Taylor Hawkins

[TopCat]

Ok, So I couldn't find a thread on the man behind the Foos.

Anyway, I was amazed recently to discover he moved from Tama to Gretsch drums. I thought it was a little odd, considering Gretsch arent usually associated with hard rock, especially when you consider their high end range is generally dominated by bop kits and the like. Cool though to see them expanding, after all, I use my Gretsch for lots of different scenarios, as most of you know.

[Ozzy Biz]

Seems like a lot of rock guys want an old fashioned American company name on their drums. I'd take a USA custom Gretsch over a Starclassic any day of the week.

[ZildjianMan1023]

you know cause i just hate it when other countries are making ma' stuff.. just kidding i own a set of tamas. i think taylor hawkins is a excelent drummer but i mean i know a guy whos in a hard-indie band plays a grestch kit.. really nice

[burnthehero]

I noticed the switch from Tama to Gretsch when I saw the video for their new single "The Pretender". It's good to see a classic brand like Gretsch getting some of the spotlight.

Anyways, Taylor Hawkins has always been one of my favorites. Not only is he an amazing drummer, but he seems like just an all-around cool dude....everything you'd want in a rock drummer. He also played drums on the upcoming Coheed & Cambria album which is pretty cool.

[Ashton Drum's]

So he has moved to Gretsch drums saw him on live earth with Gretsch drums and was wondering and now you just confirmed it

[TopCat]

In the new rhythm he talks about moving from 'T to G'.

'Describing himself as 'just a fan of drums in general', Taylor points specifically to the way his new Gretsch "Sings - Like doooooh instead of doooof" as being a key factor in him making the switch.'

[potential-h-bomb]

Taylor had a really nice live sound on his Tama's...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyr7x2aaok4

[Ozzy Biz]

Taylor had a really nice live sound on his Tama's...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyr7x2aaok4

Not anymore...



Thats predominantly the sound engineer anyways.

[Jaden]

thats gotta be one of the worst snare sounds i ever heard.


I thought the snares were off for awhile of the solo and then realized the ring.

[potential-h-bomb]

The snares are disengaged for the first part of his solo.

[sXeDanimalsXe]

I am excited. But kind of bumbed out. I am a big Tama guy. If I wasn't playing TRICK drums I would either have my own custom kit or be playing my starclassics and other tama stuff. But I had a gretsch renown maple and it was a nice kit. They upgraded the tom mounts since i had mine and they are really nice. That was my only gripe about my old gretsch set.

[drumbandit]

I noticed the kit swap but also wasn't sure if it was 100% fact that he's changed. He's one of my favourite drummers, what he plays fits the Foo's perfectly. I couldn't see anyone else behind the kit. (Although Grohl apparently plays drums on some tracks and leaves it to fans to decide if it's him or not).

Tom

[drum.lad]

i saw him live like two weeks ago with the foos and he was really on top form and the chemistry between him and dave is worth the price of the ticket they are best friends and booth amazing drummers

[Terra]

i saw him live like two weeks ago with the foos and he was really on top form and the chemistry between him and dave is worth the price of the ticket they are best friends and booth amazing drummers


A great drummer...another of my drumming heroes!

I met him last year and he was down to earth and very cool....a really nice guy.

[bradmapex]

Taylors a sick drummer you have to watch to solo between him, dave grohl and Bob?Hudson, from the Bad Brains(i forget his first name), its amazing. Does any1 know what snare he uses

[LpC]

Taylor Hawkins is one of my favorite drummer. I would like to know which series of Zildjian he uses

[nickg]

the new Coattail Riders album is every bit as good as the first one. i love his stuff!!!

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

Taylor Hawkins is one of my favorite drummer. I would like to know which series of Zildjian he uses

During the Coattail Riders he used Zildjian K Custom Series cymbals and he also use the A Series cymbals I believe. Right now (during the Foo Fighters recording sessions) he seems to be using A Customs,K's and Avedis (basically the same cymbals Grohl used on TCV).

I think you can goto Zildjians website and it shows you his kit and cymbal setup :)
Here's a link : http://www.zildjian.com/EN-US/products/configurator/default.ad2?artistID=1171

He also uses Gretsch Renown kits (He used several of them at the Coattail Riders gigs).
along with his Signature sticks. I've also had the oppurtunity to meet Taylor and he is a really nice and down to earth guy :)

Cheers
Chris

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

Hey guys, I want to know what you guys think of Taylor Hawkins. His technique, what he plays etc.

