Drumeo’s “For the First Time” series has become a regular hit on YouTube, largely thanks to a viral edition featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith taking on the challenge of playing Thirty Seconds to Mars’ “The Kill (Bury Me).”
That clip, which saw Smith absolutely crushing the drums on the song after hearing it for the first time ever (minus the drum track), has amassed 28 million views since it premiered in 2023. Two years later, Thirty Seconds to Mars drummer Shannon Leto recently paid a visit to the Drumeo studio.
Not only was Leto tasked with his own “For the First Time” challenge with the Alter Bridge song “Metalingus,” he was also asked to play along to a drumless version of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “By the Way.” It was during that latter performance that Chad Smith himself walked into the studio and quietly sat next to Drumeo host Brandon Toews without Leto noticing.
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It wasn’t until after Leto finished playing the song that he noticed Smith, who despite pointing out a couple of Leto’s missteps during the performance, told the Thirty Seconds to Mars drummer he “nailed it.”
Smith went on to say that his own viral Drumeo video has garnered him newfound fame beyond the Chili Peppers, telling Leto, “I’ve had more people come up to from that [clip of me playing Thirty Seconds to Mars] … I was going out to dinner, and there was a big line of people trying to get into the restaurant, and I walk by, and a guy goes, ‘Drumeo guy!” Not ‘Chili Peppers,’ not ‘Will Ferrell.’”
Watch Shannon Leto playing “By the Way” with the surprise visit from Chad Smith, as well as him playing Alter Bridge’s “Metalingus,” and Smith’s original viral Thirty Seconds to Mars performance, below.
If you’re looking to pick up the drums or improve your skills, Drumeo is offering a 30-day free trial for new members.