with electro beats, jamming over the top with real drums and coming up with some interesting beats. It's also fun to just come up with a beat and then Jepha or Quinn will jam out to it and write something that fits well over the top of it. We really do try write in every and any way possible.

Vocally this album is one of the more positive albums we've done. There are definitely some super dark songs but we went in to this album on a positive note so we had no choice but to write a few positive songs.

I've played VATER drumsticks since I was a teenager, so basically since they started making sticks over 1000 years ago! I use the VATER MV-10 stick model.

I love VATER sticks because I'm a heavy hitter, their sticks are hard to break, they weigh the same and they feel solid when you're playing with them. I know that sticks and really any drum gear is expensive but VATER makes a great stick at a great price. I truly believe they are a stick company that really understands drummers and percussionists in general better then any other stick company out there. I'll always be using VATER... even when I'm 2000 years old!

VULNERABLE is available in stores and online now. A huge thank you to Chad Brandolini and to everyone at VATER for all their hard work and support over the years.

Thanks for your time,

-Dan Whitesides

On February 26, 2012, long time Vater Artist and King's X Drummer Jerry Gaskill suffered a major heart attack. Jerry was rushed into emergency surgery and then was kept sedated. Within the next few days, Jerry developed a lung infection and had to have a trachestomy. Jerry is now awake and is fighting to get better. Like too many musicians, Jerry doesn't have any medical insurance and his medical bills are piling up quickly! 

Donations are now being accepted to assist Jerry with these costs. King's X have released an exclusive, never before released 90 Minute Live Set, "Burning Down Boston: Live at The Channel 6.12.91" for download with all proceeds going to Jerry. In addition to the gift with this download, anyone who wants to further make a personal gift to Jerry can mail a check (made out to Jerry Gaskill) to: Jerry Gaskill, c/o World Entertainment Inc., P.O. Box 3095, Sea Bright, NJ 07760.

100% of each gift goes to Jerry Gaskill to help him defray his medical bills. Jerry Gaskill is an individual and not a charity. Any funds given to him would be a gift and no further tax deduction for charitable contributions would be coming from him. We appreciate your help.

While in California for the 2012 NAMM Show, we popped over to see our good friends at Los Angeles Drum Services. We thought we'd film a quick feature about them to show you what they're all about and give you an inside look into a different and cool side of the drum biz. While there, we ran into Vater Artists Brian Frasier-Moore (Madonna) and Chaun Horton (Natasha Bedingfield/Toni Braxton) who were "working" in the custom hardware shop!

Chris Achzet and Bobby Boos have a combined 50 years in the professional drumming area of the music business. It is this knowledge and skill level that open the door for all the services that LADS provide, From the musician just starting his professional career to music veterans, LADS can handle all your drumming needs. If you can think of a service that could benefit a professional drummer, more than likely LADS provides it.

For more info, visit: www.ladrumservices.com or call: (800) 686-3096

Vater is proud to join DRUM! Magazine, Tom Tom Magazine and others in sponsoring “Hit Like A Girl 2012,” the first ever drumming contest for girls and women. Vater Artists

The online competition will be hosted at HitLikeAGirl.com and is open to female drumset players of all ages, levels, types and styles. Entries in the form of 3-5 minute performance videos will be accepted from February 1 through March 31, 2012 with the winners to be announced May 1. The video entries will be posted on the Hit Like A Girl 2012 YouTube channel and must include a brief, written description of the player’s influences and/or reasons for drumming. Since the competition will take place online, players can participate from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

For the final rounds, the top videos will be judged by a stellar panel of female drum artists, including Vater Artists Jess Bowen (The Summer Set), Kim Thompson (Beyoncé), Hannah Ford (Bellevue Suite) and more. Judging criteria will include technique, time, feel, creativity, personality, passion and showmanship. Fans, friends and drum enthusiasts from around the world will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites in the preliminary rounds through YouTube viewer rankings.

Contest prizes will feature a complete drum and cymbal set along with sticks, heads, cases and a variety of other accessories and merch totaling over $10,000.

For a complete list of contest rules, prizes and entry instructions, go to HitLikeAGirl.com!