There are good reasons why there are so many drummer jokes. It’s because most of them are true. Despite this, every band is only as good as its drummer. The rest of the band could be failing miserably and most people wouldn’t notice, but if the drummer messes up, even the drunkest fool in the room is going to say with absolute certainty that the band sucks.
 
And sadly, they would be right.
 
Richmond has spawned many great drummers over the years. Here are but some of them.

1. PIPPIN BARNETT: Pippin is the Art Blakey of Richmond and probably the most influential drummer the capital city has ever known. His forward moving approach to percussion is similar to the wide-open styles of Bill Bruford and Billy Higgins with 1970’s No Wave sensibilities. He is one of the few drummers that I have seen perform that plays his drums as a lead instrument without sounding smugly pretentious.
Suggested listening: The Orthotonics: “Luminous Bipeds” (Cuneiform Records)

2. JOHNNY HOTT: This is another Richmond drummer who can play anything he wants. From the unstated pop/rock of the House of Freaks, Sparklehorse & Gutterball to the way outside demands of his 1980’s solo project Gongs of Violence; Johnny handles any percussive situation with a nuanced hand. He can be heard playing these days with his new project, Johnny Hott’s Piedmont Souprize.
Suggested Listening: Famous Actors From Out Of Town: “Self-Titled Debut” (Independent Release)

3. BRAD ROBERTS: Better known as “JiZMak Da Gusha” in Richmond’s most famous cultural export known as GWAR, Brad doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a world-class drummer. He is no Peter Criss. He is the machine that propels the group’s metal mayhem with the blunt force of Slayer’s Dave Lombardo, AC/DC’s Phil Rudd and Motorhead’s skin basher, Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor combined. Brad is a force of nature.
Suggested Listening: GWAR: “Violence Has Arrived” (Metal Blade)

4. CHRIS FARMER: Naturally gifted, Farmer makes the seemingly impossible sound effortless. I’ve seen entire rooms stare transfixed hearing him play the drums. Problem is he doesn’t do any one project for very long so you have to be quick on the draw to see him perform live in one of his various musical incarnations. His new group, The German Version, is performing live Saturday, Feb. 7 at Globe Hopper Coffeehouse & Lounge. Don’t miss it.
Suggested Listening: Breadwinner: “The Burner” (Merge)

5. SETH HARRIS: Of all the drummers I have seen in my Richmond life, Seth is the closest to John Bonham. I used to refer to him as thunder foot.
Suggested Listening: Kepone: “Ugly Dance” (Quarterstick)

6. ED TRASK: For years, Ed always found himself in the unenviable position of having to replace a top-notch drummer. It’s a good thing that he can play with the best of them. A true basher, Ed has a tendency to cram every paradiddle he can into his playing, but as evidenced by his tenure in sorely missed Corntooth and Chris Milk’s Huckiddy Puppet Theater, he knows how to play to reinforce a group’s strengths instead of showboating his own immense rhythmic talents. Personally, I’m a fan of his showboating. It’s always fun to watch.
Suggested Listening: Avail: “Front Porch Stories” (Fat Wreck)

7. BRYAN “BIG SHIRLEY” COX: Not only does he (sorta) look like Artimus Pyle, but he plays like him too.
Suggested Listening: Alabama Thunder Pussy: “Fulton Hill” (Relapse)

8. CHRIS GALLO: Always on the money, Gallo’s classic and new metal rhythmic inclinations fatten any project he touches. He fills in the spots, shapes bridges and choruses and drives the melodic points home with the best of them. Live, he looks like he is trying to pass a troublesome kidney stone, but his oddly detached facial expressions aren’t indicative of his playing. Gallo sounds like he ran to the hills long before most drummers realized they could.
Suggested Listening: Hex Machine: “Omen Mas” (Minimum Underdrive)
         

I second Dave Brockie, and Lambgoat, Adler sucks a mean D..

Certainly an unforgivable oversight to leave out Todd Woodson.  What about Sean Sumner?  One of Richmond’s finest…God Bless…

HUNTER DUKE !!

For the sum of his body of work I’d place Pippen Barnett at the top of this list, however; as for what’s happening currently,  I believe the most brilliantly creative drummer on the scene would have to be Brian Jones (and let us not forget Lance Koehler, who is simply a monster).

Adler(isnot)all that

Kudos to Bobst for touching on a potentially controversial subject.  No one can argue with his great selections.  (Thanks Pippen for remembering me!)  Some Richmond bred drummers I would include are JEROME BRAILEY, a super soulful drummer man that came to national prominence first playing on the 5 Stairsteps OOH OOH, CHILD.  Jerome went on to play and write for Parliament/Funkadelic during their peak and left to start Mutiny. Other artists on his resume include Keith Richards and Buckethead.  Jerome still plays and produces.  AL FOSTER is a Richmond born legend that played with Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Hancock and scads of others. JOEY BARON studied with the late Dick Proctor (another great!) and has gone on to work with Carmen McRae, Al Jarreau and other jazz greats such as Bill Frisell.  A true genius.  JAY ARMENTROUT is a solid drum great and played with Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders alongside Jaco Pastorius.  Other “knockout” drummers I would add are BILL RYDER, JEFF TOZER, DAVE HOGGARD and I know im leaving out many.  Thanks again Chris Bopst for writing and playing music ‘round heah!

sweet jeebus, i have talented & fantastic friends.  congrats on the recognition, fellas!

brandon ferrell of wasted time and government warning

Scott Minor

What about the great jazz percussionist and former VCU professor Howard Curtis?