# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/21 "2012-04-09T15:10:05Z")
We are pressing really hard against that ‘last 20 years’ parameter, but I will still mention Phil Collins. Known mostly for singing (sadly) he remains a remarkable drummer. ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/22 "2012-04-09T17:40:45Z")
More Nawlins funk than rock, but [Stanton Moore](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAJtmDQBvF8). ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/23 "2012-04-09T18:33:59Z")
For madman drumming, I’ll take Utrillo Kushner from Comets on Fire over anyone. I can’t view youtube right now, but check out “The Swallow’s Eye” or “The Antlers of the Midnight Sun.” I can’t remember where I read it years ago, maybe Pitchfork, but a review said it sounded like two Keith Moons playing at once. Some of the songs really do sound like two drummers at once. For a total change of pace, I’m a big fan of Panda Bear from Animal Collective. He’s known more for his electronics now, but the drumming on songs like “The Purple Bottle” and “For Reverend Green” (specifically check for some live versions) is just awesome because he zones out playing a kit with maybe 1 snare, a bass, and a couple cymbols. ---
**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, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/24 "2012-04-09T21:46:26Z")
> [@Mixolydian](#): > > More Nawlins funk than rock, but [Stanton Moore](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAJtmDQBvF8). Never heard of this guy, but I just checked out a bunch of his vids. What a tasty drummer! Thanks for mentioning him. ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/25 "2012-04-10T19:04:06Z")
Gene Hoglan and Brian “Brain” Mantia deserve mentions in this category. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/26 "2012-04-10T19:50:06Z")
I’m not sure that John Bonham should count in your “last 20 years” criteria since he died over 30 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![punch\_line\_loser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e7dd6/32.png) [@punch\_line\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/punch_line_loser)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/27 "2012-04-10T20:43:57Z")
Really? No one’s going to mention Travis Barker or Tre Cool in this thread? I could probably listen to the drum tracks for _Enema of the State_ without any other instrumentation and still not be bored for the full half hour. Moving on, Christopher Maguire of 12 Rods might be my submission for [Most Innovative Drummer of the 90s.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQxgRt1vJgQ) Also, Bryan Devendorf of the National, Zach Hill of Hella (although I prefer his work with Marnie Stern), and who can forget Gary Young from Pavement’s glory days? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/28 "2012-04-11T06:16:04Z")
> [@smoke](#): > > Gene Hoglan and Brian “Brain” Mantia deserve mentions in this category. Gene “The Machine” Hoglan is indeed an awesome drummer, but he began recording in 1984, with both Dark Angel and War God. Bryan Mantia first recorded with Limbomaniacs in 1990 (the album _Stinky Grooves_). Dave Grohl, btw, was recording with Nirvana in 1989 (_Bleach_), so he shouldn’t be on this list either. Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) has been recording professionally since 1986 (with both Eddie & The Tide and Zerra One). Mike Mangini has been playing professionally since at least 1987 (Rick Berlin Band) and first recorded with Annihilator (the awesome Canadian thrash project of Jeff Waters) in 1991. In fact, most of the people that are mentioned in this thread have been playing professionally and recording for more than 20 years. :rolleyes: Here’s a few who haven’t (and who are so incredibly talented it should be a crime that they aren’t better known): Brann Dailor (Mastodon) : [Iron Tusk](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U__QulYyo0E), [Blood & Thunder](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=labytsb3gfI), [Crystal Skull](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11eis4XVfVE) Matt Garstka (Animals As Leaders) : [Weightless](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw7j1czfVuo), [Somnarium](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSes83v0TvQ), [Earth Departure](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQUD-qDs-k8) Phil Dubois-Coyne (Revocation) : [Dismantle The Dictator](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmg3jr7Bhfo), [Leviathan Awaits](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-EaVzXvZL0), [ReaniManiac](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vXCUTab4Ow) 😃 If y’all want to include people on this list who have been active for just over 20 years, I’ll add two (who are right on the cusp of 20 years in the public consciousness): John Stanier (Helmet, first album _Strap It On_, 1991) : [Unsung](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBfygUiS50g&ob=av2e), [In The Meantime](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgGyX7WPxuQ), [Street