Elaine Bradley
The plan was clear for Neon Trees’ new album: big sounds, big ideas, and big performances. Neon Trees’ Pop Psychology is what happens when a successful pop-rock band pursues a hip-hop recording approach using Peter Gabriel’s So and Kanye West’s…
Harvey Mason: The Groove Is All Around
Harvey Mason is one of the most recorded musicians in history. His precise, soul-filled drumming has knocked out fans of sophisticated groove playing for more than forty years, on such seminal albums as Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters, Charles Earland’s Leaving…
Lee Goodness
Photo by Nicole Goodness Curtis Mayfield was unlike any other soul artist, and the job of servicing his timeless grooves was a unique challenge, especially during the dawn of electronic drums. The journeyman player who helped bring Mayfield’s message…
Upbeat Triplets Breaking Free From the Downbeat
This month we’re going to look at quarter- and 8th-note-triplet rhythms that are offset to the upbeats. When we talk about upbeats, we’re usually referring to the “&” counts between the quarter notes in a straight 8th or swung context.…
News
Keep up to date with the drum world via news items, interviews, lists, and more
Jack DeJohnette, Legendary Jazz Drummer, Dies at 83
The jazz world bids farewell to Jack DeJohnette, one of its most influential drummers, who has passed away at the age of 83. His family announced the news on October 27, stating that he “died peacefully at Kingston Hospital in…
Voting is Now Open for the 2025 Modern Drummer Readers Poll!
The time has come! We’re excited to announce that voting for the 47th annual 2025 Modern Drummer Readers Poll is officially open. This is your chance to join drumming fans from around the globe and vote for your favorite drummers…
Who Is RUSH’s New Drummer Anika Nilles?
Anika Nilles has been announced as RUSH’s drummer for their upcoming reunion tour, which will mark the band’s first shows in 11 years, and first concerts since the passing of the legendary Neil Peart in 2020. Rather than tap a…
Nandi Bushell “Would Have Said YES in a Heartbeat” If Offered Foo Fighters Drummer Gig
Nandi Bushell, the 15-year-old drumming sensation who once defeated Dave Grohl in a drum battle, says she “would have said YES in a heartbeat” if offered Foo Fighters’ recently vacant drummer position. While the Foos have made no official announcement…
Videos
Rig rundowns, play-throughs, interviews, and more featuring your favorite drummers
Danny Carey - TOOL - Tour Kit Rundown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ7oqWdMvt8 Welcome, fellow audiophiles, drumming enthusiasts, TOOL fans, and lovers of all things progressive! Today, we've scored an exclusive backstage peek into the rhythmic labyrinth that is Danny Carey's drum kingdom for TOOL's Fear Inoculum Tour. Surrounded by instruments, Danny…
Gear
Detailed assessments of the latest drum kits and accessories
Early Drummer's Traps, Chinese Toms, and Sound Effects
In the early 1900’s the proper term for a professional working drummer was a “Trap Drummer,” this was short for “contraption drummer.” These musicians were much more than simple timekeepers. They provided live musical accompaniment and sound effects for vaudeville…
ARTSTRUMENTS 5PK-L Drum Mounting Kit with Lights
As drummers, our drum kits are more than just tools of the trade. With interesting shapes and textures, mesmerizing finishes, and striking color combinations, they’re visual works of art. Art invites appreciation, but space is a limited luxury for most of…
YAMAHA DTX8K-M PROX
Whether on stage, in the studio, or in the comfort of home, Yamaha has earned its reputation for building instruments that just work. As a proud owner of a late-90’s Yamaha Beech Custom drum kit, I can vouch for that…
TUNER FISH Lug Locks
