Christoph Schneider (; born 11 May 1966) is a German drummer and one of the founding members of the Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. He has released eight studio albums and three live albums with the band. He was previously a member of punk bands Die Firma and Feeling B.
Early life
Schneider was born in Pankow, East Berlin. His parents were both involved in music, his father as an opera director and his mother as a music teacher. Schneider also has a younger sister. He later attended a special music school connected to a Pioneers' orchestra, as his parents wanted him to learn an instrument. During his time in the orchestra, he became interested in playing the drums due to the size and equipment of the drum section and began building his own kit with tin cans and buckets.
Career
In 1985, Schneider quit his telecommunication job to pursue his musical ambitions and study music, but failed his admission test and was rejected due to lacking other musical skills than drumming.
In 1993, Schneider joined Richard Kruspe and Oliver Riedel in forming a new project called Tempelprayers. After Till Lindemann joined the band, they entered the Berlin Senate Metrobeat contest and won a recording session in a professional studio in 1994.
His favorite rock bands are Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Motörhead, Black Sabbath, and AC/DC.
Schneider is a supporter of Bundesliga football club Union Berlin.
Equipment
thumb|Schneider performing with Rammstein in 2015
Schneider uses and endorses Sabian cymbals, DW drum kits, pedals and hardware, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Remo Drumheads. He previously used and endorsed Sonor Drums, Tama Drums and Meinl cymbals.
Current DW touring kit
- Drums – DW Collector's Series Jazz, Maple/Gum shells, Matte Black Finish
- 24x18 Bass Drum (x2)
- 13x10 Tom
- 16x16 Floor Tom
- 18x16 Floor Tom
- 21x16 Gong Drum
- 12x5 Collector's Maple Snare Drum
- 14x6 Collector's Edge Snare Drum
- Cymbals – Sabian
- Other
- Vic Firth SCS Christoph Schneider Signature Drumsticks