The Drums

The Profile

The Drums are an American indie pop group formed in 2008 in Brooklyn by Jonathan (Jonny) Pierce and Jacob Graham. They broke through with the single Let’s Go Surfing and the 2010 debut album The Drums, followed by Portamento (2011) and Encyclopedia (2014). Since 2016, The Drums has continued primarily as Jonny Pierce’s project.

Formed in Brooklyn in 2008 by Jonny Pierce and Jacob Graham; American indie-pop/surf-pop outfit known for Let’s Go Surfing. Albums include The Drums (2010), Portamento (2011), and Encyclopedia (2014). Graham departed in 2016, with Pierce continuing the project.

Three DeBaser reviews chart The Drums from a hook-stuffed, ‘bright wave’ debut to the bittersweet highs and lows of Portamento, then onto the sleeker, darker sheen of Encyclopedia. Influences like The Cure, the Beach Boys, and Morrissey recur, while themes juggle joy and gloom. Overall sentiment skews positive, with consistent praise for melodies and choruses despite some mid-career unevenness.