The basic rock drum beat can be described as:

Boom – Chick – Boom – Chick

 

This is the most common beat in rock music, and all rock drummers use it at one time or another. Here are some examples of this beat in action:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Bar by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Drummer: Chad Smith

 

 

And a slight variation, which can be described as:

Boom – Chick – BoomBoom – Chick

 

Ball and Biscuit by The White Stripes

Drummer: Meg White

 

Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead

Drummer: Phil Selway

 

 

 

And finally another slight variation, which can be described as:

BoomBoom – Chick – BoomBoom – Chick

 

Where is My Mind (live) by the Pixies

Drummer: David Lovering

 

 

 

More good basic drum songs using the beats above:

Buddy Holly by Weezer

Drummer: Josh Freese