Crab](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4oOg58P9XA) Brant Bjork (Kyuss, first album _Wretch_, 1991) : [Green Machine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc-7FXzbeA0), [Thumb](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftS-zFZTSc8), [Odyssey](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NHWF1cCRw0) ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/29 "2012-04-11T08:31:23Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Dave Grohl, btw, was recording with Nirvana in 1989 (_Bleach_), so he shouldn’t be on this list either. Minor nitpick: Chad Channing did the drumming on Bleach. Grohl still falls out though due to recordings with Scream in the late 80s (and Nevermind was released in 1991). On topic: on the UK side of the pond, Matt Helders from Arctic Monkeys is pretty good, as is Dominic Howard from Muse. Both comfortably debuted in the last 20 years. ETA: And maybe not rock, but ?uestlove from The Roots is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/30 "2012-04-11T14:10:32Z")
> [@Chicagojeff](#): > > Will Calhoun Living Colour.. his drumming on “Type”.. and “Nothingness”.. This. I’m still amazed at the talent of this band. Vernon Reid (sp?) is also underrated. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/31 "2012-04-11T15:41:01Z")
> [@Cumbrian](#): > > On topic: on the UK side of the pond, Matt Helders from Arctic Monkeys is pretty good, as is Dominic Howard from Muse. Both comfortably debuted in the last 20 years. One of the best drummers I’ve heard in the UK in the past few years is Matt Tong of Bloc Party. ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/32 "2012-04-11T16:45:57Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > One of the best drummers I’ve heard in the UK in the past few years is Matt Tong of Bloc Party. Yeah, he’s good too. Unfortunately, he’s about the only thing I like about Bloc Party and it’s just not enough to keep me listening to them - just a little bit too lyrically earnest for me. Speaking of good drummers in bands that didn’t quite hit my sweet spot, Phil Jordan was the drummer in The Music (who disbanded last year). He was/is pretty handy. Don’t know what he’s up to now though. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/33 "2012-04-11T19:22:06Z")
How about some love for Taylor Hawkins! ---
**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 11, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/34 "2012-04-11T19:31:43Z")
Yeah, I’ll second that. ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/35 "2012-04-11T22:12:08Z")
Here’s a good vid of Danny Carey playing a solo. He gets my vote. > **[1y9b9b](https://www.youtube.com/user/1y9b9b)** > > ▓▒░Let's get some background on this fella░▒▓ > \- ❤ : ♩, ✯ , > ¯¯\_¯¯ \_¯\_¯ \_¯\_¯ \_¯\_\_ > .................................. > https://soundcloud.com/jonatrovski ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/36 "2012-04-12T00:03:34Z")
> [@Satellite\_Guy](#): > > [Danny Carey, of Tool](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UO_NwREVMk). This. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/37 "2012-04-12T00:16:23Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That should, of course, say “Sleater-Kinney”, not “Kinnery.” Also, currently involved in Wild Flag. Janet Weiss was the first one that came to mind for me. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/38 "2012-04-12T02:43:33Z")
This guy here The Mad Drummer: Steve Moore [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QfMFrpa66TI/hqdefault.jpg "Woodstick 2010 Steve Moore (Mad drummer) Drum Solo") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfMFrpa66TI) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lxebUpRgdKc/hqdefault.jpg "Rick K. and the Allnighters - Wipe Out") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxebUpRgdKc) Or maybe this guy [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIyNduHMsEc) ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/39 "2012-04-12T04:06:59Z")
> [@Mllz](#): > > I also really dig Glenn Koetche of Wilco. Basically what I came in to say but you beat me to it. So [I’ll just link to this performance.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz6UrYvacQk&feature=channel&list=UL) And [this one too.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie1y6QvZCf8&feature=channel&list=UL) ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163/40 "2012-04-12T12:57:50Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Basically what I came in to say but you beat me to it. > > So [I’ll just link to this performance.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz6UrYvacQk&feature=channel&list=UL) > > And [this one too.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie1y6QvZCf8&feature=channel&list=UL) Man, I didn’t see anything all that impressive in either of those videos. Tasteful playing, but nothing that indicates the outer limits of his skill. Maybe I missed it…? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-rock-drummers-of-the-past-20-years/618163.md?page=1)