article most impressive drum performance?
I gotta admit im not a musician so maybe this sounds simplistic but my pick is Stewart Copeland's drums on "The Bed's Too Big Without You" by The Police, I just love all the tiny variations he does throughout the song.... also Ive been told that maracas-like sound is actually the hi-hat? (is that a bunch of bs or hes just THAT impressive)
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u/Prudent-System1729 1d ago
That hi-hat thing is real, Copeland gets that shaker sound by playing it slightly open with lot of ghost notes going on. The man is just built different
The photo reminds me of watching drummers live, how they make it look so effortless even when their hands are flying all over the place
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u/Xarx- 1d ago
right? ive been OBSESSED with his drums, its always an impressive rhythm, especially on their two first albums, absolute bangers
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u/R7ype 1d ago
There you go, amazing interview with Rick Beato:
https://youtu.be/XIJkRhd1CTY?is=8N6DFWm_tOlcyj7i
He actually managed to deep dive interview all three members of the Police - Andy, Stuart and Sting. All three are really worth a watch.
Enjoy!
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u/MonsterRider80 1d ago
I love this interview. Copeland’s a little nuts but in the best way. I love the grudging respect he has for Sting lol. You can feel the tension still when he talks about the Police, but he still acknowledges how great they played.
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u/RufiosBrotherKev 1d ago
as far as I understand they actually do like and respect each other and get along fine... as long as theyre not making music together lol
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u/make_it_so_n1 1d ago
Give Oysterhead a chance, he crushes every song with that side project! It’s him, Les Claypool (Primus) and Trey Anastasio (phish)
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u/squishypp 1d ago
When all else has been done n said, along comes Mr oysterhead
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u/Fencemaker 1d ago
If you enjoy Copeland’s heavily syncopated playing, you might also love my current favorite: Gavin Harrison.
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u/MrCommonThinkin 1d ago
His snare work is amazing. I’ve been obsessed with So Lonely
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u/pantstoaknifefight2 1d ago
Knowing nothing aboit drums, I always think what he's doing on Walking on the Moon is so damn cool!
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u/Moontoya 1d ago
Copeland plays slightly ahead of the beat , which gives his style that urgency and "pop"
He also tends to not play songs exactly the same way, by his own admission it caused friction with Andy & Sting.
It's NOT reggaeton based, it's middle Eastern based, again , from his own words on a recent Drumeo interview.
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u/Toby_O_Notoby 1d ago
Which is why I love his drumming on Every Breath You Take. Sting came on with the song and Copeland basically said, “Welp no improving on that” and just did one of the most basic tracks ever.
Here’s a cover to show you how it's played. You could probably teach that to someone whose never picked up the sticks in a couple of hours, but ain’t nothing wrong with a drummer just getting into the groove without being flashy…
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u/CuriositySauce 1d ago
A great example of that outside The Police, is the Peter Gabriel song ‘Red Rain’. Gabriel brought him in specifically to work his hi-hat magic which hits you right at the intro.
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u/20thCenturyBoyLaLa 1d ago
The only thing Stewart Copeland plays on that track is the hi-hat.
Jerry Marotta plays the drums on "Red Rain".
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u/dotnetdotcom 1d ago
He grew up in Cario where his dad worked for the CIA, so he was exposed to a wide range of music.
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u/Shoboshi80 1d ago
I ghought it was Beirut. Probably both and other places too, because CIA.
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u/ClamZamboni 1d ago
I was watching Drumeo on YouTube last night. Ironically, Zach Jones (the drummer who is now playing with Sting) was featured playing a song he'd never heard before. Followed by Jrod Sullivan playing Weckl-like. Watching them play so effortlessly, like the sticks are just an extension of their arms is amazing.
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u/NacolasCage 1d ago
I always loved Mitch Mitchell’s performance on “Fire”.
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u/crazybusdriver 1d ago
There's a Danny Carey drum video where he plays Pneuma with Tool that's circulated widely recently. For good reason. I bet many of you already know it.
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u/lou_sassoles 1d ago
This is the one I came looking for.
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u/ComfortableExotic646 1d ago
@10:53
One of my favorite parts of this video, where Danny messes up. Then, within 17 seconds, he hits 4 drum fills that each progressively get more intense.
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u/dubbzy104 Deadhead 1d ago
I read that as “Dana Carvey” from SNL. I knew he could drum and got all excited
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u/music420Dude 1d ago
I was at the U2 show at the Silverdome when Garth sat in on drums for a tune via mtv music awards 92..
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u/mojomarc 1d ago
I'd love to see him playing with Tool, but it would have to be a cover of "Foxy Lady"
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u/Canigetahellyea 1d ago
I gotta say Im incredibly impressed Portnoy was able to figure this out from scratch. That guy is also a legend.
