Drummers on Drumming

Episode 5 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City / Sessions) and good buddy Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum).

SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE

In this episode, we dive into:

• If you could reinvent one aspect of your drumming, what would it be, and why?
• What's the one piece of advice you wish you'd known as a young drummer starting out?
• How important is style to a drummer’s career—can visuals be as impactful as skill?
• What ingredients create a drum tone that stands the test of time?
• Have we lost the ability to have a hit song without the use of a click?
• With AI's influence growing, what do you think drumming will look like in the near future?
• Is the quest for 'perfect' recordings draining the soul out of live music?
• Why do so many drummers gravitate toward intricate playing—are we losing the groove?

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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.

Today I’m joined by Jesse Boyle, my good buddy and the drummer for the boundary-pushing band Chase Atlantic. Known for blending genres like alternative, R&B, and electronic music, Jesse’s unique approach drives the pulse behind Chase’s immersive live soundscapes. We’ll dive into the top five influences that shaped his drumming and musical journey and we get into a newer career he’s started…all because he gave himself permission. I think it’s important for everyone to stay tuned through the end of the episode. 

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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.

JESSE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

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Album - Reggatta De Blanc

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Message in a Bottle, Walking On the Moon

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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Album - By The Way

Artist - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - By the Way, Don’t Forget Me

Drummer - Chad Smith

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Album - Only by the Night

Artist - Kings of Leon

Release Year - 2008

Key Track(s) - Closer, I Want You

Drummer - Nathan Followill

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Album - The Colour and The Shape

Artist - Foo Fighters

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - My Hero, Everlong

Drummer - Dave Grohl / William Goldsmith

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Album - TOTO IV

Artist - TOTO

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Rosanna

Drummer - Jeff Porcaro

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

Hey friends, Ben Hilzinger here. I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you about a pretty exciting shift I’m making with this podcast. After much thought, I’ve decided to change the name of the podcast. Moving forward, it will be known as Drummers on Drumming.

Let me tell you a little about how I got here.

This whole thing started as The Big Fat Snare Drum Podcast, just a fun way to connect with drummers I admire—talking about stories, gear, grooves, and whatever else came up. It was a blast. But after a while, I wanted to dive deeper into the stories that shaped the way drummers think and play. That’s where the Big Fat Five concept came from: drummers sharing the five records or moments that influenced them the most.

The Big Fat Five format really connected with people, and I loved it. But over time, I realized the name was becoming a little limiting. I’ve got so many ideas for other segments—like The Drum Panel, where multiple drummers join me for roundtable discussions—and I didn’t want to feel stuck in one format. I needed a title that gave me space to try new things and keep the podcast fresh.

And honestly, if I want to keep doing this—and growing the show—I need to make sure it’s easy for new listeners to find. Big Fat Five isn’t exactly the most discoverable name if someone’s searching for “drumming podcasts.” So this rebrand to Drummers on Drumming not only reflects the direction I want to take, but it’ll also make the show more findable for people who haven’t discovered it yet.

Now, here’s how the change will happen. Right now, the podcast is still called Big Fat Five, but I wanted to give everyone a heads-up before the switch. One week from today, both the name and the podcast icon will officially change to Drummers on Drumming. So, if you see the new name and artwork in your podcast feed next week, don’t worry—it’s still the same show you know and love, just with a new name and more room to grow.

Oh! And speaking of exciting new things, I’ve been working on a book—also called Drummers on Drumming—and it’s almost ready! The book dives deep into the Big Fat Five concept, with insights from some truly amazing drummers. I’m currently wrapping up the book cover as I record this, and I plan to have it available by Black Friday. So keep an eye out for that—it’ll make a pretty sweet gift for the drummer in your life...or, you know, yourself.

So there you have it—a new chapter for the podcast. It’s the same vibe, the same passion, just with a new name and more freedom to explore new ideas. I can’t wait to bring you along for this next phase.

Thank you so much for listening, supporting, and being part of this journey. I’ll see you next time on Drummers on Drumming.

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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.

Episode 4 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are my good buddies Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum), and Mark Stepro (The Wallflowers, Butch Walker).

In this episode, we dive into:

• If we could steal one drummers’s feel and add it to our own, who would it be?
• What is an example of a perfect drum take on record?
• What does “pocket” ACTUALLY mean?
• What is the role of drummers in songwriting credits?
• Does music theory really make one a better musician?
• What’s the first thing we notice about a drummer that makes them come across as “amateur”?

Check out Steward Copeland on Drumeo HERE

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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.

Our guest today is one of Berlin’s rising stars in the drumming world, Julian Wieder. At just 25, he’s already making serious moves across the RnB, Hip-Hop, and Indie scene, both on stage and in the studio. I first discovered Julian thanks to the algorithm gods on Big Fat Snare Drum’s Explorer page—and once I saw his playing, I knew I had to get him on the show. His feel is unreal, blending pocket grooves with a sense of freedom that feels completely natural and effortless. Plus, he’s not just a drummer…he’s an educator, and a bit of a clinic master in the making.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the top records that shaped his sound, and he introduced me to a new favorite of mine that I can’t wait for you to hear. So I hope you enjoy the top records that helped shaped Julian Wieder into the drummer he is today.

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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.

JULIAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:

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Album - The Joy Of Motion

Artist - Animals as Leaders

Release Year - 2014

Key Track(s) - The Woven Web, Tooth and Claw

Drummer - Matt Garstka

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Album - Continuum

Artist - John Mayer

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Waiting On The World To Change, Gravity

Drummer - Steve Jordan

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Album - Wallflower

Artist - Jordan Rakei

Release Year - 2017

Key Track(s) - Eye To Eye, Sorceress

Drummer - Jim Macrae

-

Album - Chris Dave and The Drumhedz

Artist - Chris Dave

Release Year - 2018

Key Track - Whatever

Drummer - Chris Dave

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Album - Past Present and Futures

Artist - Chick Corea

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - Fingerprints, Rhumba Flamenco

Drummer - Jeff Ballard

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Honorable Mentions:

Nas - Illmatic

Ghost Note - Swagism

Yussef Kamaal - Black Focus

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

Our guest today is Gabe Smith, the current CEO of Drums for Gracie Abrams Inc. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, now based in New York City, Gabe has also worked with incredible contemporary artists like Wet, Tei Shi, Eden, Frankie Cosmos, Kimbra and many more. Last summer, he opened for Taylor Swift and is about to rejoin that tour after some headline shows with Gracie Abrams. He’s a busy guy! It took some finessing since we’re both on tour, but we made it happen. I loved his picks, and I’m excited for you to hear this one. Please enjoy the top 5 records that shaped Gabe Smith into the sought-after, hardworking musician he is today. Cheers!

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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.

GABE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Abbey Road

Artist - The Beatles

Release Year - 1969

Key Track - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

Drummer - Ringo

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Album - Songs In The Key of Life

Artist - Stevie Wonder

Release Year - 1976

Key Track - Knocks Me Off My Feet

Drummer - Stevie Wonder

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Album - When The Pawn...

Artist - Fiona Apple

Release Year - 1999

Key Track - A Mistake

Drummer - Matt Chamberlain

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Album - Friendly Travelers Live

Artist - Wolfgang Muthspiel, Brian Blade

Release Year - 2007

Key Track - Gnadenwald (Live)

Drummer - Brian Blade

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Album - Donny Hathaway

Artist - Donny Hathaway

Release Year - 1971

Key Track - She Is My Lady

Drummer - Al Jackson Jr.

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

Episode 3 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are my good buddies Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Carina Round), Neal Daniels (Matchbox 20, Liz Phair), Mike Robinson (Blame My Youth, Food On Tour Podcast).

In this episode, we dive into:

• The value of high-end gear: Is it really worth the investment?
• The existence of drum heroes: Do they still inspire us today?
• Yes...we talk about Oasis...
• Insights from the guys on the current landscape of drum endorsements.

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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.

Our guest today is Daniel Glass. Daniel is a renowned drummer, educator, and historian known for his deep expertise in the roots of American drumming, particularly in jazz, swing, and early rock 'n' roll. A member of the pioneering retro-swing band Royal Crown Revue, Glass has performed with a wide array of top artists, blending historical influence with modern flair. His passion for drumming history is reflected in his books, clinics, and instructional videos. The project that introduced Daniel to me was his three-hour documentary called “The Century Project” which explores the evolution of the drum set and drumming styles from 1865 to 1965. Glass is also celebrated for his dynamic, groove-focused playing and his ability to bridge the gap between past and present drumming traditions. Go check out all his happenings at danielglass.com, but for now, please enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Daniel Glass into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

DANIEL'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Made In Japan

Artist - Deep Purple

Release Year - 1972

Key Track(s) - Highway Star, Space Truckin', The Mule

Drummer - Ian Paice

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Album - Three Quartets

Artist - Chick Corea

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - Quartet No. 1, Quartet No. 2, Part 2

Drummer - Steve Gadd

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Album - Buffalo

Artist - Frank Zappa

Release Year - 2007 (from a 1980 live concert)

Key Track(s) - The Torture Never Stops

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

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Album - Lyric

Artist - Billy Childs

Release Year - 2005

Key Track(s) - In Carson's Eyes, Into the Light, Scarborough Fair, American Landscape

Drummer - Brian Blade, Marvin "Smitty" Smith

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Album - From Darkness

Artist - Avishai Cohen

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - Beyond, Abie, C#-, From Darkness

Drummer - Daniel Dor

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Honorable Mentions:

Album - Blue

Artist - Joni Mitchell

Release Year - 1971

Key Track(s) - All I Want, This Flight Tonight

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Album - The Concert at Carnegie Hall

Artist - Benny Goodman

Release Year - 1938

Key Track(s) - Don't Be That Way, Honeysuckle Rose, Sing, Sing, Sing

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Album - Drumsville

Artist - Earl Palmer

Release Year - 1961

Drummer - Earl Palmer

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Album - Live at the Royal Festival Hall

Artist - John McLaughlin

Release Year - 1989

Key Track(s) - Mother Tongues

Drummer - Trilok Gurtu

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Album - Tiny Resistors

Artist - Todd Sickafoose

Release Year - 2008

Key Track(s) - Allision Miller

Drummer - Everyone Is Going

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

Episode 2 PART DEUX of The Drum Panel 

Welcome to The Drum Panel—a segment where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions on polarizing and controversial drum topics submitted by our listeners.

Today's episode is the second half of a conversation between myself (Ben), my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum & drummer for Winnetka Bowling League).

Today we discuss:

• If you're overly critical of gear, are you showcasing your lack of skill?
• Should snare drums and floor toms always between flat (Eric is surprisingly passionate about this subject)?
• If you don't know what the singer is singing, can your take still suit the song?
• We do it...we talk the world of endorsements.

