Buddy Rich — Unstoppable
When Buddy Rich took charge behind the kit, the air crackled. Buddy aimed to excite, to give audiences their money’s worth with precision, sophistication, and world-class quality. Oh, he could be as sensitive on a brush ballad as anyone. But…
Gregg Potter
No two drummers’ stories are exactly alike. From heavy rotation on MTV in the heyday of ’80s hair metal to his current role as the driver of the Buddy Rich Band, it’s clear that very few drummers’ career trajectories are…
Steve Shelton
To the self-styled number cruncher with Confessor and Loincloth, if he’s communicating an “unbalanced” feel with his drumming, he’s doing something very right. For anyone who’s grown numb to metal drumming conventions, a first exposure to Steve Shelton can be…
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's John Riley Chats With VJO Sub Paul Wells
When you take over the drum chair associated with a bona fide legend, there’s a huge responsibility to get it right. John Riley certainly found this out when he began playing with the world-renowned Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which carried on…
News
Keep up to date with the drum world via news items, interviews, lists, and more
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2025
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience. The festival includes all genres of music including Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Zydeco, Bluegrass, Jam-Band, Alternative-Rock, Brass Band, and New Orleans’ own Mardi Gras Indians. In 2019 the…
Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years
In a move that marks the end of a significant era in rock history, Matt Cameron has officially parted ways with Pearl Jam after nearly three decades behind the drum kit. Both Cameron and the band issued statements on social…
Mike Portnoy Challenges Son Max to Learn Dream Theater’s “Honor Thy Father” on the Spot: Watch
Legendary drummer Mike Portnoy surprised his son Max by challenging him to learn and perform the Dream Theater song “Honor Thy Father” on the spot in a new Father’s Day video from the folks at Drumeo. Mike, who founded Dream…
Shane Hawkins Performs Taylor Hawkins’ Real Favorite Foo Fighters Song to Play: Watch
At a drum clinic in England, Shane Hawkins, the son of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, revealed that his dad’s favorite Foos song to play was actually the track “Low,” not the tune “Aurora,” as commonly suggested. Shane took…
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
The 100 Year History of the Modern Drum Set
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EVANS REALFEEL 10" ATTACKTILE PAD SCHOLASTIC PACK
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DW SONICPLY SHELLS, NEW HEADPHONES FROM BEYERDYNAMIC
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More from the Frankie Banali Collection
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Kit of the Month
Sonny’s Gold Sparkle Founders Reserve Kit
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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…
