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Sam Fogarino
Sam Fogarino
Sam Fogarino
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Key Information

Samuel Joseph Fogarino (born August 9, 1968) is an American musician who is the drummer of the band Interpol.[1] He has played in bands such as the Holy Terrors, Gus, the Wahoos, Napoleon Solo, the Ton-ups and the Last Night.

Biography

[edit]

Fogarino began to play the drums at the age of 13. In the early 1990s, Fogarino played with the South Florida act the Holy Terrors as part of a music scene that also produced Marilyn Manson, Jack Off Jill, Saigon Kick and the Mavericks. Manson asked him to join his band at one point, but Fogarino turned him down.[2]

In 1996, Fogarino left south Florida to move to Gainesville (where he played in a band called Gus, replacing Jason Lederman), then finally settled in New York City in 1997. He first met guitarist Daniel Kessler in 1998 when he was selling vinyl in Beacon's Closet, a clothing store in Brooklyn. With more than 10 years playing experience, he joined Interpol in 2000 after original drummer Greg Drudy left the band. Fogarino played his first show for Interpol on May 20, 2000, at the Mercury Lounge.

Bobby Schayer formerly of Bad Religion worked as drum tech for Sam Fogarino from 2001 to 2011.[3]

In early 2006, Fogarino joined with former Swervedriver frontman Adam Franklin to form a side-project band called the Setting Suns. Since then, the duo have changed their name to Magnetic Morning[4] and released a six-track EP on iTunes.

In May 2010, Fogarino composed an accompanying soundtrack to Athens, GA Canopy Studio's "Fractured Fairy Tales" aerial dance performance.

On April 2, 2013, Fogarino released his debut side project EmptyMansions snakes/vulture/sulfate via Riot House Records. He enlisted Brandon Curtis (the Secret Machines, Interpol) to produce the record and Duane Denison (the Jesus Lizard, Tomahawk) to play lead guitars.

References

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Sam Fogarino

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Samuel Joseph Fogarino (born August 9, 1968) is an American drummer best known as the longtime member of the post-punk revival band Interpol. Fogarino began playing drums at the age of 13 and built his early career in various punk and rock outfits, including the Holy Terrors, Gus, Ton-Ups, and Last Night, before relocating to New York City in the late 1990s. He joined Interpol in 2000, debuting with the band at a performance on May 20 of that year at the Mercury Lounge, and has since contributed to all of their studio albums, starting with the critically acclaimed debut Turn on the Bright Lights (2002). His distinctive, propulsive drumming style has been a cornerstone of Interpol's sound, drawing influences from post-punk and new wave genres. In addition to his work with Interpol, Fogarino has pursued side projects, such as the shoegaze-influenced band Magnetic Morning with Swervedriver's Franklin, which released an EP in and a full-length A.M. in 2008. He also released a solo under the moniker EmptyMansions in 2013 and composed the soundtrack for the aerial dance performance Fractured Fairy Tales in May 2010. Notably, Fogarino turned down an offer to join Marilyn Manson's band in the early 2000s to focus on . Since 2018, he has been an endorsed artist with Gretsch Drums. In recent years, Fogarino underwent spinal surgery in 2023, which led him to miss Interpol's 2024 European and UK tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Antics. Although his recovery has been successful and he has resumed drumming, ongoing health issues have kept him off the road temporarily. As of September 2024, Interpol is actively writing material for their eighth studio album, following 2022's The Other Side of Make-Believe, with Fogarino participating in the process and producer Andrew Wyatt involved as of March 2025. In November 2025, the band announced a 2026 UK and EU tour with Bloc Party.

Early Life

Upbringing and Introduction to Drumming

Samuel Joseph Fogarino was born on August 9, 1968, in , . He spent his early childhood in , growing up in a lower-middle-class in a suburban neighborhood characterized by old-school Colonial row homes near the affluent Main Line area. His family included an older sister, and they faced financial challenges typical of their socioeconomic background, including reliance on government aid programs that were later affected by policy changes during the Reagan administration. These circumstances contributed to the family's relocation when Fogarino was around 15 years old, moving southward to the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area in South Florida with his mother; he briefly returned to at age 18 for his sister's wedding before heading back to Florida. Fogarino's early years in marked a period of adjustment in a new environment, where the working-class roots from continued to shape his perspective amid the region's vibrant but cultural scene. It was during his teenage years that he first engaged deeply with as a hobby, initially experimenting with guitar before discovering drums. At the age of 13, Fogarino received a mid-tier drum kit and began playing, showing an early natural aptitude that led him to form a basement band around age 12. Largely self-taught, he learned through trial and error and on-the-job experience, as well as simple rock and R&B beats from classic recordings. This informal start laid the groundwork for his development as a drummer, emphasizing practical application over structured lessons in his formative environment.