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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.

Our guest today is Taye Dever, a young drummer from North Carolina who recently came onto my radar and quickly grabbed my attention. Taye draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, including R&B, Pop, Folk, Rap, Gospel, and more. While his musical style is eclectic, he seems to be a fresh face in the music scene. I’m honored if this is your first introduction to his work. We dive right in, so here are the records that have shaped Taye Dever into the musician he is today. Cheers!

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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.

TAYE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Not Guilty

Artist - The New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Rain On Us

Drummer - Calvin Rodgers

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Album - Thirsty

Artist - Marvin Sapp

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Praise Him In Advance

Drummer - Calvin Rodgers

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Album - Confessions

Artist - Usher

Release Year - 2004

Key Track(s) - "Caught Up" Aaron Spears' drum performance @ 2006 Modern Drummer Festival

Drummer - Aaron Spears

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Album - Pure Energy DVD

Artist - Various drummers

Release Year - 2009

Key Track(s) - Rekindled featuring Tony Royster Jr

Drummer - Tony Royster Jr.

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Album - Paramore

Artist - Paramore

Release Year - 2013

Key Track(s) - Ain’t It Fun?, Still Into You

Drummer - Ilan Rubin

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

Episode 2 of The Drum Panel

Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions on polarizing and controversial drum topics submitted by our listeners.

For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum & drummer for Winnetka Bowling League).

Today we discuss:

• does practicing to a click make your playing sterile?
• those who can't, teach. True or False?
• does using less drums/cymbals make you more creative?
• you should never put anything in your bass drum! True or False?
• do drum shells tune themselves?
• do you need to put a button at the end of every live song?
• are the most musical drummers...non-drummers?

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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.

Today's guest is Philo Tsoungui, an independent drummer based in Berlin, Germany. Philo has played with many incredible artists both in Germany and internationally, including a recent stint with The Mars Volta.

I can't praise Philo's playing enough; it just works. While it can be categorized as Hip Hop, it's so much more than any single genre, as you'll discover in this episode. Philo shares many incredibly valuable insights, and we actually kicked off our recorded conversation by discussing practice routines (in an ideal world).

So, without further ado, please enjoy the top 5 influences that shaped the incredible Philo Tsoungui. Cheers!

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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.

PHILO'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Black Orpheus

Artist - Keziah Jones

Release Year - 2003

Key Track - Afrosurrealismfortheladies

Drummer - Joshua McKenzie / Jose Joyette

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Album - The Bedlam in Goliath

Artist - The Mars Volta

Release Year - 2008

Key Track - Wax Simulacra

Drummer - Thomas Pridgen

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Album - Black Radio

Artist - Robert Glasper

Release Year - 2012

Key Track - Afro Blue

Drummer - Chris "Daddy" Dave

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Album - Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group: Live Los Angeles on Sept 14th, 2010 (video)

Artist - Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group

Release Year - 2010

Drummer - Deantoni Parks

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Album - Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Performance 

Artist - Lenny "The Ox" Reece & The Lesson GK

Release Year - 2018

Key Track - The Weekend

Drummer - Lenny "The Ox" Reece

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

Today, my good friend and fellow professional drummer, Eric Urrea, and I are excited to launch the pilot episode of a new segment on our podcast, tentatively named “The Drum Panel.”

Drummers are known for having strong opinions, and we aim to delve into many of these in a roundtable format. For this first recording, it’s just the two of us, but our vision is to feature multiple drummers from diverse backgrounds in each episode to foster engaging, relatable, and thought-provoking discussions. We invite you to join us on this journey.

Today we discuss:

• are there too many rudiments?
• the hate towards Lars & Ringo
• are triggers cheating?
• virgin bass drums
• do drum shells actually matter?
• has social media ruined what it means to be a drummer? 

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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.

This week’s guest is Adolfo Torres. Adolfo's musical journey started in Cali, Colombia, and from a young age, his passion for music was evident, leading his parents to enroll him in drum lessons. This early start paved the way for his education at the Drummers Collective in NYC and later at Berklee College of Music on an American Tour Scholarship.

After his studies, Adolfo moved to Austin, TX, playing with artists like JT Coldfire and Jennifer B and the Groove Kings, where he learned about the life of a working musician. In 2013, he returned to Colombia, forming the band M.I.J.O, which blends Classic, Modern, and Progressive Rock. All that being said, I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time and go check out a few of his videos before you listen to our chat. It will set the stage for a lot of what we talk about. I hope you enjoy the five records that shaped Adolfo Torres into the musician he is today. Cheers!

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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.

ADOLFO'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - The Inner Mounting Flame

Artist - The Mahavishnu Orchestra

Release Year f- 1971

Key Track(s) - The Noonward Race, Vital Transformation, You Know You Know

Drummer - Billy Cobham

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Album - Paranoid

Artist - Black Sabbath

Release Year - 1970

Key Track(s) - War Pigs, Rat Salad, Fairies Wear Boots

Drummer - Bill Ward

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Album - Red

Artist - King Crimson

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - One More Red Nightmare, Starless

Drummer - Bill Bruford

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Album - Badmotorfinger

Artist - Soundgarden

Release Year - 1991

Key Track(s) - Rusty Cage, Slaves & Bulldozers

Drummer - Matt Cameron

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Album - Amputechture

Artist - The Mars Volta

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Tetragrammaton, Meccamputechture, Viscera Eyes, Day of the Baphomets

Drummer - Jon Theodore

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Band of Gypsys - Hendrix 

Presence - Led Zeppelin 

Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower 

Tony Williams Lifetime: The Collection

Master of Reality - Black Sabbath

10,000 Days - Tool 

Deloused in the Commatorium - The Mars Volta

Down on the Upside - Soundgarden 

Gretchen Goes to Nebraska - King’s X

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

Our guest today is none other than Jost Nickel, a renowned German drummer, composer, and educator. Jost is part of the golden generation of drummers from Germany, alongside his friends and fellow drumming legends Anika Nilles, Marco Minnemann, and Benny Greb.

Currently, Jost keeps busy with Jan Delay and Disko No. 1, but his talent has graced many hit records both in Germany and beyond. He's also had the privilege of playing with jazz greats like Randy Brecker, Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, Barry Finnerty, and many more.

In addition to his impressive performance career, Jost has authored four highly successful instructional books: Jost Nickel’s GROOVE BOOK, Jost Nickel’s FILL BOOK, Jost Nickel’s SNARE BOOK, and Jost Nickel’s BEGINNER BOOK.

I absolutely love Jost’s playing. It's always so crisp, clear, snappy, and incredibly creative, yet it always feels good. Today, we're diving into the five records that have helped shape Jost Nickel into the phenomenal drummer he is today. Cheers!"

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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.

JOST'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - The Dream of the Blue Turtles

Artist - Sting

Release Year - 1985

Key Track - Shadows in the Rain

Drummer - Omar Hakim

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Album - Master Plan

Artist - Dave Weckl

Release Year - 1990

Key Track - Tower of Inspiration

Drummer - Dave Weckl

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Album - True Colors

Artist - Level 42

Release Year - 1984

Key Track - Kansas City Milkman

Drummer - Phil Gould

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Album - This Time

Artist - Al Jarreau

Release Year - 1980

Key Track(s) - Spain (I Can Recall)

Drummer - Steve Gadd

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Album - Synchronicity

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1983

Key Track - King of Pain

Drummer - Stewart Copeland 

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

This week's guest is Nick Wilkerson. For the past decade, Nick has been the drummer for the critically acclaimed Louisville, KY rock band, White Reaper. Recently, he decided to embark on a solo journey as an independent artist, and I’m eager to see what he creates next.

I always invite drummers on this show who truly move me with their playing. I discovered Nick’s videos on Instagram and was immediately impressed before I even realized he was the drummer for White Reaper, a band I really admire. Check out his videos, and you'll understand why.

I was stoked to have this conversation with Nick, and it’s moments like these that make me love what I do. Now, enjoy as we explore the five records that helped shape Nick Wilkerson into the musician he is today. Cheers!

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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.

NICK'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 Soundtrack

Artist - Various

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - Boy Who Destroyed The World (AFI), If You Must (Del The Funkee Homosapien), Amoeba (Adolescents)

Drummer - Various

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Album - American Idiot

Artist - Green Day

Release Year - 2004

Key Track(s) - Jesus of Suburbia, St Jimmy, Homecoming

Drummer - Tre Cool

-

Album - Bad Brains

Artist - Bad Brains

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Attitude, Banned in DC, Big Takeover

Drummer - Earl Hudson

-

Album - Live At Leeds

Artist - The Who

Release Year - 1970

Key Track(s) - Heaven And Hell, Can’t Explain, Happy Jack

Drummer - Keith Moon

-

Album - Wonderful Rainbow

Artist - Lightning Bolt

Release Year - 2003

Key Track(s) - Assassins, Two Towers, Crown of Storms

Drummer - Brian Chippendale

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

This week's guest is Isaiah Weatherspoon, a Philadelphia-based drummer who started playing at the age of four. He went on to graduate from Berklee College of Music in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Production and Engineering. Over the years, Isaiah has performed with an impressive roster of artists, including Lizz Wright, Greg Phillinganes, Lauren Talese, Leehom Wang, Justin Timberlake, Sister Sledge, and many more.

I first noticed Isaiah when I saw a video on Instagram of him using one of our Big Fat Snare Drum Steve's Donuts on his floor tom during an outdoor concert. He was going crazy on the drums, and I was truly impressed. His positive energy and outlook made this conversation a real pleasure. Plus, we dive into a fascinating topic: synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon that Isaiah proudly embraces.

So, without further ado, here are the five records that have shaped Isaiah Weatherspoon into the musician he is today. Cheers!

Check out his book: MUSIC IS COOL! Music Coloring Book for Kids

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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.

ISAIAH'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Not Guilty

Artist - John P Kee

Release Year - 2000

Key Track - Rain On Us

Drummer - Calvin Rodgers

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Album - Purpose By Design

Artist - Fred Hammond and Radical For Christ

Release Year - 2000

Key Track - Jesus Be a Fence Around Me

Drummer - Marvin McQuitty

-

Album - In A Dream

Artist - Gretchen Parlato

Release Year - 2009

Key Track - Butterfly

Drummer - "No drums on this record. But I believe Kendrick Scott plays on album"

-

Album - Ten Summoner's Tale

Artist - Sting

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Seven Days

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

-

Album - Choose Your Weapon

Artist - Hiatus Kaiyote

Release Year - 2015

Key Track - By Fire

Drummer - Perrin Moss

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

This week’s guest is Eric Somers-Urrea…a Chicago-based drummer, educator and producer who I very-much admire both on and off the kit. His main project is a band called Marina City and his sincerity / kindness as a person matches his incredible prowess on the drums. I just can’t say enough good things about him.

