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Andy Hurley Gear Breakdown – The Iconic Drumming Behind “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” | Fall Out Boy

 /  UPDATED Apr 16, 2025

A track fueled by theatrical flair and precision-driven energy, Thnks Fr Th Mmrs proves that a drummer doesn’t have to sit in the spotlight to be iconic—they just need to drive the engine with power and taste. Andy Hurley does just that. His performance on this Fall Out Boy classic blends punk urgency with arena-rock polish, creating a groove that’s as memorable as the song’s vowels-deprived title.

In this ‘Andy Hurley Gear Breakdown’ from his Drumeo YouTube performance, we explore the kit, snares, cymbals and heads to discover what exactly gives his playing such punch and presence. Some of his gear is no longer in production, but we have you covered with Drumeo-recommended alternatives.


🥁 The Kit: Tama Starclassic Birch Bubinga – Red Sparkle Fade

Aesthetically striking and sonically rich, Andy’s Tama Starclassic Birch Bubinga kit delivers a crisp attack with warm, punchy lows. The combination of birch and bubinga gives the drums an ideal blend of articulation and body—perfect for cutting through Fall Out Boy’s layered arrangements. In terms of sizing, Andy uses:

  • 22” x 16” Bass Drum
  • 12” x 9” Rack Tom
  • 16” x 16” Floor Tom

Although the Birch Bubinga is no longer available, we recommend the Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch (Europe), which comes in a wide variety of colors. This setup delivers the thunder you hear in the chorus and the tight, articulate fills that pepper the verses.


🥁 The Snares: Two-Headed Snare Attack

Andy’s approach isn’t one-snare-fits-all. He brings two distinct voices to the table:

Tama John Tempesta Signature Snare – 14” x 7”

We recommend the Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch Snare (Europe) in the Tempesta snares’ place. This beast packs serious weight. Its deep shell and aggressive tone deliver the crack you need to drive pop-punk power grooves.

Tama Soundworks Snare – 10” x 7”

A smaller auxiliary snare that adds tight, percussive texture—great for those quick ghost note flurries or verse dynamics. A suitable alternative to this is the Tama Metalworks 10″ x 5.5″ Steel Snare Drum (Europe).


🥁 Cymbals: Zildjian K Series – Dark, Sweet, and Explosive

The K Series from Zildjian is known for its dark complexity, and Andy uses them to full effect—blending finesse and fire.

The ride is articulate and controlled while still giving off a washy edge when opened up. The crashes bloom with dark richness, and the hats? Fat, funky, and full of character—just like Andy’s grooves.


🪵 Sticks: Zildjian Andy Hurley Signature Sticks

Naturally, Hurley uses his signature Zildjian sticks, designed for high-velocity rock with just enough finesse for controlled dynamics. Expect durability, balance, and just a bit of extra reach for those cymbal chokes.


🥁 Drumheads: Remo Emperor

  • Remo Emperor (Europe) heads on the toms provide durability and warmth—perfect for loud environments without sacrificing tone.
  • Remo Powerstroke 3 (Europe) on the bass drum gives you focused low-end with just enough muffling built in.

🎧 Final Thoughts

Andy Hurley’s playing on Thnks Fr Th Mmrs proves that precision doesn’t mean sterile—and power doesn’t mean overplaying. His gear reflects his dynamic range as a drummer: explosive when it needs to be, understated when the song calls for space. With this rig, you’re not just playing Fall Out Boy tunes—you’re channeling the spirit of a drummer who knows exactly when to go big and when to pull back.

Andy Hurley Gear Breakdown

If you are inspired to recreate the signature drum sound from Andy Hurley / Fall Out Boy, you can find all the gear you need at Sweetwater. If you want to see Andy bring it all to life, check out the full performance on Drumeo’s YouTube channel. Lastly, if you want to play along with Fall Out Boy and learn Thnks Fr Th Mmrs, try Drumeo free for 7 Days and head over to our songs section.

*This article contains affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission from the product seller if you make a purchase. For more info, check out our privacy page.


Drumeo Team - We're professional, award-winning drummers and drum teachers, coaches, recording artists, and content specialists who are passionate about drums and helping drummers around the world. This post was written and/or edited by Brandon Toews, Jared Falk, Dave Atkinson, or another pro on our team (which has a combined 1000+ years of drumming experience). Are you looking for inspiration, education, and support to take your playing to the next level? Join the Drumeo community today!

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