Eric Singer - KISS - Tour Kit Rundown 2022

This was fun! It was KISS's 3rd show attempt (rescheduled twice) in West Palm Beach for the End of the Road Tour. This one went off without a hitch. We had a chance to speak with Eric Singer on stage during the pre-show pyrotechnics testing for the fire marshal. Keep an eye on the background activities while Eric describes his incredible custom Pearl Tour Kit built by master drum builder Billy Baker of Baker Drums in Nashville.
Gear Brands in this Video:
Pearl Drums → imp.i114863.ne...
Zildjian Cymbals → imp.i114863.ne...
Attack Drumheads → imp.i114863.ne...
Zildjian Drumsticks → imp.i114863.ne...
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[@simonmcglary]

He’s got Neil Peart’s drum tech. Can’t get much better than that!

[@bradhart6487]

I thought Gump had gone deaf - the R40 kit was unbelievably bad sounding.

[@entelechy2020]

@@bradhart6487 which kit and are you talking about and do you mean seeing the show in person or the R40 album? The album was horrendously mixed (basically sounded like they only mic'd the kick and snare). The live shows though sounded good I thought.

[@bradhart6487]

@@entelechy2020 Well, the tour is now 7 years old...so I'd be lying if I said I clearly remember how the drums sounded when I saw them (I caught Toronto and Montreal), but I remember the feeling that it wasn't good. I haven't listened to the record, but I have watched a bunch of live clips. The 1st half kit is fine, I guess...but the 2nd half kit just sounds dreadful to me. Like, I honestly can't believe that got past everyone. I felt like Neil was too busy blah blahing about the wood being 1000 year old river logs or whatever to actually listen to how it sounded. But, I'm a little biased, I think, because I haven't been a fan of any of the DW kits, really, maybe the very first one was ok. I think his sound took a real step down when he moved from Ludwig...and for me the Tama's sounded the best. It's strange that the decline in his drum sound seems to have coincided with his change in drum techs, too...

[@nealbraatz3911]

@@bradhart6487 Totally agree! I remember being super excited when I saw the retro kit sitting backstage on the R40 tour. I couldn't wait to hear those 6 and 8 inch concert toms. Boy was I disappointed! El Darko sounded like El Crapo! The Ludwigs, Tamas, and, yes, even the Slingerlands sounded much better! I also preferred the Zildjians over the Paragons. I also agree with Entelechy. Some of the later album mixes (and a number of their live DVDs) have the drums buried in the mix. This is Neil Peart for crying out loud! I blame (whether I'm right or wrong) a lot of that on Alex. After he talked Geddy into getting rid of the keyboards, he would layer 20 guitars on each song and just covered up the drums.

[@SalMichael]

oh boy..

[@ronkoester6847]

Love Gene breathing fire in the background! Eric doesn't even get distracted and keeps on his demonstration!

[@PaulStanleyprivate]

Thanks for the support, it’s my out most pleasure having you here, I will have to call you my super fan. How long have you been a fan ?

[@jimilove7773]

Thanks love all of the Kiss drummers!

[@SJF98]

This is great, nice to hear Eric talking about his set-up with such humility and enthusiasm! Rock on!

[@PostUp_Time]

*WORST DRUMMER EVER. PATS THE DRUMS LIKE PLAYING PATTY CAKE. WATCHING TOMMY LEE OR LARS BEAT THE HELL OUT OF SKINS THEN WATCH THIS CLOWN...URGH*

[@HappyJ]

More years ago than I care to admit, a very close friend of mine lived across the street on E.270st where you grew up. Everyday I could hear you practicing. The sound coming out the upstairs window, all day, everyday. I knew then you would be something special.

[@thomasbuckybucksbrewergb4543]

A true professional!! Eric Singer’s drumming on the 1st Badlands album is f-ing my all time favorite!!! Hard Driver & Winters call are my favorite Singer songs!!!