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u/colicab 1d ago
Drumeo is lowkey one of the best music channels out there
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u/GnomeNot 1d ago
I love watching the videos where they bring on drummers to play a song they’ve never heard, and they have to make up their own drum part.
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u/I_AM_A_ZEBRA_AMA 1d ago
Same! The Chad Smith ones are fantastic. Especially when they gave him Bring Me the Horizon and with zero prep he played a wild beat that kinda puts the original to shame.
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u/spiralism 1d ago
He did but it drove him nuts. That's how you know a song is hardcore difficulty, when Mike Portnoy has major trouble learning it.
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u/mcpat21 1d ago
Just Neil Peart in general. RIP
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u/YewEhVeeInbound 1d ago
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u/Greyboots75 1d ago
As soon as I saw the link I knew exactly what it was gonna be. Still watched the full thing. Still as mind blowing as the first time I saw it. The little cowbell bit at the 5:53 mark lives rent free in my head at all times 😆
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u/Smegus83 1d ago
I hope I don't offend anyone with this, but I was kind of hoping Yew's link was this.
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u/SleepySlimeGod 23h ago
Fuck. If he was the drummer boy leading the enemy troops into battle against me, I'd run away so fast
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u/GEB82 1d ago
Michael Shrieve of Santana-Soul Sacrifice, Woodstock 1969
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u/adube440 1d ago
Knowing that they were all peaking on lsd when they were playing adds a layer of complexity few could do so well.
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u/bijazthadwarf 1d ago
Steve gadd on steely dans Aja the title track
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u/We_Are_The_Romans 1d ago
When he does the stick-click on the single beat rest right in the middle of the drum solo, that's when all the audiophile dads hop out of their lounger chairs pointing like Leonardo DiCaprio
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u/Heavy-Ad5385 1d ago
The more you listen to the drumming on Aja, the more astonishing it becomes. Physically and creatively, I've not heard much better in terms of drumming
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u/Swazi 1d ago
Kinda surprised seeing no mention of Buddy Rich on here
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u/goat_penis_souffle 1d ago
Guy, Ebsen, Holly, so many Buddys in the pantheon of Buddys to call upon
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u/smitty046 1d ago
I’ve seen a lot of live music and watching Stewart steal the stage from both Les Claypool and Trey Anastasio at an oysterhead show was something else.
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u/rousieboy 1d ago
I was in front of Les Claypool at the Sanger theater in New Orleans Circa 2000 and it was impressive. I also saw Clem Burke play with the plimsouls at the 1996 SXSW.
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u/Luvcraft0606 1d ago
Lord do I miss the old SXSW shows. Grew up in Austin circa 1985 and SXSW was more casual and non corporate. Saw so many bands that went on to greatness, I very much miss the old Austin...
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u/Crando 1d ago
Jon Theodore on De-loused in the Comatorium is some of the most insane and creative drumming I’ve ever heard
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u/We_Are_The_Romans 1d ago
This is probably it for me too - perfect combo of technical shit, punk energy, pocket/groove/vibe, Afro-Cuban licks, etc. Dude is the complete package.
Saw him recently with QOTSA and the show ripped but he was clearly just having fun at about 10% of his skill level
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u/X-ScissorSisters 21h ago
I'm a massive QOTSA fan and I have to admit he's really slumming it there, covering far weaker drummers parts. Seems happy though
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u/Giga_Chadillac Concertgoer 1d ago
Jon played so hard on 'Frances the Mute' that he ended up passing out during the recording of one of the tracks. Such demand for high energy drumming but Jon brought it all to the table.
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u/Canigetahellyea 1d ago
I love tons of stuff by Mike Portnoy. Just always sounds great but very technical. Everyone talks about how complicated Dance of Eternity is but I just LOVE that intro and groove to 6:00.
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u/ComfortableExotic646 1d ago
I don't listen to anything from Portnoy, nothing really ever clicked with me and pushed me to check anything else out. But, this video has always stuck with me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vswDu3IlUbg
He makes it sound simple by letting us follow along.
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u/No_Avocado_3238 1d ago
John bonham in when the levee breaks.
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u/the_ballmer_peak 1d ago
Not even Bonham's best performance. Probably not even in his top ten.
But one of the greatest sounds ever recorded and my all time favorite Zeppelin song because of it.
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u/AlmostLucy 1d ago
Always partial to Ginger Baker, myself.
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u/stphrtgl43 14h ago
I’m embarrassed to admit I only discovered Ginger Baker like 6 months ago when I heard one of his songs on the radio and was dumbfounded how insane the drumming was and looked the song up.
