Discontinuation of Axial Pipe Band Drums for Innovation At British Drum Co, we are committed to continuous improvement and the delivery of exceptional products to our customers. As part of our ongoing research and development efforts, we announce the discontinuation of AXIAL Series pipe band drums. This decision has been made to make way for the introduction of better, more advanced drums that will elevate the performance and experience of pipe band drummers worldwide. Our dedicated team of experts is constantly exploring innovative designs, materials, and technologies to push the boundaries of drumming excellence. This relentless pursuit of perfection drives us to bring the very best to the pipe band community. International Sales Director (Marching) Stu Warmington said” We firmly believe that by discontinuing drums that have served us well, we can now introduce superior drums that meet the evolving needs and demands of pipe band musicians. We understand the sentimental attachment that many of our customers may have towards the discontinued drum but rest assured, our new offering will surpass expectations, providing a remarkable blend of craftsmanship, sound quality, and usability. Through meticulous research, extensive testing, and valuable feedback from pipe band enthusiasts, we are confident that our upcoming drum will set a new industry standard”. Inevitably there is going to be a short period of time between AXIAL discontinuing and the new range being available. We expect to launch the new Pipe Band series of drums in early 2025. Anybody with current orders on the system for AXIAL will see those orders completed and we do have a limited amount of components available to complete new orders, please speak to your BDC dealer for details on availability. British Drum Co values the trust and loyalty our customers have placed in us, and we will work tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition for those interested in upgrading to our new drum. We remain committed to providing exceptional customer service throughout this process and will hold spare parts for current Axial drums for a significant period of time following the release of the new range should anyone require them. Thank you for your continued support as we forge ahead in our pursuit of innovation and excellence in the world of pipe band drums. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on our upcoming product launch early 2025. British Drum Co. Marching Division

Audiences at this year’s 52nd Mountbatten Festival of Music (MFM) at the Royal Albert Hall in March are in for an extra special treat when global drumming icon of Iron Maiden fame, Nicko McBrain, takes to the stage to join The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines. The heavy metal musician is a household name and will be part of the three concerts that will offer fans a once-in-a lifetime experience during the evening concert on Friday 8th March; and the matinee and evening shows on Saturday 9th March 2024. With 100 musicians drawn from the five Royal Marines Bands, alongside their world-famous Corps of Drums, the spectacular concerts showcase the outstanding versatility of some of the world’s finest military musicians. Commenting on what might seem an unlikely combination of talents, Nicko says: "It is such an honour to be invited to perform with the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines at the 2024 Mountbatten Festival of Music. I feel so humbled to be a part of this fantastic event. I look forward to seeing you all at the Royal Albert Hall in March to enjoy rockin' out to some Maiden ditties along with a few fantastic surprises!" "I look forward to seeing you all at the Royal Albert Hall in March to enjoy rockin' out to some Maiden ditties along with a few fantastic surprises!" - Nicko McBrain The Mountbatten Festival of Music is a major source of fundraising for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities and the Young Lives vs Cancer Charity and, as always, takes the audience on an exhilarating ride through the world of music, often premiering spectacular new arrangements and compositions, unique to this event.  When combined with traditional military marches, music from the big screen, superb solo items, all accompanied by spectacular lighting effects, the Mountbatten Festival of Music has packed out the Royal Albert Hall annually for over 50 years.