[@fubar1217]

Don't forget about High Wire! Some great drumming on that tune as well!

[@benoitc.5400]

Badland is such an underrated band! Their first album is absolutely phenomenal!

[@peevee605]

Eric was with Gary Moore live when Gary peaked within hard rock. Bob Daisley on bass and Neil Carter on keyboards, guitars and backing vocals. Killer band.

[@k.thompson8549]

@@fubar1217 The snare sounds phenomenal too.

[@nathanwalsh3028]

I was working one of the rock clubs back in the late '80s early 90s when Badlands came through. First incarnation from the first record and Eric was a sweetheart. Actually let me hang out while he/roadie was setting up his drum kit. Actually let me do the line check on it too. I'm short like him 5'7" but even I was like Jesus dude your cymbals are up there!! I love it when you meet your hero and they're actually really really cool. After the show he gave me a few set of drumsticks and after they tore the kit down he gave me the snare head off the snare drum. Still have everything too!!

[@thesummit615]

Eric Singers drumming basics dvd was the first one I had when I bought my first drum set. I owe it to this man right here that I got anywhere in my early days.

[@scottlively4740]

Billy Baker is an amazing builder. These kits he made for the second leg of the tour are true works of art.

[@leokimvideo]

Brand loyalty thats extreme and major clue to how cue controlled the whole show is.

[@lachlanrobertson3905]

Or maybe it could be that a) he loves the sound of the president series. B) if it’s good, why change it it doesn’t need changing. C) he could just love pearl.

[@jas_bataille]

@@lachlanrobertson3905 No one said having "extreme loyalty" is a bad thing. IMHO it's a great thing in the music business. Pearl re-released the President series shortly after. Coincidence? I think not. So definitely a brand worth being loyal too...!!!

[@ganley5150]

He's played Pearl long before he was in KISS.

[@RightBetweenTheEyesPodcast]

@@ganley5150 correct, he's been with Pearl going back as far as his time with Black Sabbath in 1986.

[@ganley5150]

@@RightBetweenTheEyesPodcastHe's endorsed Pearl since he's turned pro in 1984

[@claudevieaul1465]

I've seen Eric play with Gary Moore (RIP) and Jake E Lee's Badlands, as well as with KISS - phenomenal drummer and musician, and has a great voice too! He forms such a great, and very consistent, rhythm section with Gene, which is important to any band, great or small....

[@aquilespriester1971]

Amazing professional drummer! ✅

[@mylesmilliman6166]

What a cool interview. Eric seems like a really sharp guy, it's no wonder that G&P brought him back into the fold when the time came and kept him there for the last 20 years. Very professional and a great player. And that is an absolutely beautiful kit, which also sounds like a beast.

[@ferox965]

Top notch player. Any band is lucky to have him.

[@aussiecoastie72]

I saw Eric live in Sydney in like 2001 … one of the most amazing drummers I have ever seen or heard

[@Rammstein45]

I love Pearl drums!

[@ferox965]

My drummer swears by Pearl. He's been using the Reference set for years. No chance in changing up now...nor would I want him to. Sounds great. Being a bassist, I play close attention to what the drummers I play with are using.

[@dannyveras]

I met Eric Singer at a small venue playing in a 3 piece band I Hollywood L.A., we hanged up for a while I still got the pictures and one of the sticks that he gave me after the show!!

[@eldenjr]

One of my favorite drummers. I've always loved the work he has done! Even though im not a Pearl player, I've always loved their gear. Killer kit, Eric!

[@bamorale]

Love Gene casually breathing fire on the backgroung while Eric's doing the rundown.

[@gregmcveigh9966]

Great work by Eric who, after stating that they were running late, gave a very cool tour of his kit. And kudos the the camera person to stay focused on Eric while Gene was rehearsing his fire breathing part of the show. That's discipline!

[@M123OCT]

I still have the 6", 8", 10" and 12" Pearl phenolic concert toms I used to use in the '70s. 👍 Now they're just ornaments in my house.

