Features
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
The Daru Sessions: The Evolution of His Set-Up
Modern Drummer is starting a new series with Daru Jones called “The Daru Sessions.” In these series of interviews, Daru and I are going to dive deep into several subjects. The first subject of these talks is Daru’s unique drum…
Carmine Appice: 50 Years of Being Realistic
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of Carmine Appice’s influential book Realistic Rock. Modern Drummer has been featuring some excerpts from the updated version of this book (The Ultimate Realistic Rock) throughout the year and this will continue with…
CHRIS LESSO Life Through Rhythm
Chris Lesso is a renaissance drummer: bandleader, sideman, clinician, teacher… His studies with the great Dom Famularo and the legendary Jim Blackley have helped him form a great foundation for his drumming and his teaching. Chris’ playing with his band…
MAMMOTH WVH With drummers Wolfgang Van Halen and Garrett Whitlock
The band Mammoth WVH is a musical force to be reckoned with. What else is there besides great songs being played by great musicians. But there is more to this band than meets the eye. True multi-instrumentalists are a unique…
Jonathan Pinson: Asking Questions
With all of the amazing young jazz drummers around these days, it’s got to be tough to set yourself apart. But when you can put names like Seal, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Terrace Martin, and Kamasi Washington on your resume,…
Gavin Harrison: Context and Contrast
Who is busier than Gavin Harrison? He is tearing it up on two new records that are coming out and is touring with those two bands within the next year. Porcupine Tree’s new recording Closure/Continuation is a welcome surprise to…
Karen Carpenter: Close To Her Drums
Karen Carpenter’s intuitive choice of instruments was drums, but she had to break down a few invisible walls, crack a few glass ceilings, and crash a few cymbals along the way. However, by the height of her career with her…
Hayley Brownell
Making it to the world stage as a musician can be one of the most difficult things to do. Despite the challenge, there is a common theme among those who have successfully reached for the stars and landed. Hard work,…
Alejandro Sanz’s HELEN DE LA ROSA
Playing with legends, virtuosos, and top touring musicians is unattainable for many, but for Helen De La Rosa, it is as natural as day and night. Helen has gone beyond playing it safe, her career is anchored in perseverance and…
Karol G’s Giulliana Merello
When I met Giulliana Merello I didn’t know what to expect. In front of me sat a brilliant young woman who had one of the biggest drumming gigs in the world playing with superstar Karol G. I didn’t know what…
Behind the Legends
The Modern Drummer LEGENDS books are a rare opportunity for a drummer to talk about and examine his entire drumming career. Kenny Aronoff has been covered quite thoroughly in his many past Modern Drummer feature interviews. In those interviews he…
Taylor Hawkins
On March 25, 2022 musicians, drummers, and music fans around the world were devastated to learn that drummer Taylor Hawkins had died. Hawkins was a good friend of Modern Drummer, and we join in the deep sorrow of losing such…
Alexander Sowinski of BADBADNOTGOOD
Making a name for oneself as a modern jazz drummer can be quite tough. With such a long and illustrious history, sounding fresh and innovative in jazz can almost seem impossible. BADBADNOTGOOD, based out of Toronto, Ontario, has reinvented current…
Taylor Hawkins Remembered
As we at Modern Drummer and the entire drum and musical community continue to reel from the untimely and devastating passing of Taylor Hawkins, we wanted to create a tribute to this inspiring and energetic drummer who left us far…