I can’t believe I’m writing this in December when the last issue came out in May. To say it’s been a busy year would be a vast understatement indeed. This year has been packed with events for not only the Marching Division but also the Drum Set Division as well. Below is a bit of a recap from May until December this year. Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen Camilla The biggest event in any marching calendar this year! These don’t come around very often so it was extra special for BDC as we were heavily involved with making new drums for the Royal Marines Band Service (RMBS) which incorporated the new CIIIR King’s Cypher. This also involved creating the emblazoning for snare, tenor and bass drums. The RMBS came to BDC HQ to produce some social media content for their platforms prior to the event. The day itself was seen by over 400 million people worldwide and was proof that nobody does Pomp & Ceremony better than the UK. The Royal Hospital Chelsea’s Founder’s Day In May, myself and Keith were invited to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for their Founder’s Day Parade. Founder's Day is the highlight of the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s calendar, an event attended by all Chelsea Pensioners, which celebrates the founding of the Royal Hospital by King Charles II. The event is also known as Oak Apple Day due to King Charles II hiding in an oak tree to avoid capture after the battle of Worcester in 1651. Everyone watching or on parade that day is given oak leaves to wear throughout the day. The event was a fantastic spectacle and we’re incredibly honoured that we were invited to attend by our friend and  In-Pensioner Billy Knowles who was also the Duty Drummer for the parade Corps of Drums Royal Logistic Corps The Corps of Drums from the Royal Logistic Corps recently took ownership of their new drums just in time for the 30th Anniversary of the Royal Logistic Corps relocation to Winchester Garrison. The event was graced by the presence of the RLC Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Princess Royal. A service of thanksgiving took place at Winchester Cathedral to conclude a series of civic engagement activities, including a remarkable procession through the city of Winchester to mark the grant of the RLC's freedom of the city. Drumming For Drinks 2023 Drumming for Drinks returned after a 3-year hiatus and in a new location. For those that don’t know the event is run by Jim Kilpatrick MBE, Scott Currie & Tyler Fry. The day was a huge success and the new venue BAaD proved extremely popular with regular and new attendees of Drumming For Drinks. The event was sponsored by BDC and we supplied an AXIAL snare, tenor and bass as prizes for the competition. Congratulations to Bass Category Winner Kudzai Taruwona from St John's College Zimbabwe and Tenor Category Winner Kali Currie from Royal Burgh of Annan Pipe Band. Also a huge congratulations to the snare category and overall winner Eddy Bathish from Sons of Holyland & District Pipe Band, who now claims the new title of Lord of the Barras! The event finished and the after-show party began with a performance by BDC Artists the Red-Hot Chilli Pipers to get everyone in the mood for the DJ set that followed. A fantastic day and definitely something I would add into your diary if you’re in that area next August! The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Early this year the eagled eyed viewers of you out there will have noticed a few BDC drums on this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. In particular the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra performing with their new Axial Series drums. These were bought through Jim Kilpatrick Percussion and were picked up just before the Tattoo rehearsals started. Also, on the Tattoo this year as part of the Tri-Service band was the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines, this meant we had both the Axial & Regimental Series drums on the esplanade this year. Royal Air Force Honington Another band that received Regimental Series drums this year was the RAF Honington Voluntary Band. They chose the RS1G and matching bass drum. The drums were bought through Ammo & Co and were emblazoned by hand with the Royal Air Force Livery using the finest oil colours and both 24ct gold or white gold leaf. Henderson Imports While attending the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, USA, myself and BDC artist Tyler Fry took full advantage  of being “close by” to Henderson’s so we decided to put on an in-store Dealer Day (I say close by -  it was still a 6 hour drive from Indianapolis!!) It is always nice to visit our friends at Henderson Imports. We spent a day filming, interacting with customers and talking about the new Axial finishes for 2024. BDC Marching Evening In November I decided to hold a private BDC “Marching Evening” with invites only going out to certain marching organisations. The reason for that was to use this as a pilot and to gauge