This is a edited and re-airing of my conversation with Eric from a few years ago so some references are a little dated, but I'm pushing this to the top of the feed because I might be switching things up a bit and, to keep things cryptic, let's just say I want you to get to know Eric a little bit more. Stay tuned. Please enjoy our chat about the 5 main influences that shaped Eric into the drummer he is today, but first…we play a little game. Cheers!

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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.

ERIC'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Performance - Drum Corps International 2004 Finals

Release Year - 2004

Artist - The Cavaliers

Song Choice - https://youtu.be/KpUuMM1y2_o?t=140 (anywhere between 2:20-4:20ish)

Drummer - The Cavaliers Drumline

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Album - Quadrophenia

Release Year - 1973

Artist - The Who

Song Choice - The Real Me (1:30ish)

Drummer - Keith Moon

-

Album - Deadwing

Release Year - 2005

Artist - Porcupine Tree

Song Choice - Glass Arm Shattering (3:30ish)

Drummer - Gavin Harrison

-

Album - Mer De Noms

Release Year - 2000

Artist - A Perfect Circle

Song Choice - Judith (2:40)

Drummer - Josh Freese

-

Album - With Teeth

Release Year - 2005

Artist - Nine Inch Nails

Song Choice - All the Love in the World

Drummer - Dave Grohl/ Trent Reznor

-

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

"Glass Prison" by Dream Theater

"Heart Don't Stand a Chance" by Anderson .Paak (Tiny Desk Concert version 3:45)

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

This week's guest is Megan Spencer, a talented young drummer and educator from just outside Los Angeles. Megan recently caught my attention with her amazing cover of Marques Murrey's Million Dollar Baby remix, and I was instantly drawn to her unique tones and vibe. So, I’m excited to have her on the show!  I'm always grateful for the opportunity to connect with new drummers who inspire ME and learn about the drummers who inspired THEM, in hopes of inspiring YOU. Thanks for hanging around. Today, Megan will share the five records that have significantly shaped her journey as a drummer. Enjoy the episode! Cheers!

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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.

MEGAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Innervisions

Artist - Stevie Wonder

Release Year - 1973

Key Track - Higher Ground

Drummer - Stevie Wonder

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Album - Bad

Artist - Michael Jackson

Release Year - 1987

Key Track - Smooth Criminal, Bad, Dirty Diana, Man in the Mirror

Drummer - John (JR) Robinson

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Album - Ten Summoner’s Tales

Artist - Sting

Release Year - 1993

Key Track - Seven Days

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

-

Album - Alive in South Africa

Artist - Israel Houghton & New Breed

Release Year - 2005

Key Track - Turn it Around, Still Standing

Drummer - Mike Clemmons

-

Album - Loopified

Artist - Dirty Loops

Release Year - 2014

Key Track - Hit Me, Rolling in the Deep

Drummer - Aron Mellergard

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

This week's guest is Chris Fryar, primarily known for his work with the Zac Brown Band. He has also worked with Oteil and the Peacemakers, led by bassist Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers Band, as well as with Victor Wooten, John Popper, Steve Bailey, and many more.

Chris is powerful, creative, and consistent, yet very reactive and conversational with his playing. I was so happy to chat with him. I'll be honest—I haven't really said this in an intro before, but this conversation is what I envisioned when I started this podcast. Chris is incredible at sharing his story through his choices and offers invaluable advice along the way.

This is hands down one of my favorite episodes. Please enjoy my chat with Chris Fryar about the five records that shaped him into the musician he is today. And make sure you check out his honorable mentions. He's got plenty, and they'll all make you a better player. I promise.

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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.

CHRIS' BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Zenyatta Mondatta

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1980

Key Track(s) - Shadows In The Rain, Driven To Tears, When The World Is Running Down

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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Album - Ten Summoner's Tales

Artist - Sting

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Seven Days, St. Augustine in Hell, She's Too Good For Me, Shape of My Heart

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

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Album - Kind of Blue

Artist - Miles Davis

Release Year - 1959

Key Track(s) - So What, All Blues, Freddie Freeloader

Drummer - Jimmy Cobb

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Album - Live and In Living Color

Artist - Tower Of Power

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Knock Yourself Out (live), What Is Hip (live)

Drummer - David Garibaldi

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Album - Robben Ford & The Blue Line

Artist - Robben Ford

Release Year - 1992

Key Track(s) - You Cut Me To The Bone, Real Man, Prison Of Love

Drummer - Tom Brechtlein

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Aja - Steely Dan

Big Swing Face - Buddy Rich Big Band

TOTO IV - TOTO

Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin

Moving Pictures - Rush

Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack - various artists

Life On Planet Groove - Maceo Parker

At Fillmore East - Allman Brothers Band

HELP! - The Beatles

Rubber Soul - the Beatles

Revolver - the Beatles

John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman

Apple Juice - Tom Scott

Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit

Heavy Weather - Weather Report

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

This week’s guest is Mark Guiliana, a visionary drummer and solo artist known for his eclectic style that blends jazz, electronic, and experimental music. He’s worked with artists like David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, St. Vincent, and has his own projects such as the Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet and Beat Music.

Mark continuously pushes the boundaries of rhythm and sound, earning him a reputation as a trailblazer in contemporary music. This is a condensed version of my conversation with Mark from early 2021. With his new album, Mark, coming out in July 2024, I wanted to highlight his insights and present an episode that fits better with our current format.

Instead of a top 5 list of records, I gave Mark a set of prompts to choose from, and we went from there. There’s so much wisdom in this chat, so even if you heard it before, give it another listen. I definitely learned new things the second time around.

Concierto de Osain del Monte VIDEO

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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.

This week’s guest is Porter Bliquez, a young American drum prodigy from San Francisco. Despite his age, Porter has already recorded and performed with award-winning producers and musicians associated with Kevin Gates, Olivia Rodrigo, Haan, Andy Prado Jr., and more.

While still attending USC, Porter manages to carve out time to make a significant impact in both the LA and online drum communities. At my ripe old age of 37, it's refreshing to connect with the younger generation of drummers and see what’s happening in their world. Porter is destined for the biggest stages globally, so I'm thrilled if this is the episode that introduces you to him. Please enjoy the records that helped shape Porter into the exceptional drummer he is today. Cheers!

Eric Harland - Zildjian Performance Video HERE

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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.

PORTER'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Homey

Artist - Chon

Release Year - 2017

Key Track(s) - Sleepy Tea / Water slide

Drummer - Brian Evans

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Album - Black Focus

Artist - Yussef Kammal

Release Year - 2016

Key Track(s) - Strings of Light / Wingtai Drums / Joint 17

Drummer - Yussef Dayes

-

Album - Chon

Artist - Chon

Release Year - 2019

Key Track(s) - Peace / Pitch Dark

Drummer - Brian Evans

-

Album - Two Star & The Dream Police

Artist - Mk.gee

Release Year - 2024

Key Track(s) - Rylee & I / Dream Police / DNM / How Many Miles

Drummer - Micheal Gordon

-

Album - Misadventures

Artist - Peirce the Veil

Release Year - 2016

Key Track(s) - Song For Isabel / Texas is Forever / Phantom Power / Ludicrous Speed

Drummer - Mike Fuentes

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

This week's guest is Wiktoria Bialic. Wiktoria has been nominated for four Grammy awards for her recordings on Allison Russell's album, "The Returner." She has also recorded drums for Grammy-winning musicians like Ondre J. Pavic, Alex Marley, Maati Baani, Ralph Kaminski, SARSA, and various other artists and producers from Britain, India, Scotland, Poland, America, and Puerto Rico.

Wiktoria collaborated with Zildjian Artist Ash Soan on the single "Dark Dark Days" by Black Dog All Starsand often fills in for other well-known drummers in Poland. She won the Hit Like A Girl contest in 2021 and has performed at prestigious drum festivals such as PASIC, Bag Show, The UK Drum Show, and Silesia Drum Festival.

You can find her Instagram HERE and listen to a Spotify playlist featuring many of her recordings HERE. Wiktoria offers a great perspective on excelling as a studio musician, so get ready to improve your drumming skills. I hope you enjoy the recordings that shaped Wiktoria Bialic into the musician she is today.

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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.

WIKTORIA'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Exodus

Artist - Bob Marley

Release Year - 1977

Key Track(s) 0 Three Little Birds / One Love / Whole Record :)

Drummer - Carlton Barrett

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Album - The Returner

Artist - Allison Russell

Release Year - 2023

Key Track(s) - Stay Right Here / Springtime

Drummer - Wiktoria Bialic

-

Album VoodoO

Artist - D'Angelo

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s)

The Root

Drummer - Questlove

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Album - Feats Don't Fail Me Now

Artist - Little Feat

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - Skin It Back

Drummer - Richie Hayward

-

Album - 7

Artist - Seal

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - Redzone Killer

Drummer - Ash Soan

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

This week’s guest is Brandon Combs. Brandon is a drummer, programmer, and producer hailing from Lansing, Michigan. Brandon obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in Popular Music Studies from the University of Southern California in 2015 and is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s worked with so many amazing artists, including Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges, Joy Oladakun, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Moses Sumney, Tori Kelly, Greyson Chance, Chris Bullock of Snarky Puppy, and many more. He’s got a lot of energy and his choices center around very hirable theme. I hope you enjoy the records that helped shaped Brandon Combs into the artist he is today. Cheers!

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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.

BRANDON'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Perpetual motion

Artist - Dave Weckl Band

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - Child's play

Drummer - Dave Weckl

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Album - Heavier Things

Artist - John Mayer

Release Year - 2003

Key Track(s) - New Deep / Something's Missing,

Drummer - Steve Jordan

-

Album - Somethin' Bout Love

Artist - Brian Culbertson

Release Year - 1999

Key Track(s) - Do you Really Love Me?

Drummer - Chris Miskel

-

Album - Mixtape - Volume One

Key Track(s) - Movin / Nine

Drummer - Ben Jones

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Album - Opal / Brunei

Artist - Vinyl Williams

Release Year - 2018 / 2016

Key Track(s) - Lansing / Feedback Delicates

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

This week’s guest is Myles Sargent. Myles is a drummer, musical director and playback engineer based in Brighton, UK. Throughout his career, he's collaborated with an array of artists and bands, including The Japanese House, Justin Jesso, Calum Scott, Thomas Headon, Gabriels, Cavetown, Mae Stephens, Gang of Youths and MANY more. He’s quickly become one of my favorite online-converted-to-real-life buddies and I was excited to force him to answer my questions for an hour. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shaped Myles Sargent into the player he is today. Cheers!

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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.

