How do you make the sound of a full-blown rock band with just two musicians? For Royal Blood drummer Ben Thatcher, the answer lies in chemistry, dynamics and the freedom to turn everything up to eleven.
Speaking to Drummer’s Review, Thatcher opened up about the band’s unique approach, his evolution as a drummer and the experiences that have shaped his career.
Watch the full interview HERE
Two Musicians, One Massive Sound
Since emerging onto the rock scene in 2011, Royal Blood have become renowned for their enormous sound. But despite the band’s intensity, Thatcher explains that their approach is surprisingly straightforward.
“With Royal Blood, there’s nothing to compete with apart from each other,” he explains. “It’s these two elements that we can really ramp up the volume, and then it’s just our chemistry and the dynamics of playing together.” That chemistry extends beyond the stage. Thatcher describes a musical partnership built on friendship and a shared understanding of what Royal Blood should sound like, with decisions made quickly when developing new material.
Interestingly, the band perform without a click track, with their live sound evolving through experimentation rather than relying on backing tracks to fill the gaps.
From Church Drummer to Rock Influences
Thatcher’s journey began at just ten years old, playing drums in church in front of a congregation of around 400 people.
While those early performances helped him become comfortable in front of a crowd, it was discovering drummers such as Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins and Chad Smith that really changed his perspective. Hearing John Theodore with The Mars Volta was another defining moment, opening his ears to the possibilities of drums as an instrument that could actively shape a song rather than simply keep time.
Now, Thatcher hopes to inspire the next generation of players in the same way his own heroes inspired him.
Finding Inspiration Behind the Kit
Despite playing in one of rock’s most powerful two-piece bands, Thatcher has traditionally favoured relatively minimalist drum setups. However, his approach continues to evolve.
During the Typhoons era, he experimented with smaller drums and additional toms, discovering that changing his setup could transform the way he played. “I started thinking of myself as the session drummer for Royal Blood,” he explains. The different configuration encouraged him to explore fills and techniques he hadn’t previously used with the band.
Away from the stage, he enjoys experimenting with different snare drums, cymbals and Roto Toms.
A Career-Defining Moment at Glastonbury
One unforgettable experience came when Royal Blood performed on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage. Walking out in front of an enormous crowd, Thatcher discovered the band had a number-one record, with Brad Pitt, Lars Ulrich, Bradley Cooper and Johnny Depp among those watching.
“We felt invincible,” he recalls. Yet his advice to aspiring drummers is refreshingly down to earth: practise, explore different music and, above all, enjoy playing. “Don’t beat yourself up,” he says. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
For a drummer whose band has built a career on doing things differently, it’s a fitting reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply play.
