Ilan Rubin

Ilan Rubin
Rachelcwood123 at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Ilan Rubin
Birth date	1988
Occupation	Musician, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Drums, piano, guitar, bass, vocals
Years active	2001–present
Associated acts	Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves, Lostprophets, Paramore, Silverchair

Ilan Rubin is an American drummer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves, Paramore, and his solo project The New Regime. He joined established groups as a touring and recording drummer while maintaining a parallel career as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, contributing to albums, film scoring, and live performance across alternative rock, industrial rock, and progressive rock scenes. Rubin's career intersects with prominent musicians, record labels, and festivals, leading to collaborations and recognition in contemporary popular music.

Early life and education

Born in 1988 in San Diego, California, Rubin grew up in a family environment that fostered early musical development and exposure to artists such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Tool, and Radiohead. He began playing drums in childhood and performed in local venues and competitions, appearing alongside contemporaries from Southern California music scenes and participating in events linked to institutions like Woodstock-era tributes and regional showcases. Rubin's formative years included private instruction and mentorship from drummers associated with touring acts and session work, providing connections to producers and engineers in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Musical career

Rubin's professional career commenced as a teenager when he joined the rock band Lostprophets on tour and later became the youngest drummer in Angels & Airwaves history, touring with frontman Tom DeLonge and performing at festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza. He later became the touring and recording drummer for industrial rock act Nine Inch Nails under founder Trent Reznor, contributing to studio recordings, global tours, and performances at venues including Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, and Wembley Stadium. Rubin has also performed with pop-punk and alternative acts such as Paramore and Blink-182 members on select dates and collaborated with producers and songwriters affiliated with labels like Interscope Records, Geffen Records, and Columbia Records. Parallel to touring, Rubin developed his solo output with The New Regime, writing, recording, and producing multiple albums where he performed nearly all instruments and worked with mixers and mastering engineers who have credits with artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and Deftones.

Discography

Rubin's recorded output spans solo albums, band records, and contributions to high-profile releases. Key entries include solo albums released under The New Regime and drum performances on albums by Nine Inch Nails and Angels & Airwaves, as well as session appearances for projects associated with Paramore, Silverchair, Interpol, and other acts. He has contributed to studio albums, EPs, singles, and soundtrack work for film and television productions, collaborating with composers and supervisors linked to studios such as Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and streaming services that commission original scores. Rubin's discography reflects roles as performer, arranger, producer, and mixer across releases distributed by major and independent labels.

Equipment and technique

Known for a hybrid acoustic-electronic approach, Rubin employs drum kits, electronic pads, triggers, and multi-zone modules from manufacturers and brands favored by touring drummers and studio musicians who have endorsed products with companies like Yamaha Corporation, DW Drums, Zildjian, Sabian, Roland Corporation, and Alesis. He integrates techniques from progressive and alternative rock drummers influenced by artists such as Neil Peart, John Bonham, Danny Carey, Jojo Mayer, and Dave Grohl, combining polyrhythms, odd-time signatures, ghost notes, and linear fills. Rubin's live rigs often incorporate in-ear monitoring systems made by companies linked to major touring professionals and hybrid drum setups used at international festivals like Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, and SXSW.

Personal life

Rubin maintains residences tied to music hubs including Los Angeles, and has been involved in charitable and community music education initiatives connected to organizations and benefit events alongside artists from labels and collectives such as Hopeless Records and industry campaigns tied to arts nonprofits. He collaborates with peers and mentors across the Los Angeles and San Diego music scenes and has appeared in media interviews and podcasts alongside musicians, producers, and industry figures from legacy and contemporary acts.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career Rubin has received recognition from peer communities, drumming publications, and music awards contexts related to touring excellence and studio performance, including features in magazines and outlets that cover artists associated with organizations like the Modern Drummer magazine community, session musician networks, and festival lineups. His association with award-winning acts and influential producers has contributed to critical notice in reviews, year-end lists, and industry roundups highlighting performances and recordings.

Category:American drummers Category:1988 births Category:Living people