Drum Teacher Reacts: MORGAN ÅGREN drum snippets

Morgan Ågren has been a drummer since age four and a Grammy winning musician on both sides of the Atlantic. Born in Umeå, Sweden in 1967, Mr. Ågren was spotted as an outstanding talent at a young age as he began performing publicly at age seven, and eventually joined forces with ten year old blind keyboardist Mats Öberg in 1981. In 1988, still around their late teens, Morgan and Mats got invited to play with Frank Zappa for a few different projects in the US - just before Zappa passed away. With superb playing ability, the Mats/Morgan Band is a well-honed, cohesive unit, with its own voice in progressive jazz/rock. Morgan have climbed the readers polls in various drum-magazines recently. In 2010 Morgan was voted No.1 in Modern Drummers readers poll in the category "fusion”. Morgan has also played with Devin Townsend, Squarepusher, Magma, Bill Laswell, Steve Vai, Adrian Belew, Crimson ProjeKCt, Trey Gunn, Knower, Henry Kaiser, Fleshquartet, Fredrik Thordendal (of Meshuggah), Karmakanic, Spoonman, Glenn Huges, Tony Iommi, Terry Bozzio, Mike Keneally, Denny Walley, Kaipa, Bolon Bata, Dweezil Zappa etc.
QUOTES ON MORGAN…
”He played unbelievably, just unbelievably."
- Frank Zappa
“I’m a big fan”
- Mark Guiliana
“Morgan’s ability to react to things musically speaking is very rare.
Maybe the most phenomenal drummer I’ve ever seen”
- Devin Townsend
"I am stunned, these guys have an extraordinary amount of talent."
- Steve Vai
"Morgan is quite simply one of the most interesting and exciting drummers I've ever heard.
Rhythmically advanced and musical too. A rare combination of modern and classic."
- Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree)
"Remarkable technical expertise and playing skills."
- Bill Bruford
”Morgan Ågren is a drummers dream."
- Modern Drummer
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#morganagren #devintownsend #drummer

🥰

[@borysboryck6579]

I'd love a QnA session between You and Andy

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

All of a sudden all my drumming feels so dull and uncreative. LOL This is incredible Morgan.

[@jpcolindesign517]

You and Louis Cole need to share a stage. The world would end if the two of you played your experimental stuff together!

[@martinroland]

Yes almost everyone stands in the shade of Morgan! Hälsa Mats!

[@opart]

fire!

Thanks everyone❤and Andrew again 🙏🥰

[@onomatopoeidia]

Yeahy! I just want to jump on the kit and make music every-time I see you play. Thank you!!

[@mariusrbech573]

Du er helt rå!!!

[@PezrulezHaakon]

I'm swedish and have met Morgan several times. Not only is he a drummer from another galaxy. He is one of the most down to earth guys I've ever met. An amazing warm personality.

[@asbjrnfossmo1589]

To put Ågren into some sort of perspective: This is the guy Thomas Haake of Meshuggah calls when he struggles to figure something out. True story.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I'd believe it

[@baverfjant]

Also from the same city we have Thomas Hedlund of Cult of Luna, Deportees and Phoenix. There's something in our water supply. Met Thomas and his wife at a pub a day before Christmas a couple years ago. Didn't want to bother him too much so just shook his hand and told him I appreciate their music.

[@aksimtaioreunin5385]

​@@baverfjantI love Umeå. Lovely place in the summer

[@balkanexpress74]

:) - be sure to also check out Mats Öberg

[@alexanderstyrlander7991]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums Even Zappa was mind blown by a young Ågren kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2HYY6OplquIZs0si=SSNi73t5AffRAJWv

[@donbernardo9039]

Was at the Zappa-concert in Stockholm where Morgan and his long time mate Mats Öberg played on stage. Think it was back in 1988. Dweezil was playing as well, guitar duelling with his father. Amazing experience!

