RedHook’s Alex Powys Talks 10 Drummers Who Influenced Him

Every drummer is unique. Our playing styles are an extension of both who we are as people, and the influences that have shaped us creatively. And the best in the game will always tell you that they never stop learning from the talented people around them.

As I wrote this, RedHook had just wrapped up a big tour of the UK and Europe with Welsh heavy rockers Dream State, and some of my favourite memories from the road were just sitting in the green room with their drummer, Tom Connelly, and nerding out on the practice pad about some particularly tricky paradiddles. He’s got this really unique style of playing, heavily influenced by jazz, and those little hang sessions genuinely taught me so much. I had some fun homework to do after I got home!

RedHook – ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ Ft. Holding Absence

For me, Tre Cool (Green Day), Rob Bourdon (Linkin Park) and Andy Hurley (Fall Out Boy) are the OG’s who really kick-started my passion for drumming and inspired me to pursue it as a career.

But in the spirit of RedHook’s 2024 ARIA-nominated album ‘Mutation’ being all about change, growth and evolution, I really wanted to push myself to new limits and reach outside the box when it came to a lot of the playing. Like the record itself, the drum parts are dynamic, diverse and pulled from a range of different influences.

This list has no particular order, but below are 10 of the key drummers who helped influence my playing style on Mutation, and inspired me to go into the studio with the best intentions for creating an album that I am extremely proud of.

1. Ben Gordon – Parkway Drive

I have to start with Ben Gordon, since he’s the reason I bought my first set of kick pedals.

Listening to the Horizons album got me hungry for learning double kick and incorporating it into my playing style. And while there aren’t entire sections of 16th note kicks throughout any of the songs on the new RedHook album (we’ll get there one day), the speed and power you hear in songs like ‘Scream 2’ and ‘Bomb.com’ are definitely inspired by Ben’s playing.

Horizons is an album that I can listen to time and time again, and still always find myself tapping both feet against the ground. Also special mention to ‘Idols and Anchors’ and ‘Carrion’, which are pretty much the reasons I added a second pedal to my kit configuration!

2. Luke Holland – Various Bands

I can’t write this list without including the man himself, Luke Holland.

We used his MixWave VST plug-in throughout the pre-production phase to create a framework for what we wanted all the drums to sound like on the LP. More importantly, using his sample pack inspired the incorporation of stack-cymbals, which was another integral part of the huge drum sound.

You can hear a heavy influence from Luke’s kit configuration, as well as tasteful playing when it comes to ghost notes, odd placements and more progressive style grooves in songs like ‘Pyromaniac’, ‘Cannibal’ and ‘Bomb.com’.

Luke is gearing up to be one of the all time greats and I continue to learn from him every day!

3. Stevie Knight – Producer

Where to begin. Stevie Knight is an extra special mention on this list. Not only is he our good mate, our producer and (just quietly) one of the most skilled session drummers in the game, he’s also someone who sees the potential in what I’m able to accomplish behind the kit and always pushes me to get there in the best way possible.

I have to credit a lot of the drum performance that made it on the album to his guidance, encouragement and taste. Without him, I wouldn’t have had the drive to become better every day. and propel myself to perform some of the best music I’ve ever been involved with.

If you read this Stevie, I love you and I appreciate you more than you know.

4. Dan Furnari – Polaris

Dan holds a special place in my heart, I greatly admire and respect him as both a drummer and as a person.

I reached out to him a few years ago when I felt like I was digging my wheels into the sand when it came to progressing in my drumming journey. Seeing all of the amazing things he was achieving with Polaris and just his skill level in general was inspiring, so I thought I’d see if he could share some insights.

Not only was he kind enough to respond, we eventually tee’d up some one-on-one lessons, which really helped put me back on the right path. My chops, speed and technique significantly improved due to his guidance, which allowed me to really step up the playing on Mutation.

Thank you Dan!

5. Sam Applebaum – Veil of Maya

Sam is another drummer that never ceases to amaze me. His skill behind the kit is second to none and the intricacies within each song in their [m]other record really inspired me to write some extra exciting parts for Mutation.

You can find his inspiration within songs like ‘Cannibal’, ‘HEXXX’ and ‘Scream 2’.

‘Synthwave Vegan’ is a song that I constantly referred to when I was preparing to go into the studio – the syncopated breakdown, limb placement and overall intention inspired a lot of my playing on the album as a whole.

6. Gabe Helguera – I Prevail

Gabe is a sensational drummer who gives a lot back to the drumming community by sharing his experiences, lessons and stories online (which I follow religiously!).

The drumming he lends to I Prevail’s TRAUMA record is truly exceptional. He serves each song perfectly and embodies what the phrase “playing with intention” truly means.

I drew heavy inspiration from this album and Gabe’s playing style to ensure each track on RedHook’s Mutation was served to its fullest potential.

You can find specific inspiration from Gabe in tracks like ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ and ‘Hot Tub’.

7. Chris Turner – Oceans Ate Alaska

Chris is one of those drummers who is almost supernatural in terms of his playing, creativity and consistency.

After getting my feet to a comfortable level that allowed me to play RedHook songs consistently well, I looked towards Chris to push me even further.

His kick-bursts and odd placements, despite being extremely challenging, inspired me to incorporate some intricate parts into songs like ‘Hurt Like Hell’, ‘Pyromaniac’ and most obviously, ‘Bomb.com’.

After recently sharing the stage with him at Core Fest in Germany, I can confirm, this lad can play!

8. Patrick Galante – Ice Nine Kills (‘Welcome To Horrorwood’)

Patrick’s diverse combination of pop, punk, metal and prog playing styles is something that I also strive to offer as a drummer. and tried to incorporate throughout the whole of Mutation.

His ability to incorporate complex kick patterns within a dance beat (which you can hear in ‘A Rash Decision’) inspired me to consider how it could sound by making a fundamentally common beat more interesting and tasteful.

He’s an incredible drummer and I always enjoy watching him perform.I’m excited to see where his journey takes him after leaving Ice Nine Kills.

9. Adam Savage – While She Sleeps

Adam is a drummer that I can listen to for hours on end. His raw punk/metal style is infectious and always gets you feeling hyped.

The title track of their Sleeps Society LP really pushed me to build my kick speed in order to play some turbo parts in songs like ‘Scream 2’ and ‘Hurt Like Hell’.

He serves each song on ‘Sleeps Society’ perfectly and I have to credit him for my progress over the past few years.

10. Craig Reynolds – Stray From The Path

Craig is a drummer who proves that, with passion and drive, you can achieve greatness.

Seeing his journey over the years and how far he has come in terms of what he is able to play is something I draw a huge amount of inspiration from.

Songs like ‘Guillotine’ and ‘Needful Things’ greatly improved my metric modulation, leading with the left foot and drive to write more complex drum parts.

Our song ‘Bomb.com’ in particular draws a lot of influence from Craig’s playing style and the creativity he pours into his drumming.

BONUS ROUND: My Bandmates

I feel it would be remiss of me to not mention my bandmates Emmy, Craig and Ned who are all integral to making RedHook what it is.

Despite not being drummers (which I know is the reason for this list), the three of them have influenced me to create something bigger than myself, and music that helps and inspires people.

And as some final words to all of my fellow drummers out there: show love, show gratitude, show respect, never stop learning and striving for great things.