Classic Punk MIDI Pack – Raw Grooves for DIY Punk Rock | Loudstakk

What is your approach to Punk drumming?

"Classic Punk drumming isn’t about technical wizardry—it’s about intent. My approach is rooted in energy over precision, attitude over polish. It’s about bashing out a beat that feels like it could fall apart at any second, but somehow doesn’t. That tension—that barely-holding-it-together momentum—is where the magic lives. Every fill is more about urgency than accuracy. If it’s slightly off but pushes the song forward? That’s the right take.

One of the biggest challenges is resisting the urge to “improve” the beat. Classic Punk thrives on repetition, on sticking to one pattern and letting the guitar and vocals create the dynamic shifts. It’s counterintuitive in a production-heavy world, but less really is more. Playing the same beat for two minutes without overthinking it is a test of discipline and feel—not boredom. You’re not showing off; you’re holding the floor steady while everything else tries to break it.

I lean into the natural looseness of the genre—slightly swung hi-hats, rimshots that aren’t uniform, kick hits that sometimes come in a hair early or late. It’s all human, and that’s the point. I’m not trying to channel a machine—I’m trying to sound like the drummer in the back of the VFW hall with the duct-taped snare and cracked crash cymbal, who plays like this might be the last show ever. That’s the energy I want to bottle."

Which drummers inspired you?

"Marky Ramone was my gateway into the world of precision punk drumming. His playing with the Ramones had that relentless, locked-in momentum—tight, driving, and unapologetically simple. But underneath the repetition was this swing and swagger that gave the songs their pulse. He made minimalism sound powerful.

Earl Hudson of Bad Brains brought a completely different energy. His ability to move between breakneck hardcore and laid-back reggae grooves was mind-blowing. It wasn’t just about speed or aggression—it was about feel. Earl taught me that punk drumming could have depth, space, and rhythm without losing intensity.

Bill Stevenson from Descendents was the one who made it personal. His drumming was sharp, creative, and full of character. He didn’t just follow the song—he shaped it. His fills, timing, and ability to drive melodic punk without ever overplaying left a huge mark on how I think about writing parts that are both musical and memorable."

How did the idea for a MIDI Groove pack come around?

"The idea for the Classic Punk MIDI Pack came from a very specific itch: the lack of raw, no-frills, high-energy drum grooves that actually felt like they came out of a sweaty garage or a half-broken punk kit duct-taped together before a basement show. A lot of what's out there tries to "modernize" punk drumming or overcomplicate it—but Classic Punk was never about perfection. It was about urgency, repetition, and feel.

I built the pack with songwriting in mind—those go-to grooves that hold the floor steady while guitars do the yelling and the vocals carry the message. It’s a song-first tool, made for people who want to riff fast, write faster, and stop losing momentum programming something that should feel effortless. Just drop it in, loop it to hell, and let the punk energy do the rest."

Who should use MIDI Groove packs?

"The Classic Punk MIDI Pack is built for anyone who writes with urgency, keeps things raw, and doesn’t want to waste time clicking in drums when the energy should already be on the record.

It’s perfect for guitarists, songwriters, or solo producers working on Punk, Garage Rock, or even early Hardcore projects. If you grew up jamming to The Ramones, Bad Brains, Descendents, or anything that came out of a DIY show flyer in 1982, this pack is made for you. You don’t need to be a drummer—you just need something that swings, stomps, and holds the song together without trying to steal the spotlight.

Whether you’re demoing a 3-chord banger, writing fast and loose riffs, or just want to replace the click with something that actually feels alive, these grooves are your go-to. It’s a songwriter’s tool—simple, tight, human, and made to loop 'til the neighbors complain."