I personally think he is really good, I've met him before, really cool guy! And I mean a guy who can sing and play a song like "Get Up I Want To Get Down" is incredible! I don't know much about his technique, but I do know he holds his sticks correctly and seems to use the moeller technique on his hi-hats. His bass technique also impresses me (aswell as Dave's, his really impresses me. Almost like Bonhams, which impresses me... ALOT!). I don't know if he lets the stick bounce from the snare, but I know he uses lots of ghosts notes and accents aswell as cool rudiments for fills (taking this all from one video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItJOr9mWxmM&playnext=1&list=PLA4A1581363403F36&index=45).

What do you guys think? Cheers!

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

NOTE : I'm not really sure if he's using the Moeller technique actually. But what's your guys views?

[GRUNTERSDAD]

From whatI have seen his technique is a little sloppy and unrefined. I'm not sure he is using the moeller or if he is just not in total control. Just my observation.

[mxo721]

I read an interview, where he said he is completely self-taught, and he uses his arms instead of his wrists-which he knows is wrong- and it makes him tire really fast, I think the drum part to " everlong is brilliant" and fun to play. I like his playing.

[eclipseownzu]

Hawkins didnt write or record the drums to everlong. That is all Dave.

As far as Hawkins, he is obviously very talented. You dont stick around and get the gigs he has gotten if you dont have the chops.

[fmass92]

I love Taylor, huge inspiration of mine. Most of the drum parts he writes aren't that hard, but they always seem to fit the song perfectly, and they go well with how the Foo Fighters sound in my opinion. I haven't heard anything from his own band yet (Taylor and the Coattail Riders or something like that), but he sings and drums in it so you'd have to imagine he must be pretty talented to do that.

As for his technique, I read somewhere that he was self taught like mxo721 said, and he picked French grip over German grip, which I guess was a big deal back then? I dont know.

[mrmike]

I thought his drum battle with Buddy Rich was legendary.

http://mainhwy.com/300px-AnimalS1.jpg

[DrumEatDrum]

I'm not a big Foo Fighters fan, but I think Hawkins is a great rock drummer.

Some of his playing with the Foos seems a bit unrefined at times, but there are things he's done that really imprssed me.

Somewhere on Youtube, Geddy and Alex Lifeson come on stage with the Foo fighters, Grohl and the others walk off stage, leaving Hawkins with Geddy and Alex, and they play YYZ. Taylor is on his Foo fighters kit, not some monster set up, and he just nails it.

When VH-1 did their rock honors with The Who, the Foo Fighters did a set of music by the The Who, and Taylor is just great with the feel and power he put into those classic songs. At that point I saw why he is so respected.

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

I really respect Taylor, he is a major influence (not to my technique). But the stuff he did on some of the Coattail Riders tracks are WOAH!
Listen to "Get Up I Want To Get Down" and also listen to "Not Bad Luck"
The songs are crazy!
He is a good player, his solo's are cool too! And when he did YYZ, that was insane!
He's inspired me and he does seem to know rudiments, but I think he should really learn more techniques and he'd be amazing!

[jon e rotten]

I'm a fan, but watching him play is almost painful. I think I woud pass out after two songs working that hard.

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

I'm a fan, but watching him play is almost painful. I think I woud pass out after two songs working that hard.

You mean the way he plays? His technique? Or his drum beats?

[Duckenheimer]

You mean the way he plays? His technique? Or his drum beats?

Pretty sure he means technique.

[Kg_lee]

He reminds me of the way I use to play. Full of wasted energy but heck of a show! He's got great chops.

But to answer your questions he's a AWESOME drummer!

[jesseleite]

Any Foos fans here hear the new Wasting Light album? It's a good album overall and Taylor's drum tracks are well thought out. In my opinion his style is a nice bend of modern rock and classic rock.

[drummerdude9610]

Yes there new album is great. I like every song and it's pretty fun to play the drums to

[jesseleite]

Yes lots of fun. I'm still trying to nail down some of his parts, but overall it's not a difficult album drum-wise. I love the Neil Peart ride lick thrown into Rope :) From what I've heard Taylor Hawkins is a big Neil Peart fan. It's hard to see in his playing though because they are usually so different.

[AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken]

It's weird, I don't like the Foo Fighters music, but they all are such nice guys and very talented.

But ever since I saw Hawkins' ad for Gretsch I've wondered what set he plays. They look like big orange drums, but I've asked several dealers for the specific color and model and nobody can answer. Does anybody know? I'm looking to get a Gretsch set and his set's color looks awesome.

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

It's weird, I don't like the Foo Fighters music, but they all are such nice guys and very talented.

But ever since I saw Hawkins' ad for Gretsch I've wondered what set he plays. They look like big orange drums, but I've asked several dealers for the specific color and model and nobody can answer. Does anybody know? I'm looking to get a Gretsch set and his set's color looks awesome.