Education and Relocation to New York

After completing high school in , Fogarino pursued formal education in audio production at the , from which he graduated with a degree in sound around 1989. This program provided him with technical skills in recording and mixing, building on his early interest in drumming that began at age 13 as a creative outlet. Although he later described the experience as a "waste of money" due to its limited practical value, it marked his initial structured engagement with music-related fields beyond informal playing. By , seeking a change from his corporate job in promotions at and the stagnant scene, Fogarino relocated to for a fresh start. There, he briefly worked at the gothic label Projekt Records but struggled with personal challenges, including heavy drinking, leading him to return to after six months without forming a stable band. This short stint highlighted his determination to immerse himself in a more dynamic music environment, though it ultimately proved unfruitful. Late in 1999, Fogarino made another pivotal move to , attracted by its burgeoning and scenes, which offered opportunities for collaboration amid a wave of creative energy. Settling in , he supported himself through early jobs, including a role at Beacon's Closet, a vintage clothing and vinyl store that became a hub for the local music community. This position not only provided financial stability but also facilitated connections within the indie circuit, bridging his technical background and drumming passion toward professional pursuits. By 2000, he was fully established in the city, laying the groundwork for his integration into New York's vibrant underground.

Musical Career

Pre-Interpol Bands

Before joining , Sam Fogarino honed his skills as a in several underground bands, beginning in during the early 1990s. His first significant group was the Holy Terrors, a outfit formed in by vocalist Rob Elba and guitarist Dan Hosker, who had relocated from to the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area. Fogarino joined as the that same year, alongside Frank , contributing to the band's raw, energetic sound influenced by atmospheric punk and alternative rock acts like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine. The group built a local reputation in the vibrant scene, which also spawned acts like Marilyn Manson and Jack Off Jill; Fogarino even declined an invitation to join Manson's band. They performed frequently for substantial crowds in Dade and Broward counties, opening for national touring acts such as Morphine, Danzig, and Jellyfish, and gained airplay on local radio station WSHE. The band released singles including the 1992 effort "Cigarettello/Bad Thing," showcasing Fogarino's developing technique on tracks like "She Was On Fire," one of the first songs he learned with the group. Lineup changes, such as 's departure in 1991 and replacement by William Trev, presented challenges but helped Fogarino refine his role in dynamic band settings. Fogarino's time with the Holy Terrors marked a pivotal learning phase, where he transitioned from self-taught drumming—begun at age 13—to professional performance, absorbing lessons in , stage presence, and the rigors of the regional circuit. This experience in South Florida's competitive underground environment, characterized by a drive for broader recognition amid limited resources, motivated his relocation northward. He later played in another Florida-based group, Gus, during the mid-1990s, further immersing himself in noise rock aesthetics that emphasized texture and intensity. In 1996, after moving briefly to Gainesville, Florida, Fogarino joined Gus as drummer, replacing Jason Lederman, and continued to evolve his style amid the local punk and alternative scenes. Fogarino's relocation to New York City in the late 1990s opened doors to the city's thriving circuit, where he participated in several short-lived but formative projects. His debut NYC band was the Ton-Ups, a active in the Williamsburg neighborhood, known for its raw and ties to the era's DIY . The group released a 7-inch single titled "Kill Me Slow," capturing Fogarino's punchy, driving rhythms that bridged punk roots with emerging post-punk influences. Performances at local venues helped him establish connections in the competitive Brooklyn scene, though timing and internal frustrations limited the band's longevity. He also drummed for the Wahoos, Napoleon Solo, and Last Night, groups that operated in the late 1990s NYC punk and post-punk circuits. These experiences solidified his reputation as a reliable underground drummer, adept at navigating the challenges of transient rosters and small-club gigs in venues like Brownies and the Mercury Lounge.

