Podcast

Drummers on Drumming

Music, Music Commentary, Music Interviews

A podcast for drummers who think too much. Ben Hilzinger talks to the greats about creativity, identity, staying sane, and finding purpose behind the kit.
Powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. For more inforamtion, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Music Interviews chart
#164
Episodes
305
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
42 min
On air since
2020
Latest episode
6 days ago

Episodes

305 episodes, newest first

  1. The Drum Panel: The state of feel

    Season 3, Episode 331

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel with Fred Eltringham and Sterling Laws.

    Fred is the longtime drummer for Sheryl Crow and has also played with The Wallflowers, The Chicks, and k.d. lang. Sterling is a drummer, producer, and musical director whose credits include Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Kim Gordon, and Liz Phair.

    Highlights from this episode:

    • The danger of treating a hired gig like you have ownership in the project
    • Why loyalty and hard work never make a touring musician fully irreplaceable
    • Loving certain drummers even when their influence never appears in your playing
    • What’s the state of feel?
    • Why the list of great drummers is much longer than the list you would trust to represent you
    • How recording yourself can prepare you for the pressure of a major session

    We also work through a listener question about measuring success when you’re a hired player. If you have something you’d like us to discuss on a future episode, submit it below.

    Got a question for The Drum Panel?

    [SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION HERE]

    If you enjoy the show, please rate and review it wherever you listen!

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  2. The Drum Panel: What you don't know is part of your voice

    Season 3, Episode 330

    Show notes

    Have a question for The Drum Panel?

    [⁠SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION HERE⁠]

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we're back with another installment of The Drum Panel with my co-host Eric Urrea and guest Ben Masters.

    Ben is a drummer, producer, and songwriter here in LA who's worked with artists like Grace VanderWaal, LÉON, and friend of the pod Chance Fameghetti, AKA Free Arlo. He's also someone whose musical instincts I've really come to admire, especially when it comes to knowing what a song needs and what it doesn't.

    In this episode:

    • Why the music you haven't listened to might be just as important to your musical identity as the music you have
    • How percussion can completely change the momentum of a song without changing the drum groove
    • Why playing the same songs hundreds of times might actually make you a more attentive musician
    • Being happier than ever with your career while questioning whether you can sustain the pace
    • Practical ways to deal with nerves, physical tension, and losing focus onstage
    • What actually makes someone a “good hang”
    • Why audiences might notice something without ever realizing it.

    We also answer our first listener-submitted questions! If you've got something you'd like us to discuss on a future episode, please write in via the link at the top of the shownotes.

    If you enjoy the show, please rate and review it wherever you listen!

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
  3. The Drum Panel Needs Your Questions!

    Season 3, Episode 329

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, I'm taking a quick break from our usual format to ask for your help!

    First, a huge thank you to everyone who filled out the recent listener survey. Your feedback has already helped improve the show, and I want to keep that going.

    I'm officially introducing Listener Questions as a regular part of The Drum Panel. The idea is simple: You submit questions, and I'll bring them to the panel for discussion.

    Have a question for The Drum Panel?

    [SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION HERE]

    Nothing is too simple, too obvious, or too ridiculous. You don't need to be a professional drummer, either.

    Some ideas to get you thinking:

    • Motivation, practice habits, and getting out of a creative rut
    • Navigating gigs, band dynamics, and the music industry
    • Technique, gear, and developing your own sound
    • Balancing music with work, family, and everyday life
    • Opinions, frustrations, or anything you've always wanted to ask other drummers

    You can submit anonymously, and the link will be available in the show notes of every episode moving forward.

    Thanks again for listening and helping make this show better. I'll be back next week with a regular episode and some great guests on the way!

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

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    5 min
  4. The Drum Panel: Tantric drumming...

    Season 3, Episode 328

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming (powered by Big Fat Snare Drum), we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel with Mark Stepro and Chase Elodia.

    Mark plays with The Wallflowers and has worked with artists like Butch Walker and Brett Dennen, and Chase plays with Hudson Freeman and is getting ready to release his new record, Real Ones, on October 23rd.

    Check out Chase's music ⁠HERE⁠

    We continue putting the new Drum Panel format to work, using a few loose categories to give the conversation some direction without keeping us from going down whatever rabbit holes come up.

