Tool-The Pot-Johnkew Drum Cover

As promised, another Tool video. As always, this one was a challenge, but the grooves on it are just so much fun. I really love the way Carey used tom accents throughout the song to add his unique style. On the topic, I'm not trying to mimic exactly the studio recording...I'm staying close, but at times I veer off into my own style.
What a great song to start a new video series! The sound of my new Sonor drums just blows me away.
As always thanks for watching, and your feedback is always appreciated.
Facebook: / johnkewdrums
Twitter: / johnkewdrums
Tool The Pot drum cover recorded on Sonor Select Force maple drums, DW Steel Performance Series 14 x 8 Snare, Evans G2 batter drum heads Evans G1 resonant drum heads, Sabian HHX Evolution 14-inch hi-hats; Sabian AAX-plosion 14-inch hi-hat auxiliary; Sabian Paragon cymbals (20-inch crashe; 19 China; 22 ride), Sabian AAX stage 18-inch crash, custom stacker with 14 inch Sabian AAX Xplosion crash on bottom and 12 inch Sabian AAX china on top; Hammerax Crash Course stacker; Sabian 21-inch Holy China, DW 9000 double bass pedal, DW 3000 hi hat stand, Tama drum throne, Pro Mark 747 sticks, Audix Fusion overhead microphones, Apex 435 room overhead mics, Audix D-series mics on toms and kick, Audix i5 and Shure SM57 mic on snare, M-Audio Profire 2626 interface, Logic Express 9, Canon T2i, Canon Vixia HF M40, and GoPro HD Hero 2 cameras, Shure in-ear monitors.

[@Slaughterhauzen]

Danny Carey's drumming is so musical that you don't notice the complexity of it when listening, you just hear the song. Then you see a cover like this, and go, "damn, that looks hard." I think that's the sign of a great drummer. Whether they are playing very simply or very complex, it adds to the song first and foremost

[@johnkew]

Manly and Loving It Excellent point. I am consistently amazed at how complex Carey's drumming is when I try to learn a Tool song, because while you can tell he's a great drummer by casually listening to their songs, he manages to prioritize musicality over technicality. But he still slips in a level of technicality that boggles the mind.

[@AlternativeCosmology]

Absolutely. I thought it'd be a fairly easy song and it's quite complex. It took a month for me to cover this song flawlessly.

[@JustTwinge]

+johnkew Agreed, I don't play drums. I did play an electronic kit a while and practiced only a few stretches of this song and he has a dynamic flow that seems chaotic but is actually very thought out. Sorry for the revive. m8, been listening to your cover all Christmas day

[@jaredsisson4022]

That statement to me, is the embodiment of the difference between a "good" drummer and a "great" drummer.

[@roehrc]

Yeah, like, for example, I didn't realize how asynchronous the drums sound, I thought he was off. Then I listened to the original and realized it's the correct drumming. It's just that in the original it blends in more. I love it

[@thomascooper7219]

The few times they do 4/4, christ do they groove the hell out of it

[@TMmodify]

Thomas Cooper the few times ? they were actually mostly playing 4/4 before Lateralus

[@MERS03]

Ilian Petit There were a few times where they didn't use 4/4 but they didn't feel natural, they felt almost forced, unlike Lateralus where it takes a little bit to think, "oh this is in odd time"

[@smt6858]

@@Phergan yes it is

[@Phergan]

@@smt6858 You're right. Ma bad.

[@AndreaLuigelli]

except it's 5/8 and 7/8 :)

[@KinProductions]

I just love that when I search for songs like these, the first thing that pops up isn't Cooper Drummer. And instead I get these amazingly talented drummer that just gained a new sub for obvious reasons.

[@johnkew]

Kin Productions Welcome aboard!

[@KinProductions]

***** I beg your pardon?

[@waynekerr4141]

Cooper drummer would be in way over his head trying to do any tool song justice. Johnkew is nothing short of brilliant. No flair, flash or unnecessary fills just plays it right...... and tight.

[@waynekerr4141]

Couldn't agree more, Wayne. Well said.

[@waynekerr4141]

Cheers Wayne

[@colthjones]

All I want for Christmas is a new Tool album.

[@joshuaward8657]

Lezarman Actually the guys said that after all this time, they had to spend millions of $$$ for a lawsuit against them, so they had to deal with that since 10,000 days. Don't believe me? Google it. But we are getting a new album, they just have to make time.