[@bodan1196]

Was this the concert when two brothers, as their third younger brother had not been able to come to the concert, invited Zappa to visit him at their home, and Zappa accepted?

[@tomasbengtsson9124]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2HYY6OplquIZs0

[@seanfay7679]

Truly an exceptional drummer's drummer...it's a sin he isn't recognized more...

[@robertritchiesse]

If I may .... I’m very proud to have Morgan in the line up on two of my solo albums. A true honor ... And he’s is truly amazing - and easy - to work with. "My" drummer any day of the week

[@toddegoldberg]

If I may also...may...You, dude, are a monster player. True mad genius. That ax of yours. No one else has the mettle to ride that horse. The world sleeps on you. Cheers.

[@mogglie]

Morgan Ågren is like the best kept secret in modern drumming. He do get a lot of recognition. But for the work he does. He should be more all over the place. The community needs to learn from him.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

100% agree

[@mogglie]

@@AndrewRooneyDrumsI’m a proud swede and an amateur drummer. I’ve heard him a lot. Listen to the nord live sessions where he sometimes plays drums. His hip hop back beat is outstanding. Like one in a million.

[@joakimgardlund9681]

The guy on piano is Mats Öberg (Swede) hwo also playd with Zappa

[@perweijnitz7797]

In the 90s I sent to see Mats/Morgan band in a small café in Uppsala here in Sweden. It was a strange concert - no typical concert venue stuff, just their instruments crammed in between the café furniture. Loud, chaotic, “lots of hair”, and just beautiful.

[@KillerwhaleTRX]

Hope you know the pianoplayer is Mats Öberg, blind players and that was the start many many years ago. They played for Frank i think hence his comment..... Did not know he was playing with Devin though....wow!!

[@Neuro_6]

The segment from 11:45 is ridiculously amazing

[@toddneilmacintyre]

I’d never heard of this guy until today. Wow. He’s pushing the envelope of human creativity. Mike Mitchell territory and beyond.

[@Sittin.]

I´ve had the privilege to stand three feet in front of his bass drums (in is home) while he went nuts on the set in the summer of 2011. My lord that was fun 😀

[@WolfHeathen]

The first time I ever heard Morgan was on Devin Townsend's album Empath. Brilliant stuff.

[@hartyewh1]

I saw him Devin and wondered who the fuck is this monster. They did such amazing medleys of Devin's catalogue and he made it all flow together with just the right mix of madness and utter technical proficiency.

[@GustafB]

Is that recording available as dvd or album?

[@hartyewh1]

@@GustafB It was the last or previous live show in Finland so maybe he's on the Lightwork Tour recording or was there another after(?).

[@Rhythmic1]

I love Morgan Agren!!! One of my favorite all time drummers. He's brilliant.

[@nisselarson3227]

Oh I've seen this guy in Fasching, Stockholm. It's a pretty small club so you're pretty close to the artists, I loved that gig man, it was Mats & Morgan, whacky progressive stuff, just what I was into at the time. :) Hell of a drummer, and Keyboardist Mats is pretty amazing as well.

[@magnusl723]

And the guitarist playing (blues) with Morgan is his brother Jimmy Ågren

[@coconutfleetsleeper5717]

Morgan is legendary ❤ I can recommend morgans brother Jimmy ågren aswell, freaking awesome guitarist.

[@stefanconradsson]

True words spoken! Cheers 🍺

[@JhonydasiLvadrums1987]

Morgan... ever since a kid. that guy is real stuff. and real alive mindset. love his work

[@erikmaronde2244]

A very musical and creative top drummer and a very kind and nice human being according to Devin Townsend and many more. 👍🎶🖖

[@ghostrobot3714]

YEESS!! Been a while Andrew (life), hope all's well. One of the best to ever do it. Would love to see a reaction to his main band Mats/Morgan, specifically either the live version of 'Daisy' or 'Baader Puff'. As you said, not just a drummer, but a true artiste!