Stay Tuned… hey say you can’t tune a fish… but you can tune a drum! Most of us have had a drum that just won’t stay in tune because the tension rods wiggle loose, thus detuning the head. This can…
Roland Announces V-Drums 3 and 5 Series, EVANS Pull Cord Drum Key, Alesis Drums The Nitro Ultimate and Turbo Max, Sabian and Todd Sucherman Redlight & Spotlight Crashes, Akai Unveils The MPC Live III
ROLAND ANNOUNCES V-DRUMS 3 AND 5 SERIES Wide-Ranging Kits, Newly Developed Pads, Updated Hardware, and Next-Generation Modules Roland has announced the V-Drums 3 and 5 Series, two all-new electronic drum kit lineups based around the powerful V31 and V51 sound…
Derek Pellicci's, Little River Band, 1994 Yamaha Recording Custom Set with Sabian Cymbals
Derek Allan “Beeb” Pellicci was the founding drummer of Little River Band in 1975. He anchored the band’s rhythm section during their most successful years, driving hits like “Reminiscing,” “Lonesome Loser,” “Cool Change,” and “Help Is on the Way” to…
Kit of the Month
All in the Family Slingerland’s
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Bryan Beyer. We’ll let Bryan tell us about this kit’s unique history in his drumming family. “This is an early 60s Slingerland “Windsor”…
Continue ReadingPodcasts
Host David Frangioni goes in-depth with the biggest names in drumming
Todd Sucherman - Styx - Modern Drummer Podcast with David Frangioni #36
EXCLUSIVE: The wait is over—Todd Sucherman’s Q&A Podcast has landed! Joined by his longtime drum tech Mark Petrocelli, Todd answers your top questions submitted via social media. Host David Frangioni guides the conversation, digging into the stories, tips, and insights…
Johnny Rabb - Collective Soul - Modern Drummer Podcast with David Frangioni #35
Modern Drummer catches up with Collective Soul drummer Johnny Rabb and his longtime drum tech Wayne Shovlin backstage in West Palm Beach, Florida, during the Summer Camp with Trucks Tour. Hosted by David Frangioni, this episode of the Modern Drummer…
Jack Lawless - Jonas Brothers - Modern Drummer Podcast with David Frangioni #34
As promised, here is the podcast with Jack Lawless of the Jonas Brothers, filmed during their visit to the Seminole Hard Rock Live last year. Enjoy! Check out Jack's rundown here: • Jack Lawless - Jonas Brothers - Tour ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3a_TXrSK1U&list=PLk9v-UDiMeUgmap-dWI4ZFSn47nLUmwlG&index=3
Jim Sonefeld - Modern Drummer Podcast with David Frangioni #33
Modern Drummer sat down with Jim Sonefeld of Hootie and the Blowfish while on the Summer Camp with Trucks tour. Watch Jim's Tour Kit Rundown Here: • Jim Sonefeld - Hootie & The Blowfish ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCa1GA1yKdI&list=PLk9v-UDiMeUgmap-dWI4ZFSn47nLUmwlG&index=5
Hall of Fame
A look back at the legendary drummers elected to Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame
Keith Moon Elected to Hall of Fame in 1982
Excerpted from the September 2003 issue In his last interview, published posthumously in October 1978, Keith told International Musician and Recording World, “You can’t work out things too much. We do certain build-ups and things, but you can run into…
John Bonham Elected to Hall of Fame in 1981
Excerpted from the John Bonham tribute issue, July 1984 John Bonham played, for the most part, a very simple drumkit, consisting of a 14x26 bass drum, a 12x15 small tom—at first mounted on a snare stand and later on the…
Buddy Rich Elected to Hall of Fame in 1980
Excerpted from the January 1977 issue When it comes to interviewing Buddy, one must learn to expect the unexpected. You can end up with a first rate story, or no story at all. He’s a very intense human being, with…
Gene Krupa Elected to Hall of Fame in 1979
Excerpted from the October/November 1979 issue “I’m happy that I succeeded in doing two things: I made the drummer a highpriced guy, and I was able to draw more people to jazz.” The above quote of drum master Gene Krupa…
