April 2017
April 2017
Features

Matt Garstka

The Soul Machine

Story by Ken Micallef | Photos by Alex Solca
Features

Matt Chamberlain

Features Matt Chamberlain “Content” is not a word that exists in this perennial MD favorite’s lexicon, who balances his day job as a top studio drummer with chasing the muse with creative artists like Brian Haas and Bill Frisell, as…

Michael Dawson
Features

Dale Crover

Features Dale Crover The latest project from the drummer and his Melvins partner, Buzz Osborne, is hot enough to earn its own band name: Crystal Fairy. When the Melvins toured with Le Butcherettes in 2015, they’d invite the group’s vocalist,…

Michael Parillo
Features

Billy Thomas - The Time Jumper

Features Billy Thomas The Time Jumper Seeing as he’s got a recording and touring résumé as long as your arm, you’d think the longtime Vince Gill sidekick would have done pretty much everything there is to do as a first-call…

Mike Haid
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News

Keep up to date with the drum world via news items, interviews, lists, and more

Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails Swap Drummers

In a unique moment in drumming history, two bands at the top of their popularity and success have swapped drummers. The Foo Fighters have hired Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin to occupy their coveted drumming throne, and ex-Foo Fighters…

Modern Drummer
Jul 31, 2025

Foo Fighters Reportedly Select Ilan Rubin as New Drummer with a Surprising Twist 

Sources close to the Foo Fighters have indicated that Ilan Rubin will be joining as their new drummer, marking yet another significant shift for the legendary rock band. Rubin, widely recognized for his dynamic performances with Nine Inch Nails since…

Modern Drummer
Jul 30, 2025

Mike Portnoy Challenges Son Max to Learn Dream Theater’s “Honor Thy Father” on the Spot: Watch

Legendary drummer Mike Portnoy surprised his son Max by challenging him to learn and perform the Dream Theater song “Honor Thy Father” on the spot in a new Father’s Day video from the folks at Drumeo. Mike, who founded Dream…

Consequence
Jun 13, 2025

Shane Hawkins Performs Taylor Hawkins’ Real Favorite Foo Fighters Song to Play: Watch

At a drum clinic in England, Shane Hawkins, the son of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, revealed that his dad’s favorite Foos song to play was actually the track “Low,” not the tune “Aurora,” as commonly suggested. Shane took…

Consequence
Jun 2, 2025
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5th Annual Music City Drum Show

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Videos

Rig rundowns, play-throughs, interviews, and more featuring your favorite drummers

Danny Carey - TOOL - Tour Kit Rundown

Danny Carey - TOOL - Tour Kit Rundown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ7oqWdMvt8 Welcome, fellow audiophiles, drumming enthusiasts, TOOL fans, and lovers of all things progressive! Today, we've scored an exclusive backstage peek into the rhythmic labyrinth that is Danny Carey's drum kingdom for TOOL's Fear Inoculum Tour. Surrounded by instruments, Danny…

Modern Drummer
Mar 10, 2024
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Gear

Detailed assessments of the latest drum kits and accessories

Alex Van Halen Signature Snares

Alex Van Halen Signature Snares

It’s difficult to describe the massive influence that Alex Van Halen had on generations of drummers. His explosive energy, thunderous double bass technique, and unique snare sound combined with his blazing speed and showmanship helped redefine the drummer’s role in…

By Donn Bennett
Aug 1, 2025
Morgenstein Tool - Wing Thing

Morgenstein Tool - Wing Thing

Among the many dilemmas that a drummer or drum tech faces during the chaos of playing live shows, few are as maddening as the dreaded stubborn wing nut. Whether too tight, too loose, out of reach, or just plain evil,…

By Jason Mehler
Aug 1, 2025
Klaw Drum Anchor: Slip It, Grip It, Rip It!

Klaw Drum Anchor: Slip It, Grip It, Rip It!

