On the Cover Archives - Modern Drummer Magazine

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…

By Mark Griffith
May 31, 2023

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…

By Mark Griffith
Apr 30, 2023

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…

By Mark Griffith
Mar 31, 2023

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…

By Mark Griffith
Feb 28, 2023

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…

By Mark Griffith
Jan 31, 2023

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,…

By Mark Griffith
Jan 1, 2023

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…

By Mark Griffith
Oct 31, 2022

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…

By Mark Griffith
Sep 30, 2022

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…

By Mark Griffith
Aug 31, 2022

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…

By Mark Griffith
Jul 31, 2022

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…

By Mark Griffith
Jun 30, 2022

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…

Story By: Daniel “Ziggy” Laverde
May 31, 2022

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…

By Mark Griffith
Apr 30, 2022

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…

By Mark Griffith Photos By Travis Shinn
Mar 31, 2022