SLASH DRUMMER BRENT FITZ JOINS GON BOPS ARTIST ROSTER

Posted on March 11, 2013January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

Brent Fitz, Canadian born drummer and recording artist has just announced he is joining GON BOPS’ growing artist roster. Best known as a drummer, Brent is well known for his work with Theory of a Deadman, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Union, The Guess Who, Lamya, Streetheart, Harlequin, Econoline Crush, and Indigenous. He is currently the drummer for former Guns’n’Roses/Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash.

“Brent is one of the most sought after drummers working today. His resume reads like a who’s who of Rock N’ Roll! He brings a professional, no-drama vibe with him where ever he goes, and we’re honored he has joined our family”, says GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan.

Brent got his start playing drums at a very young age and participated heavily in his middle school and high school music programs. He began formal training in music theory from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) as a child and continued throughout his teenage years. He’s a skilled piano player as well as a guitar player and back-up vocalist!

“I’m pretty psyched to be on the GON BOPS artist roster,” says Fitz. “I’ve already incorporated the Red Rock Bell into my set-up, and when I’m done the tour, I’ll definitely be sitting down to look at adding more GON BOPS to my rig.”

A native of Winnipeg, MB, Brent Fitz lived in LA for a number of years before moving to his current residence in Las Vegas.

GON BOPS ROCKS AT 2013 NAMM SHOW!

Posted on February 11, 2013January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

The 2013 NAMM show in Anaheim was a busy one for the Gon Bops team. In addition to non-stop meetings with Gon Bops dealer and distributor partners, the booth was buzzing with activity as artists Alex Acuna, Orestes Vilato, Walter Rodriguez, Miguelito Leon, Jaz Sawyer, Bernie Dressel, Blair Sinta and others put in regular appearances, often performing on the booth. Alex Acuna and the Unknowns also delivered a blistering performance at the annual SABIAN Live show on Friday night.

The brand new Gon Bops Orestes Vilato Signature Timbales were a hit on the booth with customers and artists alike. These new instruments feature a shallow 4″ pan design, aluminum construction and a lightweight stand. The cascara is warm — and loud.

NEW FOR 2013: ORESTES VILATO SIGNATURE TIMBALE

Posted on January 11, 2013January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

Gon Bops is pleased to announce the release of a strikingly unique and innovative Timbale set designed with legendary Timbalero Orestes Vilato. Available as a 14”/15” set with stand, these beautiful instruments are the culmination of years of work by Vilato and Gon Bops.

“There were a number of objectives I wanted to achieve with this Timbale, primarily weight, sound and look.” comments Vilato, “First, I wanted to design a lighter instrument, which I believe is important to working musicians who must transport their own instruments.”

The lightness is achieved primarily by manufacturing shells from aluminum, and by utilizing a shallow pan design; both features are exclusive to Gon Bops among major percussion manufacturers. But the aluminum shells provide more than lightness, they also deliver warm cascara and plenty of volume.

“The original timbales played by slaves in Cuba were often made from cooking pails, thus the name, ‘Paila’ which literally means ‘pail,’” says Vilato. “The Timbale derives from the Timpani, and came about as an attempt to make the Timpani smaller and more portable. In a sense, these new Timbales are a modern extension of that goal as we strive for lighter, shallower Timbales that sound very traditional.”

“The shallow pan design is important to Orestes’ style of playing. He likes to play under the Timbale to widen his palette of sound and for the spectacle as well,” says Gon Bops head of manufacturing John Teague. “The shorter pan makes this easier to accomplish and also lends the instrument a quicker response.”

Perhaps the most important objective in designing the new signature Timbale was building an instrument with classical Timbale sound.

“Timbale technique did not develop from drum rudiments, it came from Timpani technique,” says Vilato. “Today you most often see drumset guys playing Timbale, using much heavier drumsticks, and playing with a speed and volume that is simply not part of the tradition. To me, it doesn’t even sound like Timbale. Classical Timbale technique is simple and clean, it involves single sticking, not rolls, and the sticks used were very light, probably made from the wood from a Guava tree. This gives you that sharp, whip-like Timbale sound, something we very much wanted to achieve with this instrument.”

ALEX ACUNA TO PERFORM AT MUSIK MESSE

Posted on January 11, 2013January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

We are pleased to announce that legendary percussionist and drummer ALEX ACUNA will be performing with SABIAN Cymbals and GON BOPS Percussion at the Agora Stage on Saturday, April 13th from 4.00 to 4.30pm.

Alex’s accomplishments and the impressive list of artists he has performed and recorded with are nothing short of breathtaking. U2, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Sergio Mendes, Chick Corea, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock and Tito Puente are just a few names from a very long list that also includes Elvis Presley and Diana Ross.

Alex is perhaps best known for his work with legendary jazz-fusion band Weather Report and played on the ground-breaking albums “Black Market” and “Heavy Weather”.

Der Legendäre Percussionist und Schlagzeuger ALEX ACUNA führt in einer Soloperformance am Samstag, 13. April, von 16h — 16.30h. auf der Agora Stage SABIAN Becken und Gon Bops Percussion Instrumente vor.

Die Liste von Künstlern mit denen ALEX ACUNA zusammengearbeitet hat macht Sprachlos. U2, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Sergio Mendes, Chick Corea, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock and Tito Puente um nur einige zu nennen.

Außerdem hat er mit Elvis Presley und Diana Ross gespielt. 1975 trat er der Legendären Jazz-Fusion Band „Weather Report“ bei und spielte auf den bekannten Alben: „Black Market“ und „Heavy Weather“.

