When it comes to solo drummers, there are plenty of names that come up in the conversation. But for me, Tony Royster Jr. has always stood out, not just because of who he’s played with, but because of how he plays when he’s left to his own devices. I’m talking about his solo videos, especially the ones floating around on YouTube. That’s where he really lets loose. And honestly, they’ve stuck with me more than any live band footage he’s in.
I’ve always admired his technique, sure, but that’s not the full reason I keep going back to his solos. It’s the way he controls the flow of energy. You can tell he’s not just throwing in fast fills for the sake of it. There’s a structure. He knows when to push and when to hang back. The phrasing is tight, but there’s always that touch of looseness that gives it character. It feels like he’s having a full-blown musical conversation with the kit.
One solo in particular: “CTSO,” I think it’s called, gets me every time. The way he builds it is what impresses me. He starts slow, then drops into these tight pocket grooves that almost sound effortless. You can hear the discipline in his playing, but it still sounds fun. That’s rare. Most solos either come off too rehearsed or just wild and chaotic. Royster sits right in the middle.
His footwork deserves a mention on its own. The way his kick patterns line up with his hands, especially when he’s moving fast across the kit, is just nuts. It’s not just fast, it’s balanced, clean, and it locks into the groove even when it shouldn’t make sense. It’s one of those things that looks impossible unless you’ve tried to do it yourself.
What gets me, though, is that he never seems like he’s trying to show off – even though what he’s playing certainly seems like it. There’s a natural relaxation in the way he plays, and it comes through even in the flashiest moments (which is most of the time). It doesn’t feel like he’s performing at you: it feels like he’s just in the zone, doing his thing, and you’re lucky enough to watch it happen.
I’ve shared his videos with people who don’t even play drums, and they still get drawn in. That says a lot. There are plenty of technically brilliant drummers out there, but Tony Royster Jr. brings something different and just downright exciting to watch. That’s why he’s still one of my favorites.