Thomas Lang

Thomas Lang - Something Along Those Lines - 2007 - Muso

The latest album from the drumming community’s resident monster has a muscular opening in the aptly named “Pinball”. The album opens with a sequence of seemingly random, (but perfectly executed) hits and that is much the order of the day for the whole thing -perfectly executed playing on all levels. That’s not where it ends though. Because, with a player like this, you’d expect to see everything Thomas has got again and again. Far from it. All of the songs are very musical and demonstrate Thomas Lang the composer just as much as they showcase Thomas Lang the drummer. All eight songs on the disk are written and produced by Thomas himself, and if you can believe this, he plays every instrument himself, with the exception of the guitars. They cover all bases, from balls out rock, to fusion, to drum & bass, to swing and jazz. The completion of this album took nearly five years, fitted around deaths, loss, two babies and even a move of continent! According to Lang himself, “In the time it’s taken me to finish this album, my life has changed immensely…and it’s all represented here.” Represent away, especially if this is what comes of it… © Mark Pusey August 2007 http://www.mikedolbear.com/story.asp?StoryID=1379&Source=Search&txtSearch=Guru

Viennese drummer Thomas Lang’s “Something Along Those Lines” is an eclectic and contemporary hybrid sound of "chill out" jazz, fusion, and progressive rock with rapid and powerful drum beats, shredding guitars and great grooves throughout. Although this album is primarily a demonstration of great jazz drumming, taken on it’s own it has a lot of merit with great musicianship and well structured compositions. As well as his session work Thomas has played with artists that include Paul Gilbert, John Wetton, Robert Fripp, Glenn Hughes, Tina Turner, Steve Hackett, Nina Hagen, Steve Jones, Mick Jones (the Clash), Bonnie Tyler, and many more. Check out Thomas’ “Mediator” album [All tracks @ 192 Kbps: File size = 70 Mb]

TRACKS

1. Pinball (4:50)
2. Mylar vs Nylon (6:53)
3. Dragster (7:39)
4. Hollow (6:21)
5. Nickel (5:20)
6. Cannonfodder (8:30)
7. Cote d'Azur (6:06)
8. Sandcastles (5:37)

All tracks composed by Thomas Lang

MUSICIANS

Bill Liesegang - Torsten de Winkel, Steve Jones - Guitar
Christian Lohr – Keyboards
Thomas Lang – Drums, Various Other Instrumentation

BIO

A native of Vienna/Austria, Thomas took up drumming at the age of 5. In addition to lessons at local music schools and years of private tuition, Thomas was formally educated at the Vienna Conservatory of Music. After leaving the conservatory, Lang began working professionally – working his way through the European Pop, Rock and Jazz scenes. In addition to his work as a session musician (Thomas has played with Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big/Racer X), John Wetton (UK, King Crimson), Robert Fripp, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Tina Turner, Robbie Williams, Kelly Clarkson, Sugababes, Geri Halliwell (Spice girls), Emma Bunton (“baby spice’), Victoria Beckham (“posh spice”), Ronan Keating, Steve Hackett, Boyzone, 911, Falco, Nina Hagen, Steve Jones, Mick Jones (the Clash), The Commodores, George Michael, Doogie White (Rainbow), Bill Liesegang, Gianna Nannini, Sertab Erener, Vienna Art Orchestra, Bonnie Tyler, the Vienna Art Orchestra, Save the Robots, Stork, Terabite, Schwarzenator and many more) Lang’s 1995 solo release, “Mediator” topped the charts in Europe and garnered rave reviews for its innovative Jazz/Dance/ProgRock sound. Thomas has performed at every major international drum festival and has toured the world many times over as a sideman as well as solo performer. Thomas has appeared everywhere from “Top of the Pops” to the Eurovision Song contest, from sold-out football stadiums to the Modern Drummer Festival. Lang’s original practice regime eventually became the basis for his 2-part series of instructional videos, “Ultimatives Schlagzeug I & II” which were originally released in 1995. Due to overwhelming demand, these videos were re-released on DVD in 2004 by Hudson Music (www.hudsonmusic.com). In 2003 Lang released the multi award-winning instructional DVD and book “Creative Control” which was an instant hit with drummers and drum teachers around the world. His highly anticipated follow-up DVD and book, "Creative Coordination & Advanced Foot Technique" (www.halleonard.com) was released in November of 2006. This ground-braking DVD has also won worldwide awards and and marks a milestone in modern high-end drumming concepts and technique. All of Thomas Lang’s DVD’s and books remain Best-sellers and are also available through his offical merchandise site: www.muso-mart.com. In his quest to, “play the unplayed,” Thomas has worked cooperatively with the research and development team at Meinl Cymbals to create, “Tom’s Becken” – a pitch-matched range of contemporary crash cymbals that provide acoustic and electronic drummers with modern sounds that resemble artificially engineered cymbal samples. Launched in 2002, “Tom’s Becken” were so well received that in 2004 Thomas Lang worked with Meinl once again to design the “Fast Hats” , and a whole series of “Filter Chinas” (www.meinlcymbals.com). In 2002, the Remo Corporation approached Thomas to produce the “Thomas Lang Practice Kit” (www.remo.com) Other Thomas Lang signature products are Vic Firth’s “Thomas Lang signature model” stick (www.vicfirth.com) and the “Thomas Lang signature Bigfoot bassdrum beaters” .Thomas Lang endorses DW drums and pedals, Meinl cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Remo drum heads, Roland electronics, Gibraltar hardware, Ahead Armor cases, Puresound snare wires, Bigfoot beaters, Hansenfutz practice pedals, E-pad and Audix microphones. Awards include:-
1999, 2001: Best studio drummer (Rhythm magazine)
2002: Best pop drummer, Best all-around drummer (Rhythm magazine)
2002: Best drummer (Drums and Percussion magazine)
2003: Best clinician (Modern Drummer magazine)
2004: Best DVD, Best clinician runner up, Best drummer runner-up (Modern Drummer magazine)
2004: Best DVD, Best new signature product, Best drummer (Drummer magazine). Best studio drummer (Rhythm magazine). Best recorded drum performance (Sticks magazine)
2005: Best pop drummer, Best Clinician, Best Solo Drum performance (Rhythm magazine). Best DVD, Best all around drummer, Best drum event (Drummer magazine)
Best drum clinician (DRUM! Magazine) Best drumming video/DVD (Drum! Magazine)
2006: Best DVD, Best drummer (Rhythm magazine)
2007: Best DVD, Best drummer (Rhythm magazine, Modern drummer magazine)
Aurora Gold Award 2007 (Best Video Production)
Best Clinician 2007 (Modern Drummer magazine)
Best Clinician 2008 (Modern Drummer Magazine)
Best Clinician 2008 (Drum! Magazine)
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