THOM MILLS DRUMS

Thom Mills is a top UK touring & session drummer, based in Brighton. He has worked with Egyptian Blue, Public Body, Foals, Frank Turner, Youth Sector, Fur, Skinny Lister, The Maccabees, Noah & The Whale, Mechanical Bride, Sunless ’97 & Ed Prosek.

Thom also runs his own remote drum recording business from his studio ‘RedDrum Recording Studio’ where he records for artists and bands from all over the globe. He has recorded for numerous artists, including Frank Turner, Fur, Youth Sector, Skinny Lister & Anna Rossinelli, and his drumming has been featured on films, adverts and computer games.

RECORDING PORTFOLIO

RedDrum Studio Portfolio – (All drum tracks recorded in my studio)
Studio Session Drummer Portfolio (All studios)

GET A QUOTE

REVIEWS

Ross Trigwell
Ross Trigwell
2023-08-02
Thom done an excellent job on the drums for 2 tracks I recorded last year. One of the best things was the communication and patience, and Thom has bucket loads on top of his versatility and experience at tracking drums. A collaborative process that was easy and quick. Thanks! I can highly recommend using Thom for your recordings.
Steve Baker - Producer & Musician
Steve Baker - Producer & Musician
2023-07-26
Thom has done an excellent job providing drums on several tracks that I was producing and mixing for various clients. I felt confident recommending him and his services and wasn't disappointed! He goes the extra mile with his approach and has been very patient when revisions have been needed. Looking forward to working with him again soon. Would definitely recommend if you're in need of classy, vibey, song-focused and inventive drums on your song!
Morgan Edgerton
Morgan Edgerton
2023-07-25
Thom recording drums for my song was a great experience. The drumming he sent back was so creative and fitting to my music. It was perfectly recorded and his communication and tracks were sent back very quickly. It really took my song to another level and I look forward to working with him again.
Anna Olive
Anna Olive
2023-07-24
Couldn't have asked for a better drummer for our studio session. If you're looking for a tight and professional session drummer we highly recommend Thom. Thank you!
Indigent Ghoul
Indigent Ghoul
2023-07-22
I first approached Thom about playing drums on one of my tracks whilst recording my debut album. He was extremely professional, good correspondence, had an excellent understanding of references and was willing to hear feedback to make adjustments even after the first few takes. I was extremely happy with the first track, so had no hesitation in contacting him again for another one later on into the recording process. He did not disappoint. In fact, the second track he drummed for 'Everyone Not Alive Today' remains a personal favourite of mine, and would not be the same were it not for Thom's outlandishly brilliant performance. I'm afraid you will have to hear it for yourself to believe it. But for technical ability, communication, versatility and efficiency I can recommend Thom Mills!
Jared Tomkins
Jared Tomkins
2023-07-21
I had Thom record drums for 3 of my tracks and they were absolutely perfect. Thom goes the extra mile by offering to make any changes to tracks without hesitation. There isn't a single fault with this drummer! I will be using Thom for all of my drum tracks going forward!
Jasmine Lewis
Jasmine Lewis
2019-01-21
Thom is an excellent teacher. He has been tutoring my ten year old son on the drums for a few months and in that time has built a great rapport with him, inspired him and helped him develop some great skills. My son really looks forward to and enjoys his lessons and he always has something new to show me afterwards. Thom is also reliable and punctual.
Nick Clark
Nick Clark
2019-01-18
I’m a complete beginner and don’t own a drum kit, the lesson was very easy to follow in both lessons we spent time thinkining about practicing at home without kit which is actually very doable. If you get the chance to see the band Thom drums for, Skinny Lister, don’t pass it up, they are brilliant.
Kelly Freestone
Kelly Freestone
2019-01-18
Thom currently teaching my 2 sons who are progressing well and really enjoying their lessons. He is great with them, very patient and clearly excellent at what he does. Can’t recommend him highly enough.

I have worked with Thom on a couple of projects, the last being the latest Skinny Lister record. Thom is fantastic to work with and always has the heart of the song at the forefront of his approach. He also sounds amazing, I don’t think we had to work on his drum sound at all! Couldn’t recommend him more.

