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.
Louie Bellson
Louie Bellson At the root of Louie Bellson's talent lies a wealth of knowledge, perseverance and the hunger for constant improvement. His consistent quest to remain abreast of the times and changes is rewarding to him and his audiences…
Buddy Rich: Revisited
It was four years ago, the January, 1977 premier issue of Modern Drummer, that Buddy Rich graced our cover. Rich is back again, with comments that are inspiring and honest. This exclusive interview is filled with anecdotes tracing Rich's early…
Rodney Howard - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work
Modern Drummer readers recently spoke loud and clear about their love for New York–based drum sensation Rodney Howard by voting him runner-up in the Pop category of the 2009 MD Readers Poll. Howard’s fashionable flair and passionate playing style have…
Branford Marsalis's Justin Faulkner On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
How does a teenage newcomer follow one of the most heralded drummers in modern jazz history? Follow the song, kid, follow the song. At the fresh-faced age of eighteen, Justin Faulkner has not only replaced one of the premier drummers…
Muse's Dominic Howard - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
It’s the day before the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, and Muse—singer/guitarist/ keyboardist Matthew Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme, and drummer Dominic Howard—is on stage at New York City’s Walter Kerr Theatre, preparing for its U.S. television debut. The plan for…
Gov't Mule's Matt Abts - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
Mistakes? He's made a few. But Gov't Mule's longtime drummer knows that sweating the small stuff doesn't pay when your goal is jam-band Nirvana. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
TLC's Tom Knight - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
One of the top drumming guns on the Atlanta music scene, Tom Knight made his mark with the Grammy-winning producer Dallas Austin, who once called Tom “a human MPC3000??? for his impeccable timekeeping. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
Rufus Wainwright's Matt Johnson - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
Brooklyn-based drummer Matt Johnson has kept busy the past fifteen years with a succession of fulfilling gigs that have seen him playing European stadiums, Lower East Side bars, and every kind of venue in between. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
Incubus's Jose Pasillas - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
A year off for good drumming behavior: Incubus's beat-smith dives headlong into jazz technique during an extended band hiatus, and comes out a stronger rock player. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Benny Greb
There are very real ghosts that haunt every drummer’s subconscious: Am I really grooving? Do I sound confident enough at the kit? How well am I pushing or pulling the time? TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Joey Waronker
There’s nothing about the Los Angeles–based drummer/mixer/producer Joey Waronker that screams for attention, musically or otherwise. But check out this ridiculous track record: Tegan and Sara, Dwight Yoakam, Norah Jones, Danny Elfman, Thurston Moore, M83, Pink, Nelly Furtado, Doobie Brothers,…
Carter Beauford
A full fifteen years after the Dave Matthews Band drummer’s last MD cover story, he and his mates remain as popular as ever. In that time, much has changed in Carter’s world—but much has not, including an unceasing dedication to…
Zigaboo Modeliste
Zigaboo Modeliste Story by “Pistol” Pete Kaufmann Photos by Jay Blakesberg How is it that his drumming approach is so unusual yet so fully representative of the breadth of New Orleans’ remarkable rhythmic legacy? In his first-ever Modern Drummer cover…
Dino Danelli
When Little Steven Van Zandt said those words in May of 1997 while inducting the Rascals into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he spoke for a great many drumming fans.Now Van Zandt has put his money, his time,…