
Stephen Perkins

How should drums fit into a song, and how can you make the drums become another hook within a song? When you think about the word “hook,” it’s something you get hooked on that you want to have over and over, but it’s also something unpredictable—like when a fish gets …

Some of the worlds greatest drummers and industry members share their memories of what Neil Peart has meant to them.

This past May 5, the percussionist, educator, and author Richie Gajate-Garcia received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois, in recognition of his contributions to the areas of the arts and music education. Gajate-Garcia is the author of four instructional books, a faculty instructor at …

His eternal smile and energy are impossible to forget, and whether he’s playing just a shaker and a pair of bongos or bashing home the finale of one of Jane’s Addiction’s more heady epics, his drive and feel are inspirational.

“No matter how many times you listen to Live at Leeds, it surprises,” says MD Pro Panelist Stephen Perkins, who’s been touring with Jane’s Addiction behind its latest studio album, The Great Escape Artist.

Tré Cool, Aaron Harris, Uriel Jones, Benjamin Corbett, Butch Trucks, Stephen Perkins, Jojo Mayer, Trivett Wingo, Jerry Shirley, Scott Johnson, Larry Herweg, John Moen, Chris Vatalaro, Jeff Friedl, Roy Hanes, Bernard Purdie

Stephen Perkins, Chris McHugh, Jeff Hamilton, Adam Carson, Mark Guiliana, Paul Motian, Scott Rockenfield, Abe Fogel, Thomas Pridgen, Trevor Friedrich, Jack DeJohnette, Brian Tichy, Myles Heskett, Tony Williams, Jason McGerr, Butch Miles, Ed Shaughnessy, Bruce Gary

John Otto, Ron Spagnardi, Terry Bozzio, Bill Bruford, Simon Phillips, Carter Beauford, Chad Cromwell, Tim Alexander, Josh Freese, Steve Smith, Stephen Perkins, Gary Husband, Gordon Heckaman, Jason Bittner, Martin Atkins, Tony Thompson, Thomas Lang, Matt Sorum, Abe Laboriel Jr.

Keith Carlock, Steve White, Mike Marsh, Abe Cunningham, Stephen Perkins, Jaimoe Marc Quiñones, Butch Trucks, Terry Bozzio, Pat Mastelotto, Babatunde Olatunji, Spüg, Stewart Copeland, Gregg Bissonette

Matt Cameron, Zoro, Billy Ward, Dave Lombardo, Rod Morgenstein, Stephen Perkins, Roger Hawkins, Paul Wertico, Kevan McKenzie, John Otto, Prairie Prince, Lee Rudnicki, Ted Moore, Roy Hanes, Jay Schellen, John Riley, Joe Morello, Daniel Glass, Russ McKinnon, Mark Griffith, Bun E. Carlos, Jack Gavin, Herman Matthews

Kenny Aronoff, Matt Cameron, Bordin, Stephen Perkins, Chris Vrenna, Tim “Herb” Alexander, Josh Freese, Louie Weaver, Steven Drozd, Alexis Fleisig, Mike Musburger, Dale Crover, Barrett Martin, Brian Reitzell, Dan Peters, J. Mascis, Carl Allen, Jeremy Taggart, Ray Marchica, Michael Urbano, Mark Zonder, Chuck Silverman, Eric Kretz, Mike Bordin, Charlie Cooley, …
Horacio “el Negro” Hernandez, Jeff Hamilton, Zachary Alford, Robin Goodridge, Tony Coleman, Joey DeFrancesco, Bill Saragosa, Paul Fox, Michael Shrieve, Fred Young, Donny Brown, Carl Palmer, Stephen Perkins, David Garibaldi

In this Issue: Stephen Perkins, Shane Evans, Zach Danziger, Jason Finn, Chad Gracey, Milton Cardona, Butch Vig, Willie Ornelas, Billy Exiner, Dave Mattacks, Rick Allen, Charlie Watts, Adrian Young, Herman Matthews, Tim “Herb” Alexander, Steve Smith,
In this Issue: Richie Hayward, Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, Stephen Perkins, Mike Portnoy, Gregg Bissonette, Kenwood Dennard, Rayford Griffin, Alan White, Fergal Lawler

In this issue: Larrie Londin, Stephen Perkins
Posted: October 12, 2022

Jane’s Addiction and Smashing Pumpkins Tour
By Alex Kluft Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction kicked off the opening night of their tour at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. This dream 90’s tour will end at the Hollywood Bowl on November 19th. For Jane’s Addiction, this was their first show with original bassist Eric Avery in 12 …
Posted: July 25, 2019

Chris Hornbrook of Dhani Harrison
Howdy MD people! Chris Hornbrook here, drummer for Dhani Harrison, doing a little road update from our big summer tour, opening for Jeff Lynne’s ELO.
Posted: January 29, 2019