    In this episode:

    • What people are actually getting when they hire you beyond someone who can play the parts
    • Knowing a song well enough that you don’t need the usual safety nets
    • Adding drums to a song without ruining what already makes it great
    • Getting so good at serving other artists that your own music gets neglected
    • Whether music actually needs to be released to feel finished
    • Translating what an artist says they want into what they actually mean
    • Records that gave us permission to make different choices behind the kit
    • Finding creativity inside really simple drum parts
    • Whether “serving the song” can become an excuse for not making an interesting choice
    • Touring, having a family, and accepting that there might not actually be such a thing as balance

    Plus, Tom Petty, Steve Ferrone, Brian Devendorf, Alan Myers, Stewart Copeland, Vinnie Colaiuta, and a lot more.

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  5. The Drum Panel: did someone leave shoes in the dryer ?

    Season 3, Episode 327

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel with Eric Urrea and William Goldsmith.

    William is the drummer for Sunny Day Real Estate and was also the original touring drummer for Foo Fighters. I’ve had him on the podcast before, and he’s incredibly funny, down to earth, and always really thoughtful about this stuff without taking any of it too seriously.

    We continue putting the new Drum Panel format to work this week, hitting questions from The Work, The Playing, The Why, Drummer Problems, Records + Drummers, The Hang, and Hot Takes.

    In this episode:

    • The stuff we leave out when people ask how our careers are going
    • Who first made us comfortable enough to sound bad in front of them
    • Getting out of your own way when coming up with drum parts
    • How much of our taste was decided when we were kids
    • Why certain drum sounds just feel right to us
    • What to do when you hate the programmed drum part you’re being asked to play
    • The difference between playing the part and figuring out what somebody actually wants from it
    • Drummers people assume influenced us who really didn’t
    • Hitting too hard in the studio
    • Playing the record exactly versus capturing the spirit of the original drummer
    • Some pretty fucking great stories involving David Bowie, Foo Fighters, Sunny Day Real Estate, and more

    As always, we also end up talking about creativity, influence, ego, and all the shit we should probably be paying therapists to listen to.

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  6. The Drum Panel: be where your pigfeet are

    Season 3, Episode 326

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel with Eric Urrea and Gunnar Olsen.

    We’re continuing with the new format for the Panel, using a few loose categories to give the conversation some direction without keeping us from going down whatever rabbit holes come up.

    A lot of this one ended up being about how your relationship with drums changes the longer you do it.

    In this episode:

    • The gigs you would've killed for ten years ago that you might not take now
    • Separating being busy from actually feeling successful
    • What happens to your playing when you get nervous
    • How much technique actually matters if what you’re doing sounds good
    • Knowing when a song actually needs a fill
    • Why constantly recording and analyzing yourself can sometimes take something away from playing
    • Leaving a band when you still love the people in it
    • Drummers we understand completely differently now than we did when we were younger

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
  7. The Drum Panel: The kickflip of drums (NEW FORMAT)

    Season 3, Episode 235

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel with Eric Urrea and Cain Daniel.

    This episode is also a test run for a new format for the Panel. After going through the listener survey, I wanted to give these conversations a little more structure while still leaving plenty of room for us to go wherever the conversation takes us.

    In this episode:

    • What actually makes you recommend another drummer for a gig
    • What we’re listening to while we play that has nothing to do with the drums
    • How we choose the right gear for different gigs
    • Taking a gig you really want when the money sucks
    • Famous drum parts we might not understand the hype around
    • Horrible gigs that somehow led to something good
    • Having your own voice versus being adaptable enough to make a living
    • Whether you actually need to read music to be a professional drummer
    • A few Hot Takes to finish things off

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min
  8. The Drum Panel: Can I practice having better taste?

    Season 2, Episode 234

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel.

    I’m joined by Eric Urrea, an independent drummer from Chicago who plays with Marina City and La Armada, and Adam Christgau, who has toured and recorded with artists like LP, Troye Sivan, MARINA, Sia, Miley Cyrus, Angel Olsen, Kacey Musgraves, Tegan and Sara, and more.

    I had just finished a week of rehearsals where we were recording everything, listening back, and picking apart what was actually working. So I came into this one with a bunch of thoughts I wanted to throw at Eric and Adam.