Simon ‘Barny’ Barnicott – Skinny Lister, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys (producer, mixer) UK

Thom is just great. Amazing drummer, lovely to work with.”

Frank Turner (artist) UK

Thom is a true pro, fantastic live and studio drummer plus he’s a lot of fun. Would highly recommend him for any of your drumming needs. ”

Toby Faulkner – Newton Faulkner (artist) UK

I can honestly say that Thom is one of the best musicians I’ve ever worked with. We’ve collaborated on several recording projects and his input has always been top-notch. His vast knowledge of music, coupled with his tasteful creativity, makes him my go-to guy if I’m looking for drums or percussion to really bring a project together. Also, he’s a lovely man… which helps! Highly recommended.

Derek Meins – The Agitator, Derelicts, Vex Message (artist) UK

Thom is just great. Amazing drummer, lovely to work with.”

Frank Turner – Frank Turner (artist) UK

“I have worked with Thom on a couple of projects, the last being the latest Skinny Lister record. Thom is fantastic to work with and always has the heart of the song at the forefront of his approach. He also sounds amazing, I don’t think we had to work on his drum sound at all!!! Couldn’t recommend him more.”

Simon ‘Barny’ Barnicott – Skinny Lister, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys (producer, mixer) UK

“I loved working with Thom! A real pro drummer, both in his playing and attitude. He’s a man who can effortlessly staddle genres, keeping authenticity and feel the whole time. Highly recommended!!”

Mark Roberts – Black Peaks, Delta Sleep, Toska, InTechnicolour (producer) UK

“I’ve worked on multiple sessions with Thom, and each and every time he blows my mind. He’s so easy to work with, a lovely fella and I couldn’t recommend enough!”

Tom Bjorn – (producer, engineer) UK

“Thom and I have been working together for 15 years now. He is my first port of call for recording or live work on the drums. His unique feel, coupled with an eclectic taste in music means he is capable of turning his abilities to any musical project.”

David Vine – ABVSS (artist) UK

“I’ve worked with Thom on countless projects and he is always an absolute pleasure to work with. The quality of his recording studio is excellent and live drums recorded in there sound huge.” 

Theo Verney – Egyptian Blue, Home Counties, Public Body (producer) UK

“I’ve recorded Thom on multiple sessions now and I can honestly say he’s one of the best drummers I’ve had the pleasure to work with! He has an amazing feel and always delivers. I would highly recommend.”

Tom Bishop – (producer, mixer, engineer) UK

“Thom is an outstanding and highly innovative drummer whom I have had the pleasure of recording on many occasions. He brings the highest quality performance every time, and is always able to provide a unique perspective or idea to parts that make him a dream for any producer. And as a person his professionalism and character make him a total pleasure to work with every time.”

Charlie McClean – (producer) Germany

“Thom provided drums for an upcoming single release of mine, he was a joy to work with and his playing really took the track to the next level, I highly recommend!”

Alfie Firmin – (artist) UK

“Thom provided recorded remote live drums for a track we’ve been working on over the last week, his performance was bullet proof and the recording quality was frankly incredible. Will be regularly using his services in the future. Highly recommended.”

Sam Brace – Skinny Lister (artist) UK

Studios I’ve worked in:

  • Abbey Road, London
  • Maida Vale, London
  • Rockfield, Wales
  • Metropolis, London
  • Echo Zoo, Eastbourne
  • Brighton Electric, Brighton
  • Blue Bell Hill Studio, Kent

Producers I’ve worked with:

