Rhythm's 25th anniversary: 25 Drum Icons interviewed

More great content from Rhythm's special anniversary issue

Chris Barnes

With so much going on how do you stay sane and keep on top of it all?

“I basically have no social life. It’s my kids and playing drums. I thrive on it in a weird way. I played a gig with Weezer the other night on the East Coast and I got a chance to work with a producer on a new band’s record. They wanted to start Monday at noon so I changed my flight to 6AM in New York which means getting up at 4AM to get to the airport. The guys in Weezer were going, ‘What are you, nuts? Why are you doing that?’ I’m thinking, ‘Because this is what I do.’”

How do you think the drum industry has changed over the last 25 years, and where do you think it's going?

“That’s a good question! I don’t know. From a personal standpoint it’s been very cool to see DW grow into what they have grown into. I’ve endorsed them since I was twelve-years-old.”

You are part of our 25 drum icons feature. What does it mean to you to be classed as a drumming icon, and who else would you choose to include?

“Oh man! I’m not worthy! Give it to someone else! If I had to name three or four guys, I’d have to say Vinny Colaiuta, Terry Bozzio and Stewart Copeland with a little Alex Van Halen for good measure.”

How do you see the next 25 years of your drumming career panning out?

“There are a lot of people I’d like to work with. In 2003 I made a record with Josh Homme called The Desert Sessions Volumes 9 and 10. PJ Harvey was involved in it. All of us were star-struck. Every time she turned around we’d all go, ‘Look! It’s PJ Harvey! We’re in the studio with PJ Harvey!’ Three months after that, I got a call about going on the road with her. I was just gearing up for A Perfect Circle again and I was really sad to have to pass that up because I’d love to work with Polly.”

You have featured on many Rhythm covers. Which ones have been your favourite and what memories do you have from doing them?

“I remember one photo shoot when I was playing with Sting and then I did a shoot at Studio City Sound. I remember it was a cover that I didn’t hate, unlike some of the covers I’ve been on for other magazines where I can’t even look at it. The pictures were great and the article was great – I didn’t do anything to embarrass myself.”