
Nicko McBrain

Photos from the 2021 Modern Drummer Festival For the second year in a row, the global pandemic chased the Modern Drummer Festival to an online venue. But we were unbowed. Presented by the MD team and produced by Thom Mozloom’s crew at M Network, we were able to unleash one …

“Metropolis—Part I” by Dream Theater [Mike Portnoy].@ptrlcc “Chemical Warfare” by Slayer [Dave Lombardo].@nickkcuevas “Hemispheres” by Rush [Neil Peart]. The first section is so tough on the hi-hat.@mconrad332 “Around the World” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers [Chad Smith].@_rywill22 “Just like Heaven” by the Cure [Boris Williams].Eric Heumann “Rosas del Amor” …

It’s that time of year again, when the drummers of the world show love for the most compelling players of the past twelve months. Find out how your favorites did.

Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain may refer to himself as “The Thrasher,” adding that he has “no coordination” and “no technique.” Don’t believe him for a minute! Being as modest as he is about his talents, McBrain won’t tell you that his work on Maiden’s recent LP Powerslave, is some of …

Brann Dailor, Ray Luzier, Eric Harland, Jimmy Paxson, Nicko McBrain, Dennis Diken, Tim Alexander, Matt Wilson, Ryan Hoyle, Karl Latham, Corey Pierce, Brian Delaney, Steve Smith, Zakir Hussain, Neil Peart, Rashied Ali

Jason Bittner, Travis Barker, Nicko McBrain, Rob Morgenstein, Russ Miller, Famoudou Don Moye, Stanton Moore, Danny Gottlieb, Don Brewer, Aaron Harris, Peter Wildoer, Joey Jordison, Mike Mangini, Simin Phillips

Brad Wilk, Joe Morello, Atom Willard, Gene Hoglan, Tony Williams, Bun E. Carlos, Frank Katz, Michael Bland, Keith Carlock, Mark O’Connell, LaFrae Sci, Flo Mounier, Shawn Pelton, Phil Collins, Danny Carey, Nicko McBrain, Alan White, Peter Erskine

Stanton Moore, Fabrizio Moretti, Buddy Harman, Carlton Barrett, William Goldsmith, Mike Terrana, Jim Keltner, Poncho Sanchez, Brendan Hill, Andy Granelli, Chad Butler, Chad Smith, Nicko McBrain, Mark Zonder

Abe Laboriel Jr., Robby Ameen, Rashied Ali, Dave Weckl, Rick Allen, Kris Kohls, Jon Fishman, Ben Mize, Steve Houghton, Louie Appel, Alan White, Lionel Hampton, Ringo Starr, Travis Barker, Danny Carey, Nicko McBrain, Rocky Bryant

Tré Cool, Wuv, Nicko McBrain, Dave Krusen, Phil Ehart, Trey Gray, Steve Gadd, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Peter Erskine, Neil Peart, Mel Lewis, Roy Burns, Mark Parsons, Rick Van Horn, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, John Bonham, Tito Puente, Alan Dawson, Gary Chester, Eric Carr, Larrie Londin, Art Blakey, Philly Joe …

In this Issue: Jeff Porcaro, Nicko McBrain, Ed Blackwell, Rashied Ali, Andrew Cyrille, Milford Graves

Joe Morello, David Uosikkinen, Barriemore Barlow, Rod Morgenstein, Mel Gaynor, Ndugu Chancler, Gene Chrisman, Ian Mosely, Neil Peart, Nicko McBrain

Tony Thompson, Nicko McBrain, Paul Wertico, Peter Erskine, Odie Payne Jr., Casey Jones, Morris Jennings, Jimmy Tillman, Kevan McKenzie, Philly Joe Jones, Papa Jo Jones, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mel Lewis, Steve Smith
Posted: June 15, 2020

Tommy Lee Rocks All Access Hits with Host David Frangioni Livecast
Lee bashing out the groove to “Dr. Feelgood” for the Modern Drummer webcast audience on June 11. Revealing All Access Hits with Host David Frangioni Webinar Digs Deep into Lee’s Creative Process and Drum Techniques Tommy Lee, one of the most recognizable drummers on the planet, provided drum fans with …
Posted: June 30, 2016

