Artist Spotlight: Shannon Larkin

Double drum battle with Shannon Larkin and Sully Erna -- two cameras, one on each kit. Follow the action as the drum risers move around the stage!

[@Imbelladana]

Seriously, One of the best drummers EVER!! I was lucky enough to receive a few of his Vic Firth sticks and a signed drumhead from the entire band; it is my most prized possession. Shannon is a freaking ANIMAL! There’s no one like him! 🤘🏻❤🤘🏻

[@user-kn7sr3ls5x]

Undoubtedly!

[@patricksdrumcoverseries]

THE drummer that inspired me to start drumming.😊

[@jimmythundarrsdrumcoverser492]

All the year I been watchin him play,he's had the uncanny ability to make a simple beat sound entirely different just by his visual representation alone......

[@mhilton19]

His shit is so cool, crazy. It's the opposite of what most of us do, move economically and conserve energy. I love to watch him. Even though his moves are scripted, he comes off as authentic and enthusiastic to me.

[@1959mstone]

Very , very true!!!!

[@glassman204]

Shannon is a beast on the drums. Love watching him play in all his video's and how crazy he gets. He's gets crazy like Flea from RHCP when he plays.

[@KinkyNothing]

I never thought of that. God I'd love to see them jam together

[@jorgealbertodiaz9408]

🔥🔥🔥Yes sr 🔥🔥🔥

[@nicknogueira517]

Hands down my favorite drummer so many copy him and could probably admit to it proudly.

[@Greasyheels]

Hell even the great Chris Adler has started using some of his moves

[@KinkyNothing]

My thoughts exactly. He's my favorite. My second favorite is Kai Hahto, who's arguably mroe skilled than Shannon, but his spirit alone is something else.

[@Gwarrar02]

One of my favorite drummers of all time...i would listen and watch him just to see his amazing drumstyle...his showmanship is still the best out there.

[@Asphaltsquadron]

Man, I dig Shannon's vids! On a side note, I'm now 59 y/o (told I still look 35-45 and act 25! haha) I thought the same about the stick size, so at the beginning of this year I went from a VF 2B to a VF 5B. I tried for 4 months to get used to them and playing just didn't feel the same. You simply just don't get the same rebound feel from a smaller lighter stick, so this past week I went back to the VF 2B and all is good in the universe again. I will continue to use the larger sticks like Shannon says..."Until I cant anymore." For now, I'm still good! Been using VC since 1990, back when they were 4-5 bux a pair! The QUALITY has NEVER changed!

[@luvmypaint1965]

Amazing drummer and love him in Godsmack!

[@michaelmcdonald4639]

One of my all time favorite drummers

[@robertj9673]

Definitely!!! Him and Reed Mullin. Rip

[@arkaea]

My dad always used 5B Nylon Tips. He would use the house brand at Mom's Music in Louisville, KY which were Vater. He had me playing since I was five. When I started taking it seriously at 13 I would use the Mom's 5B Nylon brand too because that's what they would by...but when I got my license shit changed and I went to Mom's Music and I tested so many sticks. Nothing felt as good as a Vic Firth stick with my style of playing. At first I stayed at 5B Nylon but I was breaking them a bit often for my liking due to playing hard as hell. So I switched to 2B Nylon. Heavy as hell can take a beating. Then one day I just got tired of the heavy sticks and wasting money...because I was not only breaking sticks but cymbals. So I went with 7A Nylon. Not one you would think of with Hard Rock & Heavy Metal. But I forced myself to change and it was the best thing ever because not only did I save money I became a better player overall. Every young drummer I see, I tell them you don't actually have to kill the kit to actually look like you're killing the kit. I've had a few ask me to show them and I'm always willing to take the time to show the next generations of musicians and share the knowledge. I've been buying Vic Firth 7A Nylon for so long, that I started buying them by the brick. Then I'd roll test them and if any were warped all I'd have to do was call or email. They would handle it every time. There may be one stick...two max in every two or three bricks of thirty pairs. That's excellence right there. Sadly I can't play anymore because I am have a damn bone disease that has made me fully disabled and caused me my mobility but I can't help but still buy a pair of sticks every now and then. Keep playing and practicing...and always persevere

[@T.Maximus]

Just seen him liv3 with godsmack last week, shannon absolutely killed it!

[@glenishii2022]

Shannon’s wicked awesome!

