_{Scotty Bradbury. Photo by Lisa G Photography}

Top 10 Drum influences for 2024
Let me start this by acknowledging that John Bonham is a given for any rock drummer, so to make it fun I will leave him off this year, honourable mention to Zigaboo Modeliste of The Meters (Cissy Strut).. who had an influence on the great Bonzo of Led Zeppelin, for sure.

This list is a mix of old faithful and new players that got me off the sofa in 2024, only to land straight back on my ass … putting the drum throne through its paces.

1. Phil Rudd (AC/DC)
Phil Rudd is a feel, an adjective in drumming. Comments like “give it more Phil Rudd” can be heard in studios across the world. His less is more, play to serve the song, dig into the grove – see “Whole Lotta Rosie” approach is legendary. We only ever miss him when he isn’t there, because man… does he make a difference. The heartbeat to some of the most iconic rock songs ever, there is no other like him. I would refer the reader to the eight count at the beginning of “Back in Black”. The guitar scratches along for the first six beats … the last two hits on the Hi-hat “three…. four..” are to me, the best two notes ever played in rock’n’roll.

2. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, QOTSA, Them Crooked Vultures, Killing Joke, Probot)
Yeah look, a lot has been said about this guy musically …my wife rolls her eyes and leaves the room whenever I mention his name …I probably do talk about him a lot, so what, he really is that fucken good…albums like “Songs for the Deaf” or “Them Crooked Vultures “ and songs like “No One Knows” or “Elephants” come on!! Oh and please listen to “Killing Joke” (2003 album) this album lived rent free in my head for a full year when it came out, it’s a really cool record, the drums were recorded last and Dave Grohl worked to adapt parts written on a drum machine all of which is a little unconventional.

Dave doesn’t play fancy, lots of doubles and Triplets where the hand speaks to the foot in reply, he is creative and hits hard. You have to hit the drums to make em sound good, dynamics are fine but …tapping them won’t work. Drumming and music come naturally to Dave; he manages to play great parts most every time. “Dave Grohl – Play” (Official Video) is a good example of the level that this guy is at, it’s a journey no judgment if you don’t watch it all the way through. If an artist sounds like themselves then you are truly serving the moment. You can be influenced and inspired by anything, but when you play, if people recognise that sound as you, you channelling through an instrument …. That’s a most excellent moment.

3. Dallas "Digger" Royall (Rose Tattoo) R.I.P
Any drummer that can play a song like “Astra Wally” is an assassin. Dallas’ playing sits at the tip of the spear, speed that swings, ass shaking, earthquaking groove. Aussie rock is known around the world because of bands like Rose Tattoo. If there is one drummer that most suits The Dark Clouds style it’s Dallas. I always think about his approach to rock n roll. Playing along to the first three tatt’s albums is a humbling ritual that I perform on a regular basis. One day I will nail “Astra Wally” …one day Digger. TFFT

4. Zac Farro (Paramore)
I am sure I’ve come across Paramore and their music over the years, its only very recently that I have become a fan. I heard one song “This Is Why” off the bands sixth album also titled “This Is Why”. This led me to watch a full live performance from the band “Paramore - ACL Music Festival 2022” after that…I was hooked.

The beauty of discovering a band later in their career is you can see them grow as you dive back in time. A large part of my love for Paramore comes from Zac Farro’s playing. He started very young, and never stopped evolving. The drum sound on “This Is Why” fits into the albums vibe perfectly and sits in contrast to “All We Know Is Falling” the band’s first album. Zac was 15-years-old when this album came out! He is a hard hitter, who sits deep in the pocket. Zac can play heavy rock “Misery Business”, syncopated times “That’s What You Get”, massive anthemic tunes “Decode” and funk groove “Caught In The Middle” . Always serving the song and supporting the band in its creative exploration.

5. Peter Kostic (Front End Loader, Hard-Ons, Regurgitator, No Cake)
Pete is a technician, watching him live, as I have done many times in many bands, I would often hear these brilliant fills that look effortless, like he is only slightly adjusting his seat position and think to myself “holy shit, where did that come from”.

