Top 10 Best Punk Drummers

You know the ones. The beat-blasters with wrists like jackhammers and timing tighter than a locked jaw. Punk drummers aren't just keeping tempo. They're launching grenades from behind the kit. Fast, raw, sometimes sloppy on purpose, always loud. No fills for the sake of flair. No solos to show off. Just precision chaos, song after song, set after set.

This list is your chance to throw some love at the skin-slammers who turned three-chord fury into an art form. The ones who made you start air-drumming on your steering wheel, ruin your mom's pots and pans, or try (and fail) to keep up on a busted $100 kit in your buddy's garage. Some of these drummers were pioneers. Some came later and lit the fuse even hotter. All of them brought something real.

Vote for the ones you think earned their spot.

The Top Ten

Tré Cool

Frank Edwin Wright III, known professionally as Tré Cool, is a German-born American drummer. He is best known as the drummer for the American punk rock and pop punk band Green Day. He joined the band in 1990, replacing their former drummer John Kiffmeyer.

Tre Cool is a good, solid drummer, but he is far from the best drummer. He keeps good time, but he will tell you himself, "I tend to have the same quiver of licks I can throw into everything." Tre is a self-taught drummer who is limited technically, but that does not matter that much as Green Day are limited too, so Tre is perfect.
This is simple, straight-ahead 4/4 punk rock. He has power and energy, but he keeps it simple. He will say himself he is not a Brooks Wackerman or a Thomas Pridgen.
To whoever said "Burnout" is top-notch, it is a good song but easy to play. Simple 4/4 beat, and the solo part is simple enough if you master basic fills. The first part is just a single stroke roll with the first accent on the tom. The second rolls along the toms. The third break is similar but played between the tom and snare and finishes with two small snare rolls and a triplet on the toms. But I agree, it sounds good. I like Tre, but he is not a drummer's drummer. He is that chap with natural talent and sticks to what he knows.
Travis Barker

Travis Landon Barker is an American musician and producer best known as the drummer for the rock band Blink-182. Barker has frequently collaborated with hip-hop artists and played in bands such as +44, the Transplants, and Box Car Racer. He is also known for his work as a producer and solo artist.

Travis Barker should be number 1. I am a fan of Tre Cool, but I feel like Travis Barker is at a different level of punk drumming. A lot of his songs are pretty technical for a pop punk band, and he can do different kinds of drumming.
I really think Tre Cool is extremely talented and is a great punk drummer, but having him at number 1 feels a little wrong. Just listen to the Box Car Racer album or even songs such as Anthem Part Two, First Date, Feeling This, and Down from Blink-182. He is really good at feel, but also his plate is very full as a drummer, so he should be first. However, Tre Cool and Travis Barker should be the top 2.

All you guys are talking nonsense down there.
First of all, Travis did not drum on The Girl Next Door or Carousel.
Travis is an amazing drummer. Here are the real reasons why:
His beats are very unique, and he has a very creative mind, whereas Tre Cool's beats aren't as creative.
Travis' drums are very simplistic, making him a more classic drummer.
Travis has roots in jazz and marching band, making him very versatile in his abilities.
Finally, he has way better stage presence than Cool.
Travis (a drummer) got Blink-182 famous! Travis should be number one in my opinion!
Marky Ramone

Marky played with The Voidoids and Ramones. Pretty good resume.
Tommy Ramone

Thomas Erdelyi, better known by his stage name Tommy Ramone, was a Hungarian American record producer, musician, and songwriter. He was the original drummer for the Ramones and played on their first three albums. Tommy also co-produced several of the band's recordings and later became involved in bluegrass... read more

Come on, guys! If it weren't for the Ramones, we wouldn't be sharing opinions about punk drummers! Now I'm just a punk from the South, and who am I to criticize, but y'all need to buy some Ramones or Sex Pistols CDs or buy it off of iTunes. I don't really care what ya do to buy 'em, just do it and then see what REAL punk sounds like!
And why isn't Paul Cook on here, hmm?

He was a genuine, original, energetic punk - not like Blink-182 or Green Day. Tre Cool is a good drummer but not punk.

Oh yeah, Tom Erdelyi was one of the best drummers when punk started.
He was very fast and had great agility. Vote for him!
Paul Cook

Paul Thomas Cook is an English drummer best known as a member of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols. He played on the band's only studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, which was released in 1977. Cook has continued his music career with other bands and collaborations following... read more

This is the main dude when it comes to punk drumming: solid, loud, and created some amazing beats. He was just as revolutionary as the Sex Pistols themselves. He also was a proper heavy hitter compared to a lot of tappers back then. Love watching him play live, the real backbone and driver of the Sex Pistols. Love this dude.

Actually decent when you consider his subtle fills and hard-hitting sound.

Rotten's favorite band member.
Bill Stevenson

Probably the most underrated pop-punk drummer on the list. Definitely in my top 5.
Arthur Googy
Pete Finestone
Josh Freese

Josh Freese, along with Brooks Wackerman, is simply one of the best drummers in punk at the current time. This comes from a drummer, so apart from the speed, I also appreciate the finesse of these drummers. The work Josh Freese did with The Offspring cannot be underestimated.
If you do not believe me, listen to Wish by Nine Inch Nails. All good stuff, and as laChoquette says, who would not want him in their band? His work with The Vandals is legendary, and it is how he made his name. It is the backbeat of his career.