    In this episode:

    • Why the best-sounding snare might not be the most fun one to play
    • Tuning drums for the microphone versus the room
    • Shells vs plugins
    • Why dynamics might matter just as much as timing
    • The painful importance of recording and listening back to yourself
    • Why a great-feeling show doesn’t always sound great the next day
    • Whether you can actually practice having better taste
    • Learning the difference between what you think you’re playing and what’s actually coming out

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
  9. The tests results came back...

    Season 3, Episode 233

    Show notes

    Thanks again for filling out the survey!

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 min
  10. Five-ish records that might finally get you into jazz

    Season 3, Episode 232

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, I’m bringing back a re-edited 2021 conversation with my friend Anthony Fung.

    The premise was simple: five-ish records and drummers that might finally get you into jazz.

    Anthony explains what makes each drummer distinct, from Tony Williams’s fearless choices to Roy Haynes’s light touch, Elvin Jones’s rolling feel, and Billy Higgins’s unmistakable swing.

    We also talk about Anthony’s path from discovering drums through Drumline to studying at Berklee and the Herbie Hancock Institute.

    If jazz has ever felt hard to enter, this episode offers a great place to start.

    Artist - The New Tony Williams Lifetime
    Album - Believe It
    Release Year - 1975
    Key Track - “Fred”
    Drummer - Tony Williams

    Artist - Miles Davis
    Album - My Funny Valentine: Miles Davis in Concert
    Release Year - 1965
    Key Track - “Stella by Starlight”
    Drummer - Tony Williams

    Artist - Miles Davis
    Album - ‘Four’ & More: Recorded Live in Concert
    Release Year - 1966
    Key Track - “Walkin’”
    Drummer - Tony Williams

    Artist - Chick Corea
    Album - Now He Sings, Now He Sobs
    Release Year - 1968
    Key Tracks - “Steps–What Was,” “Matrix,” “Windows”
    Drummer - Roy Haynes

    Artist - John Coltrane
    Album - A Love Supreme
    Release Year - 1965
    Key Track - “Part I: Acknowledgement”
    Drummer - Elvin Jones

    Artist - McCoy Tyner
    Album - Supertrios
    Release Year - 1977
    Key Tracks - “Moment’s Notice,” “Blues for Ball”
    Drummers - Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette

    Tony Williams plays on “Moment’s Notice.” Jack DeJohnette plays on “Blues for Ball.”

    Artist - Lee Morgan
    Album - Cornbread
    Release Year - 1967
    Key Tracks - “Cornbread,” “Ceora”
    Drummer - Billy Higgins

    The album was recorded in 1965, which explains the year mentioned during the conversation. It was released in 1967.

    Artist - Max Roach
    Album - We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite
    Release Year - 1960
    Key Track - No individual track named
    Drummer - Max Roach

    ---

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    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

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    39 min
  11. I Need Your Help With What Comes Next

    Season 3, Episode 231

    Show notes

    PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS SHORT LIL EPISODE:

    Click HERE for the Listener Survey.

    Or HERE.

    Or even HERE.

    What about HERE you ask? Hell yeah HERE too.

    ---

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    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

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    11 min
  12. YOU VOTED! Your favorite cymbal intros...

    Season 3, Episode 230

    Show notes

    Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum.

    Today, I’m joined by my trusty co-host Eric Urrea, and one of my best friends, Kris Mazzarisi, owner and founder of Big Fat Snare Drum, and drummer for Winnetka Bowling League.

    Over on the Big Fat Snare Drum Instagram page, we asked our followers to name their favorite cymbal intros. Here are the results plus a few honorable mentions from the peanut gallery.

    ---

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    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min
  13. The Drum Panel: Full belly dry diaper

    Season 3, Episode 229

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re jumping back into part two of my conversation with Brendan Buckley, Zack Albetta, and Eric Urrea.

    In this episode:

    • How much production a live show actually needs
    • The modern skills working drummers are expected to have
    • Keeping your identity while adapting to the gig
    • Why space can sound bigger than layers
    • Whether a live show is for the artist or the audience Why a quiet crowd doesn’t always mean a bad show
    • Winning over a room that didn’t come to see you
    • Stories involving Rage Against the Machine, Van Halen, Damien Rice, and bucket percussion

    If you haven’t heard part one yet, I’d recommend starting there.

