Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew

Recommended reading

Clem Burke, Ancienne Belgique (AB), Brussels, Belgium, November 1998
Drummers "I've analyzed hundreds of players over the years. They're all a part of what I do": Clem Burke's 10 essential drum albums
Hal Blaine
Drummers Drum heroes: Wrecking Crew legend Hal Blaine, Neil Peart's "six favourite drummers"
Lars Ulrich on stage, early 1990s
Drummers “He, to me, was a role model”: Which A list metal drummer could Mike Portnoy be talking about?
Roger Taylor and Hank Marvin
Bands "Every one of them said yes": Hank Marvin and Roger Taylor have just remade a classic for charity
Billy Cobham performs at Blue Note on February 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy
Drummers “He runs into the studio and shouts ‘hit the record button'”: Billy Cobham on Miles Davis’s agile recording
Hannah Montrose
Artists Session drummer Hannah Montrose on facing down challenges and manifesting a spot behind the kit with Lizzo
Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater
Artists “I needed to scratch an itch”: Mike Portnoy talks about his years away from Dream Theater
  1. Artists
  2. Drummers

In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

News
By Rich Chamberlain published 17 January 2012

Chamberlin, Peart, Bonham and more

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

Mike Byrne has earned hoards of fans with jaw-dropping displays behind the kit since joining up with Smashing Pumpkins in 2009.

As he earns his drum god status we sat down and asked him to talk us through some of the sticksmen that will always be his heroes.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

I think Jimmy Chamberlin is a f***ing animal, just unbelievable. The guy is pushing human limits on a bunch of stuff. I really like the Adore period [of the Pumpkins] which is weird as I’m a big Jimmy fan but I really like that dark, extravagant way it is presented. I really like ‘Through The Eyes of Ruby’ and playing ‘Soberf***’ every night is fun because it’s a note fest. You’re definitely not meat and potatoes on that song.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

I like the legends but also a lot of off-kilter guys. You’ve got to love the Neil Pearts, John Bonham, Keith Moon and guys like that. But, of late I’ve been listening to the new Dillinger Escape Plan. Billy Rymer is beyond good. It’s stupid. I got to see them in Portland and he’s just lighting it up, It’s not like it’s a cakewalk to play with Dillinger.

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

Vinnie Colaiuta, and obviously you’ve got to be into Steve Gadd because who isn’t? That’s like saying you’re not into ketchup. His groove sense is sinister. It’s bizarre almost. The way he can make the simplest grooves, it’s intangible in so much as you can’t quantify it, it’s just the way that he kind of leans on everything. I’ve stolen that cross stick thing he does more time than I can count. I’m a thief, but what good artist isn’t?

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

In Pictures: Mike Byrne talks drum heroes

Billy Cobham has played some of my favourite drumming. The Word Flame, changed my life. Pick a song and it’s insane. The guy does stuff that I can’t even wrap my brain around.

For more from Mike pick up the February issue of Rhythm.

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Categories
Drums
Rich Chamberlain
Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).

Read more
Clem Burke, Ancienne Belgique (AB), Brussels, Belgium, November 1998
"I've analyzed hundreds of players over the years. They're all a part of what I do": Clem Burke's 10 essential drum albums
Hal Blaine
Drum heroes: Wrecking Crew legend Hal Blaine, Neil Peart's "six favourite drummers"
Lars Ulrich on stage, early 1990s
“He, to me, was a role model”: Which A list metal drummer could Mike Portnoy be talking about?
Roger Taylor and Hank Marvin
"Every one of them said yes": Hank Marvin and Roger Taylor have just remade a classic for charity
Billy Cobham performs at Blue Note on February 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy
“He runs into the studio and shouts ‘hit the record button'”: Billy Cobham on Miles Davis’s agile recording
Hannah Montrose
Session drummer Hannah Montrose on facing down challenges and manifesting a spot behind the kit with Lizzo
Latest in Drummers
Zak Starkey
"I dropped some beats apparently. I’ve looked and I can’t find them!": Zak Starkey on Who sacking and more
Lars Ulrich on stage, early 1990s
“He, to me, was a role model”: Which A list metal drummer could Mike Portnoy be talking about?
The Who
“I have to be careful what I say": Pete Townshend on Zak Starkey’s protracted dismissal from The Who
The Who
“I got it right and Roger got it wrong”: Zak Starkey provides more details about his sacking from The Who
Liam Gallagher, Sharna Liguz, Nicole Appleton and Zak Starkey attend the launch party of Liam Gallagher's new store Pretty Green on July 29, 2010
“I’ll cry... I’d have done that gig for nothing” Zak Starkey on why he'll miss the Oasis gigs
Sleep Token drummer II Drumeo
“I’ve taken inspiration from the UK dance music scene": Mixwave put Sleep Token’s drummer in a plugin
Latest in News
Liam and Noel Gallagher, back in 1997
“THEY’RE IN THERE!!! And they are LOUD”: Recordings of Oasis soundcheck are now online
Laney Black Country Customs Tony Iommi TI100: Long-time Laney user Tony Iommi is pictured with his new signature amp, which is limited to 50 units worldwide to mark Black Sabbath's final show at Villa Park.
Laney celebrates Black Sabbath's final show with a limited edition reissue of Tony Iommi's TI100 amp
Roger Waters The Wall tour
“He went absolutely nuclear”: Producer Bob Ezrin reveals what led him to fall out with Roger Waters
Pluginweek logo
Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
4th of July Sweetwater
$1,200 off one of the best guitar synths on the market is a deal too good to ignore in Sweetwater's epic 4th of July sale
Klaus Meine of The Scorpions, 1991
“Their message of love, peace and rock ‘n’ roll seems more relevant today than ever”: Cast revealed for Scorpions biopic

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...