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 before the band left for their next leg of touring North America and Canada to talk about the new record, producers, playing Neil Peart’s drums, snare drums, drummers, influences, and hear about a very special guest that came out to their show in New Jersey. Abe Cunningham is a modern groove master (and a self-confessed drum nerd) who loves to talk music, drumming, and drums. Private Music combines all of that (and much more,) and is one of my favorite records of the year. Photo by Clemente Ruiz MD: The new record Private Music was produced by Nick Raskulinecz who has a pretty cool history with drummers since he produced […]

September 2025 Issue