Drum Influences Series: #4 Ronnie Vannucci, The Killers, "When You Were Young" (Drum Cover)

I jumped ahead to a much more recent influence for part 4 of this series, which is my tribute to the Killers' drummer, Ronnie Vannucci. It took until the band's second album before I gave them an honest listen, but once I did I was an instant fan. There's something about Ronnie's approach to the drums that feels familiar, like a combination of the recklessness of Keith Moon with the bombast of Bonham and the class of Bun E Carlos. I love his drum tones, his loose but highly musical parts, and his go-for-it attitude. It was refreshing to hear someone in the modern era going for such raw, natural drumming.

Things I learned from recreating this track:
1. It's tough to keep the energy up start to finish.
2. The fills are motivic yet never exactly repeat themselves.
3. Incorporating the toms into transitions without disrupting the drive of the kick/snare/ride groove is a very effective way to elevate the energy without drawing attention to the drums.

Gear Used:
13", 16", 24" Bucks County solid/ply hybrid drums
6.5x14 Craviotto Johnny C. series solid maple snare
Zildjian cymbals (22" Constantinople Renaissance ride, 22" Constantinople Overhammer ride, 17" Constantinople crash over 17" A Thin crash as hi-hats)

Play-along track from Hal Leonard Pop Rock book/CD package.