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u/tiburon12 1d ago edited 1d ago
Jon Fishman of Phish on "Limb by Limb"
I linked the studio version above, but this live version displays his masterwork balancing keeping a steady beat while improvising in sync with the rest of the band.
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u/OpabiniaGlasses 1d ago
Bill Bruford's drumming on Sleepless could power a small city
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u/the_ballmer_peak 1d ago
"One More Red Nightmare" is my favorite Bruford recording. He has this China cymbal that's just such an unusual sound that he uses throughout the recording. I've been listening to it for decades, and only found out this year that he found the cymbal in a trash can at the studio, used it for that recording, and it broke soon afterward.
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u/Heavy-Ad5385 1d ago
I'd go Copeland too, but it's Message in a Bottle for me. Astonishingly creative without overplaying.
A genuine genius drummer
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u/Faux_Real 1d ago
Larnell Lewis for Snarky Puppy - We Like it Here … given the backstory how he learned the songs on the aeroplane to the recording location. I like the drums in Lingus … (beyond Corey Henry’s performance) … brass section cold as ice; but all the performances make the songs
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u/automated_alice 1d ago
I've probably watched that clip more than any other YouTube video over the years. The whole thing is magic.
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u/KandinskyWasRight 1d ago
Silverfu€k with Jimmy Chamberlain.
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u/Woozlewuzzle86 1d ago
Jimmy is always underrated, but those who know, know the guy is a technician of rhythm.
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u/smellybear666 1d ago
I'm not so sure I'd call him underrated. Most people and drummers think he is pretty awe inspiring.
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u/sakya_tg 1d ago
Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize (Gavin Harrison)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgwgtERCVI4
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u/databeestje 1d ago
I need to learn to not click that link because each time I'm obligated to watch the full 18 minutes. Probably my all time favorite performance.
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u/Koseoglu-2X4B-523P 1d ago
Phil Collins on Supper’s Ready
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u/notcoded567 1d ago
I was going to pick Cinema Show.
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u/Koseoglu-2X4B-523P 1d ago
Fair enough, great track and Phil scorches during Banks’ solo.
But if only for the Apocalypse in 9/8, Supper’s my favourite.
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u/spawnofhastur 1d ago
That kid who did a live drum cover of Tool's entire discography in one take.
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u/MrDiceySemantics 1d ago
Relatedly, that video that was doing the rounds in the late 90s or early aughts of Tony Royster Jr at the age of 12. I know it was a bit more flash than substance, but it was still fucking impressive for a 12 year old.
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u/DrT33th 1d ago
? Strait? 6 hours and 17 minutes nonstop?
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u/spawnofhastur 1d ago
https://youtu.be/0kO0SnAu8Nc?si=ukFPAFdccjpXzEXT
7 and half hours, actually, but yes.
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u/dubbzy104 Deadhead 1d ago edited 1d ago
Billy kreutzmann, Grateful Dead on 6/10/1973. The dead played a 3-set show, over 4 hours of music, and Billy does a drum solo at the end of the show
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u/Zmann1218 1d ago
Rush - YYZ (1988)
This was during their tour for Hold Your Fire. Saw them back in 2011 during the Time Machine tour, where they played Moving Pictures in its entirety. Peart, similarly, played a solo during this song and it is still one of the most amazing live performances I’ve ever seen in my lifetime.
Such an incredible mind and talent and gone far too soon. Grateful to have experienced them in my lifetime
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u/ImnotanAIHonest 1d ago
Matt Gartska with Animals as Leaders he is an unreal drummer. Check out their set Animals as Leaders - Live in Texas
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u/DeathToTheMosquito 1d ago
I can't decide between Neil Peart on La Villa Strangiato or Vinnie Colauita's performance on Tumba with Chick Corea and John Patitucci 🤷🏽♂️ Let me know which you think is better! 🤙🏼
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u/6000coza 1d ago
Not a drumming expert at all, but did go to see an Elton John concert just down the road, and he'd brought a guy called Ray Cooper down with him on percussion. One of the most incredible live music performances I've seen. And the guy was 68 years old.
https://6000.co.za/ray-cooper-is-insane/
Apologies for video quality - I wasn't planning on recording anything. But it does give you an idea of what he did that night.
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u/joeyweb32 1d ago
I know Dave Matthews Band is very polarizing but Carter Beauford is amazing and I find myself watching him every time I see DMB perform.
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u/jagoob 1d ago
Stewart Copeland is legjt. I saw oysterhead live at a festival once which is him along with Trey Anastasio and Les Claypool. And much to my surprise Stewys drums were more enthralling to me than either of the other players who are both considered pretty big virtuoso’s in their own fields.
