Mark Griffith
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.
John Otto: Feeling Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
There aren’t a lot of drummers who bring aspects of rap and hip hop, rock and metal, and strong doses of jazz and swing to their drumming, but John Otto does. His time feel is the special sauce that makes…
The Social Groove of Change
Playing and creating music is a social activity. Both of this month’s feature interviews state the importance of playing music with people. It’s an important step in becoming a musician (not “just” a drummer.) Whether you are making beats with…
A Year of Modern Drummer’s Metal Sticks Podcast
New in 2025, Modern Drummer debuted a new podcast called Metal Sticks, hosted by Modern Drummer Publisher and CEO David Frangioni and legendary drummer Nicko McBrain, who recently retired from 42 years with Iron Maiden. The idea for the podcast…
2025 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame Inductee: Jim Keltner
During this Christmas season, when you are being bombarded by Christmas music, listen for Michael Buble’s version of “All I Want for Christmas” and bask in the groove of Modern Drummer 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Keltner. That is…
Thanks to Jack and Chick: One of the Best Days of My Life
In 2009, I interviewed Jack DeJohnette for the Percussive Notes and Modern Drummer. Jack and I met in the afternoon before a trio concert he was playing with Chick Corea and Bobby McFerrin. I arrived to find Jack’s black Sonor…
John Lennon & Yoko Ono, John/Yoko Plastic Ono Band
Power to the People, with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Box Set Capitol Records’ new Power to the People, with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Box Set is an amazing set for any music fan, but it’s an absolute treat…
Congrats, Geddy, Alex, and Anika!
Upon hearing the news about Rush’s 50 Something Tour, I was instantly happy for Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson; they deserve to be out there playing the music that they love and created with Neil Peart. I think Neil would…
Stan Lynch Part 2: Drummer, Songwriter, Producer
Last month we talked to Stan Lynch about his new (breath of fresh air) band The Speaker Wars and their wonderful new self-titled record. But Stan Lynch has had a very special and wide-ranging career in music. There was the…
Reimagining and the Three C's
It’s fantastic to be featuring Todd Sucherman, Stan Lynch, Kassa Overall and Evgeny Novikov this month. All four drummers have done quite a bit of reimagining within their musical careers. Reimagining anything takes the Three C’s: Creativity, Commitment, and Courage.…
Stan Lynch Returns with The Speaker Wars Part One
Drummer, songwriter, producer, Stan Lynch is back, but did he ever really leave? The last time many of us saw him he was departing Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the peak of their success. I thought he was crazy,…
Abe Cunningham talks about Private Music… and much more!
After five (long) years, the Deftones are back with a new record called Private Music, and Abe Cunningham is back with more groove than ever, and even more cool snare drum sounds to make us drummers drool. We sat down…
The Drum Community
In a world where community and actual personal connection is being devalued, Modern Drummer is proud to spotlight several drum community events in this (and last month’s) issues. Nashville’s Music City Drum Show was a rousing success where drummers from…
Joe Chambers: A Life of Cross Rhythms
Drummer, vibraphonist, composer, bandleader, educator… Joe Chambers has done it all in his long career as a musician. Now he is talking about all of it in his new book Cross Rhythms: An Introspective into the Life and Musicality of…
Drums is Life, Life is Drums.
As a musician and a drummer, I feel that drumming (and music) can help improve the world. Yes, I truly believe that!!! I believe that if more people were taught to enjoy music (and play drums) the world would be…