Anthony Citrinite of The Collective and MeetHook in On The Beat
Dear MD! My name is Anthony Citrinite and I have been lucky enough to play drums professionally for many years with a number of great bands including Boston, Coheed & Cambria, and currently with Embers Only.
Posted: January 13, 2017
Bonzo Bash NAMM 2017
The first of these shows that Tichy & Sutton have produced, took place on September 25th, 2010, on the 30th anniversary of Bonham’s passing. They have since taken the show to both coasts, with BashFest 2017 sure to be the mightiest one yet.
Posted: July 1, 2016
Stephen Perkins on Jane’s Addiction’s Twenty-Fifth-Anniversary Ritual De Lo Habitual Shows
Modern Drummer Online caught up with Stephen Perkins while he was prepping for a clinic tour and some dates with Jane’s Addiction, commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the group’s watershed album Ritual De Lo Habitual.
Posted: May 2, 2016
Purple’s Hanna Brewer on Bodacious
Texas trio Purple has released its second album, Bodacious, which makes for another great showcase for Hanna Brewer’s many talents. Modern Drummer Online asked Brewer about the making of album, and about her background as a singing drummer….
Posted: April 22, 2015
Drummer Blog: Salvador Placencia and Garrett Ray of Fool’s Gold
Greetings drummers of the modern age! We are Salvador Placencia and Garrett Ray, percussionist and drummer for the band Fool’s Gold from Los Angeles. We thought it would be fun to interview each other to give you a little insight on who we are and what we’ve been up to …
Posted: March 2, 2015
Drummer Blog: Jody Porter From Fountains of Wayne Checks In on Drums
Hola, drum mods! It’s Jody Porter here from the band Fountains of Wayne. I play a guitar by trade but also drums among other things on my new solo LP, Month of Mondays….
Posted: February 13, 2015
News: Stephen Perkins, Matt Starr, and Steven Adler Among the Participants in Third-Annual “Rock Against MS??? Benefit Concert
The third-annual Rock Against MS returns to the Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood with yet another amazing all-star lineup. The rock-fueled concert will help raise funding for notable publicist Nancy B. Sayle, as well as for the new foundation benefiting those living with MS….
Posted: January 27, 2015

