Boombats wrote:Dave Witte. Relapse Records all-star.

John Merriman. In Cephalic Carnage, also worked with Estradasphere.

We played a few times with Melt Banana in the old band I was and Witte was drumming. Our drummer told him, in no uncertain terms, that he thought Witte was amazing. Witte said "I'm not surprised, I nicked it all off you" and then grilled our drummer about his old bands.

So, for that, I'm giving yet more dues to Stevie Charlesworth of Heresy. Hardwick will back me up, the man is a fireball.

And fuck it, Elvis Beetham Wallace. I don't care if I play with him, the man needs more tips of the hat, he's Mitch Mitchell meets Cheech & Chong and he looks like a baby monkey. Yeah!

And double fuck it, Patrick 'Patch' Farmer. Nottingham improv hairball. Totally amazing when he 'lets one go'.

aye.

Pascal from Stuckometer is great as well

I forgot to add Jonathan Kane whom I've seen play with his band and with Rhys Chatham's. Technically he's very good but what puts him over the top is his sound. I've never heard a louder drummer in my life. He can really thump those tubs of his. Fucking massive.

Never seen her play, but my vote goes for Helen Wiggin.

These are some of my favorites...

Dave Lombardo
Michel "Away" Langevin
Todd Trainer
Patrick “Taz” Bentley
Joey Castillo
Brann Dailor
Dale Crover
Tim "Herb" Alexander
Chuck Biscuits
Earl Hudson
Tyler Trent
Brian "Birdstuff" Teasley

I stood five feet away from Buddy Rich about 25 years ago for his entire set.

Blew every drummer I've ever seen completely into nothingness. Just amazing, and he had to have been well into his '70s at the time.

Some of my favorites that I've seen, in person...

John McEntire

The guy who played the first time I saw Broadcast. The guy who tours with them now (from Neutral Milk Hotel?) is gnarly, but this guy was an older guy, dont know his name, played traditional, and blew my mind.

John Stenier was fun to watch, and has an awesome style.

There's nothing worse than watching someone play a double-bass kit poorly.

On the other hand, there's nothing better than watching someone do it well too. Really well..and for that I nominate Brad Balsley of C-Average. He plays the drums like someone would play a fucking piano (much more violent, of course.) Boy do I miss that band......

Anyway, is it me or do most great drummers play guitar/bass too? (Not even sure if Brad does or not.)

They seem to know when to keep it simple and/or when to get "fancy".

Perhaps they need less guidance and due to the fact that their ego/talent doesn't exist in only one instrument, they're more likely to just play enough and not too much.

Fuck Neil Peart for the simple fact that he inspired (inspires?) many drummers to bite off more than they can chew.