Tom Coll

Gretsch Artist Since: 2021

Country: IE

Band or Affiliations: Fontaines DC

Current Kit Setup:
Broadkaster in Green Glass
14x22" BD, 8x12" FT, 16x16" FT
6.5x14" Bell Brass Snare

Influences:
Levon Helm, James Gadson, Mark Guiliana, Jason McGerr, Jojo Mayer, Adam Faulkner, Brian Downey, Topper Headon

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"Soundchecking my Broadkaster in a venue is just such an exciting experience. Gretsch drums have such a full bodied tone and always sound exactly as I want them to. I’ve had a Catalina Club, Renown and a Broadkaster and they’ve all been absolute workhorses for the touring musician. Above all they’re musical drums that just sing."

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"Surround yourself with good people that fulfill you both on a creative and personal level. I think that’s the only environment where you can make art that is truly your own. "

Bio:
Tom grew up in the west of Ireland with an ever-present love of drumming through the pipe band and traditional Irish music cultures before deciding to focus on playing drum kit in bands. He studied at the prestigious BIMM Institute in Dublin after finishing school and played with numerous bands in the Dublin scene including his current band Fontaines DC.

Fontaines self-released 7” singles before getting signed to Brooklyn label Partisan Records in 2018. They released their debut record ‘Dogrel’ in 2019 to critical and commercial success which brought a world tour, Rough Trade and BBC 6Music album of the year awards and as well as a Mercury Prize nomination.

Their sophomore record, ‘A Hero’s Death’ was released in 2020 going to #2 in both the UK and Irish charts as well as receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Record and a BRIT award for Best International Act. Tom currently lives in London and runs his own record label and works as a session musician when he’s not touring with Fontaines DC.