The Daru Sessions Vol.2
Influences and Hip Hop Drumming Daru Jones and I have returned with the second episode of The Daru Sessions. Daru Jones has just released a record called Daru Jones Play the Breaks (Live at Layman.) On it, he plays 25…
Joe Franco Double Bass Drum Renaissance Man
This year is the 40th Anniversary of one of the best drum books ever written, Joe Franco’s Double Bass Drumming. In 1964 Colin Bailey published Bass Drum Control. That was the first book that dealt with the subject of playing…
Dirk Verbeuren: The Drumming, the Legacy… and Megadeth
Dirk Verbeuren is a musical veteran and great drummer with a lot of knowledge to share. His drumming was first heard with bands such as Aborted and Sybreed. He co-founded Scarve, a forward thinking death metal band which released four…
Modern Drummer 2022 Readers Poll Winners
It is time to announce the winners of the 2022 Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Congratulations to all of the winners, and thanks for your artistry and contributions towards the history and evolution of modern drumming. Thank you for your recordings,…
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
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…
5 Core 7-Piece Drum Mic Kit
While walking the aisles of the 2025 Music City Drum Show in Nashville, a set of drum microphones immediately stood out. They had a brushed copper finish, with a vintage, almost steampunk aesthetic. The company was 5 Core, and I…
Techra Drumsticks Hammer of the Gods, X Carb, and Colossus 5A
Techra, an Italian drumstick manufacturer, sent Modern Drummer a few more pairs of their carbon fiber drumsticks to bang around. In our last review of Techra sticks (MD 2023), we looked at the Black Diamond series, 5A, and 2B sizes.…
New Slingerland Drums and Parts, News from Porter & Davies
SLINGERLAND LAUNCHES RADIO KING AND STUDIO KING OUTFITS, PLUS SPARE PARTS The first outfit of Radio King in decades continues the rich tonal legacy of its predecessors and benefits from both modern precision craftsmanship and build. The U.S.A.-built 3-ply shells are constructed…
The History of the Bass Drum Pedal and Sock Pedals
As a drum collector I quickly became fascinated with early bass drum pedals and how they evolved over time to what we know today as the modern-day bass drum pedal. The bass drum is the driving force of our musical…
Trinity Cymbals: 16" Brilliant Holey China
Trinity Cymbals continues to build momentum in the drumming world, carving out space alongside other established cymbal manufacturers. I recently ran into the Trinity team at the 2025 Music City Drum Show in Nashville, TN. They had an impressive display…
Kit of the Month
Watch Out Terry Bozzio, Here Comes Zar Sukoi
It’s clear that drummer Zar Sukoi’s early influences are The Professor Neil Peart, Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips, and Terry Bozzio. However, since his band needed more than the essentials, he altered his kit…
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…
