STYX drummer Todd Sucherman has announced the release of his brand-new drum art piece, “Above the Surface,” from his acclaimed Realities of Rhythm and Time collection. Available exclusively during Black Friday week, this highly limited edition merges music and visual art in a rare, collectible release for fans and art enthusiasts alike.
With “Above the Surface,” Sucherman officially steps into the art world, transforming his world-renowned drumming and rhythmic movement into a powerful visual expression.
Sucherman shares: “Above the Surface captures the motion and shapes that come alive on top of the drum set, the dance of the sticks, the sizzle of the cymbals, and the light that brings drama both musically and visually. This piece features the classic Sonor drum logo, and a few select editions include my handwritten drum notation, each preserving a fragment of that energy and feeling. It’s all there, right above the surface.”
Created in collaboration with Los Angeles–based art collective SceneFour, the piece transforms the physical motion of Sucherman’s drumming into a vivid, fine-art expression. Each edition is hand-signed and numbered, underscoring its rarity and collectible appeal.
Once they’re gone, they’re gone! Don’t miss your chance to own one of these rare editions, visit www.scenefourart.com
Sucherman took over drumming duties in STYX a year before the death of John Panozzo in 1996. Sucherman joined STYX as a full-time member after Panozzo died of cirrhosis.
Todd continues to be one of the world’s most in-demand drummers and educators. While recording and touring the world with the multi-platinum rock band STYX for the last 29 years, he’s managed to balance a schedule of recording sessions, masterclasses, clinics, and creating the enormously successful “Rock Drumming Masterclass” for Drumeo. Todd has been recognized by his peers winning many Modern Drummer magazine Readers’ Poll awards through the years, taking top honors in the categories of “Rock Drummer”, “Progressive Rock Drummer”, “Classic Rock Drummer”, “Live Drummer”, “Clinician”, “Educational DVD”, “Recorded Performance” and multiple placements in other categories. In 2020, after playing drums for 49 years, he released his first solo record, “Last Flight Home”.
SceneFour is primarily known as the team responsible for the “rhythm-on-canvas” medium, having released art collections over the last several years with a highly select group of drumming legends, including Bill Ward (BLACK SABBATH),Rick Allen (DEF LEPPARD) and Dave Lombardo (SLAYER).
SceneFour, a Los Angeles design and branding firm, uses LED technology to transfer the musicians’ unique style onto a canvas. The art reportedly provides a “musical fingerprint” that is as unique as an artist’s autograph.
“Each guy’s artwork looks drastically different because their styles and techniques are different,” Cory Danziger, who co-founded SceneFour in 2004 with Ravi Dosaj, a graphic designer, told The New York Times.
“Bill Ward’s artwork is dark and there’s kind of a foreboding element to it, whereas Chad Smith’s has kind of a light and airy feel to his playing. His arms are open and those pieces have a butterfly effect,” Danziger said.
SceneFour has released more than 60 collections and is most notable for the conceptual and release of “rhythm-on-canvas” artwork, a process where drummers create abstract work with SceneFour based upon their movement behind the drum kit.
To date, rhythm-on-canvas releases include collaborators Mickey Hart (GRATEFUL DEAD),Bill Ward (BLACK SABBATH),Carl Palmer (EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER),Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS),Mike Mangini (DREAM THEATER),Will Calhoun (LIVING COLOUR),Jose Pasillas (INCUBUS),Mario Duplantier (GOJIRA),Dave Lombardo (SLAYER),Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD),Cindy Blackman Santana (SANTANA),Sheila E., Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE),Rick Allen (DEF LEPPARD),Frank Waddy (PARLIAMENT),Nick Menza (MEGADETH),Steven Adler (GUNS N’ ROSES),Dave Weckl, Terry Bozzio, Matt Sorum (GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER),Billy Cobham, Roy Ayers, Mikkey Dee (MOTÖRHEAD),Chris Fehn (SLIPKNOT) and Chad Sexton (311).
SceneFour has expanded the rhythm-on-canvas format to include legendary guitarists. Utilizing a customize glove, SceneFour collaborates with the guitarist to craft visual artwork through the musician’s movement on the fretboard. To date, collaborations with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Page Hamilton (HELMET),Scott Ian (ANTHRAX),Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE),Steve Lukather (TOTO),Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE) and Frank Gambale have been unveiled.
SceneFour collections are regularly exhibited in galleries throughout the United States, and have been showcased in international museums. As of 2024, there are seven coffee table books chronicling collections released with SceneFour.
