John Stanier (drummer)

John Stanier
Stanier at Moers Festival 2008
Background information
Born (1968-08-02) August 2, 1968
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
OccupationDrummer
Years active1989–1998, 2000–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly of

John Stanier (born August 2, 1968) is an American drummer, best known for his work with alternative metal band Helmet – of which he was a founding member. He currently plays in experimental rock band Battles and alternative metal band Tomahawk, and has previously performed with Australian rock band The Mark of Cain. He has also played drums on several releases as a studio musician.

Early life and education

John Stanier was born on August 2, 1968.[1] He Stanier grew up between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and various cities in Florida.

His first drumming experience came when he joined a drum corps, playing tenor drums for the Florida Wave Drum and Bugle Corps through a few years of their winter/spring camps. He then studied orchestral percussion at the University of South Florida, but never took formal drum set lessons.

Career

In 1989, Stanier joined Helmet as their drummer. He played on the band's first four studio albums: Strap It On (1990),Meantime (1992), Betty (1994), and Aftertaste (1997). The breakup of Helmet in 1998 was supposedly amicable, though Stanier has offered few details since the initial end of the band. In a 2020 interview with Modern Drummer, Stanier said there was "no big story or anything" regarding his time in Helmet. "It was just... time to call it a day. We'd been around for 10 years... no drama or fights or anything like that."[2] Stanier has not kept in contact with former band mates Page Hamilton and Henry Bogdan, and Hamilton has commented that Stanier has ignored attempts to communicate.

Following Helmet's split, Stanier turned his attention to DJing in New York City, primarily playing hip-hop. In 2000, Stanier returned to drumming when he was recruited by Australian band The Mark of Cain, whom he had met while touring with Helmet in Australia years prior. He played on their 2001 album This is This, and would continue to play with the band until 2013.

Also in 2000, Stanier was recruited to play live drums on songs for the industrial metal band Pitchshifter's fifth album, Deviant, and was also invited to join Tomahawk by the project's co-founder Duane Denison. In 2002, Stanier was recruited to join Battles by guitarist Ian Williams, formerly of Don Caballero and Storm & Stress. The duo have overseen every iteration of the band, which has also previously included musicians Tyondai Braxton and Dave Konopka.

Influences and style

Stanier cites Rush drummer Neil Peart as his biggest influence. He has also been influenced by drummers such as John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford, Terry Bozzio, Carl Palmer, and Lenny White.

Stanier uses a Tama Artstar II drum kit and Zildjian cymbals; he is known for his Ziljian K crash cymbal being perched as high as it can go when playing with Battles.

Recognition

Stanier is known for his speed, endurance, and precision as a performer. Modern Drummer has described Stanier as a "powerhouse",[3] while Rolling Stone ranked him at number 84 in their list of the 100 Greatest Drummers Of All Time in 2016.[4]

Discography

As a band member

with Helmet
with The Mark of Cain
with Tomahawk
with Battles

As a studio contributor

References

  1. ^ Ahearn, Kim (November 17, 1994). "Artist biographies". Rolling Stone. No. 695. pp. 154–158. ProQuest 220150530.
  2. ^ "Battles' John Stanier". Modern Drummer.
  3. ^ Brennan, Billy. "John Stanier of Battles". Modern Drummer.
  4. ^ "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time". Rolling Stone.
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