The Vans Warped Tour 2026 Interviews – Miles Elze of grandson

The Vans Warped Tour 2026 Interviews – Miles Elze of grandson

Few drummers in the Los Angeles scene have had a rise as electric, unpredictable, and well‑earned as Miles Elze. We’ve been covering Miles since his early days in TemperMental, back when he was tearing up local stages with raw talent and limitless drive. Today, he’s touring the world with grandson, performing in front of tens of thousands, and building a résumé that includes Suicidal Tendencies, Ho99o9, Noah Weiland, and more.

At Vans Warped Tour Long Beach, we caught up with Miles — an artist whose humility matches his skill — to talk about punk roots, surreal gigs, global touring, and the wild ride he’s found himself on.

We’re here with Miles from grandson — formerly TemperMental. You’re at Warped Tour today. What are you most excited about when it comes to playing Warped?
It’s such a legendary festival. I grew up listening to bands that blew up because they played Warped Tour, so anytime I get the chance to play here, it’s special. As someone who loves punk rock, being able to say I’ve played Warped Tour is definitely an honor.

Have you ever been to Warped Tour before?
I played here last year with Ho99o9, and then we did Warped Tour DC a couple months ago. We’re pretty lucky to be invited back.

How did you end up joining grandson?
I got recommended to fill in for a music video. The day I met the guys, their drummer backed out of a tour. I guess they liked my playing style, because they offered me the tour gig that same night after the shoot. And we were touring with Linkin Park — so that was a huge deal for me. Really special.

Describe that first show with grandson. What was going through your head?
A lot. We landed in Texas for the first show, and I immediately got super sick. I was so sick for my very first show with grandson — it was pretty funny in hindsight. Luckily, we have an awesome crew. They hooked me up with an IV, and I made it through. It was at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. I’ll never forget it. Very special moment.

You’ve been all over the world now. What have been some of your favorite places to play?
Paris was amazing. And then Romania — we played in an abandoned prison. They had a stage set up in the yard, and our green rooms were actual prison cells. I think prisons are cool, so that was a crazy experience. There was so much history there. Honestly, all I’ve ever wanted to do is tour, play drums, and travel, so getting to do that is really special.

The first time I met you, you were in a band called TemperMental. Do you still keep in touch with the girls?
Yes. We talk on the phone a lot — they’re some of my good friends. We got super close during the time I was in that band, and they’ve always supported me. When we’re all in town, we definitely hang out.

Your credits say Suicidal Tendencies. Really? How did that happen?
I was filling in for Jay Weinberg when he was playing with them. They messaged me because they needed someone — we were opening for the Misfits, which was wild. That was my first major show ever, so I was the most nervous I’ve ever been. I’m a big Suicidal fan, and a big Jay Weinberg fan, so stepping into his shoes was intimidating. We only had one rehearsal before the show, so the nerves were definitely flowing. But it ended up being an amazing experience.

How do you even get a gig like that?
Honestly, I don’t know — luck, timing, posting videos, and knowing the right people. I’ve known Tye, their bass player, for a long time. He’s one of my good buddies, so I’m sure he put in a good word for me.

One of your first gigs was playing with Noah Weiland. What was that experience like?
That was awesome. It was my first gig after moving to Los Angeles. Someone messaged me saying he was looking for a drummer for some shows, and I was fresh in LA, so I figured, “Sure, why not?” He also knew some of my friends, so it all lined up. Those were my first shows with Noah, and that really kicked off my career.

Do you ever look at your life and think, “How did I get here?”
Definitely. About a month ago we played Lisbon, Portugal at Rock in Rio. I remember looking out and seeing around eighty thousand people. I never know how I’m doing any of this, but I’m grateful every day.

What advice would you give to someone in a local band like TemperMental, or someone doing LA Rock Collective stuff?
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. I stressed out so much over things that didn’t matter. Just keep having fun with it — that’s what keeps me going. Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don’t, but the fun is what makes you want to keep doing it.

How has social media helped — or maybe not helped?
It’s absolutely helped. I’m always trying to post drum videos — covers, live clips, whatever — just to keep my drumming in the public eye and maybe get gigs through that. I’ve definitely gotten gigs from social media. A good example is Ho99o9: I tagged them in one of my videos, they DM’d me, and that’s how I got the Warped Tour gig with them last year. Literally just from tagging them on Instagram.

I have to ask about Ho99o9 — what was it like working with them?
They’re crazy — in the best way. Watching their videos, I was totally intimidated. But once I worked with them, I realized they’re some of the nicest dudes ever. They’re like family to me now. I feel like those guys have my back, and I’ll definitely keep playing with them in the future whenever I have time.

Are you involved in any other bands or projects?
Right now it’s mainly grandson. We’ve been touring nonstop. Things are about to slow down a bit, so maybe I’ll do some shows with Ho99o9 or something. But for now, it’s mostly grandson.

Any messages for people who’ve been following your career since the TemperMental days?
Thank you. Seriously. The support I’ve gotten from people has always been amazing to think about. It inspires me to keep getting better. It’s been a wild ride, and I don’t know where it’s going — I’m just along for it. I’m having the time of my life and feel really fortunate to be where I am.

In Conclusion

Miles Elze is one of those rare musicians whose talent, work ethic, and attitude all rise together. From his early days in TemperMental, where we first saw the spark, to performing in front of eighty thousand people with grandson, his journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s an exceptional drummer, a grounded human being, and a testament to what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Wherever his ride goes next, we’ll be watching — just like we have from the very beginning.

(Interview by Ken Morton – Photos by Vivian Ortega of So Finch Photography)

Miles Elze on Instagram
grandson on Instagram
Vans Warped Tour Official Home Page