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.
More Nawlins funk than rock, but Stanton Moore.
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.
Never heard of this guy, but I just checked out a bunch of his vids. What a tasty drummer! Thanks for mentioning him.
Gene Hoglan and Brian “Brain” Mantia deserve mentions in this category.
I’m not sure that John Bonham should count in your “last 20 years” criteria since he died over 30 years ago.
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.
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?
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, Blood & Thunder, Crystal Skull
Matt Garstka (Animals As Leaders) : Weightless, Somnarium, Earth Departure
Phil Dubois-Coyne (Revocation) : Dismantle The Dictator, Leviathan Awaits, ReaniManiac
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, In The Meantime, Street Crab
Brant Bjork (Kyuss, first album Wretch, 1991) : Green Machine, Thumb, Odyssey
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.
This. I’m still amazed at the talent of this band. Vernon Reid (sp?) is also underrated.
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.
How about some love for Taylor Hawkins!
Yeah, I’ll second that.
Here’s a good vid of Danny Carey playing a solo. He gets my vote.
This.
Janet Weiss was the first one that came to mind for me.
This guy here The Mad Drummer: Steve Moore
Or maybe this guy
Basically what I came in to say but you beat me to it.
So I’ll just link to this performance.
And this one too.
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…?