DrumFaster

← The Rig Vault

Aaron Spears

Documented by Drum Faster

Usher's drummer through the Confessions era, then Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys and a great many more — and one of the most generous educators drumming has had. Church-trained gospel vocabulary, ghost notes as a continuous layer, and enormous dynamic range. Born 1976, died October 2023.

Read our full Aaron Spears feature →

2021 — The Las Vegas residency

The Usher residency that Drumeo's voters were recognising when they made him Pop Drummer Of The Year. A conventional DW kit rather than anything exotic — this style is technique first, gear second — with cymbals chosen to speak instantly at low volume and get out of the way.

Bass drum — DW Collector's Series maple kit Floor tom — DW Collector's Series maple kit Rack tom — DW Collector's Series maple kit Rack tom — DW Collector's Series maple kit Snare — DW 14" snare 14"Hi-hats — Zildjian K Hi-hats Crash — Zildjian K Custom 19" Fast Crash 19"Ride — Zildjian K Ride
The 2021 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.
DW Collector's Series maple kit a conventional five- or six-piece ⤷ who plays this
DW 14" snare tuned for ghost-note response ⤷ who plays this
Zildjian K Custom 19" Fast Crash his favourite cymbal — thin enough to open instantly at low volume ⤷ who plays this
Zildjian K Hi-hats where most of the detail lives ⤷ who plays this
Zildjian K Ride ⤷ who plays this
Zildjian Aaron Spears Artist Series sticks US hickory, .570" diameter, 16.75" long, short taper and an oversized vintage tip in a charcoal stain ⤷ who plays this

Comments