Joe Longobardi is currently the star behind the drums for Australian band The Amity Affliction, as well as Boston hardcore band Defeater. He has been playing drums since he was 17 and touring the world for over a decade with acts such as Palehorse, Call It Arson, Transit, Trash Talk and Defeater.
Since 2018, he has been touring and recording with The Amity Affliction. Joe has forged a reputation as one of the best and most consistent drummers in heavy music. He is influenced by John Bohnam, Ginger Baker, Tony Williams, Dave Lombardo and Aaron Spears.
Joe Longobardi has officially joined the ever-growing Tama Drums artist family!
Tama Drums is a brand of drums and hardware manufactured and marketed by Hoshino Gakki. The research and development of its products, along with production of its professional drum lines, is done in Seto, Japan, while its hardware and less expensive drums are manufactured in Guangzhou, China.
Hoshino has several offices around the world for marketing and wholesale distribution. Drums destined for the American market are assembled and stocked in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
With the boom of rock ‘n’ roll and the increase in kids learning musical instruments, Tama implemented a ‘hardware first’ policy that took advantage of the slow-to-change classic American brands. This allowed Tama to create super sturdy hardware that could keep up with the heavier styles of music.
First came the “Nylon Bushing Pipe Tightening System” to protect the interiors of cymbal pipes against scratches and tighten the entire bracket through one, easy-to-use functionality. Tama, for this generation, is still synonymous with heavier styles of music thanks to such a solid manufacturing breakthrough.
Known as one of the most respected brands in drumming, this reputation has been religiously worked towards. For example, their innovative ‘1978 Parts Catalogue’ showed a detailed breakdown of parts involved in their pedals and stands – a hugely welcomed move that only bolstered their status with suppliers and distributors.
Inevitably for a new company, complaints came through about some hardware from customers and suppliers. Showing their dedication to quality, Tama staff travelled through the US and Europe to address the issues in person, whilst the manufacturing in Japan was concurrently improved. This swift action made Tama the still-recognized, well-respected name for reliability.
Keeping up this ethos, each of their products is manufactured with a philosophy behind them. Whether it’s the ‘reduction of energy loss’ of the Iron Cobra, a more detailed delve into drums for the S.L.P. line, or the stand-out resonance of the Starclassic line – a thoughtful approach is at the heart of Tama.