Dave Lombardo of Slayer at Yankee Stadium

Here is drummer Dave Lombardo performing at Yankee Stadium with Slayer on September 14, 2011.

I love how close up this is and how hard Dave wails. And then the camera pulls back and you see... Yankee Stadium.

Drummer I like: John Stanier

Here is John Stanier (Battles, Helmet) with Prefuse 73 on the track "Smoking Red" from the "Class of 73 Bells" EP.

Records that influenced my drumming

Some of the key albums that I was listening to that influenced my style as a drummer.

In short, I listened to these records, mimicked what I heard and I became a drummer.

Check it out: Drumming influences: Flickr gallery

Remembering the drumming style of Jerry Fuchs

This article originally appeared on phillyBurbs.com.

Few drummers can truly make a drum kit come to life and play the instrument the way it was meant to be played; Jerry Fuchs was one of those drummers.

Fuchs' style was reminiscent of the stripped down and driving beats of Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. Both drummers placed little value on flash, instead focusing on developing rock solid beats that propelled songs forward with definitive force. Fuchs used the high hat and snare drum to place subtle notes of emphasis within a song, a technique that most drummers (experienced and inexperienced) simply overlook. Fuchs had an uncanny dexterity with the kick drum that was certainly advanced, if not aerobic.

Watching Fuchs play, it was clear he had an inherent sense of rhythm. By all appearances steady tempos seemed to flow effortlessly from him as he played. But Fuchs' makes-it-look-easy style was clearly the sign of an accomplished musician who had spent years practicing and evolving as a musician to develop such a rock solid style. Fuchs' simplistic yet powerful style enabled him to play many types of music. Whether a song called for complex time signatures or a minimalistic elementary beat, or both, Fuchs had no problem playing with exacting precision.

In the indie rock scene, Fuchs was a well respected musician noted for his friendly interaction with fans and other like-minded musicians. Simply put, Jerry Fuchs was one of the best drummers to come along in indie rock in recent years. While the world at large will never know Fuchs' work, those fortunate to have heard and seen his work with The Martians, Koncak, Vineland, Turing Machine, !!!, The Juan Maclean, Maserati, et al. will vouch for his greatness. And rightly so.

Bitch Magnet - 'Umber': One of the records that influenced me as a drummer

Bitch Magnet was one of those bands I was in awe of.

I got to see them play at The Old Club at Swarthmore College.

After the show, I drunkenly went up to one of the band members and said something stupid that I'm still embarrassed about today.

Fast forward several years and I get a call from Jon Fine, who played guitar in Bitch Magnet.

He's heard about my drumming and wants me to consider playing in his new band, Vineland.

He drives down to Newark, DE and we jam in a basement. It's awesome.

I join the band. Bob Bannister is the guitarist. He is an amazing musician.

I spend the next year and a half or so driving up to NYC nearly every weekend to rehearse.

We play gigs at places I've only dreamed of playing. We record in a legendary studio.

I meet musicians who I consider my idols and have been directly influenced by. They're in the audience watching ME play.

We tour with bands such as Don Caballero and Rodan.

Playing in that band is an experience that had several moments of total brilliance.

And then, I burn out, flame out. I pretty much stop playing drums for good.

I'll do one more band officially, El Tiante, with my pal Mark Erdody after that.

I play a few one-off gigs with Mike Lenert (Lettuce Prey).

And then I stop playing drums altogether.

And even though I still hear the music in my head and listen intently to the drums on every song I listen to, I don't miss playing at all.

McG's favorite drummers circa 2005

Here are my five favorite drummers:

1. Damon Che (Don Caballero) - Utterly brilliant and extremely unique. Long over due for significant recognition.

2. Paul Bostaph (Slayer) - His drumming on the last three Slayer records is just fan-friggin-tastic.

3. Derrick Bostrom (Meat Puppets) - He's got a straightforward sensibility that is second to none. Check the beats on "Up on the Sun."

4. Grant Hart (Husker Du) - Whether it was thrash or punk-pop, I learned how to play drums listening to Grant Hart's manic presence.

5. Rey Washam (Big Boys, Rapeman) - Exceedingly skilled drummer with lots of finesse.