[@ryn5671]

Hollmervalsen is my pick

[@ghostrobot3714]

@@ryn5671 Great song. Any of the 'Trum' session is amazing.

[@tomasbengtsson9124]

(Thanks for this video too. I just wrote some things on your three year old video that I did not see You allready wrote under this video. 🙃Thank You for once again showing us how great Morgan is!!! 🤩 )

[@tomasbengtsson9124]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2HYY6OplquIZs0

[@stefanconradsson]

He's from my hometown, Umeå. I've seen him a few times. He's pretty good. Cheers 🍺

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Sure is :)

[@perwestermark8920]

Umeå has managed to produce quite a number of great musicians. Very busy music scene.

[@giullianomartini]

Morgan Ågren is the GOAT. He's a legend and one of the most extraordinary drummers that i know.

[@bobule]

Morgan is sooooooooooo gooooooooooood!

[@MrFedX]

Looking forward to a chat with Morgan. Amazing, amazing drummer!

[@maximemorinleblanc7795]

That was fun to watch, have to appreciate the out of the box experiences. And talent!

[@daviddevilliers2828]

The Swedish guys are not definitely from this world, haake, agren… an another level

[@nedesnikderpherder7529]

Agreed, and add another... Buster Odeholm from Humanity's Last Breath, though being a guitarist and drummer 🤘

[@kluste6]

Well that´s about Time! He´s simply the best to my ears, and we need many more ears to follow him on his remarkable adventures!

[@Tassilago]

Brilliant Morgan! Yes, without the comma. Thank you, Andrew 👍

[@rikardottosson1272]

Local heroes mats & morgan

[@davemcclelland3164]

I've been following Morgan since early days of the Mats-Morgan Band, and everything done with his brother Jimmy is simply amazing. When he played with MAGMA I was overjoyed for him, for that opportunity. He's played/performed some of my favorite music his enire career. Hats off to this channel for highlighting the only drummer I've ever wanted to write music with,. Cheers to you both!

[@Ermude10]

Absolute insanity! Wow!!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

SO CREATIVE!

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love your work!!

[@borbauer9141]

at 6:52 he´s with Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah), playing "Sol Niger Within" from Fredrik´s Solo Album.

[@nedesnikderpherder7529]

Noticed that, I reckon he was laughing because of where Fred was leading him rhythmically

[@VanderGroejn]

Thanks. This was amazing. Bonzo is definitely my favourite drummer ever. I'd say this is up there. Hard hitting and chaotic with tonnes of touch. What's not to love? 🥰🤘

[@onomatopoeidia]

Oh yeah, he’s the un-recognized master of all things percussion experimentation AND with the most incredible speed and groove. Just buy everything he records cos it’s all absolute gold that will make your life better :)

[@flowerlandofjohn]

More Morgan to the people!

[@Dibulok]

Morgan du är ett jävla monster! haha. Andrew, the "drums and piano" part is Mats o Morgan Band, check it out.

[@MR-vj8dn]

I have this old CD with M&M purchased at a live show 😄 Amazing guys.

[@hakansundstrom975]

Look up morgan and jimmy ågren in happiness is an valrus, incredible drums and shreddin bottelnek guitarr

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Sounds good

[@donnelson6694]

That was weirdly wonderful. So creative. Fun stuff.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Beautiful stuff

[@TimoVERSION]

Perhaps others before and elsewhere, but Sly and Robbie would end early 80's-era shows with the former leaving the riser to play on the latter's proffered bass. Wonderful fun to be introduced to Mr. Agren, and thank you for the various videos I've enjoyed thus far!

[@SynicalDan]

Performance artist or amazing drummer? Yes.

[@magnusl723]

I see alot of Morgan in JD Beck! I have taken drum lessions in his little cabin. Amazing but also a little bit scary 😂

[@bigrob966]

I was literally just thinking this. The off cadence playing, the staccato snare playing, the speed. JD is very dug into the Jazz scene. It would be cool to see him hang with Morgan.