MYLE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - American Idiot

Artist - Green Day

Release Year - 2004

Key Track(s) - Holiday / American Idiot

Drummer - Tre Cool

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Album - Rumours

Artist - Fleetwood Mac

Release Year - 1977

Key Track(s) - You Make Loving Fun / The Chain

Drummer - Mick Fleetwood

-

Album - Nm Brass 2015 - 1. Division

Artist - Oslofiord Brass

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - St. Magnus (5:45 it gets cooking)

Composer - Peter Maxwell Davies

-

Album - Little Voice

Artist - Sara Bareilles

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Vegas

Drummer - Matt Chamberlain

-

Album - Rickie Lee Jones

Artist - Rickie Lee Jones

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Chuck E's in Love (and that fill at 1:55)

Drummer - Steve Gadd

-

Any Honorable Mentions?

Album - Face Value

Artist - Phil Collins

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - In the Air Tonight 

Drummer - Phil Collins

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Album - Regatta De Blanc

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) -  Walking on the Moon

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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

This week's guest is Steve Durham. Steve is a Drummer, Musical Director and Producer from London, UK. He began playing drums at 8 years old and was out on the road by the time he was 14. Since then he's worked with Louis Tomlinson (One Direction), Dermot Kennedy, Wolf Alice, Foals, Holly Humberstone, Aurora, Declan Mckenna, Marina and the Diamonds and more. I hope you enjoy the 5 records plus a few honorable mentions that helped shape Steve Durham into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

STEVE'S BIG FAT FIVE

Album - VHS! Invisible Touch Tour

Artist - Genesis

Release Year - 1987

Key Track(s) - Drum Duet / Los Endos

Drummer - Phil Collins & Chester Thompson

WATCH HERE

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Album - Who’s Next

Artist - The Who

Release Year - 1971

Key Track(s) - Won’t Get Fooled Again

Drummer - Keith Moon

-

Album - Colour Of Spring

Artist - Talk Talk

Release Year - 1986

Key Track(s) - Give It Up

Drummer - Lee Harris

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Album - The Bends

Artist - Radiohead

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - High and Dry

Drummer - Phil Selway

-

Album - Puzzle

Artist - Biffy Clyro

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Saturday Superhouse

Drummer - Ben Johnston

-

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Artist - Led Zeppelin

Key Tracks(s) - Good Times Bad Times / Whole Lotta Love

Drummer - John Bonham

-

Album - The Trees Are Dead & Dried Out, Wait for Something Wild

Artist - Sikth

Key Track - Skies of the Millennium Night

Release Year - 2003

Drummer - Dan ‘The Lord’ Foord 

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Performance - Live at Woodstock '69

Artist - Santana

Key Track - Soul Sacrifice

Drummer - Michael Shrieve (age 20)

WATCH HERE

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

This week's guest is Gunnar Olsen. Gunnar's been on the show a lot recently with "save it for the pod" segments. But I noticed his Big Fat Five episode is almost 4 years old, which is a shame. Recently, I went to the Hollywood Bowl with my friends Mike Robinson and Neal Daniels, both show alumni, to see Gunnar play with Puscifer on the Sessanta tour, celebrating Maynard James Keenan's 60th birthday. It was mind-blowing. Gunnar is an incredible drummer, one of the best out there. At this show, Josh Freese was playing with A Perfect Circle, but now that Josh is busy with Foo Fighters gigs, Gunnar is playing with both Puscifer and A Perfect Circle for the rest of the tour. It's unbelievable and well-deserved. Puscifer is a perfect fit for Gunnar. Apart from this tour, Gunnar has also recorded or toured with Big Data, Bruce Springsteen, Miley Cyrus, HOKO, Mother Feather, Fischerspooner, Goo Goo Dolls, and many others. He's possibly my favorite drummer, and I admire him a lot. He's a close friend, and I always try to catch his shows when we're in the same town. Although this conversation is from 4 years ago, I wanted to bring it back up because the information is still relevant. It's fascinating to hear Gunnar talk about Tim Alexander of Primus, who has been a big influence on him, and now see them hanging out on tour together, seeming like best buds. Anyway, Gunnar, I'm really proud of you, and I admire your career more than you know, even though I tell you all the time. I hope you enjoy the records that helped shape Gunnar Olsen into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

GUNNAR'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - ...And Justice For All

Artist - Metallica

Release Year - 1988

Key Track(s) - Harvester of Sorrow

Drummer - Lars Urich

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Album - Reggatta De Blanc

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - The Bed's Too Big Without You

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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Album - Songs for the Deaf

Artist - Queens of the Stone Age

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - Song for the Dead

Drummer - Dave Grohl

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Album - Dust

Artist - Ben Monder

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Dust

Drummer - Jim Black

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Album - Largo

Artist - Brad Mehldau

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - When It Rains

Drummer - Matt Chamberlain

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

This week's guest is Earl Talbot. Earl is a renowned Drummer, Composer, Producer, and Music Instructor. He wrote and produced over 90 songs broadcast regularly on the Oprah Winfrey Show. His career includes performances with house music legends Derick Carter and Mark Farina, as well as touring and recording with Master Griots Dialy Mady Cissoko, Christian Bourdon, Poi Dog Pondering, The Chicago Sinfonietta, as well as scores of other artists and clients. 

As a multi platinum recording artist, Earl has worked on songs from Maya Angelou's "Human Family Remix" with Tamarra Love, to Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy's production of "The Hush Sound" with Shawn O'Keefe. Earl wrote and produced 3 songs for Katt William’s ‘American Hustle’.  His hit song "Yakalelo" with French sensation "Nomads" earned a Diamond Record for it's success throughout Central Europe and North Africa.

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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.

EARL'S BIG FAT FIVE

Album - Back In Black

Artist - ACDC

Release Year - 1980

Key Track(s) - Back In Black

Drummer - Phill Rudd

-

Album - Time Out

Artist - Dave Brubeck

Release Year - 1952

Key Track(s) - Pick Up Sticks

Drummer - Joe Morello

-

Album - Moving Pictures

Artist - Rush

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - YYZ

Drummer - Neil Peart

-

Album - Glass Menagerie

Artist - Billy Cobham

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Observations and Reflections

Drummer - Billy Cobham

-

Album - My Favorite Things

Artist - John Coltrane

Release Year - 1961

Key Track(s) - My Favorite Things

Drummer - Elvin Jones

HONORABLE MENTIONS

-

Album - Regatta de Blanc

Artist - The Police 

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Walking on the Moon

Drummer - Stuart Copeland 

-

Album - Romantic Warrior

Artist - Return to Forever 

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Medieval Overture 

Drummer - Lenny White

-

Album - Van Halen

Artist - Van Halen

Release Year - 1978

Key Track(s) - Runnin with the Devil

Drummer - Alex Van Halen 

-

Album - By All Means Necessary

Artist - KRS One and Boogie Down Productions

Release Year - 1988

Key Track(s) - I’m Still #1

Drummer - (Sample, All the People- Cramp Your Style)

-

Album - Let’s Dance

Artist - David Bowie

Release Year - 1983

Key Track(s) - Modern Love

Drummer - Omar Hakim 

-

Album - The Game

Artist - Queen

Release Year - 1980

Key Track(s) - Another One Bites the Dust

Drummer - Roger Taylor

- 

Album - Nightclubbing

Artist - Grace Jones

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - Pull Up to the Bumper

Drummer - Sly Dunbar

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

This week, our guest is Maxwell Flanders, a close friend of mine and pseudo-neighbor based in Los Angeles, California. He's a highly sought-after touring and session drummer who recently wrapped up touring with Lizzie McAlpine and is now preparing for a world tour with Luke Hemmings. I've admired Max's drumming for a long time; he plays with such creativity, and his selections today reflect why. I hope you enjoy learning about the five records that have influenced Maxwell Flanders into becoming the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

MAX'S BIG FAT FIVE

Album - 1

Artist - The Beatles

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Ticket to Ride, Paperback Writer, The Ballad of John and Yoko

Drummer - Ringo Star

-

Album - The Nightfly

Artist - Donald Fagen

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Ruby Baby, The Goodbye Look

Drummer - Jeff Porcaro

-

Album - Stuff

Artist - Stuff

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Foots, (Do You) Want Some of This, Happy Farms

Drummer - Steve Gadd

-

Album - Tom Scott and the L.A. Express

Artist - Tom Scott

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - Bless My Soul, Sneakin' In the Back, Nunya

Drummer - John Guerin

-

Album - Wrecking Ball

Artist - Emmylou Harris

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - Where Will I Be

Drummer - Brian Blade

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

This week’s guest is Steve Jocz, also known as Stevo 32. Steve is a Canadian musician best known as the original drummer of the punk rock band Sum 41. Steve co-founded Sum 41 in 1996 with Deryck Whibley and played a significant role in the band's early success, contributing to their distinctive punk rock sound. He remained with Sum 41 until 2013, showcasing his drumming skills on albums like "All Killer No Filler”, “Does This Look Infected?” and Chuck." After leaving Sum 41, Steve left music behind all-but-completely...only to rekindle his relationship with the drums around 2019. We get into a lot of fun Sum 41 history and insider stories via very welcomed tangents and I was smiling the whole time. Steve was a big part of my drumming when I was younger and I was giddy as all hell to have him on the show. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Steve Jocz into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

STEVE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Nevermind

Artist - Nirvana

Release Year - 1991

Key Track(s) - In Bloom

Drummer - Dave Grohl

-

Album - Dookie

Artist - Green Day

Release Year - 1994

Key Track(s) - Burnout (1:12 - 1:38)

Drummer - Tre Cool

-

Album - Master Of Puppets

Artist - Metallica

Release Year - 1985

Key Track(s) - Master Of Puppets

Drummer - Lars Ulrich

-

Album - Live Fast, Diarhea

Artist - The Vandals

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - And Now We Dance (00:40 - 01:15)

Drummer - Josh Freese

-

Album - Milestones

Artist - Miles Davis

Release Year - 1958

Key Track(s) - Two Bass Hit (00:00 - 01:00)

Drummer - Philly Joe Jones

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

This week's guest is JohnnyBgood. I've been following his Instagram account for a while now and I'm really impressed by his nostalgic, retro-futuristic synth sounds and vintage video game vibe. Paired with a clean, opaque colored-infused aesthetic, it's beautiful in its minimalist approach. He's committed to his branding so strongly that he chooses to remain anonymous, creating a character and a whole world to convey his art. It's great – he's a great guy. I love his choices. While he may not consider himself a drummer's drummer, he sees himself more as a producer, which I think is fabulous and a perspective we should all tap into more often. I hope you enjoy learning about the 5 records that shaped JohnnyBgood into the musician he is today.

•  Get JohnnyBgood's FREE SAMPLE PACK
• Marble Soda by "Shawn Wasabi" - VIDEO

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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.

