Jimmy Chamberlin on Finding His Drum Tone | Reverb Interview

Jimmy Chamberlin found his drum tone in the Smashing Pumpkins through years of making small but impactful nuanced changes to his drumkit. Watch Jimmy demonstrate how cutting through the mix and articulating your tone isn't always about having the loudest, most powerful drum sounds.
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[@Ash_Hudson]

2:38 "I'm sure I got some kind of like radiation exposure from that thing", 2:43 *proceeds to demonstrate radioactive superpowers*

[@rockforlight]

I could watch this guy talk music all day.

[@MrAngryTwinkie]

Or listen to him play. One of the GOATs. Great at explaining, great teacher. Highest compliment I can ever pay a musician -- all it takes is one note and I can tell it's Chamberlin.

[@Amp1771]

Right... right?

[@nesfan8]

Me too, and I neither play drums or know much about music

[@alancosens]

Bringing your own wood stage floor to every gig. My God, that is brilliant.

[@BrunoinChains]

There's nothing more satisfying than listen to a musician who knows his shit.

[@MichaelSkelton]

When you hear Jimmy and Billy speak about making music, talking about frequency range, how to make their instruments fill out the sound spectrum, it's crazy, I mean these guys are very insightful sound engineers and recording techs ON TOP of being great musicians.

[@kerrinnaude2777]

Agree. Part of the joy of listening to their music

[@kristopherryanwatson]

@@kerrinnaude2777 precise reasons why this band stands head and shoulders above their contemporaries.

[@colinclayton8042]

Having Billy. Jimmy and Butch all having such an interest, prioritization and knowledge of music/sound production was critical to how successful their first two albums were

[@larenzohayes4453]

I need like 10 hours of just Jimmy playing the drums.

[@sicknessmusik]

Criminally underrated drummer.

[@dashwig]

Why? He's one of the best & greatest rock drummers of the last 25 years & played in one of the 90s biggest and most prolific bands.Take a second before using the term "underrated".

[@jamesmarshall7885]

@@dashwig true, it's just a bit confusing that nearly no one I know acknowledges or has even known of Chamberlain, instead they know Grohl, Bonham etc. In terms of popularity and being over/underrated, I would still definitely say he is underrated rather than overrated.

[@mikearndt2217]

Agreed!

[@danlc95]

@@jamesmarshall7885 - Exactly. He doesn't have the profile that Grohl, Cameron and Abbruzzese has. Umderrated, or maybe overlooked.

[@danlucas6061]

dashwig absolutely right ! Not underrated ! Just a monster known for that !!!

[@jasonmcmillan4373]

Back in the '90's as a teenager we all had our favourite bands & mine was the Pumpkins, but I flat out couldn't convince anyone just how good a drummer this guy was, they just couldn't hear it. I think a lot of it had to do with Jimmy always just playing what needed to be played, whatever needed to be played, flawlessly. You had to go through their entire catalogue to hear those stand out songs where you got to hear him really shine, & then once you did, all you could hear was this amazing drumming on every damn track of theirs you listened to! Incredibly underrated drummer, he is one of the very best. He's Bonham good. Grohl good. He really is.

[@jamesmarshall7885]

Couldn't have said it better

[@Novotny72]

I was never a big fan, but the 1979 groove was when I realised I was listening to a master doing his stuff

[@RRTNZ]

Did you play " Geek USA" for them? That's the Pumpkin's "Moby Dick" showing off Jimmy's skills.

[@jasonmcmillan4373]

@@Novotny72 1979? Hell, that is interesting. I think that is perhaps the perspective of a true drummer vs a fan like myself.

[@jasonmcmillan4373]

@Sherman Park Awwww, shit man. Listen to 'My Hero' or 'Scentless Apprentice' & get back to me. He is a great, IMO.

[@WarmothGuitarist]

Hard to believe at one point, Jimmy was as low as one could get in life. A prodigious drummer ODing on heroin numerous times, getting fired from one of the most prolific bands of a generation...or ever To see him in this form now is amazing. Hopefully he stays clean and makes music for another 20 years.

[@markbarrett4440]

He really hit the bottom, even being partly responsible for Jonathan Melvoin's overdose. It's great to see him back and so focused. He's one of the greatest drummers ever. His snare rolls and tone are immediately identifiable. He's always brought jazz sensibilities to his playing which always makes him stand out from many of his contemporaries. I'm not condoning his drug abuse but being in a touring band at that level with a control freak with an ego the size of Corgan's must've been challenging. He deserves to be respected as a musician and a man because it all could've been very different.

[@onkel44lekno]

jimmy's such a phenomenal drummer. there's few drummers you just watch 'em play and your jaw's completely dropped. jimmy's that type of drummer. what he laid down on all these pumpkins records are just amazing, if you've witnessed him live, you know he's the real deal. just a monstrous drummer with tons of dynamics, feel and articulation. one of my favourite drummers of all time.

