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 Many Hats of Narada Michael Walden
In 1974, Michael Walden was given the name Narada which means “Supreme Musician” by his guru Sri Chimnoy. His career (and this interview) features him giving the knowledge of the many hats he wears as a drummer, producer, songwriter, and…
Brandon Pertzborn: The Relentless Pursuit of Giving the Music Exactly What It Needs
I can’t think of another drummer who has had a run as successful as Brandon Pertzborn. In less than a decade, he has gone from being a hungry young drummer on the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene to being a member…
The Journey of Primus’ John Hoffman
Last year, many of us were surprised when Primus announced that drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander was leaving the band. It had happened before, but this time seemed different. Soon after, Primus announced that it would be holding the Interstellar Drum…
Billy Hart Drumming from the Past and Present, and Looking Towards the Future
When you walk into a concert hall or a jazz club and see a five-piece set of Pearl drums with an 18” bass drum, 10” and 12” power toms, a 14” floor tom, and a series of overlapping Zildjian cymbals…
Nate Morton: The Driving Beat Behind The Voice
It’s been 26 seasons for the NBC hit show, The Voice and Nate Morton has been the driving beat behind every one of them. Self-taught from age five, Nate’s formal drumset training began during middle school with Grant Menefee in…
Steven Doar, Holly Madge, Aicha Djidjelli, Aleksandra Suklar, Buzz Allan Recording Dune Part 2 and Taking Hans Zimmer Live to the Next Level
This month Modern Drummer is honored for the opportunity to interview the entire Hans Zimmer Live touring percussion section of Steven Doar, Holly Madge, Aicha Djidjelli, and Aleksandra Suklar. Who with Buzz Allan, (who does not tour with the percussion…
Eloy Casagrande: From São Paulo to Slipknot
The Journey of a Drumming Phenomenon Stepping off the plane in Amsterdam, I could feel the excitement building. I was about to meet Eloy Casagrande the drumming powerhouse recently announced as Slipknot’s newest member. Known for his relentless precision, jaw-dropping…
2024 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame: Bill Ward
Bill Ward created a style of drumming within the music of Black Sabbath. We’re not going to get into the musical differences between heavy metal and hard rock in this article. Call it what you want… but that slow, sludgy,…
Mark Guiliana: A New Solo Record, Being in the Moment, and Playing with His Heroes
It’s just after 9am on a Wednesday morning and Mark Guiliana is brewing coffee at his home in east LA. He’s in-between tour dates with St. Vincent and a trip to NYC to play a week at the Village Vanguard…
Zac Farro Unleashed: A Legend in the Making
In the realm of modern rock drummers, Zac Farro is a standout star with a journey as dynamic as his drumming. As Paramore’s rhythmic powerhouse since his teens, Farro has navigated the band’s transformations, including a hiatus and triumphant return,…
EL ESTEPARIO
TRUST THE PROCESS Photos courtesy of Alesis Drums / El Estepario With over 5,000 online drumming video clips and millions of subscribers, Valencia, Spain’s El Estepario (Jorge Garrido) has become a worldwide drumming sensation. Today it seems like every drummer…
Dave Elitch
Getting and Staying Out of the Way Talking in-depth to Dave Elitch has been a long time coming. He’s a successful working drummer with credits like The Mars Volta, M83, Killer Be Killed, Miley Cyrus, and Weezer. He is a…
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…
Eric Singer - Prelude to a KISS
Why would the title of an interview with KISS’s Eric Singer draw a title from a classic Duke Ellington composition? Well, I’ll let Eric explain that,“ I have music playing 24/7 in the house, it’s usually the Sinatra station on…
