Joey Waronker: The Drummer Behind Beck, Elliott Smith and Oasis

Joey Waronker has been behind the kit for some of the most iconic rock records + tours of the last three decades. He's been a key part of Beck's genre-hopping catalogue, recorded with Elliott Smith and REM, the drummer of the all-star band Atoms for Peace and toured with legendary acts like Oasis and Roger Waters. Even with decades of sessions, tours, and records under his belt, Joey carries it all lightly. There's a quiet magnetism to him. The kind of person other musicians just gravitate towards and drum learners can take so much inspiration from. Instinct-first, unhurried, and obsessed with sound in a way that feels almost devotional. He grew up learning the entirety of Led Zeppelin IV in a week, building his ear by playing along to Hendrix and The Who until it clicked. He walks us through his gear too, a Rare Paiste Giant Beat cymbals from the early '70s, his original drum set (still in rotation we might add) and a homemade percussion collection that's taken on a life of its own. He ends our chat talking about Elliott Smith. It's one of the most heartwarming studio stories we've heard. That alone is worth the watch. If you loved this video, don't forget to like and subscribe 🤘 --- 0:00 Introduction 1:47 Black Dog by Led Zeppelin 2:41 Practice Routine 3:58 Small Talk by Ultraísta 4:19 Joey’s first drum set 4:37 Chemtrails by Beck 5:02 Joey's Cymbal Collection 5:35 Joey’s Percussion Collection 8:05 Loser by Beck 9:10 Joey’s Warm-Up Routine 9:55 Recording with Elliott Smith #joeywaronker #elliottsmith #drummer