The Wild World of YouTube Drummers

photo via JonahRocks.com

Depending on who you talk to, the internet is simultaneously the downfall of the music industry as well as history’s best promotional tool. These days, media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, and YouTube are launching unlikely careers. When I finally get some time to myself, there’s nothing better than browsing the internet for hours and finding ridiculous drum cover videos on YouTube. I don’t know if I’ll be laughing at someone’s misfortune or picking my jaw off of the floor after witnessing some amazing musicianship. After seeing everything from a toddler playing System Of A Down to the ridiculous Fred Armisen instructional video, I decided to take a closer look at the weird and wild world of YouTube Drummers.

The punk community lost their proverbial shit when “Every Fat Wreck Chords Release Drum Medley” made its way onto the internet. Kye Smith took one song from each release of the punk rock label’s catalogue and spliced them into one giant 13-minute rocker. Not only did he make the songs fit together, but he learned how to play drums through all of it. I personally grew up loving the fast-paced punk rock drum beat and know first hand that it’s not easy to play, especially for long periods of time. A video like this is a prime example of garnering attention from a cool idea. Every single band included in the video has a reason to watch, as well as the label heads and a majority of them either promoted it or reached out to Kye personally.

Kye mixed his love of studying media with punk rock and came up with the punk rock medley idea. If you scour YouTube you’re bound to see drummers like Travis Barker and others doing so-called “remixes” to top 40s songs by adding a simple beat over top of them. Of course, people drumming along to the likes of Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, or Drake will get a lot of hits online. Kye wanted to stick to his own demographic, and it is already paying off from him and his band, Local Resident Failure. The guys have an IndieGoGo campaign up now to find their album and Kye’s 30+ videos are just extra attention grabbers to fund the cause.

My friend showed me a video of a guy wearing a pink headband and a jean vest drumming along to NSYNC and midway through the song, he suggestively puts on Chapstick at the camera. This was my introduction to Adventure Drums. Not only is he a great drummer, but he’s absolutely hilarious. Under the name Adventure Drums, Brad has been putting out some of the most entertaining drum covers and interviews on the internet. Whether he’s interviewing Riley from Thrice while playing racket ball or making the bold claim that he’s Paramore’s new drummer, he’s constantly bringing humor into what seems to be a very dull musical landscape and getting the view counts to back it up. Instead of clinicians playing along to Weather Channel music and speaking in monotone voices, there’s finally someone who can keep your attention.

He may be the first to admit that there are plenty of weirdos in the drumming world and it’s about time someone brings them together. Originally starting with the idea to make an instructional DVD, Brad figured YouTube was the best outlet to start getting attention and eventually draw people to the Adventure Drums site. After touring for years in a band signed on Capitol Records, Brad let me know it was still hard to get endorsements other than his long-term relationship with Truth Drums. The rest of his endorsements all come from Adventure Drums which further proves the power of the internet. The likes of Thomas Pridgeon, Aaron Spears, Billy Rymer, Josh Freese, Ilan Rubin, Zach Lind, and Riley Breckenridge have all contacted him from his videos. He also admits he has an unfair resentment toward the phrase “YouTube Drummer.” To Brad, he feels it oversimplifies that hard work done by himself and others. You have to be a drummer first, not just playing drums on camera. What sets him apart from the rest of the pack is how he established himself as a brand. YouTube is only a tool to help harness his inevitable stardom.

One video that got my attention was from a nine-year-old drummer named Jonah. The kid is barely the height of a drum throne, equipped with big ear muffs, an orange drum kit, and overflowing adorableness. He’s hitting almost every fill, doing cymbal grabs and has a strangely refined sense of timing for someone who has probably never heard the word, “algebra.” His System Of A Down cover (recorded when he was FIVE) has over six million views and his Avenged Sevenfold cover has over two million. This kid has his own fan base and hasn’t even started his first band. A few of his endorsements are with SJC Drums, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, DW Hardware, and Zildjian Cymbals. It seems he’s already living the dream before he can finish reading a Goosebumps book.

I asked Jonah’s father if any major musicians have contacted him after watching the videos. I had no idea how extensive the list would be in return. Travis Barker had Jonah come on stage and play his kit and everyone from Tommy Lee to Eric Singer from KISS have hung out with the pint-sized prodigy. Getting a head start like this in the music industry is a massive feat. At the end of each video when the song finishes, Jonah bashes away at everything and squeals with joy. It’s like me after a few cups of coffee at practice. When asked what his future holds, Jonah said he wanted a new video game that was on sale for Easter. It’s safe to say his priorities are in check for a while.

There’s nothing better than the original, but there’s something fascinating about watching someone else’s take on it. A camera and some drums are really all you need to launch a potential career. To some, it’s self-expression, to others a public resume. Everyone from drummers to aspiring actors are getting themselves out there and taking advantage of the internet. You don’t have to be better than anyone else, just be the best version of yourself. Someone out there will appreciate it. Now get in the basement, turn on the camera, pick up the sticks and let the world know you exist.

Jonathan Diener has definitely searched YouTube for "naked drummer" at some point. Follow him on Twitter - @jonodiener

Check out more of his articles:

Building an Empire with SJC Drums

Bringing Guitars Back from the Dead

From Drummer to Drummer: How to Pitch a Perfect Product

How to Be a Band in a Van

The Best Drummers You've Never Heard of Are Shredding in a Church in Michigan