  • Theo Verney (Fur, Egyptian Blue, English Teacher, TRAAMS)
  • Simon ‘Barny’ Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Bombay Bicycle Club)
  • Adrian Hall (Tori Amos, Depeche Mode)
  • Christoph Skirl (The Magic Gang, Willie J Healy, Demob Happy)
  • Mark Roberts (Black Peaks, Delta Sleep)
  • Jag Jago (The Maccabees, Ten Tonnes, Magic Gang, Jessie Ware)
  • Charlie McClean (Diana Ross, Anna Rossinelli)
  • Iain Harvie (Del Amitri, The Maccabees)
  • Tristan Ivemy (Frank Turner, Alex Clare)
  • Nick Abbott (Keane, Foals)
  • Russ Junk Scientist (Larrikin Love, The Rakes)
  • Frank Turner (NOFX, Nathan Gray)
  • Mark Flannery (Black Sabbath, Def Leppard)

Artists I’ve worked with:

  • Skinny Lister (Xtra Mile Recordings)
  • Public Body (Six Tonnes de Chair)
  • Mechanical Bride (Transgressive Records)
  • Sunless ’97 (Abeano)
  • Foals (Warner Bro) as Percussionist and Drum Technician
  • Ed Prosek (SCOLA Records)
  • Frank Turner & Nathan Gray (End Hit Records)
  • Fur (777 Music)
  • Anna Rossinelli (Universal)
  • Youth Sector (Family Values)
  • Lucy Feliz (Ok Pal Records)
  • Shady Baby (Nice Swan Records)
  • Holy Vessels (Hello Babe Records)
  • Alfie Firmin 
  • Sam Brace
  • Thrillhouse
  • Sad Funeral
  • Mean Poppa Lean

Thom Mills- Musical Biography

Over the last 25 years of playing drums, and 16 years professionally I have gained a vast amount of live, studio and drum teaching experience as a professional session drummer playing all over the globe with a wide variety of bands and artists. Most notably with Skinny Lister. I have done numerous live tours all over the world including, UK, Europe, Japan & USA, including supporting Frank Turner at Alexandra Palace, playing many times at incredible festivals including my personal favourites Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and Download (UK), Asagiri Jam (Japan), Greenfields (Switzerland), Bonaroo and Riot Fest (USA), and Hurricane and Southside (Germany). 

I have also played with a plethora of other bands including post-punk band ‘Public Body‘ signed to FatCat Records, we have released several EP’s and debut album ‘Big Mess’. The tracks have been gaining a lot of attention, and getting radio plays including multiple plays on BBC Radio 6 Music, Radio 1, and touring across Europe.

Additionally in the past I have toured, recorded with Mechanical Bride, signed to Transgressive Records. The ‘Living with Ants’ album was released in 2011 to critical acclaim. Through Republic of Music, my band Holy Vessels released ‘Last orders at the Marshall Arms’ in 2012.

I also was lucky enough to work with Foals as a drum tech and percussionist in 2013 following up to their ‘Holy Fire’ album release. I appeared with them on BBC’s ‘Later… With Jools Holland’, Channel 4’s ‘Abbey Road Sessions’ and toured with them around Europe on the albums promotional campaign.

I have also been blessed to connect, work and be endorsed with some of the best drum companies in the world. These include C&C Custom drums in Kansas City, USA, Sabian Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks and Remo Percussion drum heads.

My extensive studio experience includes sessions at top, world renowned studios including, Rockfield, Metropolis, Maida Vale & Abbey Road. I have also played on countless records over the years with  a great variety of different genres which has helped me to gain knowledge on what works for any type of music and how best to play and write creative and interesting drum parts that suit and enhance the song I am recording.

“I now own and run RedDrum Recording Studio in Brighton on the south coast of the UK where I operate as an online session drummer & record custom live drum tracks for artists, bands, songwriters and producers from all over the globe. My clients so far have been extremely varied from Russian rock bands to tender UK based singer songwriters. My aim is to always deliver the highest quality live studio drum tracks with as many revisions as the client desires to artists, bands, songwriters and producers all over the world.

After many years of experience as a session studio drummer and online session drummer, and now with my own studio delivering the highest quality live drum tracks I believe I can deliver to all my clients a truly unique service; Cutting out the need to hire a high-end recording studio, engineer and producer but still getting the best real live drum tracks played by a professional online session drummer, and delivered straight to your inbox for a fraction of the price.”

Thom is proudly sponsored by