The fact that the first names that Lamb of God drummer Art Cruz mentioned, when I asked him about his drumming influences, were Michael Shrieve, David Garibaldi, Dave Lombardo, Chris Adler, and Poncho Sanchez, made me smile. These are not the newest, fastest, most popular drummers with the most followers on social media. But they inspired him deeply, and one day Art would take Chris Adler’s place in Lamb of God. Art’s love of David Garibaldi is also why we included a killer Tower of Power transcription this month. Yes, it does ALL come back around. In the 1970s, The Don Sebesky Big Band came to my hometown to give a concert. As a part of the day, there were clinics given by drummer Jimmy Madison and percussionist Sue Evans. They were “professional touring musicians,” and I had just started playing drums. Most of what they taught went over my […]

June 2026 Issue