YAMAHA AND TWIX MIX 'SWEET' MUSIC

—Drummer Tony Verderosa One of Three Live Performers
In TWIX Candy Bar "In The Mix" Ad Spots—

BUENA PARK, CA (April 25, 2003)—The M&M/MARS Company recently cooked up a new recipe for its popular TWIX® candy bars when campaigning the recent "It's All In The Mix" television ad spots. Each commercial features live performances from cutting-edged musical endorsers, including The Roots' Rahzel "the human beatbox"; Britain's drum n' bass turntable spinner DJ Rap; and electronic drum wizard Tony Verderosa.

Tony Verderosa and his customized Yamaha Drum Kit

Representatives Mike Tyniec and Mark Catalina of Buzz Grey (a division of Grey Worldwide in New York), who had previously worked with Verderosa, were so inspired by his one-man performance at NYC'c chic hangout Joe's Pub that they decided to feature him in the spot—and not just his music.

The fifteen-second spots play like mini-videos, and were directed by Phil Atwell of November Films in Los Angeles (CA), who also produced music videos for Eminem, Marilyn Manson and Eve. The producers designed the spots to feature a personal artistic element, with performers that emulate a "one-man" mix. Guide tracks were recorded during pre-production, with the artists then recorded live to capture spontaneity. Final edits were completed by Michael Schwartz at Breathe Editing.

Considered to be a leading authority on live sample triggering and electronic drumming, Verderosa used a setup that included a Yamaha DTXTREME II Electronic Percussion System, RS7000 Music Production Studio, S80 Synthesizer Controller, Beech Custom Absolute Drums, Motif Rack, 02R and 03D Yamaha digital mixers, and a vintage MU100R Tone Generator.

"The drums triggered custom sounds—which I designed using a Yamaha Vocoder," notes Verderosa. This gear allows me to express anything that I'm hearing musically, and it also challenges me to think differently," he explains. "There are innovative features in these instruments that inspire me to push the envelope."

The classically trained percussionist has mastered a signature hybrid electro-acoustic percussion system that allows him to play melodies, harmonies, bass lines, electronic loops, vocal and instrumental samples in realtime. He has contributed to Yamaha's line of samplers, groove boxes and electronic drums, including the DTXTREME, RM1X and RS7000, and his one-man live Techno concept has made him a major player in the international Electronica, Jungle and Drum 'n Bass music scenes. He has also released a number of books, live instructional videos, and records on his New York-based label, Thwak!

"I thought I was getting a call to score a commercial or something," says Verderosa, "but they actually wanted me to play live on camera and be one of the new TWIX spots. As an independent artist, this is the kind of phone call you only dream about. It doesn't get any better."

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Drum Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone 714-522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com or visit www.yamaha.com.