It's the new USA range :)

[MikeM]

Okay Taylor fans, see this post (http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75213) and chime in with your guesses.

[Odd-Arne Oseberg]

Great drummer and like all the Foo Fighter guys he just seems like the nicest coolest guy.

Now he's got good taste in drums, too.

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

Great drummer and like all the Foo Fighter guys he just seems like the nicest coolest guy.

Now he's got good taste in drums, too.

I met him once. Coolest guy I have ever met in my entire life! I told him he really inspired me and he laughed and said "That's great! Really appreciated"
Got my album signed and a picture with him too! :D

[AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken]

It's the new USA range :)

Ah! Now that I know that, it looks like Gold Glass Glitter ... except in the promo shot there's no glitter. But that could just be lighting. Sweet drums anyway, just a bit hard to find someone selling them.

[SitBack]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/5768817929_03da3e9e0c_z.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/5769363064_d6e16c044e_z.jpg

looks like the Gretsch USA Custom in Satin Classic Maple to me;

http://www.gretschdrums.com/pics/itempics/SCM54_lg.jpg

Hawkins is probably my favourite drummer in Rock today

[\o/]

I LOVE the Foo's, but never really rated him as a drummer. Then i was listening to one of my other favourite bands, Coheed and Cambria, and realised he contributed parts and played the main drummers parts on New World For Tomorrow. Lot more technical. Have a new found respect for the guy now.

[cantstandyourfunk]

One of the most influential rock drummers of our times, fuck yeah!

[gretschdrummeradam]

Hey does anyone know what equipment Taylor uses in the foo fighters and in the coataill riders. Much appreciated.

[Doug Masters]

I think he uses Gretsch USA maple with Clear Emps over clear Ambassadors. PS4 on kick and Emp X on snare.

[gretschdrummeradam]

Thanks man, any ideas on cymbals?

[MikeM]

On the last CD, it was 15" K Light Hats, 19" K Custom Hybrid Crash, 21" A Sweet Ride, 20" A Custom EFX, and some kinda K Custom China. 18" or 20" I think, but I don't remember.

He's used a ton of different cymbal set ups over the years, that's just the latest.

[SitBack]

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/560719_10151499020940545_25098475544_23336719_1084 959292_n.jpg

Wonder why hes taken to using a concert tom instead of a traditional rack tom?

[Aicdrummer]

Amazing drummer. One of my biggest influences

[diegobxr]

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/560719_10151499020940545_25098475544_23336719_1084 959292_n.jpg

Wonder why hes taken to using a concert tom instead of a traditional rack tom?

Hey man, I saw the Foos live in Argentina last month and yeah, he's not only using a concert rack tom.. the floor toms are also concert toms.

Red with gold hardware (even the cymbal stands), absolutely B-E-A-UTIFUL, and sounded amazing.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVhbc5nDRyo/T38WRWOj-5I/AAAAAAAAAiY/VV-UZKPxRbU/s1600/Taylor+Hawkins+en+Intergal%25C3%25A1ctico.png

(you can't see the FT but trust me, they didn't have resos.. I was in the very first row) :)

Cheers.

[RockNGrohl]

The Foos are my faves, as you can see by name. I love Taylor and he and I share a lot of the same drum heros and influences as I'm sure a lot of you do too. I loved the Back and Forth documentary they did. The interview with FF's bassist Nate Mendel talking about seeing Taylor with Alanis Morrisette is priceless! As you know he played with Alanis before the Foos and post Sass Jordan. It was with Alanis that he got to meet Dave and they became friends before Dave hired him to replace Will Goldsmith in the Foos. Alanis had just put out Jagged Little Pill and it was her border crossing rock breakout album. She wanted to be more that just a Canadian teen popstar, and chose her live band to be full on rock. And there's Taylor bashing away behind her stuff. Nate thought this was funny to him! Even on the mid tempo pop stuff he's totally rocking out!
He's great for sure and the drum sounds they got to analog tape (yes! analog tape!) on the new album sound amazing!

[bigiainw]

Hey man, I saw the Foos live in Argentina last month and yeah, he's not only using a concert rack tom.. the floor toms are also concert toms.

Red with gold hardware (even the cymbal stands), absolutely B-E-A-UTIFUL, and sounded amazing.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVhbc5nDRyo/T38WRWOj-5I/AAAAAAAAAiY/VV-UZKPxRbU/s1600/Taylor+Hawkins+en+Intergal%25C3%25A1ctico.png

(you can't see the FT but trust me, they didn't have resos.. I was in the very first row) :)

Cheers.

Taylor's a big Phil Collins fan- perhaps that might explain it?