JOHNNYBGOOD'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Where the Light is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles

Artist - John Mayer

Release Year - 2008

Key Track(s) - I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)

Drummer - J.J. Johnson

-

Album - Songs About Jane

Artist - Maroon 5

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - The Sun

Drummer - Ryan Dusick

-

Album - Come to Daddy

Artist - Aphex Twin

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - Flim

Drummer - Aphex Twin

-

Album - Single Release on YouTube

Artist - Shawn Wasabi

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - Marble Soda

Drummer - Shawn Wasabi

-

Album - Small Plates

Artist - J3PO

Release Year - 2019

Key Track(s) - Intensor (Feat. Ateller)

Drummer - Ateller

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

This week’s guest is Nick Adams … a Los Angeles-based touring and recording drummer whose passion for music and live performance has led him to work with an array of well-known artists such as Rivers Cuomo,Noah Cyrus, Fifth Harmony, Aly & Aj, Liz Phair, and Take That among others. I am obsessed with his Instagram; he gets such amazing sounds and is a nerd when it comes to engineering himself out of his own studio. If you want to watch a drummer who plays deceivingly hard parts with absolute conviction….please go check him out. I'm stoked to introduce a bunch of you to Nick! So please enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Nick Adams into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

NICK'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Steve Miller Band: Greatest Hits 1974-78

Artist - Steve Miller Band

Release Year - 1974-78

Key Track(s) - Take The Money And Run, Swingtown

Drummer - Gary Mallaber

-

Album - Take Off Your Pants And Jacket

Artist - Blink 182

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - Story of a Lonely Guy

Drummer - Travis Barker

-

Album - Lateralus

Artist - Tool

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - The Grudge, Ticks & Leeches

Drummer - Danny Carey

-

Album - Sawdust

Artist - The Killers

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Sam's Town

Drummer - Ronnie Vannucci Jr.

-

Album - Hotel California

Artist - The Eagles

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Life in the Fast Lane

Drummer - Don Henley

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

This week’s topic on our "Save It For the Pod" segment with Mr. Gunnar Olsen is the timeless and seemingly underrated drummer of Radiohead, Phil Selway. Gunnar and I each choose our top 5 Phil beats and go a dissectin’!

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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.

GUNNAR'S CHOICES:

Track - Morning Bell (Live in Oxford)

Album - I Might Be Wrong

Release Year - 2001

-

Track - There, There

Album - Hail To the Thief

Release Year - 2003

-

Track - Pyramid Song

Album - Amnesiac

Release Year - 2001

-

Track - Where I End and You Begin

Album - In Rainbows From the Basement

Release Year - 2008

-

Track - Bodysnatchers

Album - In Rainbows

Release Year - 2007

BEN'S CHOICES:

-

Track - All I Need

Album - In Rainbows

Release Year - 2007

-

Track - Dollars and Cents

Album - Amnesiac

Release Year - 2001

-

Track - 15 Step

Album - In Rainbows

Release Year - 2007

-

Track - Myxomatosis

Album - Hail To the Thief

Release Year - 2003

-

Track - Rekoner

Album - In Rainbows

Release Year - 2007

-

Track - I Might Be Wrong

Album - Amnesiac

Release Year - 2007

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

This week's guest is drummer and producer Russel Holzman (@starpowerdrummer). Russell received his education in Jazz and Classical music at the New England Conservatory. Currently, he tours with artists such as Caroline Polachek and, known for his captivating drumming videos, Russell has garnered a substantial following on social media. Based in NYC, he adeptly juggles in-studio recording sessions with global live performances. I hope you enjoy the top 5 recordings that helped shape Russell Holzman into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

Be sure to scope Russell's finely crafted DnB style drum loops & sample pack HERE. These unique and original drum loops were played-live by Russell, not programmed, and are 100% royalty-free.

There are 3 different mix styles for each loop: Clean (highly usable, standard studio mix), Comp (over compressed, modern breakcore style mix) and Vintage (old school, classic Amen Break style mix).

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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.

RUSSELL’S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Zeppelin 1

Artist - Led Zeppelin

Release Year - 1969

Key Track(s) - Dazed and Confused

Drummer - John Bonham

-

Album - Nil Recurring

Artist - Porcupine Tree

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Cheating The Polygraph

Drummer - Gavin Harrison

-

Performance - Live At Cafe Bohemia

Artist - Miles Davis

Release Year - 1957

Key Track(s) - Walkin

Drummer - Philly Joe Jones

-

Album - Break Stuff

Artist - Vijay Iyer Trio

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - Taking Flight

Drummer - Marcus Gilmore

-

Album - Secret Liaison

Artist - Source Direct

Release Year - 1996

Key Track(s) - Secret Liaison

Drummer - Source Direct

-

Any Honorable Mentions?

Performance - Coltrane Live @ Half Note, NYC

Artist - John Coltrane

Release Year - 1965

Track - I Want To Talk About You

Drummer - Elvin Jones

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

Back in the day, Gunnar Olsen and I launched a segment for this show named 'Save It For the Pod!' without much of a plan beyond discussing random topics in a back-and-forth, list-style format. We managed to produce just three episodes before life got in the way. However, I'm considering bringing it back as an enjoyable addition to this podcast feed. As a way to reconnect with the show's essence, I'm re-airing episode 3, where we each share five songs that initially left us completely puzzled about where the downbeat is

I hope you enjoy !

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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.

Today, we have a very special guest, Dave Elitch, here to talk about his new online course titled "Staying Out of Your Own Way." Dave believes that musicians should approach their craft with the mindset of athletes, and he's created this new course because he sees a significant need for it in the community. Until now, such a resource simply didn't exist.

As of this recording, the course is available for pre-order, with the official launch set for March 4th, 2024. For those listening in the future, head over to daveelitch.com or sooyow.com (which stands for Staying Out Of Your Own Way) to grab your copy.

To keep things engaging, I've asked Dave to put together a top 5 list, and he's chosen "Top 5 Things You're Not Doing That Are Hurting You and Your Drumming." So, grab your notepads, folks, because it's time to learn. And a big thank you to Dave for joining us today! Always a pleasure to have you. Cheers!

*note from show - Dave suggests finding a “Myofascial Sports Massage Therapist who does Deep Tissue Sports Massage who works on Athletes”

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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.

This week’s guest is Allison Miller. Allison, based in New York City, is an American drummer, composer, and educator known for her versatile style. Fusing jazz with rock, funk, and global music elements, she has collaborated with notable artists including Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, Brandi Carlile, and others. A prolific solo artist, her latest album "Rivers in Our Veins" was released in 2023. Miller's dynamic drumming and dedication to musical innovation resonate with audiences across the globe. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Allison Miller into the musician she is today. Cheers!

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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.

ALLISON’S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Around the World in a Day

Artist - Prince

Release Year - 1985

Key Track(s) - Tamborine, Condition of the Heart, Temptation

Drummer - Prince, Sheila E

-

Album - Miles Smiles

Artist - Miles Davis

Release Year - 1967

Key Track(s) - Freedom Jazz Dance, Gingerbread Boy, Footprints, Dolores

Drummer - Tony Williams

-

Album - The Avant-Garde

Artist - John Coltrane and Don Cherry

Release Year - 1966

Key Track(s) - The Invisible, The Blessing, Focus on Sanity

Drummer - Ed Blackwell

-

Album - Plantation Lullabies

Artist - Meshell Ndegeocello

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - I’m Diggin’ You, Step into the Projects, Call Me, Sit Outside Your Door

Drummer - David Gamson

-

Album - Zoning

Artist - Mary Lou Williams

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - Praise The Lord, Intermission, Rosa Mae

Drummer - Mickey Roker

-

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

-

Speak No Evil - Wayne Shorter

Black and Red - Live in Willisau

The Cure - Keith Jarrett Trio

Empyrean Isles - Herbie Hancock

Sounds of Joy - Joe Lovano

Unity - Larry Young

Special Edition - Jack Dejohnette

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

This week’s guest is THE Bill Bruford. Bill is a legendary drummer whose illustrious career spans over five decades, marked by pioneering contributions to progressive rock, jazz fusion, and beyond. Emerging onto the music scene in the late 1960s, Bruford gained prominence as the drummer for progressive rock icons Yes, where his intricate rhythms and dynamic playing style helped define the band's sound. His tenure with Yes produced several critically acclaimed albums, including "Close to the Edge" and "Fragile," solidifying his reputation as one of the foremost drummers of his generation.

In addition to his work with Yes, Bruford became a member of the seminal progressive rock band King Crimson, where his innovative drumming continued to captivate audiences and influence generations of musicians. Over the years, Bruford's musical journey evolved, leading him to explore jazz fusion with his own band, Earthworks, and delve into experimental projects that pushed the boundaries of musical expression. A prolific recording artist, respected educator, and insightful author, Bill Bruford's multifaceted career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to pushing the limits of creativity and leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.

Check out "Bill Bruford: Inspirations" playlist HERE

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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.

BILL'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Drums Unlimited

Artist - Max Roach

Release Year - 1966

Key Track(s) - For Big Sid

Drummer - Max Roach

-

Album - Live Sesh and Extra Songs

Artist - Louis Cole

Release Year - 2019

Key Track(s) - F it Up - Live Sesh

Drummer - Louis Cole

-

Album - Caravan

Artist - Art Blakey & Jazz Messenger

Release Year - 1963

Key Track(s) - Caravan

Drummer - Art Blakey

-

Album - Blackstar

Artist - David Bowie

Release Year - 2016

Key Track(s) - Blackstar

Drummer - Mark Guiliana

-

Album - Fresh Cream

Artist - Cream

Release Year - 1966

Key Track(s) - I Feel Free

Drummer - Ginger Baker

-

HONORABLE MENTION:

-

Artist: John Taverner

Track: The Lamb

Release Year: 1982

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

This week’s guest is Brian Dunne. Brian is the current drummer for Hall & Oates as well as the house drummer for Live From Daryl's House. Everything Brian plays sounds like a pre-produced groove and it's no wonder that he’s held the throne behind so many incredible musicians…including but certainly not limited to Joe Walsh, Ben Folds, Allen Stone, Average White Band, Cee Lo Green, Sting, Michael Brecker, Chaka Khan, Hesekiah Walker and many more. His pocket is insane and all of the information in today's episode is coming from someone who KNOWS about studio drumming. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Brian Dunne into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

BRIAN’S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - What We Do

Artist - John Scofield

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Camp Out

Drummer - Bill Stewart

-

Album - Upfront

Artist - David Sanborn

Release Year - 1992

Key Track(s) - Snakes

Drummer - Steve Jordan

-

Album - Plantation Lullabies

Artist - Meshell Ndegeocello

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - I'm Diggin' You - Like an Old Soul Record

Drummer - Programmed David Gamson

-

Album - The Best of Earth Wind and Fire

Artist - Earth Wind and Fire

Release Year - 1978

Key Track(s) - Fantasy

Drummer

Maurice White, Fred White, Ralph Johnson

-

Album - Stomping at the Savoy

Artist - Rufus and Chaka Khan

Release Year - 1983

Key Track(s) - Tell Me Something Good

Drummer - JR Robinson

-

HONORABLE MENTION:

-

Album - Closer To The Light

Artist - Leni Stern

Release Year - 1990

Key Track(s) - Sandbox

Drummer - Zack Danziger / Dennis Chambers

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

This week's guest is Sarah Jones…an English musician best known for being a session and touring drummer. She has recorded and/or toured with New Young Pony Club, Aynsley Lister, Bat for Lashes, Puscifer, Hot Chip, Bloc Party, Pillow Person and many more. Since 2017, she has been in one of the most high-profile drum thrones in the world as the drummer for Harry Styles band. She’s a veteran and such a great player. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Sarah Jones into the drummer she is today. Cheers!

