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:

Vater Artist Brann Dailor of Mastodon is the cover story of the current issue of DRUM! Magazine (Dec 2011) issue.

Another Vater Artist featured in this issue is Andy Farag of Umphrey's McGee.

As if that wasn't enough, on page #106, there's a review of some of Vater's new products including the Cora Coleman Dunham, Chris McHugh, Mike Johnson 2451, Chris Pennie, Big Mike Clemons models as well as Vater Grip Tape.

Grab your copy of DRUM!'s Dec. issue today! 

Check out our Vater Artist video spotlight on Brann Dailor here:

We caught up with Vater Artist Fred Eltringham at the Boston, MA stop of K.D. Lang's US Tour in September.

Fred has worked with The Wallflowers, Dixie Chicks, Ben Kweller, Pistol Annies, Tracy Bonham, Juliana hatfield, Tears for Fears and many more. Fred took a few minutes to discuss his musical background, influences, carrer advice and the various Vater products he uses.

Mighty Mighty Bosstones drummer Joe Sirois has been a Vater Artist since 1993. We caught up with Joe at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA where he was playing with his side project, Roll The Tanks, just a few days before the two Bosstones shows at Boston's Fenway Park opening for Dropkick Murphy's. In this video, Joe talks about what got him into drumming, Bosstones' history, why the Vater 3A Wood Tip has been his stick of choice and more.

The Vater crew caught up with Jay Lane at soundcheck on Primus' first US Tour Date in Boston, MA. Jay took a few minutes at soundcheck to chat about his background, re-joining Primus, why he uses the Vater 52nd Street Jazz, Vintage Bomber Beater and Bamboo Splashsticks.

 

Two new Vater Artist Spotlight Videos on Aaron Stern and Zachary Alford.

Aaron Stern (D.R.U.G.S.)

For Dick DiCenso's 70th Birthday this past August, fellow Vater Artist Jimmy Pemberton (Kiley Evans/Educator) sat down with him to film this 2 part video interview. Jimmy had Dick chat about what got him into playing drums as a young kid, touring, opening DiCenso's Drum Shop and why after all these years, his real passion with drums is with his being an Educator.

Dick DiCenso has been a long time friend of the Vater Family. In fact, Dick had great influence on the launching of the Vater brand in 1991 and also helped design the Vater Super Jazz Model .

Part 1:

Part 2:

 

Jimmy Pemberton is a professional drummer & educator based out of Boston,MA. Known for his “play for the song” approach he has become one of the areas go to guys for producers, song writers and bands alike. No matter if it’s in the studio or on the stage Jimmy brings his upbeat positive attitude and hard work ethic to any situation.

Jimmy has worked with Kiley Evans, Marc Orrell (former Dropkick Murphys), Endway, Jamison Ernest (Warner Music Group), Jer Coons,Gregory James,The Holiday Electric, Soren Sorensen, Gone Baby Gone, AutoManual, and many more. Some producers include: Mike Poorman, Jim Wirt, Joe Merrick, Michael Carroll, Jim Foster,and Mathew Ellard.

Jimmy has studied with Dave DiCenso, Dick DiCenso and Chris Rivelli. ” I plan on always being a Student , a Teacher and an Artist. I feel keeping all three going is the key for me to progress as a musician and human being.”

Jimmy Pemberton uses the Vater 5B Wood

www.jimmypemberton.com

Signature Vater Drumstick Artist Cora Coleman-Dunham sent us this mini-documentary video that gives a rare and unique look into her world performing with Beyonce and Prince. Enjoy!

L 16 1/2" D .530"
L 41.91cm D 1.36cm
VHCCDW

Ask for them at your local store today, or BUY NOW HERE

Vater Artist Kim Thompson (Mike Stern/Beyonce) recently had the time to visit Vater’s Factory in Massachusetts for the first time. Kim got to see every step of Vater’s production process first hand, including seeing the Vater 7A Wood (her stick of choice) being turned on a lathe.

“Visiting the Vater factory was one of the most incredible experiences!” Commented Kim Thompson.  "To see all the ground that transpires for one single stick was astounding and really added a height of inspiration to the overall visit. I definitely would do it again and I might even have get my hands dirty on the next visit. Thanks Vater!”

Check out Kim's Vater Artist Spotlight video here:

During her stay in Boston, Kim also appeared for a clinic with DiCenso’s Drum Shop, in Weymouth, MA. Kim opened the clinic sharing details about her musical journey from the time she was a kid up to her current projects. The clinic was then more-so directed towards the spiritual and emotional side to performing music and drumming.