August 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg
(Available in print and digitally June 30, 2016) Print Copy ○ iTunes ○ Amazon ○ GooglePlay ○ Subscribe On the Cover Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg “They didn’t want a copycat, so I needed to play it in my own way. I can’t play it any other way.” Taking the place of …
Posted: June 30, 2016
August 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg
(Available in print and digitally June 30, 2016) Print Copy ○ iTunes ○ Amazon ○ GooglePlay ○ Subscribe On the Cover Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg “They didn’t want a copycat, so I needed to play it in my own way. I can’t play it any other way.” Taking the place of …
Posted: March 19, 2014
Sunny Leejean of Activator and the Meaning of Life
My search for a drum sound has been an active one. I’ve played everything from an old-school “tube??? Tama from the late-’80s to fusion-size Pearl, Yamaha, and PDP drumkits….
Posted: March 14, 2014
Mastodon
Live at Brixton
Mastodon’s sold-out show at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on February 11, 2012, was captured on film, and now it’s available as a digital-only product.
Posted: March 13, 2013
Former Iron Maiden Drummer Clive Burr Dies at 56
Clive Burr, who played on Iron Maiden’s first three albums in the early 1980s, passed away on March 12 at age fifty-six after a long fight against multiple sclerosis. A statement on the band’s Facebook page says Burr “died peacefully in his sleep at home.???
Posted: January 28, 2013
NAMM 2013 in Photos
It’s that time of year again, when the makers of dreams—or at least the equipment that helps them come true—show off the latest and greatest gear that will be available in the upcoming months. What’s the catch? Not everyone is invited! Never fear, the Modern Drummer editors have it covered. …
Posted: April 25, 2012
New Gear For 2012! Highlights From Winter NAMM (N–R)
Here are some of the coolest new products coming down the pipeline for 2012, all of which were on display at the annual Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, this past January (Part 3).
Posted: April 12, 2012
Premier Spirit of Maiden Drumset
The Spirit of Maiden drumset was designed exclusively by Premier and Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain.
Posted: December 6, 2010

David Phillips: "A Drummer’s Perspective???
Photo by Marc Rouve You can probably guess I dabble a bit on the old drumkit myself, and it is always difficult trying to explain to someone what it looks like sitting on that throne—the best seat in the house. With my images in the book I try to give …
Posted: December 6, 2010
David Phillips: “A Drummer’s Perspective???
Photo by Marc Rouve You can probably guess I dabble a bit on the old drumkit myself, and it is always difficult trying to explain to someone what it looks like sitting on that throne—the best seat in the house. With my images in the book I try to give …
Posted: August 25, 2010
Rick Henry of Havana Rocks
My name’s Rick, and I’m the drummer for Yorkshire hard rock outfit Havana Rocks. I thought it would be cool to share some info about me and the band with all the MD readers. Well, what can I say, I live, eat, and breathe to drum. I started playing at …
Posted: January 20, 2010
Paiste Cymbals: Inside Paiste
A dozen Paiste players give props to their cymbal maker of choice. Paiste has more than a thousand artists who endorse the company’s products, ranging from industry icons to up-and-coming players. Here, a cool dozen give props to their cymbal maker of choice…
Posted: June 18, 2009
Stephen Perkins: Jane’s Addiction
Talking with Perkins, you get the vibe that the L.A.–based rocker’s life is way more than hitting the skins for the duration of a show or recording session….
Posted: May 12, 2004
Brann Dailor of Mastodon
For Mastodon drummer Brann Dailor, playing in a band named after a huge prehistoric beast makes perfect sense. “When I’m performing or writing,” Dailor says, “I sometimes think, That definitely sounds like a Mastodon part.”
Posted: May 12, 2004
Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden
We managed to track down Nicko McBrain in Madrid, Spain while in the midst of Iron Maiden’s successful world tour….
Posted: May 12, 2004
John Macaluso
When your first major tour includes a make-believe club date performing for surrealist director David Lynch and actor Nicolas Cage, you know your career has taken an unorthodox turn….
Posted: June 14, 2019

MD Podcast Episode 196: Nicko McBrain, Cymbal Chokes, Calderwood Percussion Piccolo Snare, and More
Mike and Mike discuss July 2019 cover artist Nicko McBrain of legendary metal band Iron Maiden. The education segment focuses on creative ways to incorporate cymbal chokes. Up for review is a funky 3.75×12 piccolo snare by Calderwood Percussion.