Joining Interpol and Role in the Band

Sam Fogarino joined in as the band's drummer, replacing original member who departed shortly after the group began performing live. His recruitment brought a more dynamic and hard-hitting style to the rhythm section, drawing from his prior experience in New York City's scene, which aligned well with 's rigorous, angular sound. Fogarino made his debut with the band on May 20, , at New York City's , marking the start of his integral role in their early performances at intimate venues like Brownies and the . Throughout his tenure, Fogarino provided the driving percussion for all of Interpol's studio albums, from their breakthrough debut Turn on the Bright Lights (2002) to The Other Side of Make-Believe (2022). His contributions are particularly notable on tracks like "Obstacle 1" from Turn on the Bright Lights, where his propulsive, syncopated beats underscore the song's tense, post-punk energy, and "Toni" from Marauder (2018), featuring intricate, soul-influenced grooves that highlight his evolving technical flair. From 2001 to 2011, Fogarino collaborated closely with drum technician Bobby Schayer, formerly of Bad Religion, who ensured seamless setup and maintenance during the band's intensive recording and touring schedule. Fogarino's steady presence helped maintain band cohesion amid challenges, including the 2010 departure of bassist , who left to pursue projects after contributing to the self-titled . In response, vocalist-guitarist Paul Banks assumed bass duties on subsequent recordings, while the group adapted live performances by incorporating touring members such as Dave Pajo on bass and Brandon Curtis on keyboards for select dates, later stabilizing with Brad Truax on bass from 2011 onward. This flexibility allowed Interpol to sustain their momentum through extensive global tours, including high-profile runs supporting Antics (2004), (2014), Marauder (2018), and The Other Side of Make-Believe (2022), where Fogarino's reliable, energetic playing anchored the trio's intensified dynamic. In 2023, Fogarino underwent spinal surgery, causing him to miss Interpol's 2024 European and UK tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Antics, though he participated remotely. As of August 2024, following successful recovery, Fogarino has resumed drumming and is actively contributing to songwriting for Interpol's next .

Solo Projects and Collaborations

Magnetic Morning

Magnetic Morning is a collaborative side project formed in 2006 by Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino and frontman Adam Franklin, emerging from a chance introduction at a New York arranged by mutual acquaintance Jack Rabid. Fogarino, seeking an outlet beyond Interpol's rigorous schedule, shared early song sketches with Franklin, sparking an immediate creative synergy that led to the duo's formation as a respite from their primary bands. The project's debut output was a six-track EP initially released digitally on iTunes on October 18, 2007, under the temporary name The Setting Suns, before being rebranded and reissued as the self-titled Magnetic Morning EP, with a physical edition following on April 19, 2008, recorded at New York's . In this endeavor, Fogarino contributed on drums, showcasing a more fluid and nuanced style than the precise, driving rhythms of , while Franklin handled guitar, vocals, and much of the songwriting, drawing on shoegaze textures with layers of reverb and distortion that contrasted sharply with Interpol's taut framework. The EP's hazy, atmospheric sound—evident in tracks like "" and "Yesterday's Flowers"—emphasized dreamy psychedelia over angular urgency, allowing Fogarino to explore subtler dynamics rooted in his expertise. This EP-focused expanded into a full-length , A.M., released on October 21, , which blended roughly equal contributions from both members, including reworked older sketches from Fogarino dating back over a . Magnetic Morning toured the U.S. in fall as a five-piece live band, featuring additional musicians like Jimmy LaValle on keys and performing at venues such as the Roxy in Los Angeles on November 3, where the set highlighted the project's cathartic, restrained energy. Critics and the artists themselves viewed it as a refreshing creative break during Interpol's intense touring, with Franklin describing the process as "energizing" and Fogarino noting the fortune of surrounding himself with like-minded collaborators for musical experimentation. In October 2024, Magnetic Morning released a new single titled "No Direction". On October 9, 2025, the duo announced a limited-edition bone-white vinyl of A.M., remastered by Tim with new artwork by Pat Graham, scheduled for on November 28, 2025, via Outer Battery Records.

EmptyMansions and Other Works

In 2013, Sam Fogarino launched his primary solo , EmptyMansions, with the of the album snakes/vultures/sulfate on April 2 via Riot House Records. The album, recorded primarily in Athens, Georgia, from early 2012 through late in the year, marked Fogarino's debut as a frontman, handling lead vocals, guitar, and synthesizers alongside his drumming duties. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Brandon Curtis of Secret Machines—who also contributed bass, keyboards, and backing vocals—the drew on Fogarino's experiences writing songs during Interpol's tours, transforming road-worn sketches into a cohesive collection. The album features collaborations with guitarist of , whose angular, noise-inflected playing complements the record's brooding atmosphere across tracks like "Led to Measure" and "." Themes of introspection permeate snakes/vultures/sulfate, with Fogarino describing the songwriting as an honest outlet for personal reflection, unburdened by external pressures, and infused with dark, gothic undertones that evoke sensibilities. Experimental elements emerge through Fogarino's use of synthesizers and a blend of rhythms with psychedelic and textures, creating a diversionary for creative beyond his band commitments. Prior to EmptyMansions, Fogarino's work on the Magnetic Morning project from 2007 to 2008 served as an early precursor to his solo endeavors, honing his multi-instrumental approach. Beyond the album, Fogarino composed and performed the soundtrack for the 2010 aerial dance production Fractured Fairy Tales by Athens, Georgia's Canopy Studio, contributing original music to accompany the performance's twisted retelling of classic fairy tales through trapeze and aerial silks. No major unreleased projects from EmptyMansions have surfaced, though Fogarino has occasionally referenced minor experiments in interviews as extensions of his introspective style.