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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.

SARAH’S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - From The Beginning

Artist - Small Faces

Release Year - 1967

Key Track(s) - All or Nothing

Drummer - Kenney Jones

-

Album - Metropolis pt 2 Scenes From a Memory

Artist - Dream Theatre

Release Year - 1999

Key Track(s) - Scene 2 Overture 1928

Drummer - Mike Portnoy

-

Album - Around The Fur

Artist - Deftones

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - My Own Summer / Around The Fur

Drummer - Abe Cunningham

-

Album - Still Bill

Artist - Bill Withers

Release Year - 1972

Key Track(s) - Kissing My Love

Drummer - James Gadson

-

Album - Survivor

Artist - Destiny's Child

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - Survivor

Drummer - Electronic

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

This week’s guest is Arbak Dal––a phenomenal turkish drummer and founder of T Cymbals. He’s toured and/or recorded with countless European artists over the years in addition to his own solo projects. He also worked for decades as the everyman at Istanbul Agop Cymbals before taking a crack at doing it all himself with T Cymbals. I met him a few years ago at NAMM and he's just a hoot :) If you’re heading to NAMM this weekend in Anaheim, be sure to stop by the T Cymbals booth and say hi to Arbak yourself. I’ll also be there on Sunday so shoot me a DM and maybe we can link up. I hope you enjoy this chat about the 5 (actually 6) records that helped shape Arbak Dal into the drummer and cymbalsmith he is today. Cheers!

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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.

ARBAK’S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Led Zeppelin IV

Release Year - 1971

Artist - Led Zeppelin

Key Track(s) - Stairway to Heaven / Black Dog

Drummer - John Bonham

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Album - Come and Taste the Band

Release Year - 1975

Artist - Deep Purple

Key Track(s) - Getting Tighter / You keep on Moving

Drummer - Ian Paice

-

Album - Crash

Release Year - 1996

Artist - Dave Matthews

Key Track(s) - Too much - #41

Drummer - Carter Beauford

-

Album - Behind Closed Doors

Release Year - 1991

Artist - Peter Erskine

Key Track(s) - Bulgana

Drummer - Peter Erskine

-

Album - Kingdom of Desire

Release Year - 1992

Artist - TOTO

Key Track - Jake to the Bone

Drummer - Jeff Porcaro

-

Album - Take Me Back To Eden

Release Year - 2023

Artist - Sleep Token

Key Track(s) - The Summoning

Drummer - II

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

This week’s guest is JP Bouvet. JP is a fabulous drummer, educator and winner of the 2011 Guitar Center Drum Off. He has his own band called Childish Japes and has toured with artists like Steve Tai and Zack Wylde as part of guitar supergroup Generation Axe…AND he runs his educational drum website where he specializes in teaching improvisation. I am a happily-subscribed student and I suggest you all do the same. If you wanted to try out his website for free (www.jpbouvetmethod.com), use the code: bigfatfive

JP Bouvet is clearly a great deliverer of information and his insight into approaching this instrument is invaluable. I know you’ll enjoy this chat about the 5 records that helped shaped JP Bouvet into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

JP'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

Album - The Chick Corea Elektric Band

Artist - Chick Corea

Release Year - 1986

Key Track(s) - Got a Match? / King Cockroach

Drummer - Dave Weckl

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Album - Perceptual

Artist - Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Crooked Creek

Drummer - Brian Blade

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Album - Flood

Artist - Herbie Hancock

Release Year - 1975

Key Track(s) - Actual Proof

Drummer - Mike Clark

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Album - Prog

Artist - The Bad Plus

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Thriftstore / Jewelry / Physical Cities

Drummer - Dave King

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Album - I Have the Room Above Her

Artist - Bill Frisell / Joe Lovano / Paul Motian

Release Year- 2004

Key Track(s) - Osmosis Part 1

Drummer - Paul Motian

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

This week’s guest is Ray Brown...drummer for the band Snail Mail. I’ve been a big fan of Ray's drumming since I first heard him on Snail Mail’s debut album, Lush, in 2017. His upbringing in the DC area music scene gives him authority on a lot of music I've never heard before...and I'm assuming maybe some of you as well? He’s got a lot of energy and it was so enjoyable getting to sit back, relax, and learn a lot from a guitarist / bassist turned fabulous drummer. If you’re unfamiliar with Snail Mail, I’m excited for you to find one of your new favorite bands! Also, we play a lot more than 5 tracks today, so buckle up. Here are some of the records that helped shape Ray Brown into the musician he is today. Cheers!

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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.

RAY’S BIG FAT FIVE👇🏻

Album - The Smiths

Artist - The Smiths

Release Year - 1984

Key Track(s) - Still Ill (Live on the Tube version 1:28 verse/chorus transition)

Drummer - Mike Joyce

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Album - Red Medicine

Artist - Fugazi

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - Birthday Pony (fill at 1:01)

Drummer - Brendan Canty

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Album - Floral Green

Artist - Title Fight

Release Year - 2012

Key Track(s) - Like A Ritual (chorus fill 1:02)

Drummer - Ben Russin

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Album - S/T

Artist - Clique

Release Year - 2014

Key Track(s) - Lil T

Drummer - Tom Anthony

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Album - Tesseract

Artist - Warehouse

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - Promethean Gaze

Drummer - Doug Bleichner

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

-

Album - Am

Artist - Ovlov

Release Year - 2013

Key Track(s) - The Well

Drummer - Theo Hartlett

-

Album - Hoodwink'd

Artist - LVL Up

Release Year - 2014

Key Track(s) - Angel from Space

Drummer - Greg Rutkin

-

Album - In Utero

Artist - Nirvana

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Serve the Servants

Drummer - Dave Grohl

-

Album - Drop

Artist - Turnstile

Release Year - 2016

Key Track(s) - Nonstop Feeling

Drummer - Daniel Fang

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Album - Lonesome Crowded West

Artist - Modest Mouse

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - Truckers Atlas

Drummer - Jeremiah Green

Album - DSU

Artist - Alex G

Release Year - 2014

Key Track(s) - Harvey 

Drummer - Alex G

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

This week’s guest is Rhys Hastings. This episode has been a long time coming as both Rhys and myself have been two ships in the night trying to schedule this thing. We’ve both had an insanely busy year of touring, but we finally did it! Rhys is an incredible person and drummer based in Los Angeles and has played with the likes of Yves Tumor, Melanie Martinez, Angel Olsen, Kim Gordon, Mark Ronson, Tobias Jesso Jr and many more. His mind/body approcah to the instrument is very inspring and I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Rhys Hastings inot the drummer he is today. Cheers!

• Check out Rhys' website HERE
• Find out more about The Hastings Method HERE

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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.

RHYS' BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Ege Bamyasi

Artist - CAN

Release Year - 1972

Key Track(s) - Pinch / Vitamin C / Soup / I'm So Green

Drummer - Jaki Liebezeit

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Album - Speak No Evil

Artist - Wayne Shorter

Release Year - 1966

Key Track(s) - Witch Hunt / Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum / Dance Cadaverous

Drummer - Elvin Jones

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Album - Miles Smiles

Artist - Miles Davis

Release Year - 1967

Key Track(s) - Footprints, Dolores, Freedom Jazz Dance, Gingerbread Boy

Drummer - Tony Williams

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Album - I Want You

Artist - Marvin Gaye

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - I Want You / Come Live With Me Angel / Soon I'll Be Loving You Again

Drummer - James Gadson

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Album - Siamese Dream

Artist - Smashing Pumpkins

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Cherub Rock / Quiet / Geek USA

Drummer - Jimmy Chamberlain

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Honorable Mentions:

Jimi Hendrix "Are You Experienced"

Led Zeppelin "Houses of the Holy"

David Axelrod "Song of Innocence"

Yes "Yes" 

Minnie Ripperton "Adventures in Paradise" 

D'Angelo "Voodoo" 

J Dilla "The Shining"

Also mentioned during the show:

Minnie Riperton - Adventures in Paradise

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

I need your help to make this show the best it can be going into the new year. Even after 170+ episodes...I'm ALL EARS on how I can improve. Below is a link to an anonymous survey for you to give me ANY AND ALL feedback. Seriously...dont mince words 😬

YOU CAN FILL OUT THE SURVEY HERE

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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.

This week’s guest is Zach Jones. Zach is a is a drummer, singer, songwriter, and producer from Brooklyn, NY. Zach has performed and recorded with artists such as Sting, Ingrid Michaelson, A Great Big World, Elle King, and many more. He also writes and records music with his own group, Zach Jones & the Tricky Bits. He’s the kindest dude ever; I was smiling the whole time. We could all benefit from being a little more like Zach on and off the kit so I know you’ll enjoy my chat with Zach Jones about the 5 records that helped shape into the player he is today. Cheers!

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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.

ZACH’S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - With The Beatles

Artist - The Beatles

Release Year - 1963

Key Track(s) - It Won’t Be Long, All I’ve Got to Do, All My Loving, I Wanna Be Your Man

Drummer - Ringo Starr

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Album - ‘60s Soul: When A Man Loves A Woman

Artist - Various

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - Soul Man, Knock On Wood, Chain Of Fools

Drummer - Al Jackson, Jr., Roger Hawkins

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Album - Live

Artist - James Taylor

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Your Smiling Face, Mexico, Country Road

Drummer - Carlos Vega

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Album - Every Breath You Take: The Classics

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - Can’t Stand Losing You, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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Album - The Royal Scam

Artist - Steely Dan

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Kid Charlemagne, The Caves of Altamira, Green Earrings

Drummer - Bernard Purdie, Rick Marotta (Everything You Did)

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Any Honorable Mentions?