The Modern Drummer Podcast Episode 3 With Stephen Perkins
Modern Drummer speaks to the drummer with Jane’s Addiction following a series of concerts dedicated to the band’s classic album Nothing’s Shocking….
Posted: January 27, 2015
The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 3 With Stephen Perkins
Modern Drummer speaks to the drummer with Jane’s Addiction following a series of concerts dedicated to the band’s classic album Nothing’s Shocking….
Posted: January 16, 2015
California Music Fest Combines John Bonham, Randy Rhoads, and Keith Moon/John Entwistle Tributes
Scheduled to coincide with the 2015 National Association of Music Merchants convention—the NAMM Show—the California Music Fest will present tribute concerts to Led Zeppelin drummer John “Bonzo??? Bonham, Ozzie Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads, and the Who’s great rhythm section, drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle.
Posted: December 10, 2014
News: Guitar Center’s 26th-Annual Drum-Off Finals Brings Together Legendary Drummers to Celebrate the Nation’s Best Undiscovered Talent
Five talented drummers from across the country have been chosen from over 5,000 drummers entered in more than 1,000 local competitions nationwide to compete as finalists in Guitar Center’s 26th Annual Drum-Off, the world’s premier drum competition….
Posted: August 8, 2014
Stephen Perkins and Rock Against MS Present…
Stephen Perkins, drummer of Jane’s Addiction will lead the BEAT MS Drum Circle Sunday August 10th at the Paramount Ranch nestled in Agoura Hills, CA.
Posted: August 28, 2013
October 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer Featuring Mike Portnoy
October 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Mike Portnoy Contents
Posted: August 1, 2013
Guitar Center Launches Its 25th Annual Drum-Off Competition
Guitar Center’s Drum-Off launches its 25th annual search for the next great undiscovered drummer.
Posted: June 28, 2013
Modern Drummer’s 2013 Readers Poll Winners
The results are in for the longest-running, most prestigious drummer poll in the world. Without further ado, here are your winners for 2013….
Posted: June 3, 2013
July 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Carter Beauford
See what’s in the July 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Drummer Carter Beauford of Dave Matthews Band
Posted: March 28, 2013
The May 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer
See what’s in the May 2013 issue of Modern Drummer magazine….
Posted: March 18, 2013
Guitar Center to Launch Its First Musician’s Expo
Guitar Center to showcase the latest music products shown at the NAMM tradeshow in January, offering the public unprecedented access to preview products before they hit Guitar Center stores later this year.
Posted: March 13, 2013
Frank Zummo of Street Drum Corps and thenewno2
This year kicked off with Street Drum Corps debuting our new show “Lost Vegas??? at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas….
Posted: March 4, 2013
The April 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Tommy Igoe
Look here to see the contents of the April 2013 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, featuring Tommy Igoe….
Posted: February 20, 2013
Beats, Brews, & Banter with John Morgan Kimock of XVSK and Steve Kimock’s Band
Philly Drum Project’s monthly event, Beats, Brews, & Banter, will continue on Monday, March 4th at Roosevelt’s Pub at the corner of 23rd and Walnut in Philadelphia. The event will run from 7-9pm and feature John Morgan Kimock….
Posted: July 6, 2012
Luke Johnson of Lostprophets
My name is Luke Johnson, and I play drums in the band Lostprophets. We’re currently touring our fifth studio album, Weapons….
Posted: May 18, 2012
Stephen Perkins Performs “Who Are You??? at Guitar Center Clinic (Video)
Check out this video of Jane’s Addiction’s Stephen Perkins conducting a Guitar Center Session. In the clip Stephen performs The Who’s “Who Are You,??? paying homage to the late, great Keith Moon.
Posted: May 16, 2012
Influences: Jane’s Addiction’s Stephen Perkins
As Jane’s Addiction continues its successful Theatre of the Escapists tour, a new generation of fans is being hipped to the ecstatic tribal glam event that is a Jane’s show—and to the uniquely galloping drumming approach of Stephen Perkins. In the latest installment of Modern Drummer magazine’s Influences series, we …
Posted: February 1, 2012
What You Need to Know About…Drum Thrones
by Billy Brennan The throne is the foundation of any player’s groove and is an incredibly important purchase for any prospective customer. As is a common theme in drum-related products, there’s no right or wrong choice—round versus saddle style, soft versus firm, and spindle versus hydraulic are just a few …
Posted: December 1, 2011
Mike Watt: Pouncing on Opportunities
Mike Watt is a flesh-and-blood superhero to anyone who’s followed the do-it-yourself alternative music scene over the past twenty-five years. This interview originally ran in the December 2006 issue of Modern Drummer magazine.
Posted: November 11, 2011
Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction Discusses His Forthcoming Art Collection, Time
On November 15, Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins will present his first foray into the world of visual art with Time, the second collection in the Art of Drums series. Drums is the brainchild of SceneFour, a Los Angeles–based creativity house that has worked with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Chuck …
Posted: August 1, 2011
Guitar Center’s Drum-Off, World’s Largest Drumming Competition, Kicks-Off
Guitar Center has announced the launch of the 23rd annual Guitar Center’s Drum-Off the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered drummer.
Posted: June 1, 2011
A Different View:
Duff McKagan
The Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver founder on the great drummers he’s worked with—including Isaac Carpenter, who tears up The Taking, the third album by Duff’s band Loaded.
Posted: April 15, 2011
Brian Tichy: Bonzo Tribute
On September 25, 2010, the thirtieth anniversary of the passing of John Bonham, Whitesnake’s Brian Tichy assembled a cast of eighteen top-notch drummers at Hollywood’s Key Club to pay tribute to the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer. According to Tichy, the uniqueness of the event, dubbed “The Groove Remains the Same,??? …
Posted: August 19, 2010
Brian Reitzell: Total Immersion In Sound
Brian Reitzell came to attention in the early ’90s as the drummer with LA pop-punk band Redd Kross, touring with them and playing on the albums Phaseshifter and Show World. As great as the music on those records is, though, it hardly prepared fans for the depth and breath of …
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: October 15, 2006
Stephen Perkins: A Drummer’s Life Less Ordinary
With several projects going at the moment–including two bands, a performance DVD, and several clinic appearances–it’s clear that no one is more committed to drumming than Stephen Perkins….
Posted: May 12, 2004
Stephen Perkins
The candle that burns twice as brightly burns half as long. That saying seems appropriate when discussing the flare-out of a staggeringly influential band like LA’s alternative rock pioneers Jane’s Addiction…
Posted: May 12, 2004

Drum Nation: Top Drummers Unite On New Recording
You may have spotted the advertisement for a unique CD titled Drum Nation. It represents the music of drummers, created outside of the constraints of record labels. Terry Bozzio, Josh Freese, Bill Bruford, Steve Smith, and Stephen Perkins are just a few of the top players involved….
Posted: January 27, 2015

The Modern Drummer Podcast Episode 3 With Stephen Perkins
Modern Drummer speaks to the drummer with Jane’s Addiction following a series of concerts dedicated to the band’s classic album Nothing’s Shocking….
Posted: January 27, 2015
The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 3 With Stephen Perkins
Modern Drummer speaks to the drummer with Jane’s Addiction following a series of concerts dedicated to the band’s classic album Nothing’s Shocking….