

Mike is the Official W.F.D. World's Fastest Drummer Champion & Current World Record Holder in five categories. As of July 2005, Mike's #1 ranking of the Matched Grip Single Stroke Record is 1,247 hits in One Minute. That is approximately 20.8 consecutive alternating beats per second. As of April 2002, Mike's #1 ranking of the Bare Hands Single Stroke Record is 1,138 hits in One Minute. As of July 2005, Mike's #1 ranking of the Single Stroke Foot Record is 13,222 hits in 15 Minutes, and the #1 ranking of 5,222 in 5 minutes. Official World Record Certificates |
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From Mike: "The camaraderie of anyone who truly knows the fun of being in the World's drum community is, by nature, true of the W.F.D. events. To be able to improve at a mechanical thing, then use it to express an artistic idea is to have incredible peace as far as I'm concerned. I wish this on everyone who wants it." The term "World's Fastest Drummer" cannot be used without the approval of the W.F.D. (who owns it.) There is one lawsuit pending as you read this. |
10" Hihat Machine Sounding Part on "Lost" Double Snares & 3 Toms Left Hand Percussion Simulation on "Thanks for Nothing" (Track 4), Hihat Verse on "His Voice", Mullmuzzler Anvil Part on Cowbell edge on "Am I Ever Going to Change", Extreme "Running Gag" Live in Japan Death Metal Tom Melodies on "Rage Absolute" This one is more about the velocity as the speed is 4 hits per second slower than the world record. All the strokes are hard hit wrist strokes. Go toPage for Non-Speed Playing Overview or Recordings
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Mike's "Lopping Shears" move named by tech Magee This clip starts on closer toms, then explodes faster to further floor toms. The feet are hitting in between the hand singles ala "blast". The "Crow" named by Gary Cherone Footage of a long run of foot singles at this speed will be seen in the solo from the upcoming "Drum Pad 20thAnniversary" DVD spring06 release. See Last 30 Seconds of this Bare Handed Run Stick weight affect on speed
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TO ANSWER 'THE' QUESTION OF HOW: "My hand records are all set with a technique that is mostly wrist. There is no "finger only" motion although there surely is a mix of fingers and wrist. Making my point, you can believe the bare hand one is ALL WRIST because there are no sticks used; those are all full single stroke hits. Learning this has allowed me to express more ideas on recordings without worrying about hitting too lightly to 'go to tape'. Personally speaking, an all finger technique seems like a good idea, but I feel sharp pains from it, so I just stay away as much as I can. That's all I have to say about that.
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Every once in awhile, an innovation comes along in music that helps shape the future of the industry. Still, people fear change. Many view the advancement as an attack to the establishment. They try to resist for as long as they possibly can until it becomes accepted by the majority thus making it mainstream. When Rock & Roll came about, many thought it would lead to the downfall of America's youth. When Ray Charles combined gospel music with R&B, many said it was blasphemous and degrading God's work. Yet, Ray Charles is now considered one of the greatest music innovators of the 20th century. Enter speed drumming. Not immune to the same criticism, this latest craze is taking the drumming world by storm and creating quite a stir. Although it's been embraced by many drummers young and old, others see it as an infringement upon their revered tradition. http://store.drumbum.com/drums/speed-drumming.htm
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A bit of seriousness & dry humor... It seems the following words used in the past to describe drummers the double pedal or "big" kits are still used today, but for the drumometer device and the contests. Here they are for your review unless you know them all and don't need to look them up: speed, musical, drummer, ignorance, stupid, editors, writers, professional, wrong, correct, envy, opinion. Here's a good one: intention. |