Drumming Encyclopedia

Thanks for the recommendations, Spencer!

While you’re right that both Peart and Moon are legendary drummers, they are guys that haven’t particularly influenced ME. In other words, the way that I play and the style that I’ve ended up landing on isn’t really informed by Neil or Keith. I’ve listened to both drummers a ton (obviously Rush the Who are incredible and important bands) but for various reasons I’ve avoided adopting the DNA of those players in my own approaches. I’d say that I try to incorporate intensity into my sound, a la Keith Moon, but I’ve patterned my intensity more after Stewart Copeland and Dave Grohl, which is why I listed the records that feature those guys. Also, Moon’s “classic rock” sound is great, but I’ve always pulled more from Bonham in that area. Truthfully, I thought about putting Moon on the list, but it would have just doubled up on stuff that was already represented.

Neil Peart’s sound, on the other hand, just really isn’t my bag (stylistically). But where I do totally dig his playing (on the chops and complexity side of things) I think I draw more from Bozzio or the jazz stuff.

And I’m totally with you on the Chick Corea thing. I need to spend more time with those records – one of them could very well end up on the list eventually. I mean, heck, Carlton Barrett’s playing with Marley is so legendary and so awesome, but I was only just recently exposed to it (that live Marley record was added to the list only a few months ago).

All in all, the records above are records that I’d recommend to ANYONE as beneficial listening, but they’re on the list because they reflect my PERSONAL experience and influences…

While you’re right that both Peart and Moon are legendary drummers, they are guys that haven’t particularly influenced ME. In other words, the way that I play and the style that I’ve ended up landing on isn’t really informed by Neil or Keith. I’ve listened to both drummers a ton (obviously Rush the Who are incredible and important bands) but for various reasons I’ve avoided adopting the DNA of those players in my own approaches. I’d say that I try to incorporate intensity into my sound, a la Keith Moon, but I’ve patterned my intensity more after Stewart Copeland and Dave Grohl, which is why I listed the records that feature those guys. Also, Moon’s “classic rock” sound is great, but I’ve always pulled more from Bonham in that area. Truthfully, I thought about putting Moon on the list, but it would have just doubled up on stuff that was already represented.

Neil Peart’s sound, on the other hand, just really isn’t my bag (stylistically). But where I do totally dig his playing (on the chops and complexity side of things) I think I draw more from Bozzio or the jazz stuff.

And I’m totally with you on the Chick Corea thing. I need to spend more time with those records – one of them could very well end up on the list eventually. I mean, heck, Carlton Barrett’s playing with Marley is so legendary and so awesome, but I was only just recently exposed to it (that live Marley record was added to the list only a few months ago).

All in all, the records above are records that I’d recommend to ANYONE as beneficial listening, but they’re on the list because they reflect my PERSONAL experience and influences.