There have been so many and there will be so many more. I'm influenced by practically anything, and specifically drum-wise, pick up stuff from playing along to CDs, watching live performances (in person), studying/practicing out of books, you name it, etc.
But for the sake of this thread,
, I'll list a few of the drummers that stand out in my mind, simply because I remember them so much (probably for that certain period in my life as well):
Steven Adler -- Earliest major influence (circa '89). Came home from high school every day, still in my baseball practice uniform, and went straight to the drums to play along to 'Appetite for Destruction'. Did that for probably a solid year. Had to hurry and play before my parents got home so they wouldn't hear the bad words in the music (I didn't have headphones---just cranked my stereo up to 11).
lol -- the good 'ol days.... What a great album--great fills, beats, cowbell, you name it..... I think I'd still have the time of my life if I put this CD on today and played along to it
Mike Portnoy -- Next major influence. I used to LOVE playing along to Dream Theater's Images & Words. This was also at about the time I was getting exposed to jazz when I moved to Denton, TX to go to UNT and Dream Theater's music led me to pursue more fusion, and eventually, more jazz. Also remember playing along to Dream Theater's 'Awake' in the mid-90s. Overall, Portnoy got me interested in playing over the bar line, using cymbals in a unique fashion, and odd-time signatures.
Earl Harvin and
Brannen Temple -- Next major influences. These are two Texas drummers that I used to go see in Austin and Dallas a lot (still do from time to time). I just happened in on a performance by Earl's trio in probably '94 or '95 by accident one night while at SXSW in Austin. That night changed my ENTIRE approach to both music and drumming (need a whole separate thread about that. lol). I was also into blues around the same time, and got turned onto Brannen Temple, who was playing with Chris Duarte at the time. From there, I was exposed to his quartet and again, just mind blowing, innovative jazz and world music with great drumming. I've incorporated a lot of licks and drumset ideas/concepts from these two guys. I've used them in a variety of musical styles, not just jazz.
Tony Williams,
Max Roach,
Jimmy Cobb and
Philly Joe -- I started studying with one of the former UNT One 'O Clock lab band drummers in '97, who had me study all of these guys. I've tried to "copy" them ever since and still continue to find new things in their playing each time I listen to something that they played.
David Garibaldi -- About 5 years ago, I started working out of his 'Future Sounds' book. From there, that led to me checking out his playing with Tower of Power and over the past few years, have incorporated a lot of that style of playing into my own style.