Drumming Style and Equipment

Influences and Technique

Fogarino's drumming draws heavily from soul and swing traditions, blending these elements into Interpol's post-punk aesthetic to create rhythmic depth and bounce. He has specifically cited Al Jackson Jr., the influential soul drummer known for his work with Booker T. & the M.G.'s, as a key inspiration for his contributions to the band's 2018 album Marauder, where he channeled Jackson's precise, groove-oriented style to enhance the record's dynamic layers. Similarly, Fogarino incorporates swing influences from rock drummers like Martin Chambers of the Pretenders, applying swinging double-time grooves—such as those reminiscent of the Pretenders' "Tattooed Love Boys"—to tracks like "The Rover" on Marauder, infusing the band's angular sound with subtle propulsion and variation. A hallmark of Fogarino's technique is his use of unorthodox methods to expand tonal possibilities, including reversing his sticks during performances to produce a fuller, more resonant snare sound. As he described in a discussion of his style, "sometimes I reverse my sticks when I'm playing. It helps achieve a bigger sound, especially on the snare." This approach, combined with ghost notes and syncopated hi-hat patterns, allows him to introduce groove variations that maintain precision while adding creative flair, as evident in the rhythmic surprises of "Stay In Touch" from Marauder. Fogarino's role within Interpol has evolved toward a more prominent, drum-forward presence in the band's later albums, prioritizing subtle dynamics, tight precision, and innovative phrasing over sheer volume. On the 2004 follow-up to Turn On the Bright Lights, titled Antics, he exerted greater influence in songwriting and arrangement, enabling him to interact dynamically with melodies—such as in "Not Even Jail" and "Slow Hands"—without overshadowing the band's moody atmosphere, a shift he attributed to learning "how I could interact with melody without taking away or stepping on what sucks the listener into Interpol." In reflecting on his process, Fogarino has emphasized how drumming shapes his overall musical perspective, fostering an "odd sense of musicianship" that introduces angularity and emotional responsiveness into his choices. He explained, "Drums always influence everything else I do, but then when I play drums it's more informed by an odd sense of musicianship. The premise is to play the song and respond to the lyrics and the emotion," highlighting a holistic approach where rhythmic decisions, including explorations of unconventional grooves and phrasing, stem from serving the composition's intent rather than technical display.

Drum Kit Setup

Sam Fogarino has used a Ludwig Classic Maple series drum kit, consisting of a 26"x14" bass drum, 14"x11" rack tom, and 16"x16" floor tom. He pairs this with a 14"x6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty snare or a custom chrome/brass snare for its resonant tone. Since 2018, Fogarino has been endorsed by Gretsch Drums and has used their kits in recent years, including a custom setup with piccolo toms as of 2024. From around 2019 to at least 2020, Fogarino endorsed and used Dream Cymbals, particularly for rides and crashes, appreciating their versatile sound in live and studio settings. In February 2024, he acquired new Zildjian cymbals. One notable custom modification in his setup is the occasional reversal of Vic Firth 5B drumsticks, which adjusts volume and tone during performances. Fogarino's kit has evolved from earlier configurations in his pre-Interpol bands to the streamlined Ludwig setup for tours in the , supported by drum technician from 2001 to 2011. In his early career, he played a 1992 Slingerland kit acquired from the University of Miami's department, influencing his foundational sound before transitioning to more contemporary hardware.

References

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  2. https://www.nme.com/news/music/interpol-are-at-work-on-their-next-album-with-drummer-sam-fogarino-recovering-from-surgery-3787816
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  5. https://www.instagram.com/interpol/?hl=en
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  7. https://thevarsity.ca/2010/09/07/the-varsity-interview-sam-fogarino/
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzHUgc-rby8
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  31. https://www.musicradar.com/artists/interpol-obstacle-1
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  51. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/emptymansions/snakes-vultures-sulfate/
  52. https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Dpi-UOFHq/
  53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7ROhO3d36U
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