Current Scorpions and former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee prides himself on absolute precision when he hits the stage, claiming he simply does not make mistakes during live performances.
During a recent appearance on the “Percussion Discussion” podcast with host Matty Roberts, the veteran musician discussed how he maintains his drumming chops when he is off the road, emphasizing the necessary balance between practicing and letting his body recover.
“I do different projects… I play drums when I’m off, yes. But right now, the body, actually, after a long tour with Scorps, it’s important for your body to rest also — your shoulders, your elbows, your wrists. But I am doing some shows with ‘Mikkey Dee With Friends‘; we’re out playing some stuff. And I do session work… And so I try to play as much as I can, but also I need the rest for it,” he said.
Dee noted that as he has aged, he relies far more on experience and technique rather than pure physical exertion. He compared his evolution behind the drum kit to the way professional athletes conserve their energy as they mature in their respective sports.
“I think I’m way more mature on my drums,” Mikkey continued. “The routine I have, the lack of physical power you compensate with routine and knowledge, if you will. And I compare this to ice hockey as well, because when you were 20, you had so much physical ability, you were skating all over the place like a f**king moron. And then when you meet the older guys, old pros and stuff, they spend maybe 40% of their energy because they are at the right place at the right time all the time. While we were skating 100% just to make it to these areas and to be right, but they already know that. Why do they do that? Well, because they have the routine and knowledge where to be on the ice. Same as a drummer. I know where to back off today. I know where I can push. I feel so much more secure behind the drums.”
That extensive routine and preparation led to a bold declaration when he first met up with his current bandmates, a standard he insists he continues to uphold every single night.
“I told the Scorpions boys, I said, when I joined them [a decade ago], I said, ‘I don’t do f**k-ups.’ And they were laughing, and I said, ‘No, no, I’m serious. I never f**k up.’ ‘Yeah, yeah, Mikkey. We understand. It’s okay. It’s no problem. Everyone f**ks up.’ I said, ‘I don’t,’ because I don’t. I don’t f**k up. I do my homework, and I know by the time I sit behind the drum kit, I don’t f**k up. And that’s because of routine. You know how to prepare yourself. You do your homework in the right way.”
To maintain this high level of consistency, Dee credits a straightforward lifestyle focused on staying active and avoiding the typical pitfalls of the rock and roll touring environment.
“You don’t have to have the same energy when you are 15, 20, 25 years old anymore. I hit the drums with a different approach. You don’t need that much muscle and energy. You have a different snap in a way. So, it compensates. And I try to stay fit, and I stay the f**k away from drugs, and I drink only beer. And so my hair keeps growing, and that’s about it. And I play a lot of hockey when I can, and I do sports and try to live a decent life. And keeping up on my drums. And that’s all I have to do, really, to stay on the level that I wanna be,” he concluded.
Dee officially joined the Scorpions in 2016, stepping in shortly after the tragic passing of legendary frontman Lemmy brought an end to Motörhead. Since joining the German hard rock institution, the drummer has played on one studio album, 2022’s Rock Believer.
Outside of his main touring commitments, Dee recently announced a string of European solo dates for 2026. Billed as “Mikkey Dee With Friends“, the upcoming run will see him performing classic Motörhead tracks alongside The Drippers members Viktor Skatt on bass and vocals, and Stig William Rickard on guitar.
