Patricia "Patty" Theresa Schemel (born April 24, 1967) is an American drummer known for her powerful, propulsive style and her role in alternative rock during the 1990s. She gained broad recognition as the drummer for the band Hole from 1992 until 1998, and later joined the indie rock band Upset in 2013. Schemel's life and career have been the subject of the documentary Hit So Hard, which highlights her musical contributions as well as personal struggles.

Career and recordings

Schemel established herself onstage with a hard-hitting, steady approach that suited the louder, more aggressive side of alternative rock. During her tenure with Hole she played through the band's rise to mainstream attention and participated in recording and touring for their mid-1990s work. After leaving Hole she continued to perform with various independent artists and projects before becoming a member of Upset, where she returned to a collaborative indie-rock setting.

Style, influences and technique

Her drumming is often described as energetic, propulsive and groove-focused, emphasizing strong beats and driving fills that support guitar-centered arrangements. Schemel's playing reflects influences from punk, hard rock and classic rock drummers, and she has been cited as an example for women pursuing roles in rock rhythm sections.

Public life and documentary

Beyond live performance and studio work, Schemel's story has reached wider audiences through film and interviews. The documentary Hit So Hard chronicles her musical career alongside candid discussion of addiction and recovery, offering a personal portrait of the pressures facing musicians during rapid success. The film contributed to renewed interest in Schemel's work and voice as an artist.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Recognized for her role in an influential 1990s alternative-rock band and for bringing a powerful presence to a high-profile lineup.
  • The documentary about her life helped broaden public understanding of the human side of touring musicians.
  • Continues to play with independent bands and to be cited as an influence for drummers in rock and alternative scenes.

Schemel's career blends notable recording and touring experience with personal resilience; she remains a respected figure among drummers who followed the alternative-rock wave of the 1990s and into the independent scenes of the 2010s.