Drummers need more love. They are often placed in the back of the stage set up, or behind sound-controlling glass panels in smaller venues, yet they are the hardcore backbone of a good band.
They’re the ones who often set the tempos and keep it going. They give you the bounce to toe-tap or head bang. Sure, air guitar is fun, but every music lover jamming in their car becomes a steering wheel drummer.
Recently, I ran across a couple of videos that have reinforced how fantastic some drummers are, and thought I’d share them to keep your springtime rockin’.
Chad Smith takes on Thirty Seconds to Mars
One of the YouTube channels I watch is Drumeo, and I get to see some amazing drummers take on a song they haven’t heard before. For example, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers played along with the Thirty Seconds to Mars hit “The Kill” on his first time hearing it, and it was beyond impressive.
The “Overqualified” Mascot
A few years ago, this video went viral on social media when Nayango Star, a mascot for a Japanese kid-friendly band promoting an apple producer, begin jamming beyond his job description. You can tell early on he has some talent, but just around the 2 minute, 30 second mark he just takes off. Who is he? Well, he’s an apple cat, of course.
Dave Grohl vs. Animal
In my opinion, the best drum battle still features my two favorite drummers of all time: the legendary Dave Grohl and Animal of The Electric Mayhem. My only complaint is this is over way too fast….and I still haven’t seen a concert tour planned.
Pre-teen Nandi Bushell Rocks System of the Down
In 2020, when concerts were a no-go for reasons I won’t talk about, there were some cool viral home music videos popping up from both established bands and up-and-comers. Drummer Nandi Bushell (who I think was about nine at the time), gained some much deserved attention rocking out to metal songs like “Toxicity.”
Masked Drummer and His Crazy Handwork
This colorful drummer is one I just discovered on Instagram. He goes by Hagiwa on various social media platforms and displays some serious drumming chops and handwork playing along to various Japanese and Korean bands while sporting a Poppy Playtime Huggy Wuggy mask. He’s as fun to watch as he is to hear.
As we get ready for a rockin’ summer, you need to keep the beat going. Thank a drummer for showing us the way.
I leave you with a reminder, rockin’ knows no age boundary, as Dorothea Taylor (aka The Godmother of Drummers) jams with some Blink 182: