Mike Mangini - Living The Dream
By creating layers of complex rhythms that complement Dream Theater’s epic arrangements, “the new guy” is ushering in a bold and exciting era for the band, its fans, and progressive rock music itself. When the shocking news broke that Dream…
Gregory Hutchinson
Hutch might just be the jazz drummer’s jazz drummer—historically astute and futuristically minded, with the kind of technique, soul, and sophistication that today’s most important artists treasure. Hands On With Hutch is Gregory Hutchinson’s DVD treatise on everything required to…
Tony Mason - NYC Pocket Master
Photo by Michael Rosati A revered New York cat quietly plies his trade and builds a résumé to die for. New York native Tony Mason, one of NYC’s most in-demand drummers, has a reputation built on his fierce backbeat, soulful…
Art Blakey: The Mentor
We all know those iconic black-and-white images: Blakey at the kit, sweat beads on his forehead, a flash in the eyes, and that mouth agape—sometimes with the tongue flat out—in pure elation. And that’s also how he sounded. Sure,…
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News
Keep up to date with the drum world via news items, interviews, lists, and more
A Christmas Miracle at the Opry: A 3-Year-Old “Drummer Boy” Takes the Stage
Earlier this month, for KING + COUNTRY invited fans to submit audition videos for a chance to perform “ Little Drummer Boy” with them live at the Grand Ole Opry. Out of many of entries, the winner was Remi —…
Almost Acoustic Christmas
On December 13th, KROQ’s legendary Almost Acoustic Christmas (AAC) annual concert celebrated 35 years of shows at the KIA Forum, which has been the home of Almost Acoustic Christmas since 2014 (except for 2019.) Previous lineups have included No Doubt,…
Chad Smith Walks In on Thirty Seconds to Mars’ Shannon Leto Playing Chili Peppers Hit on Drums: Watch
Drumeo’s “For the First Time” series has become a regular hit on YouTube, largely thanks to a viral edition featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith taking on the challenge of playing Thirty Seconds to Mars’ “The Kill (Bury Me).”…
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…
Tour Kit Rundowns
Your favorite drummers walk you through every detail of their drum setups.
Metal Sticks
Dedicated to interviewing iconic artists, educating drummers of all styles and genres, amplifying young talent, and showcasing Nicko McBrain’s archive of iconic gear & memorabilia, Metal Sticks aims to inspire all generations of heavy metal fans.
1984 Is When I Finally Got My Drum Sound #vanhalen #alexvanhalen
Legacy of the Beast Gong #metalsticks #ironmaiden
Gear
Detailed assessments of the latest drum kits and accessories
History of the Early 20th Century East Coast Drum Companies
When we think of popular vintage drum makers, most of us think of Ludwig, Slingerland, Leedy, and Gretsch. The mid-western cities of Chicago, Illinois, Elkhart and Indianapolis, Indiana were the original homes of Ludwig, Slingerland, and Leedy. C.G Conn acquired…
Yamaha Recording Custom Snares: Birch and Brass, Wood and Metal
Yamaha Recording Custom Snares are considered by many to be some of the finest drums made for recording or live use. The attention to detail in any of Yamaha’s Recording Custom drums is second to none! The folks at Yamaha…
Keyner Drum Key
How many drum keys do you own? After more than 40 years behind the kit, I’ve accumulated more than I can count. Across the endless variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, they all seem to share one common superpower: the ability to vanish precisely when needed most. The Keyner from DrumKeep seeks to change the odds when it comes to lost drum…
Evans Accessories: Gels, Rings, Patches, and Keys
Our friends over at Evans (by D’Addario) sent us a box full of fun to check out that included their Overtone Damping E-Ring Pack; Damping Gel EQ and Mini EQ Pods; Bass Drum EQ Patch; and an assortment of Drum…
New products from SJC Drums and Sonique
SJC Drums Marks 25 Years with Anniversary Kit and Snare To celebrate 25 years of custom innovation, SJC Drums has unveiled a striking limited-edition 25th Anniversary 3-piece maple shell pack and matching snare drum, available exclusively at Guitar Center. Handcrafted in Southbridge, Massachusetts, these…
Donn’s Favorites of 2025
Wow!! I’m constantly amazed at how so many extraordinary drums keep finding me. I really don’t go looking for them, but they just seem to keep turning up. 2025 brought some truly exceptional drums. When Modern Drummer asked me to…
Kit of the Month
Jenna’s Drums with Some Southern Charm
After meeting drummer Jenna Kopitske at the Music City Drum Show in Nashville, we were excited that Jenna reached out to us to show off her kit. Jenna’s Prizm Blue finish Pearl Export…
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Go backstage with your favorite drummers as they talk about gear, tour life, drumming, and everything in between.
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…
Charlie Benante - Pantera - Tour Kit Rundown
Modern Drummer Official 17.9K views January 12, 2026 10:01 AM