The Greater Groove: Todd Sucherman Reacts to Appearing on the Cover of Modern Drummer

story & photo by Mike Mettler

Styx drummer Todd Sucherman appears on the cover of the August 2017 issue of Modern Drummer, and it's an honor he doesn't take lightly.

"It’s still a thrill," Todd admits exclusively to Styxworld, standing outside of his dressing room just a few hours prior to Styx's performance at the Vina Robles Ampitheatre in Paso Robles, California on June 25, 2017. "The fact remains, I’ve been getting that magazine in my mailbox wherever I’ve lived since I was 10 years old. The first time being on the cover was amazing, but to have it happen again is equally as sweet. It’s a childhood dream come true, again. There are a couple of great drum magazines out in the world, but Modern Drummer was the first, and they’re still gold standard. I’m very grateful to them."

Todd's first appearance on the cover of MD was for their October 2008 issue. He has, of course, been featured in the magazine a number of times over the years, and its readers have voted him Best Prog Drummer and Top Rock Drummer, among other accolades, over his storied career behind the kit (including many for his vaunted Methods & Mechanics instructional video series) — and we have a feeling he'll again be at the top of the list when the MD Readers Poll votes are counted for 2017, considering the numerous impressive, creative grooves he forged for Styx's just-released new studio album, The Mission (Alpha Dog 2T/UMe).

BTW, when Styx guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw (pictured above with Todd backstage in Auburn, Washington on June 21, reacting to the skinsman's MD cover) does the rhythm-section introductions before the band's encore during the current United We Rock tour, he often refers to his favorite drummer as "Mr. Dangerous," while keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan jokes that the magazine's readers should "turn to the centerfold first — you'll thank me later."

Follow the link in the first paragraph above to read the full MD story on Todd, and/or go buy/reserve a copy for yourself off the newsstand, then come out to the next United We Rock show nearest you to see the man MD calls a "masterful player" who knows exactly what to play "when it comes to finding the right flavor for the new material" in action!