attendee’s reaction to the structure of the event. I decided that this event would be to mainly promote the Regimental Series. This was also a great opportunity to bring up BDC marching artist Russ Piner. The event which was held at Nicko’s Drum One  involved me talking about each snare drum in the RS range. After I’d spoken about each drum, Russ would then demo that drum,  playing the same phrase on each drum so the attendees had some comparison between the sounds of each drum. We finished off with a Q&A session before Russ put on a final display using the RS1 and The Phantom. Afterwards the public were then invited to try out each drum for themselves. The event saw around 70 people turn up - not bad for 7pm on a dark rainy Thursday evening. The event was a success and something I full intend on repeating around the UK in 2024. If you want to be one of the first to hear about any of our marching events we have coming up or new products then make sure you sign up to our marching newsletter here. New Axial Finishes for 2024 Due to the sheer amount of orders the Marching Division has put through this year we’ve decided to make some changes for 2024 to help with lead time. Staying for 2024 are the ash finishes however next year they will be joined by the following; Sterling Silver, Sterling Scarlet, Sterling Marine, Sterling Emerald and Sterling Violet. The option for black hardware has now been discontinued and all drums will come with the Light Moon finish. You can read more about the new finishes here The Marching Division has lots planned for 2024 and due to the busy work load the Marching Orders blog will now be an in-depth quarterly update with frequent updates or stories going out via emails as and when. As I bring this article to a close I’d just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Stay Safe and I’ll see you all in 2024. Stu

The moment is here. We've officially announced the launch of Nicko McBrain’s Future Past drum set as Iron Maiden venture on their latest world tour. Carefully designed and manufactured by the British Drum Co team and based on Nicko’s signature ICARUS Series drums, the Future Past drum kit is testament to the dedication and skill of the team who have brought it to life by embracing the true style of Iron Maiden's current tour. From the hand-flamed copper hardware to the stunning artwork on each drum, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to create an awe-inspiring drum kit. Iron Maiden's new drumset presents unparalleled craftsmanship from British Drum Co., with each drum shell cold-mould pressed using Birch and Black Oak veneers. The result is a kit that not only looks breathtaking but also delivers outstanding sound quality. One of the standout features of Nicko’s kit is the artwork displayed on each drum. Featuring various Eddies from Iron Maiden's Senjutsu Album, the drums exude a captivating visual appeal that reflects the spirit of The Future Past Tour. The combination of Palladium and Casino hardware, which has been individually flamed using a blowtorch, creates a unique and aged copper appearance that perfectly complements the artwork on the drums. Close-up of the designed Counterweights and Nicko McBrain's badge on the bass drum The attention to detail extends to the smaller elements as well, with dice on the Casino hardware to label each stand, ensuring quick setup and teardown. Additionally, counterweights on overhanging boom arms provide rock-solid stability during Nicko's performance. The drums' handcrafted nature and innovative drum manufacturing traditions make it overall truly special. With a beautiful blend of stunning aesthetics, superb craftsmanship, and exceptional sound quality, this kit promises to make a drummer like Nicko feel amazing while delivering an awe-inspiring performance. Watch the full process of the kit build via the video above. As Iron Maiden continue their worldwide Future Past Tour, British Drum Co. are proud and excited to see this new drum kit being played by the one and only Nicko McBrain, who also acts as our International Ambassador. This stunning kit not only looks and feels amazing, but also delivers an exceptional and powerful sound, which you will hear on stage throughout this year.

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