[@HallvardMoen]

Honestly, check out his solo album Batterie deluxe immediately, though I expect you already have. Completely in-credible! I was lucky enough to see Mats/Morgan band live in my city many years ago. Still one of my most cherished musical experiences, up there with the first time I heard Debussy's 'Prelude to the afternoon of a faun' on the radio while still half asleep, or my first full playthrough of Sol Niger Within (which he also plays on), or Mari Boine live in a forest just when the fog came crashing in from behind the stage. It's like the kits are alive before him, and have a mind of their own, and the KIT controls HIM, it's completely alien to me, and I've never heard anything like it. HOWCANYOUBEPOSSESSEDBYADRUMKIT!?

[@andreaslundin7935]

Haha that clip of him putting his hair on fire - that's him doing trix (in this caser lightning a cig with matches) while drumming when he's like 16 or something =) I remember when I was introduced to Morgan in the late 90:s and I was just blowned away =)

[@rolfjamne8922]

Baard Kolstad is a big fan of this dude🤘

[@jorraw]

You should listen to when Morgan plays his song(?) Akash/Neyveli: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2iqnZSmmLmtfNE One of the comments describe that performance very well. "It's peculiar how we've learnt or rather become accustomed to think of drums as rhythmic percussion only. What happens when the rhythm sings? Morgan seems to know how to venture an answer. What an extraordinary piece, blown away."

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I love his artistic style

[@stefanconradsson]

Thanks for this recommendation. I am saving this link because this is why music is awesome. På ren svenska (the following in Swedish): helvete så jävla skönt och bra! Cheers man 🍺

[@WishForTheNight]

First got to know Morgan when seeing an album of Kaipa at the local recordshop (yes oldschool) I fell in love with the cover art and the first few notes of the album Keyholder took me. Then heard him drumming and damn. He replaced Ingemar Bergman beeing the drummer in 70's & 80/81 Now i hear them with Darby Todd great drummer but idk can't listen it since im so used to the way morgan played and created a unique and light sound while filling up where it fits and playing less when needed. This Morgan Agren is an amazing creatieve drummer. Maybe we see an interview with the two of you. P.s. still waiting for you to interview the funny but serious and great drummer 66Samus who also played with Devin Townsend just as Morgan did.

[@shallowlord]

You should check out the drum show part one... You mentioned when it only was drums and piano. The pianist is blind, and he's in the first episode

[@cheneyrobert]

So cool 😎 that he reached out to you 👏👏👏👏sonic exploration 👌🥂

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes Fantastic to hear from Morgan!

[@anthonycornell8547]

Crazy !

[@matthieujoly]

"Just" a talented musician. Impressive. And... he's on bandcamp ! Great.

[@freas8520]

Love that expression at 11:37 :D

[@johanhemblom446]

I love this! What do you think of Topper Headon?

[@somberlight]

hes basically the mature siberiano, all about music - not entirely about him.

[@Darkurge666]

In Swedish the name ågren is used as a synonym to anxiety. Now you know why.

[@danlidstrom4820]

LOL -Lyrics: Ulf Peder Olrog (Visan om Ågren) "Nu klappar farbror Ågren på din innersta dörr. Han är den stora oron..." (Källa: Svenskt Visarkiv -- the Ågren/anxiety goes back to a poem from 1945)

[@icemancometh74]

Amazing talent. He´s right up there with Chris "Daddy" Dave and David King in my books

[@bubamaranovichok4901]

Hello my friend Mr Rooney, I just discovered a new band from your backyards called the “Rumpus Machine.” Young as it could be and still covering famous songs played by famous bands pay attention to the two girls in that four members family band, one is the drummer and the other is the bass player. They won third place in some bands race in your country I think a year ago. You Tube is Full of their covers in this side of the earth, and old music fans like me are loosing our minds how good they are. Thanks in advavance and wish you some real strong coffee, because you will need it .

