*We’re updating this very popular post for 2019 and including 30 more female drummers! This will round out the list to 50 of the best female drummers. We’d love your input. Leave a comment with your favorite female drummer!
Despite being the very backbone of bands, with their presence felt, literally, in every beat —drummers are often overlooked by media and fans alike (especially female drummers), who tend to ogle over singers and guitarists that are positioned forthright and in an audience’s face. We here at Grimy Goods want to remind all ye music devotees how badass the fantastically talented, yet under appreciated, ladies behind the skins are. It’s impossible to cover all the amazing women rockin’ the kit but we thought we’d shout out a few who truly brighten our musical experiences… thank you, ladies.
With a little help from our Grimy Goods readers, our editor and myself, we’ve updated our past Best Female Drummers list to reflect a broader spectrum of music and women. Check out our Top 20 Badass Female Drummers list below! If your favorite drummer is not on this list, mention her in a comment!
Words: Emily Saex
Cu: Sanda Olinger & Emily Saex
In alphabetical order because these female drummers are just too awesome to list in any other way.
1. Carla Azar – Autolux
2. Lori Barbero – Babes in Toyland
3. Cindy Blackman Santana – Santana, Lenny Kravitz, etc.
Photo Source: Cindy Blackman Santana Website Gallery
4. Elaine Bradley – Neon Trees
Photo Source: Neon Trees Official Website Photo Gallery
5. Stephanie Luke (aka Rusty Coathanger) – The Coathangers
6. Julie Edwards – Deap Vally
7. Barbara Gruska – The Belle Brigade
Photo Source: The Belle Brigade Facebook Page
8. Laura Harris – Ex Hex
9. Liv Marsico – Liphemra, Gothic Tropic, etc.
— Click To View The Next 10 Drummers —
Without Sheila E. the list is crap.
No Mo Tucker on a list of “bad ass” female drummers. She’s only the prototype for all who followed her. Nice bullshit-ass list. I only hope no one gets paid for this type of destitute mental retardation.
And Meg White from the white stripes?
Lori Barbero is missing!!!!
Lori Barbero needs to be on this!!!
How about two female drummers in one band? Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse from Skating Polly are really great. Valerie Agnew from 7 Year Bitch. Georgia Hubley from Yo La Tengo.
Cindy Caron —-> Plan 37
Patty Schemel is by far the best dummer on this list! Listen to any live Hole track…especially Whose Porno You Burn/ Asking For It (Reading Festival 1995)/ Burn Black!!!
Sarah Jones – Hot Chip and NYPC. Once seen and heard, never forgotten
well i just found a buncha new bands to try out 🙂 chics rock and rocker chics rock even more 😀
Linda Pitmon! Seriously…. she’s been doing it longer than most listed.
Where is Sheila E.on this list???
there are many many more…def worth exploring. As women are multitaskers, we are damn good!! Nicole Pinto of The Franklys is one to watch out for!! http://www.thefrankly.com
Terri Lynn Carrington? Susie Ibarra?
Seconding Lia Braswell… I have such respect for her skills.
Stephanie from The Black Angels
Valentina from The Oscillation
For those complaining who should be in the #1 spot, don’t you people read?!?? All the drummers are ordered alphabetically. Very awesome list by the way.
how about Lynn Truell, Sister double happiness and imperial teen. She rocked live. Lori Barbaro should be #1.
This isn’t a list without Stella Mozgawa.
Samantha from CARDIEL, Stephanie Bailey from The Black Angels
Aixa!! Powerhouse drummer from Go Betty Go. One of the best, hands down!
Powerhouse Aixa from Go Betty Go!!! One of the best drummers, hands down!
Clementine.
Zoe Brecher, formerly of Total Slacker, now with her girlfriend performing as Brainfreeze. I know you left her off because you probably hadn’t heard of her, but now that you have, you need to.
Sheila E. That is all.