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 choose, but after following some advice, Nick proceeded with a Legend kit in Ravenglass. He writes "My original thoughts were for a natural wood finish such as Tiger Tiger, New Forest, or so but once ‘the daughter” TM had been considered it was suggested something a little more ‘bling’ was required." "I also realised that most of the drum kits I have had over the years had been a sparkle finish, so Ravenglass was required. It looks so good. It’s also kind of a blue black finish that changes depending on the light." As well as the Ravenglass Legend Drumset, Nick has also gone with a Bluebird and Talisman snare drum to accompany his new collection. "I’ve not had the kit long but I’m looking forward to getting it all mic’d up and played in anger - gonna be great seeing folk look round with the ‘why are you even louder??’ look on their face..." - Nick Tina Clarke, Artist Relations Manager of British Drum Company, also comments on the new addition to the Artist family. "'Felt like home.' - such a significant statement from our new artist Nick Banks. I felt like that when I joined BDC and they’re words I hear from many of the drummers when they visit the factory. At BDC we are big fans of PULP so are delighted to welcome Nick to our family, and look forward to seeing them live over the summer months." You can read more about Nick Banks on his Artist Page, including his kit setup and social handles. To learn more about the Legend Series kit and the two snares, find the links below: LEGEND series Bluebird Snare Talisman Snare

British Drum Co. announces the new addition of Rich Kass, drummer of Trio HLK + Dame Evelyn Glennie, to the artist family. We welcome a new member to the BDC artist roster, Rich Kass. Rich is a Scottish drummer known for his jazz, fusion and electronica style playing, recently touring with his band Trio HLK + Dame Evelyn Glennie. Rich started his BDC journey with his visit to the headquarters for a Factory Tour back in December last year. His experience was certainly enlightening, as he writes "BDC make the most incredible instruments. They do this by-hand, with passion, innovation and meticulous attention to detail. " "I like music and art that is beautifully crafted and has a strong sense of individual identity" Rich continues, "BDC drums embody these characteristics, they really are works of art in their own right. All aspects of construction is second-to-none, and it all adds up to beautiful and unique instruments which sound and look incredible. This is why I choose to play BDC drums.” Rich Kass' kit setup is quite the list! He chose three kits in a shimmering Whitehaven finish, alongside four of our BDC snares; The Archer, Aviator, Bluebird and a fabulous Founder's Reserve Bog Oak. Regarding his chosen finish, Rich responds “The Whitehaven finish is the perfect finish for me! The white colour is neutral so blends perfectly with any surrounding, but as soon as the stage lights hit it, it turns into a kaleidoscope producing such beautiful depth of colour and brilliant reflections of light. It sounds and feels beautiful to play. You can really tell that these drums have been hand-built at every step of the build-process." "It sounds, feels and looks beautiful. I was particularly impressed with the build quality of everything as I set up the drums for the first time - everything looks and feels premium and built to last and the bearing edges on every drum were perfect - which is a first!" - Rich Keith Keough, CEO of British Drum Company, "We are thrilled to have Rich Kass join our BDC artist roster. Rich is an extraordinary drummer with great talent and we can't wait to see him perform with his new collection of BDC drums" You can read more about Rich Kass on his Artist Page, including his kit setup and social handles. To learn more about the Legend Series kit and the snares, find the links below: LEGEND series Archer Snare Aviator Snare Bluebird Snare

British Drum Co. announces the addition of Maisie Peters' drummer Jack Geary to the family of artists. Welcome a new member to the BDC artist group, Jack Geary. Jack is a UK-based drummer currently performing with Maisie Peters, a British pop singer known for her song 'Favourite Ex'. Jack's first step into the BDC world started off with a factory visit. He writes "Whilst visiting the factory, I could see everyone was really passionate about making the drums. I learnt a tremendous amount from my visit, seeing how the drum starts from a singular piece of wood to the finale product. There was a real close knit family vibe, which for someone newly joining is an amazing feeling to instantly get." I find my BDC Legend series kit has a really controlled sound which makes playing them live/in a recording scenario really easy, they're the perfect drums! To accompany his new Legend Series drumkit in a Ravenglass finish, Jack also grabbed a Merlin 14 x 6.5 snare drum. Jack comments "The Merlin Snare is the best snare I have ever owned. The finish is classy and stands out amongst other snares drums. This is all backed up with the sound it produces, it has that low thud which I love mixed with some brightness giving it a massive sound cutting through a mix perfectly, it’s my No.1! The FOH engineers are VERY happy" CEO of British Drum Co., Keith Keough, commented on the new addition. "Jack Geary is an awesome drummer and chose the perfect kit & snare for his tour with Maisie Peters. I'm excited to announce him as a new addition to the family of BDC artists and even more excited to watch him perform with his BDC kit!" You can read more about Jack Geary on his Artist Page, including his kit setup and social handles. Learn more about LEGEND series and the Merlin Snare.