“When The Pawn…”, Fiona Apple, Matt Chamberlain on drums

“Transatlanticism” & “Plans”, Death Cab For Cutie, Jason McGerr on drums

“Riot!” & “After Laughter”, Paramore, Zac Farro on drums

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

This week’s guest is Griffin Goldsmith, drummer for the band Dawes. I’ve been lucky enough to see Griffin perform a few times in person the last month and he is quickly becoming one of my favorite drummers. Also…Dawes just released a 10TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION of their album “Stories Dont End” on limited edition storm cloud vinyl with Remixed & Remastered songs + 6 Bonus Tracks. You can check out that and all their other offerings at dawestheband.com

In addition to Dawes, Griff has also worked with countless artists such as Jackson Browne, John Fogerty, Robbie Robertson, Jim Keltner, Elvis Costello, Sharon Von Etten, Angel Olson, Jenny Lewis, Bahamas and the list goes on and on. He’s recently added film scoring to his list of accomplishments. His delicate and deliberate touch is timeless and honors the gold standard of what it means to be a studio musician. Conversations like this are why I get so excited every week to talk to the best drummers of the day. Griffin’s choices are sourced from the apex of human artistry behind the kit and I know you will all be better drummers after hearing what he has to say. Please enjoy my conversation with Griffin Goldsmith…also please go down a rabbit hole of his playing, not only throughout the entire Dawes catalogue, but all the artists I just mentioned. I can't stress enough how underrated he is. Cheers! 

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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.

GRIFF'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Think!

Release Year - 1960

Artist - James Brown & The Famous Flames

Album - Stax Profiles: Little Milton

Release Year - 2006

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Artist - Little Milton

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - Let Me Down Easy (the fill at 2:36)

Drummer - Calep Emphrey Jr.

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Album - Good News

Release Year - 1977

Artist - Attitudes

Song Choice - Drink My Water

Drummer - Jim Keltner

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Album - Desire

Release Year - 1976

Artist - Bob Dylan

Key Track(s) - Oh, Sister

Drummer - Howard Wyeth

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Album - The Royal Scam

Release Year - 1976

Artist - Steely Dan

Key Track(s) - Kid Charlemagne

Drummer - Bernard "Pretty" Purdie

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Album - No Secrets

Release Year - 1972

Artist - Carly Simon

Key Track(s) - You're So Vain

Drummer - Jim Gordon

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

This week’s guest is Evan Woodle. I was turned onto Evan’s playing through a previous guest of the podcast, Sheridan Riley of the band Alvvays. Evan got his start in the internationally acclaimed Roosevelt High School jazz program in Seattle before going on to earn a Jazz Studies degree from the University of Washington. Go huskies. Evan has toured the world with countless acts, but remains an ambassador for the Seattle Jazz Scene. He maintains a private drum studio, works with local jazz institution Origin Arts, and is one of the co-founders and current organizers of the Racer Sessions, a bimonthly free-improvisation series and a forum for cutting-edge composers and performers. I am a huge fan of his playing, knowledge, and perspective on music so I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Evan Woodle into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

YONI'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Kind of Blue

Artist - Miles Davis

Release Year - 1959

Key Track(s) - So What, Freddie Freeloader, All Blues

Drummer - Jimmy Cobb

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Album - Yaya3

Artist - Yaya3

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - Slow Orbit

Drummer - Brian Blade

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Album - Speak

Artist - Speak

Release Year - 2010

Key Track(s) - Amalgam in the Middle, Mustard Knuckles

Drummer - Chris Icasiano

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Album - Offend Maggie

Artist - Deerhoof

Release Year - 2008

Key Track(s) - Jagged Fruit

Drummer - Greg Saunier

-

Album - Heigh Ho

Artist - Blake Mills

Release Year - 2014

Key Track(s) - Just Out of View

Drummer - Jim Keltner

-

HONORABLE MENTION

Album - I Have the Room Above Her

Artist - Paul Motian / Bill Frisell / Joe Lovano

Release - 2005

Drummer - Paul Motian

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

This week’s guest is Yoni Madar. Yoni is an Israeli multi-instrumentalist with an incredible facility on the kit; it’s a mad scientist level of technical ability. He has released multiple books on his unique approach to technique that I urge everyone go check them out on his website www.madardrum.com. Once there, you can also contact him about private lessons 😊 Yoni truly is a drummer to the core. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that shaped Yoni Madar into the multi-instrumentalist he is today. Cheers!

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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.

YONI'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Selling England by the Pound

Artist - Genesis

Release Year - 1973

Key Track(s) - Dancing With the Moonlit Knight

Drummer - Phil Collins

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Album - Wind & Wuthering

Artist - Genesis

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Wot Gorilla?

Drummer - Phil Collins

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Album - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

Artist - Genesis

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - Anyway

Drummer - Phil Collins

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Album - The Gist of the Gemini

Artist - Gino Vannelli

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - The Battle Cry

Drummer - Graham Lear

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Album - The Court of the Crimson King

Artist - King Crimson

Release Year - 1969

Key Track(s) - Moonchild

Drummer - Michael Giles

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

This week’s guest is Branden Steineckert. Brandon will always be a massive part of my childhood as a founding member of The Used (specifically the first two records for which he played drums and had a major role in the songwriting). But for the last decade, Branden has also been the drummer for Rancid; he’s a legend playing with legends. I was uniquely excited about this one so I hope you enjoy my chat with Branden Steineckert about the 5 records that shaped him into the player he is today. Cheers!

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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.

BRANDEN'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Nevermind

Artist - Nirvana

Release Year - 1991

Key Track(s) - Territorial Pissings

Drummer - Dave Grohl

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Album - Rage Against The Machine

Artist - Rage Against The Machine

Release Year - 1992

Key Track(s) - Killing In The Name

Drummer - Brad Wilk

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Album - Dookie

Artist - Green Day

Release Year - 1994

Key Track(s) - Longview

Drummer - Tre Cool

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Album - Get Some

Artist - Snot

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - I Jus’ Lie

Drummer - Jamie Miller

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Album - The Shape of Punk To Come

Artist - Refused

Release Year - 1998

Key Track(s) - New Noise

Drummer - David Sandström

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Honorable Mentions:

Nine Inch Nails - Trent Reznor

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Chad Smith

Korn - Self Titled - David Silveri

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

This week’s guest is Travis Orbin…Travis is a progressive / metal-leaning drummer who has recorded and/or performed with Darkest Hour, Of Legends, Sky Eats Airplane, Periphery and many more heavy hitters. He’s probably the most technically proficient drummer we’ve had on the show, but he’s also one of the most creative and prolific. His setup is also very unique…often being described as a “minimalist, quasi-open-stance kit”. He’s very well-studied in his craft as both a drummer and composer, and I hope you enjoy the 5-ish records that helped shape Travis Orbin into the musician he is today. Cheers!

Dennis Chambers – Serious Moves (ft. J. Scofield, G. Grainger, J. Beard) - WATCH HERE

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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.

TRAVIS' BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - ...And Justice for All

Artist - Metallica

Release Year - 1988

Key Track(s) - One, The Frayed Ends of Sanity

Drummer - Lars Ulrich

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Album - Serious Moves (VHS)

Artist - Dennis Chambers (John Scofield)

Release Year - 1992

Key Track(s) - Trim

Drummer - Dennis Chambers

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Album - Soul Vaccination: Tower of Power Live

Artist - Tower Of Power

Release Year - 1999

Key Track(s) - Soul Vaccination, So Very Hard to Go

Drummer - David Garibaldi

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Album - Serious Young Insects

Artist - On The Virg

Release Year - 1999

Key Track(s) - Native Metal, Alien Hip-Hop

Drummer - Virgil Donati

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Album - Universe

Artist - Planet X

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Clonus

Drummer - Virgil Donati

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Album - Joe's Garage

Artist - Frank Zappa

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Catholic Girls

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

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

This week’s guest is Chris Icasiano - Chris is a Filipino-American percussionist and composer from Redmond, WA. His specialization in free-improvisation and experimental music combined with his vast experience with pop and rock have made him a highly sought after collaborator in all genres of music. His debut solo work Provinces explores the complexity of cultural identity and community as a second generation immigrant in Seattle.

You can find Chris on the road with Fleet Foxes and Pure Bathing Culture or at home in Seattle playing weirdo experimental shows as a soloist or with longtime drum and sax duo Bad Luck. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Chris Icasiano into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

CHRIS' BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Koln Concert

Artist - Keith Jarrett

Release Year - 1975

Key Track(s) - Part I

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Album - Perceptual

Artist - Brian Blade Fellowship

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Reconciliation

Drummer - Brian Blade

-

Album - The Trials of Van Occupanther

Artist - Midlake

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Roscoe; Van Occupanther

Drummer - McKenzie Smith

-

Album - Catch Thirty-Three

Artist - Meshuggah

Release Year - 2005

Key Track(s) - In Death - Is Death; Autonomy Lost; The Paradoxical Spiral

Drummer - Tomas Haake

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Album - Time (the revelator)

Artist - Gillian Welch

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - I Dream a Highway; Dear Someone; Revelator

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

This week’s guest is Brody Simpson. I’ve been wanting to re-work this episode and shoot it to the top of the feed because this conversation, which originally aired in August of 2020, is an episode that I quote all the time when chatting to current guests–whether it makes it into the shows or not. My motto has been “just repeat Brody’s opinions and people will think you’re insightful and creative”. But anyways, if you don’t know Brody, he’s a New Zealand-based drummer and studio owner who has been blowing people’s minds on social media for years. His unique, broken-while-being-perfectly-unbroken grooves are at the forefront of the dilla / Neo soul movement and, to be honest, his breakdown of that style of drumming is worth its weight in gold. His choices are great, but a lot different than one might expect. Before listening to this episode, I encourage you to go down the rabbit hole of his playing, because I ask him a lot of specific questions about his videos. Regardless, I hope you enjoy this new and improved chat about the 5 records that shaped Brody Simpson into the player her is today. Cheers!

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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.

BRODY'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Grace

Release Year - 1994

Artist - Jeff Buckley

Key Track(s) - Lover, You Should Have Come Over

Drummer - Matt Johnson

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Album - Nevermind

Release Year - 1991

Artist - Nirvana

Key Track(s) - Drain You

Drummer - David Grohl

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Album - 21

Release Year - 2011

Artist - Adele

Key Track(s) - He Won't Go

Drummer - Chris "Daddy" Dave

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Album - Thirteenth Step

Release Year - 2003

Artist - A Perfect Circle

Key Tracks - The Package

Drummer - Josh Freese

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Album - To Pimp A Butterfly

Release Year - 2015

Artist - Kendrick Lamar

Key Track(s) - Hood Politics

Drummer (if known) - Robert ‘Sput’ Searight?

