On the Cover
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 Groove of Sarah Jones
For Sarah Jones, playing drums and grooving is a lifelong commitment. Her most recent gig has her rubbing shoulders with music royalty — whether it’s working out vocal parts with Stevie Nicks for a special version of “The Chain,” grooving…
Mike Portnoy The Winery Dogs and the Power of III
Mike Portnoy must be the busiest drummer in the business. He is an active touring and recording member of no less than ten different bands, and he does some sideman work. In the 12 years since he left Dream Theater…
Grammy Winner Terri Lyne Carrington
Everything is About Breaking Habits Terri Lyne Carrington is only the second drummer-bandleader to win a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group… and she has done it twice. The first was Art Blakey. Her first win was…
Daru Jones Soul-Hop and Rock-Hop Drumming
This month’s feature concludes Modern Drummer’s ongoing column called The Daru Sessions that started last year. In previous pieces we have focused on Daru’s gear, and his various musical and drumming influences. This month we conclude by talking about his…
Pat Petrillo: Big Rhythm from Jersey
Pat Petrillo is the quintessential hard working professional musician. He is both a “drummer’s drummer,” and to some, an unsung hero. Pat has earned the respect of his peers and has built a great reputation in the drum industry. He…
Chris Johnson
From Gospel to Gaga… and Everything In-Between! On the heels of another huge Lady Gaga tour, and a newborn son, drummer Chris Johnson has a lot to smile about. The last 20 years have been filled with tours with Rihanna,…
Carl Palmer: Welcome Back My Friends...
Carl Palmer is a drumming legend. Name another drummer who had #1 hits with four different bands? His drumming in Emerson, Lake, & Palmer is epic and renowned. His drum parts and playing in the band Asia are unforgettable. His…
Pioneering Drummer and Producer Butch Vig Talks Drumming, Roland V-Drums, Production, and Garbage.
There are very few musicians that have had the influence that Butch Vig has had on modern rock music. As a drummer for the band Garbage his acoustic-electronic-hybrid approach to drumming is revolutionary. Their new record No Gods No Masters…
Rob Silverman and Drumology: Drum Duets with the Masters
Drummer Rob Silverman and his brother pianist Michael Silverman are modern day musical entrepreneurs. They own and run a popular record label called Autumn Hill Records, produce jazz festivals throughout the midwest, lead bands, compose, record, and produce records, and…
Ash Soan: It’s All Music!
He’s played on the Olympics with Mike Oldfield, the British version of The Voice for seven years, toured with Del Amitri, Squeeze, Faithless, The Waterboys and Mike Scott, Will Young, James Morrison, Marianne Faithfull, Sinead O’ Connor, recorded with everyone…
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…
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…
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…
UNLIMITED CHAD
It’s becoming an annual event on my calendar. Chad Smith and I seem to talk every February. And since we talked last, Chad has been very busy. He has just recently completed another Ozzy Osbourne record, a new Eddie Vedder…