[@robertlage1072]

Such a nice drum set up & great drummer & cool guy. I love kiss 👍

[@mr.lindsaymcdonald2065]

ERIC SINGER thanks for this awesome video!!!

[@riproar11]

The crocodile finish is rilly rilly cool!

[@scait38]

I am not a musician by any means but I love this interview because it gave me a better understanding of Eric's drums. very interesting !

[@ofir_likes_beer]

Such a good drummer

[@Howareyouzig]

so awesome I love gene in the background doing the fire sword

[@AlbertMoyerJr]

Great video, Modern Drummer!

[@augsbourne]

Billy Baker builds some phenomenal kits 🤘🏻

[@tcconnection]

He's very transparent and very good at educating

[@robertcroxtonjr.7623]

you rock eric singer.

[@AndreiaMilenium]

Eric Singer is a phenomenal drummer! Simply incredible! He is for sure one of the best drummers in the world 🌎. The kit he uses is spectacular. It's every drummer's dream.😍😍🥰❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏😎✌️🇧🇷

[@Zeust56]

Amazing artist 😍😍

[@mikaellofgren7]

Great video been waiting for this thank you Modern Drummer! Eric is such a wonderful person and great drummer!! Happy that Gump went to work with Eric!! Such an legendary drum tech!

[@gadymarcus5297]

magnifico.💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@scottsunders]

Eric is a great drummer and total pro. Great video!

[@henningpieterjordan7416]

Eric ist one of my favorit Drummers.....Love His style😊

[@drum-a-holix9822]

Loved how his kit sounded in 92!!

[@coolguyy7025]

my man Eric being great as usual

[@yourdrummer2034]

Big fan of Eric. Great Video and I love the kit! Pearl all the way!

[@pjones8404]

Billy Baker is amazing, and I love his work! (He did a custom kit for me, and I just love it!) Eric is so professional and reliable as well! Nice to see Gump again!

[@mightymorphinconspiracythe5024]

I gain so much respect when watching a drummer run down their rig with such confidence. SO many drummers I've seen talk about their sets in annoyance. Like they hate doing it, or they don't even know what type of cymbal or drum head they use. It's crazy. I know sponsorships aren't always free, but those companies take you on to be mutually beneficial, and Eric definitely makes it worth their while.

[@Bingbing611]

Fun Fact- My drum teacher, Keith John, was the first person to fill in for Peter Criss. He was hired on for 2 tours to be on standby in case Peter was unable to perform. Criss was in the midst of a heroin addiction I think and his health and his playing suffered from it.

[@jabbastwin]

Love that Eric is still at it !

[@alfaman4113]

And Gene casually practices his fire breathing in the background

[@nicholasmorgan6910]

Eric Singer is an AWESOME drummer!

[@robbieparton2123]

Killer interview good close ups and an absolutely beautifully made drum set and the sound and tones are awesome...

[@jaggerkissmartinez1294]

Eric Singer ha sido bendecido por dios por ser parte de esta grandiosa banda kiss... Eric Singer ha sido parte fundamental para que siga kiss vigente... Muchas gracias Eric te amamos Eres tan dedicado y profesional.. Kiss es mi vida entera

[@Carlos-xz3vi]

El mejor baterista que ha tenido Kiss. Un talento excepcional.

[@jaggerkissmartinez1294]

@@Carlos-xz3vi Bro sin duda todos los bateristas de kiss han sido únicos y excelentes Peter Criss Eric Carr Anton fig Eric Singer Pero me inclino más por Peter Criss Pero amo a todos broder...!!! Y muy respetable tu comentario hermano... Saludos

[@brianphillips9152]

It's very cool that he went with vintage shells.