[@seap9570]

The style the style the style Shannon unlike so many others that came before him invented his own style I've been lucky enough to experience this greatness once in my life its a real gem and a gift from the gods TY Shannon

[@bradleyrussell1973]

There are a few blessings from the percussion gods that are playing today. Modern drumming and social media has presented many to exposure. And, of course, there’s Danny Carey, too.

[@shawnhopkins9814]

I don't even listen to Heavy Metal and Rock that much but I love GODSMACK just because Shannon Larkin to me is the best drummer in the world right now. The way he plays sometimes it looks like he has 8 arms. They should call him the SPIDER.

[@lordiblees]

No sir he's an octopus

[@peterveres2942]

Check out his work with Wraithchild America

[@jasonziemba5885]

@@peterveres2942 And his great work on glassJaW's Worship & Tribute. Some really great groove/feel on that disc.

[@sbiegs3885]

HA!!! HOLDING THE STICK @5:48!!

[@ecgodsmack86]

Dudes crazy

[@Mike-ke7ud]

By far the most exciting drummer !

[@6672rock]

Godsmack doesn't challenge Shannon as a drummer nearly as much as Wrathchild America and Souls At Zero did.

[@johngreen1683]

I agree. He was on fire with Wrathchild America. I've seen Shannon w/Wrath A. at Hammerjacks and caught them one time at the Rabbit's Foot in Frederick, MD.

[@nohabloemojislosiento4930]

Which is weird given that Sully Erna is a great drummer himself and the primary song writer. They always have interesting drum parts, but you're right they don't let Shannon go to that next level.

[@peterveres2942]

His best drumming was from that era for sure

[@larrytate1657]

Prob just the way playing for the songs works out

[@peterveres2942]

Larry Tate if I understand you, I think you’re right. It’s not that they don’t allow him the space to, it’s that the songs don’t call for it.

[@Ash_Hudson]

It's like watching spaghetti drum.

[@Schumeit]

He's the wizard of drum!

[@remygaron8311]

Awesome drummer mr Larkin🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻👏👏👏🥁🥁🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@stuhiggins6065]

One of the best drummers in the game

[@TanMaries]

2nd comment - love GS love Shannon - took GS to a new level of excitement and adrenalin

[@GG_77]

I love you Larkin!

[@CaptainsvLogs]

BEST BAND ON EARTH

[@1enormous]

i agree with the comment that shannon was at his best in wrathchild america. that band should have been huge. However, his talent with godsmack is noteworthy. its just a different style.

[@ManiacFitness]

Dudes been playing so long his arms turned into 5A's haha

[@suzanne1059]

He's the BEST.

[@1959mstone]

this guy is the real deal!! Dennis Stone drumming to Before you Kill us all by Randy Travis

[@frosty327]

I like Sully. But seriously give Shannon his due...he's amazing,

[@johnnypadilla7400]

Right on, Nick Cage.

[@vandavis911]

Shannon your a god.

[@hugobuco9220]

only by listening some of his mixed work and technique in Ugly Kid Joe, Godsmack, Another Animal and even 30/30-150, for ex, we perceive his true talent \m/

[@michaelmcdonald3268]

Great drummers in my opinion

[@PhillisNutsack]

Only one compound word... BAD-ASS!!!!!

[@jacobbishop620]

I like the feel of 5A but seems like you work less hard with a bigger stick... thinking of switching to 5B.

[@ScottyLo]

🤘🏽

[@MurcuryProductions]

When you can flail, and never miss a beat. You're good.

[@kkupsky6321]

I’m gonna start a band called “would got me wrong rooster?”

[@CBDM777]

he is the Best drummer in the World!!!!!!!!!

[@DSLIMD]

shannon larkin is a fuckin beast

[@1959mstone]

the real fuckin deal !!!

[@DARKBLOODHUNTER]

HE IS THE GOD OF DRUMMERS.

[@RafikGRizkallah]

not really :)

[@RafikGRizkallah]

I guess u missed a lot

[@carpenoctem775]

Shannon’s rad.

[@Hickje8]

@herbiedrumr369 Agreed...

[@homegrownpyrotechnics70-30]

I've always admired his playing style. What really sets him apart is his showmanship.

[@licantropico21]

he is using pinstrips?