For International Women’s Day, we’d like to share advice and knowledge from the women of the British Drum Co family. Whether it is the rocking drummers, the incredible marching bands, or those working behind the scenes, BDC are proud to celebrate the women of the drumming world. As a result, we've reached out to all our artists, both marching and drumset, and to staff from inside BDC, to ask them for their advice and experiences on starting out as a drummer and working in the industry. For our BDC Artists, we asked: "What advice would you give to a drummer looking to start?" Gabi King, Drummer of Declan McKenna/The 1975 "The best way to learn how to play drums is to play with other musicians. You find your feet real quick when you have other people relying on you to hold it down. Join a band and play play play!" Ellie East, Drummer of Caity Baser "Remember to have fun, it’s so easy to start comparing yourself to everybody else and what they are doing, especially with social media these days. Remember you’re only ever really seeing the highlights. Also never let anything stop you from starting out with drums or continuing to play them. When I was in school I stopped playing drums for a while because most girls my age were either singing or dancing. I felt like I should’ve been doing that too until I got to an age where I thought ‘actually… no! Drums are way more fun.’ I wish that I had just stuck to what I loved doing all along." Ilse Hofma, Drummer of Wulf “Get inspired, practice hard, create your own style but above all have fun and go for it.” Rachel Thom, Inveraray & District Pipe Band "My advice for someone looking to start drumming is: First of all, get yourself a good teacher. Don’t forget about rudiments! Essentially, these are the jigsaw pieces to the big picture. Always try to make time to keep on top of these. Be positive! It can be frustrating, but remember, you might not understand something just now, but you will. Always challenge yourself. Being in your comfort zone is good and we feel comfortable, but in order to progress, we need to challenge ourselves. Enjoy it! As long as you’re having fun when you play, that’s all you can ask for." Police Scotland & Federation Pipe Band Shannon Davies - "Take the time to listen to different bands and find a style you enjoy! Having some inspiration while learning the basics is very motivating!" Brianna McDonald - "Just have fun! It's not always easy but at the end of the day, we're all just making music. So enjoy the moment! " Shanna McDonald - "Just keep going! Nothing is more rewarding than seeing your progress along the way." Jane Mitchell - "Take time to practice and develop your skills when learning, and watch bands to see the different visual styles." Alex Paterson - "You don’t have to be great at the beginning but in order to be great you do have to start somewhere, hard work always pays off." Scottish Power Rachel Fairley, Snare Drummer - "My advice to any girl or woman looking to start drumming would be to work hard, be patient, and not listen to anyone who says that drumming “isn’t for girls”! Stay determined, be confident, and practise practise practise! It can feel like a slow process in the beginning, but don’t give up - it will be more than worth the commitment in the long-run.” Emma MacDougall, Tenor Drummer - "Don’t let anything get in the way, focus, be open to learning new styles & don’t be afraid to try anything new! Seek out good tuition, work hard & take on board what the people you admire have to say ☺️ make sure you are committed from the start & learn that it’s okay to make mistakes…practise makes perfect!" Blythe Gerrie, Tenor Drummer - "Practice! Think quality not quantity. Really focus, commit, and reflect on what you are learning and playing every time you go to practice. Make it count (literally). Persevere! Everyone makes mistakes or finds certain movements/phrases difficult, especially when first learning. Some days will be easier than others, but push through, keep practicing and lay a strong foundation, it will be worth it in the end. Be inspired! Make time to listen and watch recordings and performances of all genres, but particularly bands and drummers that inspire you. Work hard, play well, and enjoy!" Alison Gael, Tenor Drummer - "Never stop learning from everyone around you. Confidence, skill, dedication and determination will ensure you go far!" Sharleen Donaldson, Tenor Drummer - "Education Education Education!! Get stuck in to as many learning and performance opportunities as possible. Keep an open mind to a variety of styles of playing and do your homework on joining a band with a good tuition reputation. There are loads out there. Listen to advice and feedback and if you get a knock, dust yourself down and bounce back even stronger. If you work hard, you will get to play hard! 