Round Up Well, what can a say about these two past months apart from it's been absolutely manic here at the British Drum Company! Packed with in-store dealer days, two trips to the USA, a product launch, the Royal Marines Mountbatten Festival of Music Concert and not forgetting the build up to the King's Coronation. It's safe to say we've been flat out here at BDC HQ. Royal Marines Mountbatten Festival of Music 2023 In February, we attended the Mountbatten Festival of Music. This annual concert is held at the Royal Albert Hall, London and is put on by the Massed Bands of His Majesty's Royal Marines. Once again, we were joined by artists, dealers and friends of BDC who enjoyed a night of fantastic musicianship, great conversion and the odd alcoholic drink ;-) The RS1P - Our new PARADE Snare Drum! To continue the legacy of the innovative Regimental Series, we've launched a NEW 14” x 12” Snare. Hand-built with 8ply 5mm Grade A Scandinavian Birch Shell, the RS1P features a 45º bearing edge and Palladium Mk2 snare strainer on the lower head only. The drum also features a pre-dampened batter head, allowing you to get that crisp parade sound you've always only been able to get with twin snare drums. Take a step in the right direction with the RS1Parade, all at an outstanding price! Learn more about the RS1P Here Meet The Dealer - Henderson Imports This month, we start the introduction of marching dealers from around the world. First up is Henderson Imports which is based in Traverse City, Michigan. Henderson's was set up in 1997 by James Henderson Moore who after 20 years then retired and the business is now run by his daughter Melissa. Melissa prides herself on a very well-organised warehouse and a friendly atmosphere for a great customer experience. Recently, CEO Keith Keough and I had the chance to visit Melissa at Henderson Imports HQ to meet the rest of her team. Melissa has a great set-up and holds a very good supply of British Drum Co Axial Series drums. If you would like more information about the Axial drums that Melissa currently has in-stock then please contact her here. I will find myself back at Henderson HQ in November but more about that later on in the year ;-) The Washington Tattoo In April, I travelled to the USA for a number of reasons, but while I was out there I managed to attend the The Washington Tattoo event held at the British Embassy. The British Drum Company sponsored the VIP bags for the event which was attended by many, including the British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce and Major General Borys Kremenetskyi, Defense Attache of Ukraine to the United States. This also gave me the chance to meet up with BDC marching artist Mark Reilly and hand over his Axial snare drum which features a Swiss Pear finish, and chosen not only for Mark’s love of Swiss drumming, but also a little nod to the past of when he performed within Top Secret Drum Corps. The Drum is then finished with antique copper hardware. Coronation Build Up As you can imagine it's been pretty manic here at BDC HQ in the run up to the King's Coronation. We made a lot of drums for the Royal Marines Band Service in a very short time. More about the new cypher and photos of the coronation in the next issue. In-Store Dealer Days April saw me head to Essey Musical in Belfast and Scott Currie Music in Glasgow for a spot of in-store dealer days. This was a chance for bands to come and demo the drums from both the Axial & Regimental Series. Not only was the a great opportunity to talk to new customers, but it was also nice to catch up with bands who currently use our marching drums in Glasgow. I even managed time to grab a coffee with some of the guys from The Rollin Drones Well that's it for this issue. In the next one, we'll be talking about the Kings Coronation, World Pipe Band Championships and there might even be a merch code for some free swag!! So until next time..Stay Safe Stu

Happy New Year!! It seems a bit strange to be saying that at the end of February but here we are nevertheless (yes, we know we're late!). Already 2023 seems like it's going to be busy as we've got the off to a flying start with new artists and product, more of that can be read about further in this article. Royal Marines Since late last year we've been working closely with Royal Marines Band Service on their new cypher. Not only does it change to CIIIR but there's the addition of the Tudor Crown of which the Royal Marines crest will have 7. Their new drums are currently being made and will be revealed for the first time during The Kings coronation in May. Carrying on with the Royal Marines we recently welcomed students from the Royal Marines School of Music who came up for a tour of BDC HQ. The team included the newest members of the Buglers Branch who have just started their musical training right through to some of the most senior members who are currently on their promotional B1 course. It just so happened that Jim Kilpatrick was at BDC HQ that day which was an extra surprise for the young trainees. Red Hot Chilli Pipers In February we signed the Red Hot Chilli Pipers on a monumental 10 year endorsement deal. Formed in 2002, the ‘Red Hot Chilli Pipers’ (RHCP) are a Scottish Celtic rock group, known around the world for creating and performing tunes using guitars, keyboards, drums and their bagpipes to create their own unique ‘Bagrock’ sound. As you read this the RHCP are currently in the middle of their USA tour. This endorsement was a bit of a first for BDC as the band crosses over the two divisions, Marching & Drumset. The band choose Scarlet Ash Burst for their drumset and Axial snare drum. You can read the full press release here New Product Launch "Your first step into the brand" Launching soon the RS1-P. Keep an eye an our social media platforms in the next month or so. 'Marching Orders' Blog As promised we have consolidated all the previous issues from 2021/22 into one pdf so that you can read it at your leisure especially for some of the early ones you may have missed. Click Here Marching Merch! make sure you're looking sharp in 2023 Click here for our shop ;-) Next Issue will focus on the new RS1P, our trip to London for the Royal Marines Mountbatten Festival of Music Concert and a new feature called 'Meet the Dealer' where we will introduce you to our marching dealers from around the world. Stay safe Stu

British Drum Co. is excited to announce Nick Banks, from the legendary Britpop band PULP, to the family of artists. Welcome Nick Banks, drummer of PULP, to the BDC Artist Roster. PULP have recently reunited for a series of shows including the Isle of Wight Festival, London Finsbury Park, TRNSMTFestival, Latitude Festival, Neighbourhood Weekenders and two homecoming shows at Sheffield Arena. Nick Banks has been an admirer of BDC kits for some time. He comments "My local drum store had some BDC kits and the guys there were very complimentary. Interest piqued. Pulp were due a de-frosting so getting into a BDC kit seemed a great way forward." The PULP drummer came by the factory last November to take a look at how their drums were made. "I visited the factory and it was so very evident that the folks making the shells, applying the finishes and fitting the hardware were doing it with such love and care - it was lovely to see. "The expertise involved is staggering; everything has to be just right. The love transfers into the drums themselves. It was wonderful to see almost a family making great British Drums. Felt like home.” - Nick When deciding on what kit to