I think you all forgot to mention Stephanie Bailey of the Black Angels! Also….Maureen Tucker of the Velvet Underground wasn’t too shabby. I know there are more amazing female drummers out there…But geez, maybe create a top 25?
Sara Lund from Corin Tucker Band and Unwound!
Ahem! Nan Turner?!?! (Schwervon!)
https://www.facebook.com/schwervon
what about karen moreno of trends??
#1 is my #1. Carla is the best.
Actually I know a drummer who is the star of the band never overlooked and always fun to watch and listen… must check her out Joana Moon Bonham aka Joana Rubio of Stars At Night Keith Moons reincarnation!!!
Good variety. It’s nice to not just see the names from the biggest bands or the ones on youtube playing covers. To all of those asking “how did blah blah blah” not make it on here!?” Simple: it only went up to TWENTY. These lists are allegorical people!
Fay Milton is indeed good. Kat from The Ex. Just like the rest of her band, kills!
What about Christine from the Dirty Panties out of Las Vegas??
Carla Azar’s best work was with Ednaswap 1996-1997. Pretty solid choice for number 1.
Kate from Luscious Jackson!
No Hannah Welton?!?!?! (Prince/3rdeyegirl)
I can’t believe you haven’t listed Denise Dufort from the all female rock band – Girlschool. Also I know the White Stripes are not together any more but I think Meg White should still have got a mention.
amy Eileen wood! She’s the greatest. The donnies and the Amy’s, Fiona Apple, Quincey blaque trio, Conway, big black delta. She’s amazing.
Wow! How could you not even include Lisa Pankratz, drummer for friggin Dave Alvin, and previously Ronnie Dawson?!
https://m.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Pankratz/317909839150
How can NISENNENMONDAI’s Himeno Sayaka possibly not make list? Please tell me, I’m dying to know.
Mindee Jourgensen currently of Peach Kelli Pop, and affiliated with The Mod-Pods, Dangerously Sleazy, GNARVANA, And many more. She’s a force. She came to LA from Utah and just worked her ass off in different projects starting around 2008.
Also…Lia Braswell from Le Bucherettes and Peter Pants. Holy shit! How did you forget her. Damn she’s one of the best regardless of gender.
Rachel Fannen, she’s been in a few bands drumming but mostly sings. But damn she destroys on drums.
Laura Velez of Manhattan Murder Mystery, is the hardest working drummer in LA. She is playing constantly and driving from hella far for it all. Never complains about shit. She just does it cuz she loves it. That’s rare. And she can adapt to any style.
And most recently Jana Jordan who has become the drummer of my band GNARVANA had been waiting this whole time to be acknowledged as a serious musician. By far the most driven, and reliable person I’ve worked with in years, her ability to learn is that of a 9 year old boy who knows the ins and outs of every video game ever. She rips. And the fact that she’s famous for other stuff, just adds to her mystique.
Stephanie Bailey from The Black Angels is one of the best drummers out there right now, male or female. She’s the band’s secret weapon.
Elie Bertrand, Hannah Welton-ford, sandy West, Tennessee Thomas, Laura Cornell.
Fay Milton kills. She’s the first one to come to mind when I saw this headline.
What about Phanie Diaz of Girl In A Coma and Fea? That girl wails and can at least out drum some of these girls here . As a matter of fact I saw them tour with Coathangers and she’s equal if not stronger to Stephanie .
If we’re talking style you cant beat Poni from the Ettes. The drummer for The Nots is pretty great too.
Cecilia Kahn of FRIGHTWIG?????? Lynn Perko Truell of Imperial Teen????
mighty big exclusions.
GREAT list. But, I feel Danielle Haim deserves a spot here. While she’s mostly a singer and guitarist for Haim, she also plays the drums. She’s played the drums with many bands on tour, including the Strokes and the Killers.
How is Sara Romweber of Dex Romweber Duo/let’s Active not make this list?