Jimmy Chamberlin would like to announce that he is now playing Drum Workshop!
"After 18 years at Yamaha I have decided to move on. I feel that DW is the company that can take me, and my evolution as an artist, to the next level. They are truly an amazing company that are at the forefront of innovation and are making huge leaps in the advancement of the instrument. I feel like I have found a home with like minded people who are just as obsessed with drums as I am! I wish everyone at Yamaha the best and thank all of you for 18 great years."
Chad Szeliga of Breaking Benjamin will took a break from filming his DVD here at Drum Channel to join us on DC LIVE. Chad will met up with Terry Bozzio for a LIVE interview and jam session, and special guest Danny Seraphine and Jimmy Chamberlin jumped in on the conversation.
Lights, Camera: Jimmy Chamberlin and DW, killer combo. Great shoot yesterday with Smashing Pumpkins drummer, Chicago boy does good.Meanwhile, Heather Szeliga fiancée of Breaking Benjamin drummer Chad Szeliga tweets;
Just had dinner with Jimmy chamberlain and Danny Seraphine along with the DW crew . What a great night:
Elsewhere over at SKYSAW's Facebook, they posted a picture of the rehearsals before last Monday's show. Here, zoomed in, Jimmy is clearly playing a different DW kit to the one he played at the show. Actually, there's a bit of an amalgam of two different DW kits going on (including the one he used at the show) as far as I can see. I don't know much about DW myself, having played Yamaha exclusively for the past 15 years. So, if anyone has any details about which kit(s) he is using, please share in the comments.
On Monday night fans of acclaimed drummer Jimmy Chamberlin were in for a surprise. At SKYWAW's live début, Jimmy was playing a DW branded drum kit and not one of his usual unique Yamaha custom kits. Further, he had changed his set-up, which has been his standard for over 20 years. Some suspected that it was simply a hired kit, myself included, and there was nothing else to it than that. Following a volley of tweets, announcing he was going to announce something, Jimmy issued this statement, which confirmed what many fans had been thinking:"Friends and fans, some of you have noticed that I used a DW kit on Monday night. I would like to briefly explain why I have chosen to switch from Yamaha at this point in my career. On hearing the most recent Smashing Pumpkins track 'Lightning Strikes', I was struck by how closely the sound of the drums resembled my own; the snare sounded like my signature snare, there were two low toms panned left and right just like with my own set-up and even some of the fills themselves sounded like they were from my palette. It was sort of like I was playing, but only much... much better.
I have been really inspired by their drummer and had an epiphany of sorts; from now on I am going to strive to sound just like him! Hence, this change of my manufacturer to the one he uses. However, I am saddened to have to concede that as it sounds like he's now playing my old unique kit configuration even more creatively and with so much more facility than I could ever hope to achieve; I feel that, in this respect, I am left with but no choice other than to try something new. Else, I would simply end up being a pale imitation of someone imitating me. That is something JC can not resonate with.
I trust you understand"
They played the first 5 songs off the EP, plus 3 other tracks.This support slot alongside the aforementioned Constellations, for at least one of the dates, has as been confirmed by Steve Hall, of Steve Hall productions on facebook;
Jimmy was playing a silver DW kit with a 10/12/13 (rack) 16/18 (floor) tom setup (my best guess, anyway). No 14" left mounted tom. Could have been a rental. Also, holy shit does Anthony Pirog use a lot of pedal...
I talked to Jimmy really briefly afterward, gave him props and then asked about tour plans and the upcoming record release. He said they're touring with Minus the Bear this summer and the record will have the This songs remixed, plus others not on the This record.
Lastly 'theeagleishere' has posted a couple of snippets over on his YouTube;
Skysaw, featuring acclaimed drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, DC-based singer Mike Reina and guitarist Anthony Pirog, will release their debut album, Great Civilizations, on June 21, 2011 on Dangerbird Records.
As a special gesture to fans anticipating the release, the band will stream the full album, with one free download track, “No One Can Tell” exclusively on http://www.recordstoreday.com, one week prior to, and one week after Record Store Day 2011, which falls this year on Saturday, April 16th, and stands as a now-annual event in support of independent music retailers, worldwide. In addition, Skysaw will issue an exclusive 7” single package “No One Can Tell” b/w “Serrated.”
Also, expect the band to make its on stage debut at The Echo in Los Angeles on Monday, March 28th. Chamberlin, Reina and Pirog will be joined by touring members Paul Wood and Boris Skalsky of notable NYC indie rock group, Dead Heart Bloom for this show.
"The Track "No One Can Tell" appears on the upcoming Skysaw 7" featuring the songs "No One Can Tell" and "Serrated". Available on Record Store Day, April 16, 2011."They tagged it Chamberlain though... whups
"Skysaw (project of Mr. Jimmy Chamberlin of The Smashing Pumpkins) added March 28th!"So right after Jimmy gets back from Japan, looks like we'll be seeing the live début of SKYSAW... Well, according to this (the only source I have seen) - It's not listed on the venue's site yet anyway...
Both [new] songs feature contributions from everyone in the band, the first time that's happened for me since 2003!
"PRANA": "Jimmy Chamberlin and Shaman Durek take you into the Amazon. Guided by your animal spirit and world-class, rhythmic drumming, you will experience a breathtaking adventure that will bring you into the underworld on a unique and mind opening journey."
"Jimmy Chamberlin and Shaman Durek collaborate to create a mesmerizing shamanistic experience."
"PINDA": "Jimmy Chamberlin and Shaman Durek invite you into the temple, connecting you to your ancestors and loved ones on the other side. Drums and bells take you on this journey of reunion.
Jimmy Chamberlin and Shaman Durek collaborate to help you connect with ancestors and loved ones. "
"...Durek was the one that took me aside and said, ‘Look, there’s nothing to be afraid of; only good will come out of this,’” says Chamberlin. Since then, Chamberlin feels he has more balance in his life."