[@xExplosionsofAwesome]

I mean that was three years ago the lawsuit was solved...so.

[@bobakoff]

Aha, and Half Life 3.

[@MrDieseldog]

Amen

[@radar._.]

WELP... Hopefully this Christmas

[@johnkew]

Thanks for the great feedback everybody! I'm traveling right now and I can't reply but you can be sure that I read every one of these posts when I get back...

[@Ellingmint]

Fantastic, might want to update your description though.

[@wdrumz]

Dude what heads are you using on your kick!? It sounds amazing!

[@maxadrums]

This song is just so awesome. Your performance is spot on, John! You're KILLING it. Keep up the amazing work!

[@johnkew]

Maximiliam Andersson Thanks man!

[@XavThaMan]

Do a cover of Sober please.

[@grimg0r]

his kick is heavenly

[@DoraTheMexican90]

The beauty of micing drums

[@billhamrick1361]

88mhtz. The same range as a human heart beat. That's why its like a punch to the chest!

[@MrIronwarrior99]

@Smrty's RC Car Racing Channel blend?, more kick!.

[@ManyGenres1212]

Been watching your drum covers for an hour now instead of doing homework... worth it

[@WiteBizkit]

JKGuitar100 I just finished mowing the lawns, sitting out in the cool breeze drink beer and pumping the tunes 🤘

[@MilanVVVVV]

Lucky you, got a project to deliver but couldn't care less, literally thinking of buying a drum set with no preexisting music education

[@Cheximus]

@@MilanVVVVV did you do it ?!?!

[@MilanVVVVV]

@@Cheximus Hahahah no but I bought a pair of sticks though so that I could air drum and break everything nearby :D

[@Cheximus]

@@MilanVVVVV Ah man, buy a set!

[@AakashBalajiCyborg]

Maynard: who are you to wave your finger? Johnkew: *starts playing drums*

[@bobakoff]

Actually another genious guy starts playing bass first. (sorry for my english)

[@macswi]

Man, everything after 4:23 is just sweet to listen. You have literally owned that part!

[@Djellowman]

Extremely impressive. I will never be this good

[@tjstix4005]

Anybody else wish Tool would hurry up and release an album JUST so we can see johnkew play them? Rock on brother!

[@ayyOrca]

Thomas Joseph 2019 couldn’t come sooner

[@bradhaines3142]

happier now?

[@JamesWood-eq6uy]

Danny's drum work is a mathematical equation of pure brilliants.

[@TheApostleofRock]

You're the only drummer I've seen that covers the electronic stuff that Danny adds as well as the acoustic drums. You kick ass! Keep on keepin on!

[@leepeters4957]

For all the people who are still bewildered by Tool drums... Look at everything in bars... Not alot of Mr. Carey's licks are that hard... Putting 150 of them in order can be tricky... :) Challenge to any drummer out their.... Pick parts of Tool songs to figure out... They start coming quickly. Don't try a whole song at once. Just practice licks... Favorite fills and such to start. You will surprise yourselves.

[@xXJAKMACKXx]

Danny's drum kit is the size of a fucking house, props for trying this, and doing it well

[@jamesbargar4469]

+xXJAKMACKXx You should see Mike Mangini's drum kit. Danny's drum kit is just like 4 tom's a couple trigger pads, and a bunch of stacks. Mangini's you could put a door in front of.

[@JacobAvnerPr1mus3]

James Bargar Jesus Christ! how does one guy actually use all that?!

[@officialmetalwill]

People have huge drum kits because they have zero creativity. I've seen so many people with 3 or 4 piece drum sets who can make them sound twice the size of Danny Carey's drum kit.

[@slymarty1]

Unbelievable that a human could write this drum part. Also unbelievable that someone could cover it this well.

[@flubadubdubthegreat1272]

The bass drum in this song is insane

[@Mr.G360]

Flubadubdub The Great practly raisy the dead

[@naucyt]

The Best KZbin TOOL Drum covers! Congratulations!

[@Agent01Orange]

The part starting at 4:50 is amazing, feel, speed and precision all in one. Very nice!

[@viiksters]

yo that transition at 4:31 from the toms to the feet. orgasmic

[@Rastard12345]

Why is C00p3rl0s3r having millions of views and this guy, who plays 200 times better, just under 100 000? That's a bad world.

[@bodi1862]

I completely agre h you on knowledge of drums. But the fact is, Cooper has been on youtube far longer. plus, he is sponsored by places like pearl and Zildjian

[@mike4619]

Rastard12345 , Cooper is all flash with his nonsensical stick tricks. This guy here is all talent. No theatrics required, much like DC himself.

