MIKE JOHNSTON

48bill stevenson(the descendents), USAMb10 Series CymbalsThe complete cymbalby Chris BrewerMeinl’s Mb10 series cymbals are quickly becoming a“go-to” cymbal for many artists on the MEINL roster.If they’re looking for a specific sound and are unsureof which cymbal will provide what they’re hearing in theirhead, increasingly Mb10 cymbals are filling their needs.Made from a B10 alloy, Mb10 provides a unique sound andfeel that gives drummers something that they’ve neverheard or played before.I recently sat down with legendary drummer and MEINL Cymbalartist Bill Stevenson to discuss what has quickly become one of hisfavorite cymbals of all time, the MEINL Mb10 Series, and just whythat is. To be sure that you’re aware of Bill’s credentials in speakingon matters such as cymbals, here’s a bit of background on him.Bill rose to fame as the drummer for the Southern California punkrock legends Black Flag. Through legendary albums, Bill helpedBlack Flag cross into a realm of musicality that was completelytheir own. No one could sound like them. There’s a reason thatdrummers such as Dave Grohl have the Black Flag “bars” as atattoo. While in Black Flag, Bill helped form and lead anotherSouthern California musical icon, The Descendents. They wrotealbum after album of songs that had blazing, smart, surf-musicinspired „punk“ rock that spoke to the humor and heartbreak ofevery adolescent out there. Without The Descendents, bandslike Blink 182 might never have existed.Bill and the rest of The Descendents picked up a new vocalistand carried on as ALL. Another decade of strong releases followedin the tradition of The Descendents, but with the musicianshoning and refining their craft into a razor tight unit. Fromthere, Bill made his way into the world of producing. Bill andALL built The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, where tothis day Bill produces records that have gone gold in sales. It‘swidely known to punk rock bands that getting to record at TheBlasting Room and with the man behind it, Bill, is akin to a trip toMecca. All of this must be said to show the monumental impactthat Bill has had on so many drummers out there.