[@watchdog304]

Absolutely!

[@spark_6710]

Jon,JON LEE was definitely that way! He was a magician! With so much emotions & passions in his drumming ,not to mention his skills& techniques, music IQS, styles,melodicality& musicality & speed & power & ATHLETICISM!!! AND character & personalities, you could hear & feel in his drumming! And the tones of his drumming, the prettiest I've ever heard!There's nobody like him! Jimmy Chamberlin is pretty good ,a skillful drummer.

[@Ulrich_von_Jungingen]

I love great drumming and for me my three favourites are Porcaro, Copeland and Chamberlain. All three really made the music (IMO) of their respective bands.

[@gravityfreaksmusic]

20 years later and he's still my fave.

[@watchdog304]

I'll never forget the first time I heard Siamese Dream. It's a classic album with some of the greatest guitar fuzz and tone ever. I was 12 when it came out. Somehow, It wasn't until years later that i realized just how great Jimmy Chamberlin is. He was absolutely critical to the bands power. Superb drummer!

[@AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken84]

Did you not listen to Geek USA on that album??

[@KingBlonde]

Jimmy seems in a really good place, lets hope he keeps it up long enough to take over the world with his delicious chops.

[@davidmcdermott5368]

The high pingy stuff was getting killed by the Strats!

[@kurdtjohn]

@Bread& Butter I thought his Strats had regular single coil pickups

[@dylanvogel4503]

Kurt Garcia I believe his gish strat were all single coil but he started putting lace censers into then witch I believe are humbuckers the size of single coils

[@johnk-ht4yj]

sounds like game of thrones

[@dylanvogel4503]

@Benjamin S thanks for the info I was told the wrong thing my bad :)

[@kristopherryanwatson]

@Benjamin S dude, awesome background info on the lace sensor pickups and the guitars Billy used between Gish and SD..I didn't even know that about the pickups and I dig for anything available I can read for Billy's guitars and gear since the very beginning. What you shared here was like treasure. Thanks. :)

[@misakiyoshida]

"And if you saw his rig back then, I'm sure I got some sort of radiation exposure from that thing." Hahaha, no shit. Billy's rack gear was out of control back in the 90s.

[@RudyPalos]

That was hilarious!

[@ianlinder2168]

Yeah the custom preamp system he used was pretty sick.

[@nesfan8]

Jimmy talking about Corgan is like the best thing ever xD

[@standinsilence]

It is.

[@NotMyWar]

Corgan? What are you on a baseball team with him?

[@TupDigital]

@@NotMyWar hey silly, he's super famous, and usually it's be the other way around to make a crack: "Billy? what are you, on a first name basis w him?" Sheesh

[@NotMyWar]

@@TupDigital Billy Corgan is acceptable

[@ABGBrian]

I appreciate this guy so much more now that I've seen an interview with him.

[@simply3141592654]

Corgan's signature guitar with Reverend is awesome.

[@moxiemusic3739]

His grooves are so hypnotic. Pumkins' sound has like it's own atmosphere and I think a lot of it has to do with Jimmy's tone and playing

[@aleksifradet1654]

One of the most recognizable sounds of my life. For me, how I decide whether a musician is “good” (my definition of it) at what they do or less is if they have an identity no matter the skill level. And fuck he has both yet still servers the song to elevate it to an insane degree. It’s as if he’s writing melodies for his drums when he plays. I love him and the rest of the Pumpkins. One of the most perfectly in sync and heart filled lineups in music in my opinion. They’re one of the sounds of my life. Thank you all Pumpkins.

[@bak1386]

What a genius of a drummer, just masterful in playing and explaining the sonic a qualities and the purpose of the drums. Great great stuff

[@joetoe9207]

I love how he used Constantinople cymbals. He's under rated. I'm tired of guys showing chops and not a heck of a lot else.

[@zillaquest02]

Joe Toe I agree I think is getting ridiculous how these guys overplay. You're listening to the verse of a song and a guy's having an orgasmic drum solo during a part that he should be laying in the groove or adding musical textures, it's like drumming has become sport instead of art and music!

[@knudek]

Awesomeness of Jimmy is incomparable

[@realitycheque6529]

Awesome Jimmy. I was just listening to MCAIS today and that album is a masterpiece

[@63Baggies]

I love this guys playing; always interesting to listen to.

[@jas8012]

One of the greats!!!!

[@cass2303]

Jimmy has always been fire

[@jkf9167]

He sounds awesome and he's trying to help you sound awesome too!

[@trailspin6957]

id give anything to sit and talk to Jimmy for an hour.