Adam Stone of Klaw sent Modern Drummer a Klaw kick drum anchor, to try out. Klaw was designed out of necessity to help keep creeping kick drums from slipping away during play. As per Adam: “The days of cinder blocks…

By Brian Hill
Aug 1, 2025
Rustic Percussion's Padauk Temple Blocks: A True Passion For Quality

Rustic Percussion's Padauk Temple Blocks: A True Passion For Quality

Rustic Percussion was founded in 2018 by Percussionist-Drummer, Ryan Langford, in an effort to make high quality, craftsmanship worthy, percussion instruments. As well as playing these instruments on the job, Ryan is truly a wood craftsman! Rustic Percussion’s various instruments…

By Brian Hill
Aug 1, 2025
New products from Roland, Waves, LP, and Gon Bops

New products from Roland, Waves, LP, and Gon Bops

The Roland Mood Pan Roland has introduced the Mood Pan, a unique electronic hand percussion instrument that encourages anyone to discover the restorative power of music. Inspired by acoustic handpans, Mood Pan features tranquil tones and a simple design requiring no…

Modern Drummer
Aug 1, 2025
The 100 Year History of the Modern Drum Set

The 100 Year History of the Modern Drum Set

It’s difficult to imagine that the drum set of today has only been in existence for just over 100 years. The history of the modern drum set began in the late 1800’s, with a drummer being able to play the…

By Tim Northup
Jul 1, 2025
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Kit of the Month

Small But Mighty

This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Marco Segoviano. His drums are Pearl Midtown Series with a 10” rack tom and a 13” floor tom. His bass drum is 16”…

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Podcasts

Host David Frangioni goes in-depth with the biggest names in drumming

Todd Sucherman - Styx - Modern Drummer Podcast with David Frangioni #36

EXCLUSIVE: The wait is over—Todd Sucherman’s Q&A Podcast has landed! Joined by his longtime drum tech Mark Petrocelli, Todd answers your top questions submitted via social media. Host David Frangioni guides the conversation, digging into the stories, tips, and insights…

Modern Drummer
Apr 20, 2025

Johnny Rabb - Collective Soul - Modern Drummer Podcast with David Frangioni #35

Modern Drummer catches up with Collective Soul drummer Johnny Rabb and his longtime drum tech Wayne Shovlin backstage in West Palm Beach, Florida, during the Summer Camp with Trucks Tour. Hosted by David Frangioni, this episode of the Modern Drummer…

Modern Drummer
Apr 11, 2025

Jack Lawless - Jonas Brothers - Modern Drummer Podcast with David Frangioni #34

As promised, here is the podcast with Jack Lawless of the Jonas Brothers, filmed during their visit to the Seminole Hard Rock Live last year. Enjoy! Check out Jack's rundown here:    • Jack Lawless - Jonas Brothers - Tour ...       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3a_TXrSK1U&list=PLk9v-UDiMeUgmap-dWI4ZFSn47nLUmwlG&index=3

Modern Drummer
Apr 3, 2025

Jim Sonefeld - Modern Drummer Podcast with David Frangioni #33

Modern Drummer sat down with Jim Sonefeld of Hootie and the Blowfish while on the Summer Camp with Trucks tour. Watch Jim's Tour Kit Rundown Here:    • Jim Sonefeld - Hootie & The Blowfish ...     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCa1GA1yKdI&list=PLk9v-UDiMeUgmap-dWI4ZFSn47nLUmwlG&index=5

Modern Drummer
Mar 27, 2025
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Hall of Fame

A look back at the legendary drummers elected to Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame

Keith Moon Elected to Hall of Fame in 1982

Excerpted from the September 2003 issue In his last interview, published posthumously in October 1978, Keith told International Musician and Recording World, “You can’t work out things too much. We do certain build-ups and things, but you can run into…

Story by T. Bruce Wittet
Jan 10, 2022

John Bonham Elected to Hall of Fame in 1981

Excerpted from the John Bonham tribute issue, July 1984 John Bonham played, for the most part, a very simple drumkit, consisting of a 14x26 bass drum, a 12x15 small tom—at first mounted on a snare stand and later on the…

Story by T. Bruce Wittet
Jan 10, 2022

Buddy Rich Elected to Hall of Fame in 1980

Excerpted from the January 1977 issue When it comes to interviewing Buddy, one must learn to expect the unexpected. You can end up with a first rate story, or no story at all. He’s a very intense human being, with…

Story by Jim Warchol
Jan 10, 2022

Gene Krupa Elected to Hall of Fame in 1979

Excerpted from the October/November 1979 issue “I’m happy that I succeeded in doing two things: I made the drummer a high­priced guy, and I was able to draw more people to jazz.” The above quote of drum master Gene Krupa…

Story by Karen Larcombe
Jan 10, 2022
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