Skin On Skin vs. Gon Bops California

[Facundo]

Hey massivdrums,

Thanks for the replay. My comment was really "tongue in cheek" because those koas look so regal. Their sound on stage must really get a lot of attention. I asked the question because the wood drums are made from is just as important as the types of tone woods used to make string instraments. Most drummers don't pay much attention to this and are satisfied with what ever the mass produced drums are made with, which is usually siam oak, american oak or sometimes ash. However, smaller companies do offer other wood cholces like cherry, maple, mahogany and some will use the wood of your choice. My wood of choice has always been mahogany which seems to have some of the same qualities you noted about the koas. Both koa and mahogany are also prized woods for guitars. Even though the physics
involved with quitars and drums are different the woods used are never the less a major factor in the quality of the sound produced. Volcano is the only company using mango and koa woods for congas so I wanted to hear, from a drummers perspective, what they thought about the sound of the two woods. At some point I hope to own a set of Volcanos. Thanks again.

Best regards,
Facundo

[Berimbau]

Hey MaSSivdrums!
What's the Latin percussion scene like in Hawaii? I know that a lot of Puerto Rican laborers settled there after WWII, were they at all influential on the local music scene. It appears that since the 1960's congas and bongos have statred to supplant the traditional pahu and other indigenous tubs, are they accepted at hulas? Please clue us in.

Saludos,


Berimbau

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha Berimbau,

The Latin Percussion scene in Hawaii is alive and well. We have a few latin music venues here that offer live music from the folkloric type all the way to Salsa music. The Puerto Rican community has influenced the music here with there "Sabor", and some of the locals here refer to it as "Kachi-Kachi" music (don't ask me what that means cuz I don't know). Latin Percussions, such as the Congas, Timbales and Bongos has a special place in making Hawaiian Contemporary Music, and also the present "Island Music" which is played by todays generation. Island music, is kinda a mixture of Reggae, Hip Hop with a dash of island flavor all mixed together. Contemporary Hawaiian music is Hapa-Haole (part Hawaiian and English) music, where the Hawaiian language is mixed in with the English language for lyrics, and can range from a Samba or Bossa Nova, as well as Cha Cha Cha beats. We also have an annual Salsathon which features music and culture from the local Puerto Rican community. This year they featured Johnny Polanco.
As far as Hawaiian Hula, the Congas and Bongos have not replaced the Pahu and Puniu Drums. Hula is rich in tradition, and the Kumu Hula (teacher) take the Hula very serious and they try not to deviate from its traditional form in dance, as well as the instruments used for Hula.


Keep on Poundin'.... Aloha, maSSivdrums

[yoni]

Aloha maSSivedrums!

I may be going to Hawaii for 2 weeks in August to visit my birth mother, who lives there and who I haven't seen in years...
Do you know of any drum circles or places to jam in the Honolulu area?
Thanks in advance,

Yoni



Edited By yoni on 1152797206

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha Yoni,

Great! I think you'll love it here. I bet your mother loves being here. Kinda expensive, but a small price to pay to live in Paradise.
As far as drum circles go, I have'nt been keeping up with the latest happening as far as drum circles go around here. From what I understand, there are usually drummers playing in Kapiolani Park, which is located in walking distance from Waikiki. The park is located between the Honolulu Zoo and the famous Diamond Head Crater. I'm not too sure when they are held, but they usually hang around under one of the Banyan tree's in the area of the park Bandstand.
Maybe Rumba808, who is another forum member can point you in the right direction. He might even have his own Rumba Jam goin' on somewhere.
I'm not a Rumba conguero, so I would'nt know the first thing on how to start a Rumba Jam. I hope to learn to play in a Rumba in the future. Looks like fun.

Keep on Poundin'..... Aloha, maSSivdrums

[yoni]

Thank you, maSSivedrums! I will check out that park if I go and I really appreciate the info!

I did visit once when I was 17, that was 30 years ago, and remember seeing the zoo you mention...

What I remember most was a cage with a mountain gorilla. A steel pipe was built from in the cage to outside where the people stood. Inside the pipe was a heavy rope, knotted at each end to give it about a meter of play...

Three huge Samoan guys held the outer end of the rope and shook it to tempt the gorilla to pull it at the other end, for a kind 'tug of war'. The gorilla lazily reached over to the rope, held it with just one finger, and gave a little tug. The three huge guys went flying!

I hope to fly there and maybe meet some other drummers in that park, but will leave the gorilla alone.

All the best,

Yoni

[JohnnyConga]

Yo Massive Drums .do u know my rumbero Brother "Hector Serrano" in Lahaina?.."JC"Johnny Conga...

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha JC,

No, I have not had a chance in a while to make it to Maui and check out Hector. I checked my "Secret Squirl" data link which indicates that he resides in Paia on Maui. Would Hector be around 53 yrs. old?
On another note, can't wait for CongaRobics and your other DVD to debut. You still got me on the Pre sale list I hope. Keep us posted on the progress.

Aloha Yoni,

Yeah, I remember that Gorilla. Strong Motha! I recall on one occasion, someone was bothering him to grab the rope for some tug o war, and he got pissed and threw his Doodoo at the crowd! Not only was he strong, but pretty intelligent! Auryte!!!

Keep on Poundin'......

Aloha, maSSivdrums

[Facundo]

maSSivedrums,

One more question for you about volcano drums. Volcano also made drums out of monkey pod (ohai wood) but they are no longer on the website. Have you heard volcanos made from that wood? If so how would you describe the sound compaired to the mango and koas?

Best regards,
Facundo

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha Facundo,

I have not had the pleasure to sample the Monkeypod Drums as of yet. Tom has sold quite a few sets of them, and he could probably answer that question for you. But a soon as I can get the scripts together, I'm adding a set of Monkeys to my arsenal ( just don't mention it to my wife ) :p

Keep on Poundin'.... Aloha, maSSivdrums