[@minorgray]

love this drummer and of course the pumpkins

[@brianjustbrian7216]

He's so relaxed but powerful at the same time. A sign he really knows his dynamic range & gives space to the rest of the band/mix. Very rare except in the most elite percussionists

[@stevehilderbrandt9458]

From my generation the 90s he is my favorite drummer Then Cameron. Grohl. Jimmy chamberlain drumming is legend

[@michaelinglis8516]

"Let them discover that later", very wise way of looking at it. I certainly did discover that later with the drumming and guitar parts on MCAIS. There were the parts that were right up front and everyone got it right away. But then there was the parts for the musicians to pick up on over the years through listening to those records/tracks for the 500th time or picking up those parts you missed when you finally learn to play the song the right way rather than the "just hit the high points way" lol. I truly always have thought that it was the artists intention to add depth to the songs that werent immediately apparent. If everything was up front on the first listen the lure really wouldnt be there like it is with those classic albums. Very cool sit down reverb!

[@GiovanniGirelli1104]

The understanding these guys have about music just blows my top

[@marcink6879]

This is golden!

[@benmiddleton9984]

FANTASTIC jazz drummer! SOOOOOO...underrated.

[@tommyowen8583]

Love this dude.

[@juanescalona4145]

Omg that ride cymbal soudns glorious!!!

[@mmv4920]

Huge talent!!

[@James-wl5zv]

"Useable midrange" this guy understands frequency on another level! This kind of knowledge is invaluable

[@kevincasey821]

One of the greats here.

[@Avaloctus]

2:39 "....some type of radiation exposure..." LOL

[@markjones2038]

It made me LOL for sure.

[@stevebrignoni5254]

best drummer of his generation

[@crissreznor]

Love the hi hat work omg really Good !

[@deadshot22]

This is what a musician should be. It's all about the song and not about your self.

[@ultimatebombero]

Fascinating. So glad this guy didn't die back in the day.

[@joanofarc708]

Wow the sound of those drums

[@hippydippy]

His touch is magic. Smooth like melting butter.

[@drumsanddrumming]

I like his style

[@biffymac35]

Jimmy knows his shit!Could listen to him all day.

[@fernandoretamalesl]

"...And a C reel that had bass and other stuff that we had to have... I guess". True enough, bass was always a weakness in Smashing Pumpkins - until Nicole Fiorentino's brief stint. It takes a very special bass player to stand toe-to-toe with Corgan's guitars and Jimmy's drums in terms of creativity.

[@Chris-yj2di]

Corgan wrote and played bass on the albums though, but it was still pretty weak. He was a guitar player trying to do bass lines so I can't blame him.

[@AlexanderWS92]

Apparently it was Billy playing bass on all the early records. There some cool things on those tracks they just get drowned out

[@kierenmorre5641]

Yeah - wasn't sure if that was a swipe at D'arcy's playing, or bass players in geberal ... ;P I know, I know - 'the frequencies' ... ;)

[@christiangasior4244]

They're just simple basslines on gish, but pretty catchy. On Siamese Dream they're simple as well but theres so that guitar orchestra wall of sound was pretty dang low-end. All they needed to fill out the rest was a bit of simple bass. Their sound is about Guitars and drums.

[@OntarioColdCases]

Listen to Melissa on some of those live recordings and you see why they changed up some of the songs. The girl can play!

[@walterroman5159]

"im always open to any type of challenge, within reason"

[@zerosoma33]

THIS GUY IS A LEGEND

[@simonsimon1983]

probably my favorite drum sound of all time. Actually might be my favorite drum sound of all time

[@manbotak2939]

Yep.i,myself can relate to that

[@triciajohansen7124]

He is AMAZING!!!!!

[@oldmate86]

Jimmy always plays what I want to hear

[@ericgerke6889]

Jimmy is the king!

[@joewagner4593]

Why would anyone dislike this? Jimmy is a legend

[@ErnestoStaccolanana]

Such an underrated drummer

Since the first time i heard the pumpins i ask who is the drummer, to me his han amazing drummer and one of the best of all times.

[@topa1798]

i dont find any drummer talks about frequency a much as jimmy,he is a beast and the GOAT

[@RKTologist]

00:58 in the way humans perceive sound, tone matters so much more than level. ex: two sources, a chainsaw and a soft guitar played back at the same level and the chainsaw will be perceived as the louder of the two. that's why instruments such as moog synthesizer are such choices cause the tone of the audio cuts thru so well with minimal processing if any.

[@mdloser1]

I'm not a Yamaha fan boy. I've never owned a Yamaha kit. But I am very happy he went back to them. They sound amazing compared to the years he was with another company.

[@hollyh1969]

Jimmy C. Is the finest drummer of our generation. Gen X is defined by his work. Still amazing. Xoxo!