This dude is one of the most versatile drummers to ever live. I'm not too familiar with his work with The Vandals, but I'd say he's probably the artiest "punk drummer" to EVER pick up sticks, brushes, whatever.
"The Noose" by APC, check it! Goon Moon, check it! Dweezil, check it! NIN, check it! Kelly Clarkson, che - meh.
Topper Headon

I toured with The Clash, Ramones, and many first wave punk bands, and Topper was very solid (but didn't hit 'em as hard as Cookie did). Tommy did create that 4 on the floor, no-nonsense drumming that's still his trademark.
There will always be good punk-style drummers, but most now play in actual "pop 40" bands that aren't changing the world like the real first punk bands did. Original punks scared people, and it was dangerous. Today, it's sponsored by Pepsi and marketed to children. As my friend Joe Strummer once said to me about the new punk bands, "So, what's the latest corporate-sponsored revolution?" Plus, the "latest" band is always the one in fashion, for the moment.

The Newcomers

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Ed Udhus
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Gary Wiseman

The Contenders

Pat McGrath

One of the best drummers in the world! He was a big influence on me growing up. His recording with Killing Culture is phenomenal! Much love, Pat. You deserve this! - Aaron Rossi (Ministry, Prong, John 5)

Pat not only plays punk but can rip up metal, funk, soul, rock, you name it. Pat is a man of all styles. Don't let the long hair fool you!

Translating the Name is an album with orgasmic drums. Pat makes the simplest beats so complex. Thank you, Pat!
Earl Hudson

This guy shaped punk drumming so much that it bled into grunge and other genres. Hudson should be at the top of the list. Bad Brains are legends.

Come on, this guy was good...very good. Perfect timing. Stop, start, then full on. He could swap easily between thrash, hard rock, and reggae, etc. in a mini second. Deserves more recognition.
Robo

This guy right here should be number 1!
Steve Jocz

First off, it's Stevo32, and second, Steve Jocz has way sicker beats than many of these drummers on this list. Being a big punk rock fan and a drummer, I've played to many of these drummers' beats, and by far, I enjoy Jocz's the most. His personality is also great and fits in with the rest of the members of the greatest band in the world.

Why is Steve so far down here? He is AWESOME! He should be at least number 3. Honestly, Travis Barker is better than Steve, but I think Steve definitely tops Tre Cool.

Sum 41 is the best band, and this band wouldn't be good without Steve-O. He is an amazing drummer, and he is really funny sometimes. He's my favorite drummer. I hope I'll be like him when I'm older. He also sings Pain for Pleasure. He is amazing.
Chuck Biscuits

Chuck Biscuits should be in the top 5, along with Felix Griffin and Bill Stevenson.
Steve Hanford

Oh yeah, also for those who don't know, he drums for Poison Idea.

This dude rips. Listen to their album Feel the Darkness.
D.H. Peligro

DH Peligro was one of my boyhood hero drummers, and I spent many happy hours playing away to him. He is solid, fast, and very talented. He also gives a great hug.

Peligro was a brilliant drummer.
Ron Welty

YES! This guy is literally the most underrated drummer of all time!

Fantastic drummer! He's the best Offspring drummer ever!

Such an underrated drummer! He's a human metronome.
Lucky Lehrer
Dave Raun

This list is crap. The best punk rock drummers in no particular order are: Dave Raun (Lagwagon, Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies), Sean Sellars (Good Riddance, Authority Zero), Byron McMackin (Pennywise), Eric Sandin (NOFX), Josh Freese (Vandals, Tool, Devo), Brooks Wackerman, and the king, Bill Stevenson.

I personally think Dave Raun is one of the best rock drummers in any sub-genre. He's a monster powerhouse with metronomic timing and tons of amazing fills. He just makes music fun.

Tre Cool better than Dave Raun? People are just voting for their favorite band. Anyone who knows about drums and punk rock will have this guy in their top 5.
Felix Griffin
Rat Scabies

Rat Scabies was the wildest punk drummer, sticking his drumsticks up his nose and looking like a rat with huge teeth. An unpredictable and wild drummer who did all sorts of different things throughout his career. A real punk!

Green Day is not punk. Rat is the Keith Moon of punk, but a more exciting drummer. When you listen to what he was doing in '76, no one drummed like him. In 1976, The Damned was the fastest rock band in the world.

Rat played with The Damned, the 1st UK punk band to release a single, an album, and tour the USA. He is the daddy of British punk drummers and the beat behind New Rose, the greatest punk song of all time!
Brooks Wackerman

If anyone does not know Brooks Wackerman, please purchase a copy of any Bad Religion album over the past 10 years. I would choose The Empire Strikes First, as his fills on this album are brilliant, and you will never hear a better end to a song than Popular Consensus, which he seems to play at half-time and throws in some lovely fills.
He is the definition of speed and finesse, and I was lucky enough to see him live in London recently. Truly outstanding.
Along with Josh Freese, two of the most technical and talented punk drummers of all time.
Best,
A

He should definitely be top. Not only is he a great punk drummer who can achieve lightning fast single bass speed, but he also has some amazing fills and can play practically any genre of music. The man is a master of his craft.
Erik "Smelly" Sandin

I think for anyone in the know, Smelly would be in anyone's top 5. He is not a virtuoso like Brooks Wackerman, and I think even he would agree. However, having seen him recently, I can vouch for his speed and timekeeping. To put the two together consistently on a single bass drum is amazing.
I play along to "Linoleum," but after those two minutes, I am patting myself on the back for not making a mistake, whereas Smelly is straight into another song. From memory, it was a slower one, but then he is back up to speed with "Perfect Government." At those speeds, I would say he is the best. It is much more difficult to play at those speeds with a single bass drum, but it sounds much better.
To the person below who has written "double kicks," that is incorrect. He plays with one bass drum with the snare played on the "and" of 1. People think he plays another bass drum because he is so fast, but I can confirm I know every NOFX song, and one bass drum is all he needs. "Double bass drums are for heavy metalers who can't play." That is a quote from Smelly, by the way.
Scott Asheton