They are said to form the backbone of a band. Can one possibly imagine Led Zeppelin songs without John Bonham’s pounding drumming or Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit without the attacking drum intro?! Well, such is the power that drummers emanate, as they lend shape and structure to any given song. t2 takes a look at eight percussionists drumming up a storm!
Jen Ledger
Associated acts: She arrived in the United States on a music scholarship in 2006, and was discovered by the founding members of the symphonic metal and American Christian rock band Skillet two years later. She has been playing (and singing) with the group for 10 years now.
Influences: Alternative rock and grunge drummer Dave Grohl’s passionate style has largely influenced Ledger’s style of playing. Traces of grunge drummers such as Chad Channing and Dan Peters also run through her way of playing.
Style: Ledger’s style has been described by her band mates as “edgy and rocky” with pop elements. Her snare work is defined by precision and power.
Listen to: Awake and Alive, Not Dead Yet, Monster.
Sartorial choices: Possibly best defined as a cross between punk and goth, Ledger’s look consists of tattered leather or denim jackets, lots of black and blue hues, with her hair dyed in different colours at different times.
Steve Gadd
Associated acts: From James Brown, Al Di Meola, Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney to George Benson, Gadd has played with the best.
Influences: Jazz drummer Gene Krupa was one of his childhood favourites.
Style: Regarded as one of the greatest session drummers of all time, his distinctly sensitive style of playing has shaped the sound of artistes across genres. Stylistically, he’s incredibly versatile. He plays swing and funk grooves with as much feel as he plays rock numbers with crispness and precision.
Listen to: A Spanish Song, No More Blues, Sly Boots.
Sartorial choices: Simple cotton tees, occasionally paired with a denim jacket, and cargo or denim pants have mostly defined the drummer’s look on stage.
Nicko McBrain
Associated acts: He started out as the drummer for English rock group The Streetwalkers in 1975, after which he was part of the French group Trust. In 1982 he replaced then Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr and continues to play with the group to this day.
Influences: He started out doing covers of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, even though it was Joe Morello’s work with The Dave Brubeck Quartet that had initially got him fired up to play.
Style: Famously known for his refusal to play the double bass, considering it “undrummerish”, his right foot technique is fast and some of his rock grooves bear a rare swing rhythm, alongside odd-meter breaks.
Listen to: Where Eagles Dare, Alexander The Great, The Wicker Man.
Sartorial choices: Grey, black, or blue tees, occasionally striped or with more colourful prints, sleeves showing off the tattooed upper arms, teamed with a pair of shorts, and blonde hair left open is the only look McBrain needs to sport on stage.
Sheila E.
Associated acts: She began as a percussionist and singer for The George Duke Band in the 1970s, and then went on to play with the likes of Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Prince and Michael Jackson. She was also a part of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band in the early 2000.
Influences: Her father, Pete Escovedo, was a percussionist himself, and she grew up listening to him play with his band. She was also hooked to the music of bands like Santana and Credence Clearwater Revival.
Style: A crisp, Latin-esque polyrhythmic style of playing, alongside funky bass drum patterns, occasional hi-hat barks and Motown grooves.
Listen to: The Glamorous Life, Bittersweet, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough.
Sartorial choices: Leotards and thigh-high boots eventually gave way to draped dresses and six-inch stilettos for her look, keeping the fashion quotient high.
Brian Blade
Associated acts: Blade has played with Bob Dylan as well as bass player John Patitucci and saxophonist Wayne Shorter.
Influences: Growing up, Blade’s most formative influence had been his brother, Brady Jr, who used to play as a drummer at their local church.
Style: Blade’s motto, when it comes to playing, in his own words is “always be reacting”. His style is quirky and full-bodied with the occasional abrupt smash on the ride cymbal, and cutting-edge improvisation.
Listen to: State Lines, Folklore, Season of Changes.
Sartorial choices: Simple and easy-going, mostly sporting shirts or sweatshirts in sombre shades of black, grey or blue, teamed with denims or trousers.
Travis Barker
Associated acts: Barker had joined the punk band Blink-182 back in 1998. He recorded and toured with the group throughout the early years of the new millennium, having last worked on their seventh studio album California in 2016. He has also played with the likes of rap/rock super group Transplants, rock band The Aquabats and even rapper Yelawolf.
Influences: In a 2012 interview, Barker had revealed The Muppets’ drummer Animal to be “his first hero”. Additionally, he is also a fan of John Bonham, Tool’s Danny Carey and Alex Van Halen.
Style: Barker is known to have a penchant for not just the percussion, but also music production. Above everything else, his style and technique is very well-rounded. Some of his works with Blink -182 were heavy on reggae-based grooves.
Listen to: Adam’s Song, Crank That.
Sartorial choices: A fused reflection of punk and hip-hop culture, dominated by baggy tees and pants, DC sneakers and a sleeve of tattoos up to his neck!
Joey Jordison
Associated acts: Jordison is undoubtedly known the world over as the drummer of thrash/nu metal band Slipknot, which he was a part of till 2013, after which he founded Scar The Martyr. He currently plays with the bands Vimic and Sinsaenum.
Influences: Jordison’s sensibilities as a musician was greatly informed by Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham. He is also known to admire Neil Peart, The Who drummer Keith Moon, and considers Metallica’s Lars Ulrich to be one of the best drummers in the world.
Style: The nu metal ‘speed demon’s’ double bass kick work and syncopated rhythmic playing remain inimitable.
Listen to: Duality, Psychosocial, Skin Ticket.
Sartorial choices: Almost always dressed in all black, with open hair till beyond his shoulders, and sporting a Japanese Noh mask back during his Slipknot days, Jordison’s fashion statements remain as unique as his percussive style.
Cindy Blackman Santana
Associated acts: Lenny Kravitz during the 1990s, playing with him during tours, and also worked with guitarist Buckethead. She continues to play with Carlos Santana as his touring drummer.
Influences: Blackman had grown up listening extensively to Miles Davis, and like most jazz drummers, the likes of Tony Williams, Roy Haynes and Art Blakey have had a lasting impact on her music.
Style: Despite her affinity towards jazz, her work with Kravitz and Buckethead proved her mettle as a funk and rock drummer as well as her versatility as a musician.
Listen to: Are You Gonna Go My Way, Spank
Sartorial choices: Leather jackets, the occasional lace or sequinned dress, boots and always rocking her Afro.
