DRUMMER CAFE

I've been influenced by a lot of drummers in different styles; it's hard to step back and dissect my kit playing to see whose technique appears most in my playing...
I've been digging Phil Collins' playing w/Genesis ever since I first heard "Supper's Ready" 10+ years ago, and he's probably one of the influences that's stayed with me the longest.  Creative grooves, galloping bass drum licks, and nice fills that just feel good...

What Mr. A said it very much to the point.  I feel like I've picked up things from almost every drummer I've ever listened to or seen.  As it was so eloquently put we take in information and when it comes out in our playing it takes on our personality.  

I have drummers I listen to for inspiration and I don't try to purposely "copy" their licks - Dennis Chambers, Richy Hayward (Little Feat), Danny Seraphine, Paul Leim and many others.

Lately I've started playing percussion with a group and I'm listening to a lot of Steve Winwood and the percussion on his stuff and I've always been impressed with Santana's sound.

because I've been involved with a band playing mostly rock covers, I'd say I'm HEAVILY influenced by the playing of chad smith, matt cameron, bonham, and other guys like that...
my other influences that find their way into my playing are mostly jazz/funk/hiphop drummers....
most of my fancy chops are stolen from dennis chambers, vinnie colauita, billy cobham, virgil donati, and guys like that.... you know, the guys with all the monster chops.
as far as an overall approach to playing is concerned, I love ?uestlove, adam deitch, keith carlock, stanton moore, billy martin, ZACH DANZIGER (BIG INFLUENCE), gene lake, jojo mayer, ben perowsky, jim black, and a few others.... and hope to sound like a mix of all these guys' styles put together one day.

I have been noodling alot lately breaking out of my burnout.  And frankly I have no idea what my playing sounds like- I have been influenced by so many sources.

I hear some gadd in my dynamic and rudimental approach, some neil peart in my single stroke ruffs, some buddy rich and louis bellson in my swinging singles, tommy aldridge double bass techniques, alittle terry bozzio ostinatos, bonham power triplets, some rick latham and david garibaldi linear funk, and some gary chaffee rhythmic mixtures.  I have alot of residual style gleaned from my teachers also that wasn't learned from books and videos.  Some stuff I've only heard them do.  Lots of times these ideas are hybridized into something new for me and I'm like *wow, that was COOL*  I think that is what it's all about.

So there is no one drummer for me when I open up my brain and just noodle on the kit.  So when you guys hear me play it's almost like you will *look* with your ears into my past.  It's a bizarre thing

I remember seeing Mr. A play last summer.  He plays the way how I always wished Steve Gadd would play with way more passion and conviction, maybe with some Kenny Arnoff in there but definitely all Mr. A once the locomotive got going.  And he's a humble guy so he would probably say either "thanks" or "you don't know what your talking about felix".  But it's cool to see where you can take an influence and their influences.

There is one cat I've really been influenced by lately "Shawn Pelton"  He's a total groove player.  I like his style.

I've unfortunately incorporated Carter Beauford's drumming mostly in to mine as far as rock goes, and I would really like to work on some new drummers (such as Gadd or Colaiuta)... anyone know any good Gadd or Colaiuta CD's I should check out?

For jazz, I started playing about 9 years ago and the first jazz (if it can be called that) that I got into was the Pat Metheny Group and John Scofield.  So the first drummers I heard that I loved and wanted to emulate were Paul Wertigo and Idris Muhammad.  Now adays, my favorite straight jazz drummer is Jorge Rossy with the Brad Mehldau Trio.  I would love to be as good as any of them though.

Tommy Lee
Lars Ulrich  
Chad Smith

<if only I was as good as them. >

Definitly influenced by:

Chad Smith Red Hot Chili Peppers
Phil Rudd AC/DC
John Bonham Led Zeppelin
Stewart Copeland The Police
Dave Grohl Nirvana
Dave Krusen on Pearl Jam's “Ten” album

Groovy, tight, energetic, emotional.

If I'd have to name only one drummer, that would be The Black Crowes' Steve Gorman. Hey, I should be playing in a Black Crowes tribute band!

As I grow as a drummer, I'm naturally leaning towards rock/funk/blues drumming. I'm interested to listen to some Clive Stubblefield because I've got a feeling that's where I'm heading, drummingwise.

Acro,
   That was such a brilliant, thoughtful post.  To name a few - Plato - Socrates - Aristotle.......nuff said.

I try to keep it (somewhat) eclectic:

Lars Ulrich (Metallica, before new CD)
Orri Páll Dýrason (sigur rós)
Jeremiah Green (Modest Mouse)
Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
Phil Selway (Radiohead)
Abe Cunningham (Deftones)
(to name a few)

and my favorite:
Danny Carey (Tool)

I list these as my primary influences, however my sound is not at all similar.  I do not own a double bass, nor do I play heavy music; I am probably most similar, in style, to Phil Selway.  I just find these guys to each have specific qualities that I find useful to emulate.  From Phil Selways' (Radiohead) subtleties to Abe Cunningham's (Deftones) quick and clear grooves/fills, to Danny Carey's (Tool) unhindered creativity/style , I have found these drummers not only influence my technique/style, but also motivate me to work hard so that one day someone might find something unique in my style that they enjoy/emulate.