Former White Zombie Drummer Passes Away
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published May 21, 2013
We learned that former White Zombie and Last Crack drummer Phil Buerstatte has passed away at the age of 44.
The drummer played with White Zombie between 1992—1994 during the La Sexorcisto tour, and recorded three tracks with the band – “Feed The Gods” from the Airheads soundtrack, “I Am Hell” for a Beavis & Butthead soundtrack, and a cover of the Black Sabbath track “Children Of The Grave.”
This follows an unusual chapter in the drummer’s life when last year California police arrested a 46-year-old named Loren Breckenridge who had been accused of defrauding a rehabilitation center in Northern California for $75,000 while posing as Buerstatte.
Stranded Drummer Sets Up & Plays On Freeway
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published May 21, 2013
How do you pass the time while waiting for help after your car runs out of gas on the freeway? Well, according to The Baltimore Sun, one particularly industrious drummer decided to use the downtime to work on his chops.
Imagine what the pair of Maryland State Troopers thought when they came across the scene on the left at 10:30 this morning on Baltimore’s Interstate 695 inner loop.
Even though they probably could have cited him for disturbing the peace or some other infraction, the Troopers let him off easy after he got a refill from a State Highway Administration truck.
Talk about a traffic jam!
Pearl Introduces The Authorized Service Center
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published May 21, 2013
Regular maintenance is the key to your drum kit’s good health, which is why Pearl made the entire process of finding appropriate replacement parts infinitely easier by introducing the Authorized Service Center. Need to replace a stripped tension rod, lost hi-hat clutch, or frayed felt washer? Look for music stores and drum shops that display the Pearl Authorized Service Center decal and you can be sure to find the supplies needed to repair your drums and get back to shredding. Go here to find the one nearest you.
Jim Gordon Denied Parole
- By Jordan Liffengren
- Published May 20, 2013
Drummer Jim Gordon, who murdered his mother in June of 1983 after claiming her voice had tormented him for years, was denied parole in an April hearing until at least 2018. Gordon was deemed "a danger to society if released from prison," after resisting court-ordered medication and counseling.
LA County deputy district attorney Alexis de la Garza said that Gordon still shows symptoms of schizophrenia and is "medically and psychologically noncompliant."
As an in-demand session drummer in the 60s and 70s, Gordon worked with artists like the Beach Boys, John Lennon, the Carpenters, and Carly Simon. He was even offered to tour with Bob Dylan, but turned it down due to his substance abuse problems. He checked himself into hospitals more than a dozen times for treatment during this time, and complained of voices in his head.
"I just snapped," Gordon admitted to detectives the day after he killed his mother.
"I told him that it was his consciousness speaking to him. He said it was someone else," said Bobby Whitlock of Derek and the Dominos. "Evidently he never stopped or even lightened up on his drug and alcohol intake. The end result was the destruction of his family."
It was recommended that Gordon seek substance abuse help. The court will make a final decision on whether or not to deny parole for a five-year period in August.
Chad Smith: In Conversation
- By Jordan Liffengren
- Published May 20, 2013
Chad Smith pockets his sticks to play talk show host at
MusicRadar.com, which announced a new, weekly podcast featuring one-on-one conversations between the drummer and other notable mmusicians. The first installment of the series features Alex Lifeson, guitarist for the legendary Canadian trio Rush. Part 1 of
In Conversation: Chad Smith with Alex Lifeson, was released on May 13th, and additional installments will be published once a week for three consecutive weeks. More info, the
In Conversation series can be found
here.
