James Andrews

Since I was a child I have loved the drums. Whether it be pots and pans from under the cupboards, beach pales and other odds and ends out in the yard. It is an instrument that I always wanted to play. When I was in the 4th grade, when we had the ability to join “band” my parents wouldn’t let me get a drum. Instead they allowed me to get the trumpet. When I became interested in playing rock music, I didn’t have the money to afford a kit, and as an adult I really have never had a place to keep a kit.

Fastfoward to New Years Even 2008. I went over to my friend Bridget’s house for a NYE party. Much of the night was spent playing Rock Band on the Xbox 360. Though I was enthralled with their drums. They don’t have the crappy plastic that easily breaks piece of garbage that comes with the game. Instead her husband had purchased an “ION Drum Kit”. The ION Drum Kit is pretty incredible. It is designed and sold by Alesis, a manufacturer of high end electronic drum equipment. It was designed to give you flexibility, but more importantly it was designed to allow you to disconnect your game system, plug in one of their drum brains, and PLAY the drums. Allowing a potential drummer to start with a basic kit, and move up as he/she outgrows the game. The best part is it’s a reasonable price. $200 for the core system. A little bit more for the electronic symbols. When the game is outgrown you can buy a basic brain for $150, or a more advanced brain for $350.

I want one badly….