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.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
Trying to Dial Back the “King of Yes” Photo by Christian Germoso In 30 years, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson has evolved from a drummer to an influential drummer and bandleader, to part of the music establishment, to now becoming a respected…
Whom Gods Destroy’s Bruno Valverde
From Maracatu to Metal Brazil is known for its rhythmic contributions to the music world. In music you can’t ignore the Brazilian styles of Samba, Bossa Nova, and Maracatu. But recently Brazil’s contribution to Heavy Metal drumming has been overwhelming…
Tina Raymond - Musical Divinations and Educational Heritage
Tina Raymond is a musical force of nature. With over 20 records (as a leader and a side person) to her credit, she can play anything. Her newest record called Divinations is one of the best drummer-led records I’ve heard…
Matchbox Twenty and Liz Phair’s Neal Daniels
You may or may not have heard of pop/rock drummer Neal Daniels, but there’s a good chance you’ll be seeing a lot more of him in the future. He’s been providing the rhythmic foundation for touring artists like Rachel Platten,…
Patrick Wilson - Ergo Fuego, I Just Want to Play!
Weezer’s Patrick Wilson is a drummer just like many of us reading this article right now. He loves Rush and Van Halen. He says things like, “I buy so much gear based on demos that I see online, and then…
Dave Abbruzzese - Gets Back to the Woods
In the critically acclaimed cult television series Twin Peaks, which was based in and around Washington state in the early 90’s, Special Agent Dale Cooper stated, “When two events occur simultaneously pertaining to the same object of inquiry, we must…
Nic Collins - From Genesis to The Effect
Nic Collins has had quite a start to his drumming career. He began by playing drums in rock bands and performing in clubs around Miami, Florida. Then he landed the gig drumming on Phil Collins’ final tour. He followed that…
Russ Kunkel - Drumming with The Immediate Family and Lyle Lovett
Russ Kunkel is a true drumming legend. He has spent an entire career drumming for THE most significant singer-songwriters in music history. His drumming on classic recordings like Carole King’s Tapestry, Joni Mitchel’s Blue, James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James, and…
Enrique Iglesias and The Steve Morse Band’s Van Romaine
A synthesizer chord hits, as the stage lights blast through the smoke-filled arena. Recognizing the tune, the sold-out crowd leaps to their feet, just in time for the drum groove to kick in. It’s a powerful four-on-the-floor groove with sloshy…
Ralph Rolle - Laying it Down and Taking Care of Business with Chic
There are several intimidating drum gigs that a drummer can step into, but I’ll mention one that might not come immediately to mind. The iconic band Chic. The original drum chair was manned by the legendary powerhouse drummer Tony Thompson,…
Mike Reid - Playing the Patterns with Justin Timberlake
In today’s pop music world, why does it seem that there are only a handful of drummers who are doing all of the top gigs? Why do pop stars like Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Charlie Puth, Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, and…
Andy Gander - Rhythmic Doctor from Down Under
In North America, unfortunately we rarely think about the tradition of drumming from other countries. Some of us have studied the evolution of English drumming. And if we have really dug deep maybe we have started to investigate the traditions…
Michal Miskiewicz - Playing ECM’s Air with Feeling
Jazz is a truly American artform, as is jazz drumming. However, that doesn’t mean that this important resource hasn’t been exported to the rest of the world. Poland was an importer of American jazz in the 1950s and 60s. But…
Dirty Honey’s Jaydon Bean - Can’t Find the Brakes
Dirty Honey is going full speed ahead, keeping the rock and roll flame burning and breaking the rules. Their song “When I’m Gone” was the first single by an unsigned band to ever reach #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock…