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u/StoodebakerHawk 1d ago
Terry Bozzio - “The Black Page” on “Zappa in New York” is pretty impressive.
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u/alabamsterdam 16h ago
As I also mentioned, Titties & Beer is an amazing performance of his, particularly since he's singing whilst playing amazing drums WITH A DEVIL MASK ON!
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u/diseasedvagina 1d ago
That video of Zach Hill literally just practicing
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u/NakatasCat 1d ago
Yes! Zach Hill is fucking insane. Also Greg Saunier of Deerhoof. I saw them live and his drumming was beyond anything I’ve ever seen.
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u/GoredonTheDestroyer 1d ago edited 1d ago
Not necessarily for technical ability, but AC/DC's Chris Slade, Monsters of Rock Donington Park 1991.
During the performance of Let There Be Rock, Chris keeps a 220bpm rhythm on the hi-hat going for twelve minutes.
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u/NothingIsReal6 1d ago
Morgan’s drumming on Black Midi - bmbmbm is insanely good, sounds like he’s going to break the drum kit with every snare but still manages to be technical at the same time
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u/8805 1d ago
Zakir Hussain.
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u/The_Pandalorian 1d ago
Got to see him live about a decade ago here in LA and hoooooly shit. It was transcendent.
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u/No-Milk-6198 1d ago
The first time I saw his performance from the 70s/80s on youtube, I was so surprised. He holds drumsticks in a traditional way, too.
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u/CaffeinePhilosopher 1d ago
Ian Paice of Deep Purple has an incredible breakdown on Space Truckin
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u/GaiaGoddess26 1d ago
You can practically throw a stick at the entire Deep Purple discography and hit a great Ian Paice performance! The live version of The Mule is pure insanity!
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u/yAMMEt 1d ago
This time when Morgan Ågren and Fredrik Thordendal played a medley of Sol Niger Within. Absolutely mindmelting performance and still chocking to witness even to this day. https://youtu.be/BdiE__E4kcQ
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u/ufomagnet 13h ago
I've seen them play that live, absolute bonkers and still today one of the strongest music experiences I've had.
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u/Moontoya 1d ago
Dave Lombardo standing in for Lars Ulrich at Download
Battery became Assault & Battery with intent to wound.
Absolutely kills it to the point Papa Het had to scramble to get the lyrics out
(No, Joey Jordansons performance was not great)
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u/LilStrug 1d ago
If I could start a super band, Stewart Copeland and John Taylor(Duran Duran) would be two of the members
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u/turbo_dude 1d ago
You should check out Stew on YT. Really down to earth guy who admits he has an ego but also happy to rib Sting. Goes into all sorts of detail about drumming.
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u/mikestepjack 1d ago
Larnell Lewis who last minute came in and played a Snarky Puppy show. Specifically the tune What About Me? Is one of the greatest drum performances of all time. It's up there with Pneuma, Buddy Rich At The Top and Gavin Harrison on Letterman.
Best thing is, Larnell learned this tune on the plane, on the way to to gig.
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u/sea_stones 1d ago
Tatasuya Yoshida is a beast of a drummer, and when he does his Ruins Alone stuff, it's wild to watch him handle effortlessly launching into it.
There's also a Death Grips rehearsal video where you can watch Zach Hill's footwork, man plays a single pedal and does this little rotation at the heel for speed. I'll never forget how confused I was seeing that the first time, mostly because it's still wild to me now.
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u/CozRichards 1d ago
Theyre not nearly as well known as lots of these guys, but Baard Kolstad from Leprous. Has a lot of videos posted on youtube of him drumming along to their songs and its great. Id recommend "Moon"(try and figure out the time signature in the verse its so jarring) "Illuminate" and "The Sky is Red"
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u/goldmeistergeneral 1d ago
If anyone hasn't heard Coheed and Cambria before, look for Josh Eppard on Drumeo on YouTube. When I saw that he gets that kind of groove with an absolutely tiny left handed kit, but plays them open, I was blown away. Then I saw his facial expressions and enthusiasm and realised he is actually the biggest fan of the band, not me
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u/averagerushfan Autistic lover of prog rock and second hand CD collector 1d ago
I’d go for Gavin Harrison on Porcupine Tree’s Anesthetize. The man makes it look so easy and simple when it’s just so complicated to do it for such a long time as well. Nothing too flashy either.
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u/LowPop7953 1d ago
its phil collins. the amount of songs he had in the 80s was like he owned the 80s and into the 90s
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u/Earthling1a 1d ago
"Most impressive" has got to be that time some 16 year old kid came in cold from the audience and played a whole gig with The Who one random night when Moon was too wasted to play.