[@TempoDrift1480]

Cool dude!

[@capecodcanal]

Fluid technique. Jimmy sounds and plays like two drummers wrapped into one.

[@mariaulfah2813]

Stephen O'Brien he's like computer or machine drum

[@zombiedude6543]

I like how his Toms are set like a set of tri Toms or quads

[@wallacelovecraft8942]

Good interview. I think you're cool Jimmy!

[@spookypunky]

Im gald he has more opportunity to speak. I assumed he was super-shy for yrs b/c I couldnt find an interview with him. Loved this guy since Gish, his sound is phenominal. Awesome presence

[@BuildYourOwnBass]

best idea wins! JC, you are simply the best. you can be my wingman anytime.

[@thebreakfastmenu]

Jimmy is too damn good

[@sockpuppetbitme]

Reminds me of how a cellist will often play up on a wooden box/platform to get maximum vibration.

[@nclsrfn]

fucking hero.

[@carlossalazar3177]

Radiation Exposure for sure!!!

[@TheStudioDrummer]

Wise words from a wise man.

[@Deadleg]

Drums are tuned perfectly to my ears.

[@admtech69]

Even though he plays with a match grip he's almost doing a jazz grip the way he twists his left wrist to hit the high hat - that's a cool technique.

[@Skeletal33]

Such an underestimated drummer. He could easily play in any jazz...or death metal band.

[@triffle69]

Jimmy is a great drummer but I disagree he cannot play any jazz .....or death metal music . Is style is more like Rock melodic prog !

[@kristopherryan4073]

@@triffle69 Jimmy was brought up as a jazz drummer...

[@triffle69]

Kristopher Ryan Yes but almost every drummer start playing or approaching jazz but calling Jimmy a jazz drummer ...

[@triffle69]

kid table Prove it ?

[@kristopherryanwatson]

@@triffle69 no I don't think so. I know of a few drummers. Aside from the musical compositions and theory to learn from jazz , none of them went on to play jazz semi professionally, but rather rock or even metal. Look up Jimmy's history. His dad was a jazz drummer. And he grew up playing in a few jazz bands in his early 20's.

[@tylervancho1516]

So underrated

[@Gogogoogle477]

I love his tom set up. One day when I have the funds......

[@ReeseChown]

I'm guilty as charged of being ignorant and thinking I "know the way" in the past, but when Chamberlin talks, I listen. This is a master right here

[@schotanusser]

1:47 grooving out!!

[@johnr2297]

I've learned from watching his videos🎶🥁

[@anthonystark5412]

I know next to nothing about drumming, but I love Tonight, Tonight and White Room, so I must be doing something right.

[@HardBoiledKafka]

I soo much wish, that billy and him are making music together again. I think without Jimmy Billy might be lost in his own mind

[@pinkponyofprey1965]

I'm not a drummer or just a fake digital drummer-oid hehe but there is always something to learn from mr Chamberlin!!!

[@nickra60]

Best drummer ever

[@mikestein1024]

Great drummer his thing has always been cutting though the mix and I like his rig now the best with the aluminum snare and Yamaha set, it just fits him better than dW tama sjc, as drummers we all know what fits us best for me it's anything with Keller shells then tama. Even though I just bought a dW kit and I love it it's just a trophy and it's not my sound I also don't like dark cymbals but it's all preference , I posted a few short drum covers on my channel if ya feel like checking it out its with my Japanese electronic set in my basement

[@smakusdod]

🐐

[@gulinotm]

most underrated drummer and billy is the most underrated guitarist

[@finbarlyons4042]

The Jimmy Chamberlain High-hat Touch

[@conorm2524]

I could have listened to 10 hours of this.

[@sebp400]

a drummer's drummer but also a sick musician

Jajajaa radiation exposure from that thing jajaja hilarious, you are the best drummer i ever saw perform thanks for the music.

[@costamesa22]

One of the great's not only from our generation but one of the greatest of all time ! Chamberlin is a musician through and through then he is a master drummer.

[@orriolbohigas591]

Can someone tell me which yamaha drumset that is (and what type of wood) ? sounds phenomenal!

[@TC-lk2ev]

It's a yamaha Phoenix - It's a mix of woods depending on the drum size. Super expensive drums which are apparently really hard to tune and find the sweet spot on.

[@kierenmoore3236]

JIMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY !!!!!!! :D

[@abe1sapien]

Not sure who his influences are but I definitely hear a lot of Bonham, Ian Paice, and even Bill Ward in his drumming with the Pumpkins!

[@ssonicdeafmonkey]

He gets so much power out of his drums with very little ease.

[@mccririck01]

effort

[@misakiyoshida]

Natural feel at it's finest.

[@markblackwell9486]

Legend. Grossly ignored as the greatest.