[@tjdaniels3706]

Cuz there more popular songs. Just how this dumb world works sadly 🙄

[@officialsumo6192]

Its about quantity i think. Regular uploads make for more views. The content can still be good but some quality has to be sacrificed. you just dont get great productions like this anymore

[@wilfredomaldonado9900]

People are pure shit

[@joefrancisochia5406]

Danny's time signature always throws off other drummers.

[@kreatorofworlds579]

this guy is so good at drums, damn

[@LippHonorato]

This is the best drumcover of this song on KZbin. Congrats man!

[@beltranramirez8505]

Bro... Perfect.. Magnificent.. You are the best drummer in the world playing Covers of TOOL.! Greetings from Venezuela..

[@pogchamp8930]

holy mother of jesus the solo at 4:24 was spot on good job mate

[@jizy73]

the part @ 4:22 somehow it just feels almost magical to me. i often listen to this song just because of that part!

[@johnkew]

navye48 That's my favorite part of the song to play too. Another one of those magical Danny Carey moments of dynamic buildup.

[@AlternativeCosmology]

My favorite part of the song to cover on drums.

[@lukesandle5571]

agreed!

[@Cheeseerines]

How the hell do u even try to learn that song. Jesus Christ that was outstanding

[@Blablablarandomguy]

YOU ARE THE BOSS. Watching you just soaring in the zone is so amazing!

[@randallfedermack4842]

This cat, JOHNkew drum..... is incredible! I'm 36 and I have been following tool since I was a teenager I can play most of their songs but any of the things I used to be funny on this guy has certainly cared all up

[@gregoryclip1219]

I wish to have your drum kit ;) super cool

[@byronmurrill2186]

Still the best Tool drum cover.....after all these years

[@ThatCheapDrummer]

Finally another video!

[@smithacoya]

30'000 subscribers? on behalf of my people i want to apologize. u deserve way more.

[@jtij497]

killed it john!!! For their most radio friendly song Carey sure knows how to still make the drums beautifully complex. Great cover, your calm energy is fantastic to watch!

[@ManuelShuhmelian-ox4ci]

Sometimes there’s magic . The drummer is amazing!!!!!❤

[@jimvouts5937]

By far the best drum channel on youtube. Awesome job dude, thank you for the awesome videos.

[@rskriver]

Still only 255.xxx views.. This deserves tenfold! At least!!!!! Johnkew, keep it up! You're extremely talented!

[@knurdisms]

Johnkew is like fine wine.. just getting better with time and age... I play guitar, and one of the best experiences is playing The Grudge/Right in Two along with your covers.. What fantastic performances... Keep them coming! You are far too talented not to! :)

[@johnkew]

Well thank you for these kind words!

[@bokidar95]

As a drummer I have no words to express what joy i felt watching this...

[@TeilzeitSender]

Oh my words! You're insanely good at playing drums, could watch it all day long!!

[@reneebear3641]

That flam tap or flam drag or drag tap or whatever it was was amazing at 0:45.

[@bugal2942]

dude.. This is so sick! Skills are well refined abs you caught the sound perfectly from the original song

[@theskillet111]

My phone was nearly dead battery when I began watching this video and now it is fully charged. (It isn’t plugged it). Anyone who has played the drums knows how hard it is to play Tool. Jonny Q, this kicks ass and so do you. I’m going to go watch all your videos now.

[@ashwinhere]

this is what i like about u man.. u really do enjoy playing these songs..not like half the posers out there overdoing it and shit . great job as usual john....

[@whyzen2081]

I can only imagine the thousands of hours needed to get anywhere close to being anywhere near this good. Nice.

[@AFFLICTED269]

God damn, I cannot wait until the day I can play the drums like you, and have the ability to grow a healthy beard.

[@Amiga500_User]

Only four days until the new TOOL album! Still coming back to this fantastic video after all these years!

[@EldeTabernas]

Great Tool cover as always! :DDDD

[@piniciusTV]

y sigo poniendo +1s... XD Mi tema favorito del disco y desde la batería!!! You rocks Galo Asecas

[@ianmason2003]

I'm amazed you have broke it down, figured it out and can play it. But I'm more amazed Danny can create this stuff out of thin air. Amazing.

