Discover the New Drummer of Guns N’ Roses: Isaac Carpenter

Guns N’ Roses has officially welcomed Isaac Carpenter as their new drummer as of March 20, following the announcement of their split with longtime drummer Frank Ferrer, who had been with the band for an impressive 19 years. The band characterized the parting as “amicable” and expressed their best wishes for Ferrer in his future projects. Given that the band is gearing up for their 2025 world tour in just over a month, it’s clear they had a replacement ready to step in without delay. In fact, we previously speculated on seven potential drummers for the role, and Carpenter was among those contenders.

Continue reading to delve deeper into Isaac Carpenter’s background and his connections to the iconic band.

Unveiling Isaac Carpenter: The New Face Behind the Drums

Born in 1979 in Tri-Cities, Washington, Isaac Carpenter has been a fervent Guns N’ Roses enthusiast since his youth. His passion for the band began in high school when he performed in a cover band named .22s and Tulips. Reflecting on his early experiences, Carpenter remarked, “When I heard Appetite For Destruction and the ‘F’ word in the second grade, it was the biggest, most life-changing event for me. I got an awesome mullet and bought every copy of Metal Edge I could get my hands on,” he shared with Hip Online, illustrating his deep connection to the music. This admiration for the band laid a strong foundation for his musical aspirations.

Eventually, Carpenter and his band evolved into Loudermilk, releasing their debut album in 1998. They signed with American Recordings, embarked on tours with heavyweights like Mötley Crüe and Megadeth, but faced challenges that led to their departure from the label before successfully signing with DreamWorks in 2002.

Exploring Isaac Carpenter’s Connections with Guns N’ Roses Legends

In 2004, Loudermilk underwent a significant transformation, rebranding themselves as Gosling. This new chapter included touring with Duff McKagan, Slash, and Matt Sorum in their post-GNR band, Velvet Revolver. The intersections of their musical journeys are quite fascinating.

While the exact timeline of McKagan’s discovery of Loudermilk remains unclear, it’s evident he was an admirer of their work, even before their transformation into Gosling. His appreciation for their music was articulated in a Seattle Weekly column in 2010, where he praised every track on their record, stating, “In my opinion, every song on this record is special and different, and trying to describe Loudermilk would just sound dumb, pale, and hollow when set against this majestic body of musical work.”

Watch Isaac Carpenter’s Drum Performance with Loudermilk

Carpenter’s drumming prowess led him to collaborate with The Exies before being invited by McKagan to join his band Loaded in 2009. During this time, they toured alongside Black Stone Cherry and released the album The Taking in 2011. His versatility as a drummer is evident through his involvement with numerous bands, including Adam Lambert’s touring band and AWOLNATION, among others.

Now, as a member of Guns N’ Roses, Carpenter is set to bring his unique style and energy to the iconic band. Check out a video of Loaded performing their cover of Nirvana’s “Lithium” at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture in 2011 below.

Loaded’s Thrilling Cover of “Lithium” (Nirvana)

Guns N’ Roses is set to kick off their highly anticipated 2025 tour on May 1 in Incheon, South Korea. Fans can find the complete list of the band’s tour dates on their official website.

Welcome to the jungle, Isaac Carpenter!