One of my fave Hard-Ons line ups was Pete, Blackie and Ray …they totally cooked on stage! I took a few lessons with Pete later in my life as a drummer . He helped me focus on the mechanics of being a drummer, good posture and position …being economical. Pete is a road warrior, solid as a rock. His drumming is like taking a vintage muscle car for a drive up the main street of Campbelltown. Everyone is going to have a look and its more likely than not that some punter will scream “Do a burn out mate”. Always in demand and always willing to help anyone that needs it. A lovely human, true artist.

6. Andi Dyson (Nitocris, Sand Viper, Cousin Betty, Raising Ravens)
I first saw Andi play in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. I would watch in awe. You need power and focus to drive a band as dynamic as Nitocris. Somehow, Andi played beyond her years to drive that seminal group into the hearts of a generation. To this day I would put Andi and Sara (bass guitarist in Nitocris) in my top 10 all-time best rhythm sections.

I was fortunate enough to become friends with Andi over the years, through music. Andi has a way about her, calm, cool and collaborative. She taught me to let shit go, do your job and have some fun for fucks sake ! I don’t see her all the time but when I do it’s a good hang, discussing gear, music and life … this is a person I want in my musical community, a dead set legend and a total powerhouse on the kit.

7. Tommy (R.I.P) & Marky Ramone
Tommy invented a style that Marky refined. There is no doubt, they made history! They say in the early days that everyone who went to see the RAMONES formed a band. Proof that you didn’t have to shred to play music and opened the door for people to have a go.

The music is simple but don’t be fooled; while learning RAMONES tunes, I gained a deep appreciation for their unconventional song structure and fierce playing, drumming those songs is a physical challenge and a good reminder of the standard I strive for. The Dark Clouds played four RAMONES appreciation nights this year in Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Brisbane. It really helped me sharpen my drumming and was HEAPS of fun. Marky still performs at the age of 72 and is still really good!

8. Joey Castillo (Circle Jerks, The Bronx, QOTSA, BL'AST!)
Joey has a solid work ethic, always playing. I follow him on insta and seeing him on the road playing killer shows always motivates me to get out there. I loved his work in QOTSA… for some killer wood block action see “Little Sister”. Filling the drum throne in The Bronx can’t be easy but he kills it. Heavy and mean, groovy and powerful. He has played in a bunch of bands and in everyone proves potent.

9. Bill Gibson (Huey Lewis and the News)
When I play a show, I’ll often imagine that my foot is connected to the ass of people dancing on the floor. That Kick drum has a job, to get people moving! Bill Gibson has played drums with Huey Lewis and the News for the entire time. Since 1979 that’s been his job on some of the biggest hit songs of a generation, get people dancing! My best example would be “Hip To Be Square” I’ll often play this song to warm up…it makes me happy, I love the kick/snare drive and the subtle use of rack tom fills (2.10 just after sax solo) on an offbeat for flavour, all without getting in the way of this pop classic. I don’t care who you are, you are moving to this song …even Satan would be puttin’ some stank on it.

Recently watched a Paramount “Behind The Music” show on Huey Lewis, it got me diving into videos and listening to albums like “Sports” and songs like “The Heart Of Rock and Roll” . A hard-working touring band, Bill Gibson is an unsung drum hero, so here I am singing his praises.

P.S. Did you know Huey is also a killer Harmonica player ? That might be next year’s list.

10. Skarlett Saramore (DOWNGIRL, Particles, Raising Ravens)
I am 90 percent mesmerised and 10 percent terrified every time I see Skarlett play. Danger is an essential ingredient in authentic art. All limbs and hair thrashing, I can see the demons being cast out, while Skarlett skilfully controls the musical tension on stage, teetering at the edge of chaos. Like the top of a convex meniscus film, only just managing to keep the water contained in a glass, it is in these spaces, right on the edge, that magic, and transcendence occur.

Skarlett is a good drummer with tasty chops, but it’s the total commitment and no fucks given that excite me every time I see her play. Check out her drum fill on DOWNGIRL's “Beauty Queen” around 2.05 mark