[@ValeriCFBG]

Do Jambi please!!11 :P

[@juancarlosathome101]

YESSSSSS!! I STRONGLY agree... That and Rosetta Stoned...

[@GingerLegitz]

Juan Carlos he did Rosetta stoned

[@juancarlosathome101]

+GingerLegitz Oh I know--by far the best cover I've ever seen!! Simply the effort taken to learn such an insane song from the nutcase that is Mr. Carey (yes he IS nuts!!), and to put everything down in notation: stellar results and FANTASTIC drumming!

[@juliamaki117]

Woa we have the same profile pic

[@WillCookSound]

@@juliamaki117 I like it

[@antoniomh743]

The pot is one of my favourites Danny's creation, because if its complexity, musicality and energy (specially the part in the middle). Its not east to cover this song but, man, you did it great!!!

[@Gmork-The-Nothing]

Simply epic. Whoever did the thumbs down needs their heads read. WTF.

[@tafsirmahmood9605]

those are actually people liking from the upside down...

[@gregorybrugnot5032]

Encore une excellente cover, très proche du feeling de Danny Carrey. It's perfect!

[@KOKUAFILMSHAWAII]

You look like a drumming beast with the new beard! Love your added roles on the toms and extra beats here and there - would make Danny stick his head up and look if out in the crowd! Boda - KFH Hey John, could you plz make my Bday a little more special and send me your drum track for this w/o the music?? would love to practice the guitar and bass to this.... Sent you an email a while ago but never got a reply hope you still remember my email... HAWAII !!!

[@johnkew]

Happy (belated) birthday my friend! That's great to hear that a little serendipity helped this video coincide. I'll upload the drums-only version to my other channel (johnkewdrums). Sorry I missed your email...cheers.

[@KOKUAFILMSHAWAII]

johnkew Serendipity means a "fortunate happenstance" or "pleasant surprise". It was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754. In a letter he wrote to a friend Walpole explained an unexpected discovery he had made by reference to a Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip. The princes, he told his correspondent, were “always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of”.

[@StonepostInstitute]

My favorite drummer operating in the world today: John Kew.

[@The_Crooked_Step]

Oh my Fucking God This was so fucking awesome!!!

[@carlospalacios3874]

Holy shit! Dude… you nailed it !!! One of the hardest, even from Danny C.

[@darkySp]

The drumming of Danny Carey with the looks of Justin Chancellor. And a drop of Conor McGregor.

[@gdub454]

Ha..a drop of Conor McGregor..you speak the truth..good observation..had to give you a like...))

[@robertrathburn3357]

Wow! My favorite Tool song for everything you start doing to perfection about 4:22.

[@JarydEvans]

Goddamn, you looking good and playing fine my dear sir. Crisp. As. Fuck.

[@johnkew]

Thank you sir!

[@Rawk4Life]

This song and "Schism" have the best bass lines of any alternative rock or metal song I have ever heard.

[@KOKUAFILMSHAWAII]

Wow, a month and a half and you got over 15k views - 766 thumbs up! oh....and not to forget the 3 angry humans who only wish they could play as well as you and voted thumbs down..... Keep it up J-Kew! Boda - KFH

[@mulderncc]

Totally dig the 3 beat polyrythim on the china @5:55. I feel like I am seeing someone play the drums for the first time when I watch your videos. Totally mesmerized.

[@juanpablovaccari]

5:54 OMG

[@zachparris7870]

I could find no flaws. Mic on one of your symbols was a tad off (4:32-4:49) which is my very favorite part of this song, but I am reaching for a nitpick. Bloody F'ing brilliant, friend. NOT easy to replicate, you took this deep out of the park, made it look easy. Love your rig! Thanks for posting, very much enjoyed.

[@KOKUAFILMSHAWAII]

Drums only please?

[@zachmurphy7507]

The bass is so friggin awesome

[@stephenwilliams1346]

I just found out Connor McGregor plays drums.

[@johnkew]

Haha, I need to work out a lot more, but I'll take that as a compliment. (He'd knock my head CLEAN off)

[@adityakuttus]

johnkew more like he'll bounce your head off the canvas lol

[@jon325]

Haha ya, I was thinking similar, but Matthew Modine - absolutely awesome cover John!

[@RodClinard]

Tosh.O

[@wilfordgrimley4339]

Doesn't even look like Connor McGregor. 3/10 terrible joke

[@godssoldier101]

watching people like you play the drums is whats always made me dream of being a drummer.. awesome

[@patrickdenton9389]

i'd pay to watch you play. you should be in a band making music.