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

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    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠

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    36 min
  14. The Drum Panel: Fifty shades of grey to leave your lover

    Season 3, Episode 228

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel.

    I’m joined by Brendan Buckley, drummer and producer for artists like Shakira and Tegan and Sara; Zack Albetta, Broadway drummer and co-host of the Working Drummer podcast; and Eric Urrea, an independent drummer from Chicago who plays with Marina City and La Armada.

    This is part one of our two-part conversation.

    In this episode:

    • Why changing your mind can be a good thing
    • Getting through creative slumps
    • How making drums your job changes your relationship with playing
    • Vulnerability in music and performance
    • Backing tracks and modern live shows
    • When polish starts removing the human element
    • Strong opinions, disagreements, and plenty of gray area

    If you enjoy the show, please rate and review it wherever you listen.

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
  15. Big Fat Five: Richard Spaven

    Season 3, Episode 227

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re revisiting a conversation with Richard Spaven, originally recorded in early 2021.

    Richard has worked with artists including José James, Flying Lotus, Gang Starr, The Cinematic Orchestra, and Jameszoo. His solo work blends acoustic drums with the feel and texture of hip-hop, drum and bass, dubstep, and electronic music.

    In this episode:

    • Teaching with honesty and helping students find their own voice
    • Treating dynamics as another layer of coordination
    • Creating programmed precision on an acoustic drum kit
    • Keeping complex grooves soulful and easy to feel
    • How the Amen break changed modern music
    • Living inside a music scene instead of simply studying it online
    • Learning from electronic beats without separating machines from musicians
    • Why smaller, higher-pitched kick drums can leave more space for the bass

    If you enjoy the show, please rate and review it wherever you listen.

    Richard also has a chapter in Volume One of the Drummers on Drumming book, where he goes deeper into several of the records discussed here.

    ---

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    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
  16. The Drum Panel: Clarity creates opportunity

    Season 3, Episode 226

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel.

    This is part two of a two-part conversation with myself (⁠Ben⁠) ⁠Eric Urrea⁠, and ⁠Kyle Adams⁠.

    Kyle plays drums for Cartel and does a ton of session work from his studio outside of Seattle.

    In this episode:

    • Posting from purpose instead of chasing likes
    • Building a small, loyal audience over going viral
    • Where a drummer’s sound truly comes from
    • How different gear can change the way you play
    • Removing the small barriers that kill creative momentum
    • Balancing music, family, work, and social media
    • Making your career goals clear to the people around you
    • How genuine connections led Kyle to Cartel and Gretsch Drums

    If you enjoy the show, please rate and review it wherever you listen.

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min
  17. The Drum Panel: I didn’t pay for flams on four!

    Season 3, Episode 225

    Show notes

    This week on Drummers on Drumming, we’re back with another installment of The Drum Panel.

    This is part one of a two-part conversation with myself (Ben) Eric Urrea, and Kyle Adams.

    Kyle plays drums for Cartel and does a ton of session work from his studio outside of Seattle.

    In this episode:

    • Why tempo can feel different on stage
    • Trusting, and questioning, your internal clock
    • Big cymbals, smaller cymbals, and changing taste
    • Shedding old influences
    • Mike Portnoy, Elon Rubin, Josh Freese, and Taylor Hawkins
    • Drumming identity and imposter syndrome
    • Fitness and longevity behind the kit
    • Posting from purpose versus pressure

    If you enjoy the show, please rate and review it wherever you listen.

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  18. The Drum Panel: Are we just musical sperm donors?

    Season 3, Episode 224

    Show notes

    Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum.

    Today, I’m joined by my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City, La Armada) and returning guest Zack Albetta (Broadway's & Juliet , Working Drummer Podcast) for another installment of The Drum Panel.

    In this episode:

    • The problem with ranking drummers
    • Playing the gig you are meant to play
    • Learning from teachers who do not gig
    • Technique versus musicianship
    • Why “proper technique” is not always one-size-fits-all
    • Listening to your body behind the kit
    • Click tracks, backing tracks, and modern live shows
    • Whether rock has become too polished
    • The difference between consistency and humanity
    • Why the drummer’s voice still matters

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

    🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  19. Big Fat Five: Carla Azar (Autolux, Jack White, PJ Harvey)

    Season 3, Episode 223

    Show notes

    Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, I’m joined by Carla Azar for a new installment of Big Fat Five.