🥁” Lucy Carroll, Tenor Drummer - "Take any opportunities presented to you to gain more experience, such as playing in front of others, at events, or learning from more experienced players. Have fun!! This is so important as many hours of practice will go into learning the instrument and music. Take some time to listen/watch videos of different bands performing - this way you can understand different styles and be inspired by others!” Chloe Taylor, Snare Drummer - "Never stop learning from everyone around you. Practice consistently, set goals and always believe in yourself” Chloe Easton, Tenor Drummer - "Firstly, look into local bands in your area that have good teaching programmes. You may find there is a band close to you that pride themselves on teaching members of the community of all ages. Secondly, take your time in learning technique and perfecting each stage of learning before moving on to the next task, exercise or tune. It may be tempting to rush straight into the hard stuff, but slow and steady wins the race! It’s never too late to start learning, I didn’t start learning tenor until I was 19 years old, having spent 10 years as a piper. I have never looked back!” Iona Underwood, Lead Tenor Drummer - "Some of my greatest memories and closest friendships come from drumming in a pipe band, and I wouldn’t have got where I am today without it. I’ve been able to travel the world with drumming, play for royalty, become a Scottish, British and World champion with pipe bands and compete at a world championship level as a solo player: things I thought as a young girl were out of reach. Drumming has helped my career as a doctor and not hindered it, although as with everything that’s rewarding, it’s hard work. Drumming is not something as common with the female population as it is the male, but we can change that. It’s all about breaking that stereotypical barrier, and if drumming excites you, then go for it! You can only ever give 100% into something that you believe in or enjoy! Whenever you feel like you want to stop, don’t! You may feel pressure from school, university, close friends and family, that maybe it’s time to give up drumming, even though you’ve worked so hard to get there. You’ll never regret escaping to practice, whether that’s solo or with a band. It puts you in a great mindset and playing music activates a different part of the brain from day-to-day academic life, relieving stress and overall improving mood - why would you ever give that up?! I think it’s always hard making the commitment to any instrument and to end up playing at a high level, but as always, hard work pays off in the end. The reward you get is indescribable in words, but is more of a feeling when you step out on the competition field after a year or preparation and practice and it makes it all worth while. Being part of a drum core is like having another family, where you learn together, from each other, and there’s always a feeling of support from the people around you. Drumming will always help and not hinder your walk in life, providing invaluable skills which support every career choice and providing opportunities you may not have came across if you weren’t a drummer. What I’m trying to say is do it for the girls, you’ll never regret it, trust me." We asked our staff at BDC: "What advice would you give to those looking to work in the drumming industry?" Tina Clarke, Artist Relations Manager "There are so many great roles within the music/drum industry both in the recording and live sector; don’t be afraid of the industry if you are not necessarily academic as many people discover their dream job, and ultimate success, through work experience or on-the-job opportunities. It’s definitely an industry where networking and connections are important. Very rarely are artist relations jobs advertised, most are attained through experience and personal recommendations. To be recognised and respected in the drum industry, specifically in an artist relations role, always be professional, knowledgeable about the brand that you represent, be hardworking, honest, listen to others and be empathic. Follow your dreams and as a female don’t be put off by being told it’s a ‘man’s world’, I’ve never got caught up in the whole gender topic within the industry as for me it’s always about being the best person for the job. Most importantly find something that you love to do, because if you want to work in the music industry it’s not just a job, it’s a way of life." Bethany Sykes, Content Producer "Hi, I’m Beth. I am the Content Producer here at British Drum Company. If you’ve seen any images on our socials or watched a video on BDCTV there’s a 99% chance I’m responsible for it. I originally came from a TV production background but have found myself at home here at BDC. My passion for content creation is what brought me here to BDC and has kept me here for so long! Over the years, I’ve learnt a thing or two about drums and the drum industry as a whole. I started at British Drum Co. as an apprentice and I think it’s a great way to start a career in the creative industry. It’s an entry level role with the advantage of being able to learn skills on the job and get a qualification. Social media and video content is essential for the drum/music industry moving forward. So if you’re wanting to start your career as a creative in this field there’s no better time like the present! My advice would be polish up on your existing skills and reach out to companies you would like to work with. I would also suggest getting ahead of the curb and reaching out to drum retailers and enquiring if they would be interested in working with a content creator." Rachel Bedford, Operations Administrator "Musician or not, your unique experiences are still needed in the music industry. In any business, it is vital to have a variety of people from different walks of life to provide fresh perspectives and solve problems. The music industry isn't just about