Benjamin Clapp
A versatile and sought-after session drummer from Idaho whose rhythmic backbone has powered an eclectic mix of rock, experimental, and comedy projects.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American musician from Boise, Idaho·Birthday: October 13·Generation X
Biography
Benjamin Clapp operates from behind the drum kit, a dynamic and adaptable musician who has become a secret weapon for a wildly diverse array of artists. Hailing from Boise, Idaho, and born in 1977, Clapp moved to the vibrant New York City music scene where his precise yet powerful drumming found a home. He is best known as the longtime drummer for the alternative rock band Skeleton Key, contributing to their percussive, junkyard aesthetic. His resume, however, reads like a map of New York's eclectic underground, having recorded and toured with acts ranging from the avant-garde Kronos Quartet to comedian Jim Breuer's band, and from Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider to Phish lyricist Tom Marshall's project Amfibian. Clapp's career is a testament to the value of a great drummer who can serve any song.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Benjamin was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Benjamin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Benjamin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Has been the touring and recording drummer for the alternative rock band Skeleton Key since the early 2000s.
- Recorded and performed with the world-renowned Kronos Quartet on their collaborative 'Rainbow' project.
- Toured extensively as the drummer for comedian Jim Breuer's live comedy-rock shows.
- Played on and contributed to albums by a wide range of artists including Amfibian, Baptized By Fire, and David Peel.
Did You Know?
He is also a skilled photographer, often documenting life on tour.
He built his own unique electronic percussion setup to use with Skeleton Key.
He performed on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' with Skeleton Key.
Before focusing on music, he studied anthropology in college.
“The groove is the pocket you create, where every note has to sit right.”