[@johnkew]

PATRICK DENTON Thanks man! Although time is short, I am recording original music. If you're interested, check out 'From 4.28' from Portraits. Also, I'm about to post something on facebook regarding a new song.

[@agzagi]

this is GREAT!! one of the best cover videos I've seen, great playing! after 4:56 to 4:59 there comes a slight grin on your face, as if you were thinking to yourself "goddammit that sounded good!" great job!

[@mateogarcia6942]

DAVID BECKHAM IS THAT YOU?

[@Amiga500_User]

Watching this in 2022, only days after the TOOL live concert in Hamburg, Germany. Love this drum cover!

[@VTKingdomsawing]

John! I specifically love that part of the song where you play the drums. I always eagerly await that part. And it's always over too soon.

[@juli-bass-singer]

I love the part when Maynard sings Weepin' shades of indigo shed without a reason Weepin' shades of indigo, and John play this part like a DRUMMER GOD. that riff with those fills are THE MOST!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@soggyfries4347]

Your cymbals are as bright as Christmas trees...brilliant!

[@BearBax]

Dayum, best D. Carey cover Ive seen

[@mickwade9499]

This video is deserving of every bit of praise it gets, but I have to single out one thing in particular: the use of electronic drums for the tabla sounds. Other drummers would punk out on this part altogether or try to emulate it on the acoustics. Outstanding attention to detail and reproduction.

[@Harry-eo6tf]

3 years later and I'm still listening to this cover, and this cover only. this video, this channel deserves 10 million views and 20 million subscribers. I'm glad I'm one of the 27,800+ people that love your drumming techniques, I play, but I seriously wont even try to play amongst Danny's skills nor yours. keep the content up brother. big fan.

[@Paulthompson1981]

I truly hope that a famous band watches this and recruits you. You deserve nothing less than to be in a band equally if not more talented than Tool. Rock On!!!

[@mattdickens7415]

Dude. Has to be one of the best on target replications Ive heard. Well done!!!

[@Dtansing1]

Best one you have ever done, well done=excellent!!!

[@curtpratt2887]

yes, yes, yes, yes, good to see you back John missed you man rock on!! oh ya nice beard

[@justincase8239]

That look of satisfaction you nailed the hardest part @5:00 and the one when you nailed the whole song at 6:15. Top notch!!!

[@Jarppispecial]

World Class stuff right here, this deserves more views tbh.

[@jmgreenf]

Danny Carey is one of the most highly skilled and technical drummer in modern times..the grooves in this song are funk-like..purely amazing...and great job covering it!!!!

[@lukesandle5571]

Those polyrhythms get me every time!

[@VicUs82]

Вау😮! Відео 9 років, а я тільки зараз на нього натрапив (( Це щось неймовірне! Дуже круто!

[@janugur2241]

I am a guitarist and i always thought this song was easy but man that chorus part made me cry. Very cool cover.

[@shiluwalling298]

I personally give my Respects to the ones who do covers of tools and you are the one who is doing all the Song of tools. You deserve to be respected with immediate effect 🤗

[@PaulUhlir22]

the floor tom action to the left of the snare is so cool

[@sggjose]

Sabian makes such insanely awesome sounding cymbals... Those chinas are amazing.

[@Brettdavidson527]

No idea why I love watching drum cover videos. Tool songs especially. Fantastic job.

[@JamesWood-eq6uy]

No doubt, nice drum

[@aliberatcetin6765]

Legendary. i cant even notice the complexity while listening original. Technique and sound is really flawless. I liked so much. Waiting for more tool.

[@jimw0106]

Only one post needed that requires no reply Danny...YOU ARE A BAD ASS DRUMMER!!!!

[@mostrosticator]

No doubt a humbling experience rocking out on a Danny Carry set up... Excellent job sir!

[@SazanHajredini]

Best drumm play i'v seen on youtube. D. Carey would be stoned with this!

[@matthewguillot9256]

Just a few days ago I was watching the grudge drum cover and I said "I wonder why he hasn't covered 'the pot' yet?" Then, my dream came true. Now John I'm no expert on drums, sure I play a little and hope to one day be an expert but until then that title belongs to you... This song was played amazingly and the sound of your drums go perfectly with the resonance of Maynard's amazing voice... You've done it again sir, well done.

[@TheDrummerboy526]

This makes me smile in awe every single time I watch it. This is one of my goal songs to cover.