[@dennisb-trains23]

I'm a former drummer and this video was awesome. I loved Eric Carr and Eric singer was my second favorite after Peter left. Great interview and summation of your kit Eric! 👌

[@markrushton1516]

Phenolic shells! Forgotten about those. Actually compressed paper and a special resin I think. Quite loud. I like endorsers who stay with their brands for years. Gives both sides credibility. Gadd/Yamaha, Paice/Pearl and Paiste.

[@mariodallachiaraortiz7416]

Killer rundown 🤘🤘🤘love to see a drum cam

[@shadcovert1160]

6:25 Rammstein: hold my beer...

[@Micheal-jo1sl]

Who is Mr Rammstein??

[@philphilison1623]

Kit Rundowns are the very height of entertainment.

[@Reptileman1990]

I was there that day. Thank God the thunderstorm cleared up. It was an awesome concert

[@wastedinamericasandy2309]

love it weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee🥁🥁

[@dtandrus]

Amazing music carrier from Lita Ford to badlands to kiss

[@misterkarl01]

Eric Singer is the bomb! Also Gene doing casual fire stuff in the background is 😂

[@itsawonderfulknife7031]

Good to see Lorne. I wondered what happened with Gump after his last big gig. 👍🏻

[@AdvancedLiving]

Having Lorne Wheaton as your tech takes a ton of stress out of the situation. Dude is A#1.

[@pepe7drum]

you guys need to show more the drums, is cool the interview and all that but let us see more drums and how they sound instead of watching faces and other stuff, im still loving this videos keep em coming

[@tomkelsey2303]

Saw him on this last tour. Gotta say, he was awesome!

[@MrDPdrum]

Thanks for the great rundown, I’ve been playing 40 years and I learned something new. Liked and subbed. 🤘

[@p0esbek]

I think Rammstein might want to have a word about the Pyro. Super interesting and insightful!

[@johnhancock9249]

Cool Lorn Wheaton is Eric’s drum tech. He’s also Neil Pearts tech from Rush. Sad Neil is gone.

[@doylebrown3095]

I love Eric. Im my opinion, he is the best KISS drummer!

[@PaulStanleyprivate]

Thanks for the support, it’s my out most pleasure having you here, I will have to call you my super fan. How long have you been a fan ?

[@emmaoneill236]

Eric Stinger you are good durn the world Emma your big kiss fan

[@jamymorin8322]

Awesome interview love Eric Singer total pro verry cool about the triggers they use for consistent sound from show to show 🤘🏻

[@vonsigler5596]

4:00 - Gene practices grounding a flaming spear in the background. Classic.

[@markdwighttadina7655]

Peter Criss also used Pearl Drums before switching to DW. Eric Carr (RIP) used Ludwig

[@tikidrummerpoi]

Excellent rundown! Eric is a cool cat! (no jokes intended)

[@RobertSmith-lw2bx]

I was at that show. Good show. 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@thebluesrockers]

Pearl Drums were Peter Criss's Choice..So when Eric Singer Plays Kiss Tunes, They're going to sound Perfect.

[@RobFultz-f8w]

A solid, solid, solid fellow. Midwest schwantzie.

[@PhilPotorDrummer]

Gump’s the Absolute Best!

[@marktouchette373]

Love Eric Singer. Great drummer, great attitude and enthusiasm!

[@PaulStanleyprivate]

Thanks for the support, it’s my out most pleasure having you here, I will have to call you my super fan. How long have you been a fan ?

[@marktouchette373]

@@PaulStanleyprivate since 1975

[@PaulStanleyprivate]

@@marktouchette373 that’s nice have you attended my concerts?

[@astrosfan2783]

Let's go KISS 🤘

[@cutitshaveit]

A true artist

[@matthewpaluch777]

😎👍GUMP!!! Longtime friend/tech to Neil Peart.

[@matthewpaluch777]

Billy Baker ROCKS!!! If you need some drum work done please look him up.

[@daddybog7189]

Great interview Eric.

[@captainobvious6509]

Kiss, is a popular rock band!