[@corycoolbaugh6763]

COBRA DRUM Remo pinstripe Live,And Remo clear ambassador studio,which I actually prefer Remo clear ambassador.Beautiful Deep sound.They have a video where he explains his gear...Good stuff and Sabian cymbals are also beautiful.As well as Yamaha drums.Great setup.

[@Lnps123]

Is this guy also played for Ugly Kid Joe?

[@tmckague]

The drumming on "Voodoo" is by far his most creative beat (in my own opinion).

[@Sognafar]

He wasnt in Godsmack until 2 albums after their first album

[@tmckague]

@@Sognafar Hey, you're right. I guess Sully did the drumming on the original album featuring VooDoo? In any case, love that composition.

[@Sognafar]

@@tmckague iirc sully writes a lot of the drum composition and always has. Of course, I haven't been a fan after the Oracle. That was my fave album, then I hated the the next two so I dk what they do thede days in the writing process. You should check out mastodon though. Brann Dailor is my favorite drummer mow. Used to be Shammom and Sully. Exvuse thr spelling I just woke up haha

[@peterveres2942]

Have you heard his Wraithchild America era work?

[@KinkyNothing]

I'm guessing Sully wrote that and Tommy, their then-drummer performed it

[@gatotpriono382]

monster larkin❤❤❤❤

[@TraumaticDesign]

@drumerr16 Climax of The Oracle

[@ChameleonSF]

song name 0:41? please

[@shinedown1985]

thats a track called the oracle in there album 2010

[@dilshanaoki7493]

Song - Oracle Album -Oracle

[@mica2003]

What snare is he using?

[@jenniporterfield5589]

Rad 🥁

[@elizabethkeen7851]

He is getting some turtles

[@CBDM777]

. I meant your the best drummer in the world. herp derp

[@He10]

5:07 that's what she said

[@kaceyheadley]

Shannon Larkin is the sexiest, most talented drummer on the planet!! i love u Shan the Man!!

[@wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522]

Godsmack and even SAZ do not stand a single chance against Wratchild America regarding musicianship. WA = Shannons Homebase Band.

[@kaceyheadley]

when he holds that stick with his neck and points... that has to be the sexiest thing ive ever seen!!

[@kkupsky6321]

Get into man. Yaknow. A lil bit of animated. Drums don’t hit back. Usually. Sometimes. Pretend like you’re having fun.

[@samuelschwass9716]

When your arms as thick as the sticks

[@68keyop]

Praying mantis of drums.

[@stubkar]

I love watching Shannon humor that other guy that thinks he's a drummer deserving of an audience of that size.

[@PlayhardStudios1]

Arrrrhhh...why doesn't Sully just stick to fucking singing and let Shannon have his moment! .. the drum solo is cool, but??? I dont know ..anyone else feel me?

[@HTI4711]

Damn... those stick's are almost as thick as your arms. You have to get some weight brother.... !

[@flortecjh]

2 drummers to do what 1 can do,,unimpressed after hearing their commentary..cant come up with something better?

[@wilsonjjw67]

Shawn seriously Ill name two better than Shannon. Danny Carey and Mike Portnoy

[@shinedown1985]

i don't think so bro ..... shannon can play any kinda of rock or metal music with this skills even thrash . he can go beyond what u imagine if he on the drum set

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

Carey and Portnoy are skilled in their own ways, but Larkin has his own freakish style, his wirey antics behind the drums make normal in-time hits look visually awkward/extreme. It's called creativity.

[@jonmiller8412]

pft... Vinnie and Dave have owned the universe of drumming for 30+ years, period. Shan's one of my influences but c'mon man.. not one drummer, even shit turds Danny and Mike, can even hole a candle to Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl as no one can. Not yet anyway. It is well know btw. Do your own homework.

[@steveveramontes6011]

sully shouldn't drum, like at all.

[@JPudz]

+Steve Veramontes Better than you'll ever be bud.

[@AtomicMushroomz]

+Steve Veramontes Why? He's really good

[@drumfanatik316]

+Steve Veramontes not to mention he wrote and played all the drum parts on the first 2 Godsmack albums and part of the Faceless album as well. That's when Shannon came along!!! and the rest is history!!!

[@Pauly421]

+Steve Veramontes Sully is a beast on drums, especioally those bongos

[@matthewmcsherry2719]

You do realize Sully wrote and played ALL the drums on Godsmack (album) right?

[@cvblaylock]

He's a good drummer to play for such a shitty band. Those sticks are bigger than his little arms.