# Greatest rock drummers of the past 20 years **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 8, 2012, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163 "2012-04-08T09:12:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/1 "2012-04-08T09:12:38Z")
I lurve Peart and Moon, and I like Bonham. I don’t know Portnoy. But propose to me rock band drummers to listen to who debuted in the public consciousness in the past 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/2 "2012-04-08T10:08:48Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > I lurve Peart and Moon, and I like Bonham. I don’t know Portnoy. But propose to me rock band drummers to listen to who debuted in the public consciousness in the past 20 years. Dave Grohl is a ligitimately excellent drummer. I am not a Dave Matthews Band fan at all, but Carter Beaufort (sp?) is a great player. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/3 "2012-04-08T12:52:54Z")
These are just on the cusp of “debuted in the past 20 years,” but I’ll nominate Matt Cameron (of Soundgarden, and later Pearl Jam) and Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins.) I would also give an honorable mention to Janet Weiss (of Sleater-Kinnery and Quasi). She’s not quite as technical as Matt and Jimmy, but her beats are powerful and creative. ---
**Author:** ![ExcitedIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ea5d25/32.png) [@ExcitedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExcitedIdiot)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/4 "2012-04-08T13:27:16Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Dave Grohl is a ligitimately excellent drummer. Agreed. His work with Nirvana was pretty good, but he’s gotten much better over the years. His drumming on [Songs for the Deaf](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_for_the_Deaf) was amazing, and immediately recognizable as his style. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/5 "2012-04-08T14:13:23Z")
[Joey Jordison from Slipknot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RRq9H0XWXs) [Chad Smith](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnOa9LtDemg) from RHCP, but more importantly, his jazz fusion work with Bombastic Meatbats. [Mike Mangini - the fastest hands on the planet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe8XKgOuNtk) ---
**Author:** ![ptr2void](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ptr2void/32/3406_2.png) [@ptr2void](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ptr2void)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/6 "2012-04-08T14:25:36Z")
[Gavin Harrison of Porcupine Tree](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP8kp_hAQf0) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/7 "2012-04-09T01:01:54Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > These are just on the cusp of “debuted in the past 20 years,” but I’ll nominate Matt Cameron (of Soundgarden, and later Pearl Jam) and Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins.) I would also give an honorable mention to Janet Weiss (of Sleater-Kinnery and Quasi). That should, of course, say “Sleater-Kinney”, not “Kinnery.” Also, currently involved in Wild Flag. ---
**Author:** ![Satellite\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Satellite\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satellite_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/8 "2012-04-09T02:29:37Z")
[Danny Carey, of Tool](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UO_NwREVMk). ---
**Author:** ![gatorslap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gatorslap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorslap)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/9 "2012-04-09T06:47:04Z")
Josh Freese - [lots of stuff](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Freese_discography), but I mainly associate him with A Perfect Circle ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/10 "2012-04-09T07:26:26Z")
Phil Collins when he was with Genesis. At that time he really focused on the drums. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/11 "2012-04-09T07:43:45Z")
Gordy Knudtson is the Steve Miller Band’s drummer. He’s really good. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/12 "2012-04-09T07:52:10Z")
Stewart Copeland drummer for The Police is amazing. check out this solo [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlYt0H65ZM) ---
**Author:** ![Killswitch\_Stunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@Killswitch\_Stunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Killswitch_Stunner)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/13 "2012-04-09T08:13:30Z")
John Bonham and Bill Ward remain my all time favorites. ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/14 "2012-04-09T11:40:21Z")
Let’s see… relatively unknown before 1992 or so… Matt Abts with **Gov’t Mule** Nick D’Virgilio and/or Jimmy Keegan of **Spock’s Beard** Yonrico Scott - **Derek Trucks Band** Jaime Salazar & Zoltan Czorsz (at least) from **The Flower Kings** Michael Travis in **String Cheese Incident** Portnoy has to be on the list, though. He’s done too many different kinds of things to be excluded. (And **Flying Colors** is my favorite release so far this year, FWIW.) There are probably more. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/15 "2012-04-09T12:57:04Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Stewart Copeland drummer for The Police is amazing. > > check out this solo > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlYt0H65ZM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlYt0H65ZM) While I agree with all your choices, the OP is looking for drummers who debuted within the last 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/16 "2012-04-09T13:21:11Z")
Geez… John Bonham had anything out lately… lol. Will Calhoun Living Colour… his drumming on “Type”… and “Nothingness”… ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/17 "2012-04-09T13:24:46Z")
Dave Grohl was the first person that came to mind for me, but I see that was already mentioned. So make it two votes for Dave. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/18 "2012-04-09T13:52:40Z")
I’m gonna add one more. I never really followed the band much, but the drummer always stuck out to me: Bud Gaugh of Sublime. Guy’s got a great groove. Don’t think it’ll qualify as “rock,” though. ---
**Author:** ![Mllz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Mllz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mllz)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/19 "2012-04-09T14:48:52Z")
Dave Grohl really does epitomize “great rock drummer of the past 20 years” for me. Enormous sound, and interesting, often intricate beats. I second the Janet Weiss call as well. Tim “Herb” Alexander, formerly of Primus, certainly comes to mind. I also really dig Glenn Koetche of Wilco. My favorite up and comer (not quite “in the public conciousness” yet, but deserves to be): Joshua Block from White Denim. Ferocious rock drumming in a band that requires frequent tempo and style changes, often mid-song. [White Denim - 'I Start To Run' - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW26TBF1boo) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/20 "2012-04-09T14:59:07Z")
I don’t know if he qualifies, but I was really impressed with Kenny Aronoff when I saw him a few years back. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163.md?page=2)