[@MissingMars]

That was mad cool! Gonna suggest Kirk Covington from Tribal Tech - the song Big Wave if you haven't already.

[@spikegifted]

Ok... He drums for Devon Townsend... Enough said! He is insanely good!

[@antivanti]

What show was that with Devin? I need to see that

[@TheRealLucifer_Morningstar]

He laid down tracks and toured with Devy on the Empath Tour. 🤘😳🤘

[@antivanti]

@@TheRealLucifer_Morningstar Yeah I found it. Thanks anyway 😊👍 Gonna watch that

[@areacode08]

Morgan is like a mad scientist of drums. Check out Silvan Strauss. Another guy with a lust for experimentation in his beats.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I will!

[@pellepop100]

If we leave the popular contemporary Swedish pop wonder aside, Morgan and Meshuggah really stand out. Awesome

[@mortenhansen3455]

Everyone of you can get with one thing. 1 thing! = Practice. And lots of it!

[@Selkirk69]

Morgan and DiCenso are two criminally unknown drummers of great talent

[@jpcolindesign517]

Some of it has a Louis Cole vibe to it. Good stuff.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

GREAT call

[@BuzzaB77]

Reminds me of Louis Cole in many ways, or should that be the other way round? anyway ever since I saw him play for Devin my eyes were opened! Incredible talent and funny fella.

[@philt77]

Now i saw his face i have seen / heard him

[@bassvibasics479]

Loves his cymbals, doesn't he?

[@MrDanmjack]

Finally

[@akselolsson7576]

💥💥💥💥

[@johanneswarn5488]

And Kenneth fucking Copeland in the middle of it all 😂😂

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

LOL

[@philt77]

How can i have missed him. I love drumming and i am swedish too. AMazing drumming.

[@simoncbr900rr]

Have you ever had Phil Gould on your channel?

[@danalawrence4473]

Morgan is a really good guy- and his playing is exceptional. You know he has to be good if is going to take the drum seat for Christian Vander of Magma for the recording of Zess! But, Andrew, you missed the greatest drumming clip Morgan has; this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoHNi3irirOXiKs

[@crypton7951]

Sounds like the Hella drummer.

[@sursomsatan1225]

Rooney score: "Weaauuw" 13:09

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

🤣🤣👌

[@BUY_YOUTUB_VIEWS826]

another one

[@geekless]

If you like this guy, you should check out Damon Che

[@hairlokk8672]

Think Bill Burr would put it like "You favourite drummers favourite drummers favourite drummer"

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Nice!

[@Naksuu]

Some of his snare work reminds me of Louis Cole for some reason, I can't really pinpoint why though :D

[@hughneutron5303]

it's steve vai himself actually LOL (joke because that's his youtube channel name)

[@lenasoderberg2583]

Vem spelar Morgan med runt 9:10

[@stormietvannglass]

Sin bror Jimmy Ågren.

[@amusik7]

Demon king reborn as a drummer.

[@closure7747]

The monsters of the north.. We don't see them as fellow swedes, we see them as aliens from another Galaxy

[@bobanofat2585]

not my cup of tea. but looks like he had lots of fun

[@swedesarewhite5984]

When Swedes play drums, this will happens.

[@tomaszpawlikowski1301]

Andrew - you have to watch new BAARD PLAYTHROUGH!

[@arjuna-fn2pg]

I thought Kai Hahto (Nightwish) was a reasonably good drummer, but compared to Mårgan, he seems like, well, Lars Ulrich compared to, say, Louie Bellson (born Luigi Paolino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni). See e.g. Kai Hahto - Warm Up Solo

[@snorungar70]

There are no vikings in spain.....

[@joakimgardlund9681]

Ps. Hi is blind bay the way

[@DanielLarsson01]

No, not Morgan. The piano player in one of the clips though, Mats Öberg is

[@rickjean63]

It´s proboblsy very difficult to play but it´s not very enjoyable to listen to, it´s to much i think.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Bit of fun and experimenting :)