PHIL MATURANO LAUNCHES INNER CLOCK 2!

Posted on January 11, 2013January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

Gon Bops endorser Phil Maturano has recently announced the launch of his highly-anticipated Inner Clock 2. An interactive play-along method that includes tunes, charts, insight, interviews, and much more, it’s the follow-up to his successful Hal Leonard release Inner Clock 1.

The Inner Clock method was conceived by Phil circa 1995 at P.I.T in LA. While teaching Big Band and Ensemble Technique, Phil noticed a huge gap in his students’ abilities to turn charts into music. While many were good readers, they couldn’t make the jump from the page to the heart!

As a result, Phil compiled sequenced parts of the musical phrases that gave them the most trouble. As a result, his students could now play over them and read the figures as many times as needed.

“Well, my little sequenced parts were a hit and soon all my students started asking for them,” comments Maturano.

In time, Phil zeroed in and discovered it wasn’t so much the reading as it was a lack of experience with subdivisions and phrases. Internalizing rhythmic figures and interpreting them meant returning to the basic principles of music.

And so, with the collaboration of a number of very generous musicians and friends, the Inner Clock method was born. His first book “Working the Inner Clock” (Hal Leonard) is used in drum schools and conservatories worldwide. The book is loved by all drummers who work with it and has proven to be a most effective tool in many areas of drumming.

For more information, and to sign up for 4 free IC2 video lessons, please visit philmaturanolessons.com.

PEARL JAPAN NAMED EXCLUSIVE GON BOPS DISTRIBUTOR IN JAPAN

Posted on January 5, 2013January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

Gon Bops is pleased to announce the appointment of Pearl Japan as its exclusive distributor in Japan.

“In Japan, we need a distribution partner with the infrastructure and resources to maximize each and every business every opportunity — with Pearl we now have that partner,” comments Gon Bops International Sales Manager Terry Ryan.

In addition to Pearl drums and percussion, Pearl Japan carries a number of other premium brands such as Remo, Vic Firth, Hughes & Kettner and more.

For more information, please contact www.musicgw.com.

THREE DAYS GRACE DRUMMER NEIL SANDERSON JOINS GON BOPS ARTIST ROSTER

Posted on November 11, 2012January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

GON BOPS has announced that Neil Sanderson, drummer for Canadian Platinum-selling recording artists Three Days Grace, has joined its growing artist roster. Listing his influences as John Bonham, Danny Carey and Phil Rudd, Neil plays a style that’s dynamic, and groove-heavy. Like the wide-open approach he takes to the kit, Neil leads a life that’s rich with nuance.

Although best known as a drumset player, Neil is a talented and dynamic multi-instrumentalist. Gon Bops Cowbells, Shakers and Tambourines are an essential part of his set-up. Gon Bops instruments will also play a significant role in his songwriting and studio work.

“I’m thrilled to be playing Gon Bops,” says Sanderson. “It’s a legendary brand, and I’m truly impressed with the design and craftsmanship. I’m really looking forward to getting more GON BOPS instruments into my studio.”

“It’s great to have Neil join the GON BOPS family,” adds GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan. “He’s a great drummer, a wonderful individual, and having him on our roster certainly strengthens our brand.”

When he’s not touring and recording with Three Days Grace, Neil lives happily in Ontario, Canada.

INDUSTRY VETERAN RICH MANGICARO HEADS UP WEST COAST AR POST

Posted on August 11, 2012January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

Gon Bops is pleased to announce the appointment of Rich Mangicaro as West Coast Artist Relations Manager. Throughout his successful career, Rich has worked extensively on all sides of the music industry. Most notably, for 19 years he served as Paiste America Director of Artist Relations and Education, in addition to a stint as one of the company’s Marketing Directors.

Rich is a published music journalist and his work has been featured in Modern Drummer, Drumhead, UK publications Rhythm and Drummer, and France’s Batteur. As a writer, producer and director of AV and print content, Rich has worked with Graham Nash, Chris Hillman and others.

As a musician, Rich has performed and recorded with a number of artists, most notably Jeff Bridges, Michael McDonald, Billy Idol, Jackson Brown and more. He continues as a member of the Glenn Frey-Joe Walsh band.

“We are happy to Rich have join the Gon Bops AR program,” says Gon Bops CEO Andy Zildjian. “Rich carries a multi-dimensional portfolio rich in experience and accomplishments and we’re looking forward to having him on our team.”

Currently a resident of Los Angeles, Rich will assume his new role effective immediately.

GON BOPS ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL 2012 PASIC SHOW!

Posted on January 20, 2012January 11, 2015 by Bruce Parry

Although Tropical Storm Sandy created major havoc and devastated large portions of the East Coast of the US, most MI manufacturers were able to display and maintained a presence at PASIC, held in Austin, TX on November 1-3, 2012. While traffic was light, no doubt due to the cancellation of most flights out of the East Coast, attendees were very enthusiastic about the Gon Bops instruments on display on the booth.

“It’s rewarding to see our instruments so received by the great bunch of kids from music programs all over the US and Canada,” says Gon Bops Marketing Manager Luis Cardoso. “Not only are they great players, they’re very smart consumers to boot, and they appreciate the detail and design innovation that goes into every one of our instruments.”

Apart from a full line of Peruvian Cajons, including the latest El Toro and Fiesta models, Gon Bops also displayed a wide selection of bells, hand percussion, congas and bongo drums. Connect with Gon Bops on Facebook (http://www.Facebook.com/GonBops) for live updates from PASIC, NAMM, MusikMesse and other shows throughout the year!