GUITAR CENTER RELAUNCHES ORANGE COUNTY DRUM & PERCUSSION
instantly recognizable. “This isn’t for the drummer who wants to blend in,” Dalporto said. “It’s for the player who grew up on punk, alternative and rock and sees their kit as part of their iden- tity. They want something that stands out the second they walk on stage. And they want to play loud. OCDP has always been about attitude as much as sound. That still resonates whether someone is play- ing clubs, recording or building their first serious setup.” “When we started OCDP, we wanted to break the rules of what a drum set could look and sound like,” Jensen said. “This relaunch brings that mindset back, combin- ing the heritage details players remember with builds designed for how drummers play today.” As part of the relaunch, Guitar Center is introducing a focused signature strategy beginning with an exclusive Adrian Young Limited-Edition Signature Snare Drum, launching in May to coincide with No Doubt’s Sphere residency in Las Vegas. The exclu- sive program will continue with additional signature releases from influential artists closely tied to OCDP’s early artist roster, including Otto of Limp Bizkit. “OCDP is part of my musical DNA,” Young said. “I’m looking forward to being on stage at the Sphere this May and playing with a new OCDP kit to show the world that the brand’s iconic energy is officially back.” When it comes to fitting into Guitar Cen- ter’s larger private-label initiative, Dalporto said the opportunity lies in taking a boutique brand rooted in punk and rock and bringing it to a new generation. “Because we manage the full lifecycle, from development through retail, we can stay close to what players actually want and evolve the product over time,” Dalporto said. “These brands are designed to complement the national brands we carry. They also fill gaps where we see real opportunity for musicians. What sets us apart is how we bring that to life. We make it accessible at scale and bring it into our stores nationwide. Players can sit down and experience it. That balance of heritage, access and player-first experience defines our approach.” MI — By Katie Kailus
No Doubt drummer Adrian Young, longtime brand ambassador and newly named advisor for OCDP.
G uitar Center has relaunched Orange County Drum & Percussion (OCDP), reviving one of the most influential boutique drum brands to emerge from Southern Cali- fornia’s alternative rock scene. The relaunch arrives as the brand marks its 35th anniversary, reintroduc- ing a name long associated with custom builds, acrylic shells and a visual identity that stood apart in an era of increasingly expressive drummers. “Our team has been dying to relaunch OCDP for years,” Gabe Dalporto, Guitar Center CEO, exclusively told Music Inc. “It’s an iconic brand with die-hard believers like Daniel Jensen, OCDP’s co-founder, Adrian Young of No Doubt and John Otto of Limp Bizkit. When Guitar Center made our pivot to focus on the serious musician, this be- came a no-brainer, and we green-lit them
to not just relaunch, but to build product that would make legacy believers proud.” Founded in Orange County in 1991, OCDP became synonymous with bold custom craftsmanship and distinctive drum builds that set it apart. As Dalporto mentioned, the brand earned a following among lead- ing bands of the time, including No Doubt, Limp Bizkit, Blink-182, Foo Fighters, Def- tones, Rancid, The Used, The Offspring and 311. Guitar Center acquired OCDP in 2009, preserving its legacy and keeping its custom shop spirit alive for a future revival. To guide the relaunch, Guitar Center reunited with Jensen and welcomed back founding artist and longtime drum am- bassador Adrian Young of No Doubt as advisors. Together, they’re shaping the next chapter of the brand while carrying forward the creative edge that made OCDP
18 I MUSIC INC. I MAY 2026
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