    Carla is the drummer, a vocalist, and a creative force behind Autolux. She has also worked with artists like PJ Harvey, Jack White, T Bone Burnett, Jim Keltner, and more. But as you’ll hear in this conversation, the résumé is only part of the story.

    Carla’s playing has a rare kind of tension to it. It can feel mechanical and human at the same time. Heavy, strange, precise, loose, hypnotic, and deeply musical. She does not talk about drums as a way to show off. She talks about them as tone, shape, feel, texture, and response.

    In this episode, we get into the records and drummers that helped form her voice.

    CARLA'S BIG FAT FIVE:

    Artist - James Brown

    Album - Star Time

    Release Year - 1991

    Key Track(s) - "Funky Drummer,” “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud”

    Drummer - Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks

    -

    Artist - Can

    Album - Tago Mago

    Release Year - 1972

    Key Track(s) - “Mushroom,” “Halleluhwah”

    Drummer - Jaki Liebezeit

    -

    Artist - The Beatles

    Album - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

    Release Year - 1967

    Key Track(s) - “A Day in the Life”

    Drummer - Ringo Starr

    -

    Artist - Jimi Hendrix

    Album - Are You Experienced

    Release Year - 1967

    Key Track(s) - “Manic Depression,” “Fire,” “Are You Experienced?,” “The Wind Cries Mary”

    Drummer - Mitch Mitchell

    -

    Artist - Aphex Twin

    Album - Come to Daddy

    Release Year - 1997

    Key Track(s) - “Bucephalus Bouncing Ball,” “Come to Daddy - Mummy Mix”

    Beat Architect - Richard D. James

    -

    HONORABLE MENTIONS:

    Charley Drayton - The first person Carla met and saw play in person and thought, “I want to play exactly like him.” He turned her onto the Star Time box set and the soul music that helped shape her playing.

    -

    Arist - J Dilla

    Album - Donuts

    -

    Artist - Timbaland

    Key Track(s) - Jay-Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” and “Nigga What, Nigga Who”

    ---

    Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today

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    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

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    43 min
  20. Terry Keating on the Mystery, Feel, and Gear of John Bonham

    Season 3, Episode 222

    Show notes

    Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum.

    Terry Keating of the Bonzolium YouTube channel joins the show for a deep, hilarious, and wildly passionate dive into the world of John Bonham.

    This is a re-airing of an older episode that originally centered around five less obvious Bonzo tracks. And yes, we do get there. But with Terry, the joy is in the detours. This conversation moves through Bonham’s feel, the mystery of his gear, Led Zeppelin’s live chemistry, the obsession around Ludwig drums and Paiste cymbals, the difference between human time and perfect time, and why Bonzo still feels almost impossible to fully explain.

    Terry is one of my favorite sources for anything Bonham-related. He brings the kind of energy that makes you want to go back and listen to Led Zeppelin with fresh ears.

    In this episode, we talk about:

    • Why The Song Remains the Same was Terry’s gateway into Bonham
    • Bonham’s swing, feel, and natural sense of time
    • Why Zeppelin likely never needed a modern click-track mindset
    • The difference between human time and quantized perfection
    • Why Bonham felt like the conductor of Led Zeppelin
    • The strange magic behind Bonham’s snare sound
    • Why drummers are still obsessed with his exact gear
    • Ludwig, Paiste, 26-inch bass drums, and the mystery of the 15-inch depth
    • Terry’s friend George Fludas and the art of playing Bonham correctly
    • The “Bonham engine” and why his physical approach still feels unique
    • Five deeper Bonzo tracks, including:
    • “I’m Gonna Crawl”
    • “In the Light”
    • “Darlene”
    • “No Quarter” live
    • “Dazed and Confused” live

    This one is loose, nerdy, funny, and full of the kind of Bonzo talk only true Zeppelin heads can provide.

    Check out Terry’s work on the Bonzolium YouTube channel.

    ---

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    Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠

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    1 hr 26 min

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