[@thomasleonhardkiessling5065]

You want the best you got the best…..KISS

[@gstevens6948]

“You wanted the best, you got the best…. The hottest band in the world…. KISS! 🔥🔥🔥

[@Andyc515]

Eric singer an absolute phenomenal drummer and drumming Legend! Love his playing and some freakin’ awesome drum solos..🤘🤘👍

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Lol no he's average as fuck

[@lh1678]

I had a Remo PTS kit when I first started out with a Ludwig Vistalite snare that I still have today.

[@scottkane3776]

That was awesome thanks for the tour saw kiss in 76 in Springfield Mass.not sure on the date LoL it was a great show 🎸🦅🇺🇸😎

[@boblob2003]

Wow- I've got those same super rare lugs on my old Pearl kit from the 60's! I've only ever seen them on ONE other kit in almost 40 years that I've owned mine. I always wanted to expand my kit, but could never find any of the same lugs.

[@jeremysdrumming4474]

Excellent video! The kit sounds great! .. And as far as Neil Peart kits that Lorne Gump Wheaton tuned I absolutely loved the red snakes and arrows kit and the hockey theme kit those were Neil's best sounding dw's by far!

[@kevinchandler179]

Once again, Peter Criss put Pearl on the map!!!!!! Team Peter

[@tbonemaloneknowsitall]

Eric Singer deserves the respect of Kiss Army 1000%. What a great talent and truly humble guy all these years. Can't blame him for putting on the cat makeup after Peter was gone / fired / etc. He was IN Kiss before any of that happened - so in my mind he was the natural successor to Eric Carr and Peter Criss ....

[@andrewhobbs6962]

Shout out to the homie Billy Baker!

[@davidwilcox9944]

Kit sounds amazing!

[@Clominee]

Nice Witz cameo with the torch.

[@demonicsweaters]

This was such a cool video

[@jeffcherry1643]

Who’s buying the triggers are only for monitors because different arenas have a different sound so they want consistent monitors but not what is going out front thru the mains !?

[@zcustomcarnesi]

Remember Peters comment on the alive album , I play Pearl drums and zildjian symbols because I want the best ... Eric still playing Pearl drums Peter's playing DW's

[@randysanchez931]

Pearl is a definitely a one stop company. Their hardware is superior. Love the gyro lock series especially the tom holders.

[@DanielGreen-gi3ts]

I hate to preach to you guys out there that might not me musicians but Eric Singer deserves much credit for being able to play consistently to click tracks so when Paul Stanley lip synchs to his pre-recorded vocal tracks they appear to the audience to be real.

[@percussionistanthonyrobert12]

Love the kit rundown videos, would like to see Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger) kit and Dean Castronovo kit. Also Mick Fleetwood.

[@aaronshifflett8382]

“Nobody does as much pyro as we do” Rammstein would like a word…

[@davejohnson607]

Always liked Eric's drumming. Badlands with Jake e Lee first album kicks ass.not on spotify or can't buy on Amazon.🤬.wonder why?oh yeah his work with kiss is awesome also. ROCK ON.

[@Fotodante]

The Erics were/are the best drummers KISS had.

[@Carlos-xz3vi]

Singer the better of the 2.

[@roberthaizlip4057]

Nah they had/have no soul. They are all too technical and flashy. Peter had the soul, swing and made the REAL Kiss sound

[@Fotodante]

@@roberthaizlip4057 Soul is nothing if you are not professional and you ruin your three chances to be in the band. Peter is an icon and he was a great drummer, but in technical, musical and professional context he will never be better than the Erics.

[@roberthaizlip4057]

@@Fotodante Peter has soul and REAL swing the Eric's will never have. Peter was the Only drummer that made kiss iconic

[@Fotodante]

@@roberthaizlip4057 I never talked about who made the KISS sound. I'm talking about who is better as a drummer in an absolut and the Erics don't have nothing to envy on Peter.

[@DavidOakesMusic]

Ok hes the best musician in KISS 😆