rock stars and record labels, many exciting things happen behind the scenes too, so your specific skills may be just what someone is looking for; anything from finances to manufacturing, logistics to marketing, and more. Here at the British Drum Co. factory, we wouldn't get far if everyone wanted to play drums all day!" Liv Worthington, Graphic Designer "At a young age, I’ve always wanted to design in the music world, but it has taken me some time to reach that goal, years in fact. I took every freelance project going and went from designing logos for friends & family, to illustrating covers for small bands. With those small steps and a little hard work, I was able to build my music portfolio more and more, which eventually moved towards working as a designer for British Drum Co.! Begin your path by taking any small opportunity, learning new skills as you go along. If you're just starting out with no clients, make your own design briefs! Create a logo and gig poster for a pretend band, for example, and add it to your portfolio. Whether it's your friend asking for a quick logo, or a brand needing an event poster, take time and appreciate the process equally as much as the final product, regardless of the size of the project. Be confident in yourself and your creative thinking. Keep on pursuing your passion!" Hopefully you have found all the advice & knowledge provided by the women across the BDC family to be useful in your pursuit of music & drumming. We look forward to seeing you on your drumming journey! 🥁

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

Another first for British Drum Co as the Red Hot Chili Pipers join the artist rosta for both drum set AND marching! 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. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers perform a fusion of traditional pipe tunes and contemporary pieces. Notable covers performed have included “We Will Rock You” by Queen, “Clocks” by Coldplay and “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple. This partnership represents another ‘first’ for British Drum Co as the RHCP endorsement will cover not only drum set but also the Axial Series from their marching division. The endorsement is for a massive 10 years which shows a big commitment from both sides. Marching Division Manger Stu Warmington said “It’s an honour once again to add another high-profile group into the artist roster of BDC. The 10 year deal shows commitment, dedication and the new partnership will see the Red Hot Chili Pipers through their 30th Anniversary in 2032. We’re proud to be associated with this amazing band and look forward to working with them over the next 10 years” RHCP Managing Director Kevin McDonald replied “After 21 years of being involved with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, we are delighted to have signed a ten year deal with the British Drum Company. This will greatly enhance our touring capabilities as we now position BDC kits and marching snares in Europe, USA and the UK. It’s amazing to be part of their exciting journey”. The band are just about to embark on their 6-week tour of the USA before heading out on their European tour in April. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will be furnished with Legend drum sets and Axial series drums and have chosen the very popular Scarlet Ash Burst as their finish for all drums.

British Drum Co. announces the addition of session drummer Ellie East to the family of artists. Ellie East is a session drummer based in London, with her drumming portfolio including the likes of Caity Baser, Michael Aldag, Maggie Lindemann and more. From playing on BDC kits to visiting the factory, Ellie has been looking forward to joining the BDC family of artists. Ellie writes "Every BDC kit that I’ve seen, played and heard has been flawless. However, visiting the factory took me from loving BDC drums to ADORING BDC drums. I was blown away by the craftsmanship and genuine passion that goes into the production of BDC drums. I left and told everyone I knew, drummers and non-drummers that they HAD to just see the workmanship and skill that goes into making these drums." "The experience was a drummer’s version of being in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! Just seeing the precision alongside the love and care that goes into what they do really blew me away." - Ellie Ellie chose a LEGEND series drum kit in a special edition finish of a high-gloss radiant seafoam green. "Everything about this kit is what I had envisioned my “perfect” drum kit would look like since I was a little girl. It’s bold, it’s fun and it’s beautiful." Alongside her new kit, Ellie has chosen a Bluebird snare to accompany it. "When I put the Bluebird into a higher tuning, it was a no brainer for me. The response and the crisp attack just made me want to take it out on a gig, instantly!" Tina Clarke, Artist Relations Manager at British Drum Co., comments on the latest addition. "I’m excited to welcome Ellie East to the BDC artist family. I love Ellie’s enthusiasm for drums and all things BDC. Ellie had a very specific vision for the colour of her dream kit, I’m very happy that we managed to exceed Ellie’s expectations. The kit looks and sounds amazing, it’s probably one of my favourite finishes ever" You can read more about Ellie East on her Artist Page. Learn more about LEGEND series and the Bluebird Snare.