José Medeles

José Medeles is an American drummer, author, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band The Breeders, a role he held from 2000 to 2010. Beyond the Breeders, Medeles has built a career as a versatile session and touring musician, playing with artists like Joey Ramone, Face to Face, Modest Mouse, Ben Harper, and The Mountain Goats. He co-founded the experimental instrumental group 1939 Ensemble, which performed original scores for silent films. Medeles is also the founder of Revival Drum Shop in Portland, Oregon, a destination for vintage and custom drums. He authored The Stoic Drummer, a book that applies Stoic philosophy to drumming. His work blends performance, entrepreneurship, and mindfulness, making him a respected figure in the drum community. [edit]

José Medeles grew up in La Salle, Illinois, a small town along the Illinois River. He described himself as a river kid, spending his youth exploring the water and developing an independent spirit. He started playing drums early and was drawn to percussion as his main creative outlet. In his late teens and early twenties, he played in local bands, including Custom Made Scare from 1995 to 1998 and Los Infernos in 1996. A key step came when he joined 22 Jacks from 1997 to 2001, a band that built his reputation in the alternative rock scene. During this period, he also played as a hired gun for Joey Ramone in 1997 and Face to Face in 1998, expanding his network. The breakthrough came in 2000 when he joined The Breeders. Kim Deal first noticed him when he started a Hank Williams cover band called Crank Williams, playing the songs in a fast cowpunk style. She recalled thinking, José is probably gonna be fucking cool. The Breeders had struggled to find a drummer after auditioning several candidates on the East Coast, and Medeles filled the gap. [edit]

Medeles joined The Breeders in 2000 and remained their drummer until 2010, playing on tours and recording during the band's post-1990s era. He joined alongside bassist Mando Lopez and guitarist Richard Presley, forming a new lineup that kept the band active in the 2000s. During his tenure, he also worked extensively as a session and touring musician. He played with Donavon Frankenreiter from 2003 to 2005, Rocco DeLuca from 2004 to 2005, Tito & Tarantula in 2005, Mike Watt & Money Mark in 2006, Chris Shiflett's Jackson United in 2006, Steve Soto in 2008, and Scout Niblett in 2012. In 2010, he co-founded the 1939 Ensemble, a genre-blending instrumental group that combined drums with vibraphone, trumpet, guitar, and experimental sounds. The ensemble performed live scores for silent films, including a 2014 performance of the 1925 film Pleasure Garden at the Portland Art Museum and a TEDx Bend performance that same year. The group was active until 2021. Medeles also founded Revival Drum Shop in Portland, which became a world-famous destination for vintage and custom drums. In 2021, he published The Stoic Drummer, which features a foreword by Billy Martin of Medeski, Martin, and Wood. He has created drum sounds for HBO, TEDx, and Nike, including a commercial demo for Questlove and Kyrie Irving. He served as Vintage Drums Specialist for Netflix's Fred Armisen Stand Up for Drummers. As of 2026, he leads the band Another Glory and continues to operate Revival Drum Shop. [edit]

Medeles is portrayed in media as a thoughtful, community-minded musician who values craftsmanship and mindfulness. His signature style combines vintage drum aesthetics with experimental, genre-crossing composition. Known for his versatility across alternative rock, indie, and experimental music, he is respected as both a player and a businessman. His content tone is reflective and philosophical, emphasizing gratitude, authenticity, and discipline. He does not have a documented official fandom name, but he is regarded as a pillar of the drum community and a fixture of Portland's music scene. [edit]

José Medeles commands a steady, respected presence within the global alternative rock and indie music scenes, yet his influence remains distinct from the mass-market celebrity sphere. His career trajectory has been evaluated by the iFANN Global Fame Engine, which determined that he currently holds no placement in the published rankings for the Global Top 1,000 or any specific scope list. This status reflects a profile built on professional mastery rather than viral fame or broad public recognition. While he is a household name among drummers and fans of The Breeders, his reach does not extend to the tiered popularity metrics assigned to top-tier global icons. Consequently, there is no formal fandom name documented for José Medeles specifically. Unlike major pop stars with dedicated clubs, his audience consists of musicians, vintage gear enthusiasts, and listeners who follow his work with various bands and his Revival Drum Shop. The community surrounding him is defined by shared appreciation for his craftsmanship and philosophy rather than organized fan campaigns or rituals. His digital presence is curated and low-profile, favoring direct engagement through his business and musical archives over the performative interaction typical of high-ranking celebrities.[edit]

Before his tenure with The Breeders, Medeles formed Crank Williams, a Hank Williams cover band that reimagined classic country songs in a fast-paced cowpunk style; this unique approach reportedly convinced Kim Deal to hire him. He has since released several solo drum-centric albums, including Railroad Cadences & Melancholic Anthems: A Drummer's Tribute to John Fahey, Art of Slowness: The Halfling Session, Cabin Tapes, and Reception. A devotee of Stoicism, Medeles maintains a daily practice of journaling and reading Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, often describing drumming as his peace and path. His live appearances include sitting in with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers in both 2021 and 2024. Beyond performance, he co-curated the Deep Happening event series and hosts The Drummers Den series. A notable piece of lore surrounds his playing, with an unverified story suggesting Kurt Cobain once praised his drumming, though the specific context remains lost to time. His legacy is further cemented by Revival Drum Shop, which has become world-famous among international drummers seeking vintage instruments, attracting visitors who travel globally to experience his curation.[edit]

Medeles is based in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and children. He has described fatherhood and marriage as central to his identity, alongside drumming and business ownership. His wife's name is not publicly documented. He often speaks about how Stoic philosophy has made him a better husband, father, and friend. His family life remains largely private, but he emphasizes the importance of his household in interviews. [edit]

José Medeles has worked with Kim Deal, Kelley Deal, Mando Lopez, Richard Presley (The Breeders), Joey Ramone, Face to Face, Donavon Frankenreiter, Rocco DeLuca, Tito & Tarantula, Mike Watt, Money Mark, Chris Shiflett, Steve Soto, Scout Niblett, The Mountain Goats, Fred Armisen, Billy Martin, and Ben Harper. [edit]

José Medeles is married, though his spouse's name is not publicly documented. He has referred to being a husband and father in multiple interviews. No details about previous relationships or how he met his wife are available. As of 2026, he remains married and lives with his family in Portland, Oregon. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates José Medeles's net worth at $5 Million. This figure reflects decades of touring and session work with prominent artists such as The Breeders, Joey Ramone, and The Mountain Goats. As the owner of Revival Drum Shop in Portland, Oregon, he generates consistent revenue from a renowned destination for vintage and custom drums. Sales from his book, The Stoic Drummer, contribute additional income alongside his brand management role at Slingerland Drum Co. Further earnings stem from curation and consulting projects for Netflix and other media outlets, including his specific position as Vintage Drums Specialist for Fred Armisen Stand Up for Drummers. His financial portfolio demonstrates a steady growth pattern derived from diverse ventures spanning music, business, and publishing.[edit]