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

This week’s guest is Rob Humphreys. Originally from New Mexico, Rob currently lives in Los Angeles and has quite the impressive list of professional credits having played and/or recorded with Billy Ray Cyrus, Celine Dion, Karon O, Kacey Musgraves, Leonard Cohen, Theo Katzman, Elle King, Scary Pockets and MANY MORE. I absolutely love his playing. He’s just a cool damn dude. Maybe someday I can be rad like him. Anyway…I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Rob Humphreys into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

Check out Rob’s videos HERE

Check The Meters 1974 HERE

Check out Theo Katsman’s YouTube Channel HERE

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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.

ROB'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album That Thing You Do - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Artist - The Oneders

Release Year - 1996

Key Track(s) - That Thing You Do

Drummer - Guy Patterson (Kenny Arnoff, Adam Schlesinger)

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Album - Elastic

Artist - Joshua Redman

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - Molten Soul, Still Pushin’ That Rock

Drummer - Brian Blade

-

Album - Rejuvenation

Artist - The Meters

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - People Say, Just Kissed My Baby, Jungle Man

Drummer - Zigaboo Modeliste

-

Album - The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do

Artist - Fiona Apple

Release Year - 2012

Key Track(s) - Left Alone

Drummer - Charlie Drayton

-

Album - Be The Wheel

Artist - Theo Katzman

Release Year - 2023

Key Track(s) - She’s In My Shoe

Drummer - Jordan Rose

-

HONORABLE MENTION:

-

Album - Fire Eater

Artist - Rusty Bryant

Release Year - 1971

Key Track(s) - Fire Eater

Drummer - Idris Muhammad

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

This past week, we lost a very important member of the drumming community, Dom Famularo. Known as "Drumming's Global Ambassador" spent the last 30 years traveling the globe preaching the gospel of drumming. An intense performer, Dom remains one of the most respected solo drum artists in the world, with a career built solely upon his unique skills as a drummer, educator, author and motivational speaker.

Dom was a guest on this show in 2021 and it was, of course, a great chat chalk-full of life lessons. It was back before I asked the guests to pick 5 records that shaped them into the players they are today…instead I provided prompts (which I read aloud) and they answered them accordingly. Dom answers went far beyond drumming…of course 😊

I learned that Dom’s cancer had retuned back in June when I reached out regarding a little secret project I’m working on. After hearing about his health, the Big Fat Snare Drum team offered to organize a fundraiser to offset some of the costs of his cancer treatment, but in typical selfless fashion, Dom kindly insisted we raise awareness for his non-profit Can-Do Musos … an organization for disabled musicians. You can find out more about this non-profit at candomusos.com; you can donate directly on the website. 

I’ve learned a lot from Dom, far beyond the parameters of this conversation you’re about to hear, and so if you enjoy this podcast, Dom has indirectly impacted your life too. I have donated myself, and, if you have the ability, I encourage you to check it out. 

I have updated this chat a bit and, of course wanted to shoot it to the top of my feed not only to celebrate Dom’s life, but to promote his non-profit work and re-air an episode that will certainly leave you smiling and a better person. Rest in Peace Dom. I can’t wait to chat with you again on the other side. 

Also please visit WhyHunger.org

https://youtu.be/4zio72R2Nmw?si=CAiCNoBbQSt8ZMiR

Thank you for everything Dom and I hope you rest in peace. Cheers. 

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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.

This week’s guest is THE Jimmy Chamberlin. He is a singular player that blends jazz/rock/prog and I was SO curious as to what his top 5 would be; and he did not disappoint. He is, of course, most known for his time with Smashing Pumpkins, but he's also formed his own group, Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, in addition to a supergroup with Pumpkins lead singer Billy Corgan called Zwan. He's performed and recorded with Skysaw, Frank Catalano, and many more…and so…without further ado, I hope you enjoy the five records that helped shape Jimmy Chamberlin into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

JIMMY'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Tony Williams Lifetime - Believe it

Artist - Tony Williams

Release Year - 1975

Key Track(s) - Fred / Proto-Cosmos

Drummer - Tony Williams

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Album - Blow by Blow

Artist - Jeff Beck

Release Year - 1975

Key Track(s) - Air Blower / Scatterbrain

Drummer - Richard Bailey

-

Album - Captain Beyond

Artist - Captain Beyond

Release Year - 1972

Key Track(s) - Dancing Madly Backwards

Drummer - Bobby Caldwell

-

Album - Unorthodox Behaviour

Artist - Brand X

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Euthanasia Waltz / Smacks / Euphoric Hysteria

Drummer - Phil Collins

-

Album - Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

Artist - Traffic

Release Year - 1971

Key Track(s) - Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

Drummer - Jim Gordon

Honorable Mentions:

Real McCoy/McCoy Tyner

Empyrean Isles/Herbie Hancock

Wired/Jeff Beck

Gist of the Gemini/Gino Vanelli

Now he sings, Now he sobs/Chick Corea

Bill Evans/Any

Roxy and Elsewhere/Zappa

Pat Metheny Trio/99-00

Story of Neptune/Tony Williams

Dave Holland/Big Band

Blue Train/ John Coltrane

Any Lee Morgan

Any Art Blakey

Monk

Any Roy Haynes

Hank Jones

Any Elvin

Mose Allison

Weather Report

Jazz Crusaders

UK

Terry Bozzio

Bill Bruford

Ian Paice

Nate Smith

Nate Wood

...so many drummers - I'm inspired by anyone doing their own thing!

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

This week’s guest is Tommy Igoe. Tommy is a world-class musician / producer / author / creator based in San Francisco, CA. He is the top-selling author in his field with four #1 titles on Amazon.com. He began drumming before the age of 2, started classical piano at 10, won every music competition available to him in High School, simultaneously winning two High Percussion awards with the legendary Bridgemen Drumlines.

In 1997, Tommy wrote the drum set book for Disney’s epic Broadway production of the “The Lion King” where he served as principal drummer and conductor. He has played drums on three Grammy award winning recordings and was voted the World’s #1 Jazz Drummer in the 2014 Modern Drummer Reader’s Poll. He has created two ongoing weekly musical residency at iconic Jazz clubs in New York and San Francisco. His New York band, The Birdland Big Band, is the most popular weekly music event in the city for the last 9 years. His most recent and exciting project is the Tommy Igoe Groove Conspiracy, a 15-piece supergroup from the San Francisco that has quickly become an integral part of the San Francisco cultural landscape.

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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.

TOMMY'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Apple Juice

Artist - Tom Scott

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - Instant Relief

Drummer - Steve Gadd

-

Album - Buddy Rich Swinging New Band Band

Artist - Buddy Rich

Release Year - 1996

Key Track(s) - West Side Story Medley

Drummer - Buddy Rich

-

Album - Blue Matter

Artist - John Scofield

Release Year - 1987

Key Track(s) - Blue Matter

Drummer - Dennis Chambers

-

Album - Manhattan Burn

Artist - Paquito D'Rivera

Release Year - 1987

Key Track(s) - All The Things You Are

Drummer - Ignacio Berra

-

Album - Live in Concert (in London)

Artist - Stan Kenton

Release Year - Recorded in 1972

Drummer - John Von Ohlen

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

This week’s guest is Brandon Scott –– a fabulous drummer, YouTuber and cinematographer. I’ve been following his channel for YEARS and was really excited to finally get him on the show. Brandon’s YouTube channel is an exceptional blend of great playing, education, humor and VFX. In this episode we, of course, discuss the 5 records that helped shape Brandon into the drummer he is today, but we also touch on taking self-inventory of happiness and allowing all your passions to become one big “good life stew”…and where Brandon is at with all of that. Go check out his channel link in the show notes…and enjoy that chat! Alright cheers.

Check out Brandon’s YouTube Channel HERE

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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.

BRANDON'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

-

Album - Self Titled

Artist - Blink-182

Release Year - 2003

Key Track(s) - I Miss You

Drummer - Travis Barker

-

Album - Moving Pictures

Artist - Rush

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - Tom Sawyer / YYZ

Drummer - Neil Peart

-

Album - Systematic Chaos

Artist - Dream Theater

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - In The Presence of Enemies / Constant Motion

Drummer - Mike Portnoy

-

Album - Colors

Artist - Between the Buried and Me

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Prequel to the Sequel / White Walls

Drummer - Blake Richardson

-

Album - We Like It Here

Artist - Snarky Puppy

Release Year - 2014

Key Track(s) - What About Me?

Drummer - Larnell Lewis

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

This week’s guest is Joe Lana Jr. AKA The Cowboy Drummer. Based Rochester, NY, Joe has created quite the following with his hilarious drum videos coupled with amazing playing. If you don’t know about The Cowboy Drummer, go give him a follow right now. He has been a consistent positive force in my life, and I’m sure he will be for you too. But he’s not just an influencer, he’s a very active touring drummer with his band Dropout Kings, based in Phoenix, Arizona. He’s great. He’s a kind soul and I’m really grateful to have chatted with him. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that shaped Joe Lana into the drummer he is today!

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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.

JOE'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

-

Album - The Sickness

Artist - Disturbed

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Stupify / Droppin Plates / Down With The Sickness

Drummer - Mike Wengren

-

Album - Hybrid theory

Artist - Linkin Park

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - One Step Closer / Crawling / Papercut

Drummer - Rob Bourdon

-

Album - Chocolate Star Fish and The Hotdog Flavored Water

Artist - Limp Bizkit

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Rollin / My Way / My Generation

Drummer - John Otto

-

Album - Follow the Leader

Artist - Korn

Release Year - 1998

Key Track(s) - Freak on a Leash

Drummer - David Silveria

-

Album - Dookie

Artist - Green Day

Release Year - 1994

Key Track(s) - When I Come Around / Basket Case / Welcome to Paradise

Drummer - Tre cool

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

This week’s guest is Elias Mallin. Elias is one of my newest favorite people and this chat was fun. He warned me that he’d have a lot of controversial takes and I certainly was not disappointed. Elias is one of THE go-to drummers in LA with a resume that includes Kesha, Filter, Noah Cyrus, Kill Hannah, Hollywood Undead, Julia Michaels, Fear and the Nervous System, and so many more. This chat felt like I was just shooting the sh$t with an old friend and I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shaped Elias Mallin into the drummer he is today.

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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.

ELIAS' BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - …And Justice For All

Artist - Metallica

Release Year - 1988

Key Track(s) - All of them

Drummer - Lars Ulrich

-

Album - aenema

Artist - Tool

Release Year - 1996

Key Track(s) - All of them

Drummer - Danny Carey

-

Album - White Pony

Artist - The Deftones

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Digital Bath, Passenger

Drummer - Abe Cunningham

-

Album - Live And Loud

Artist - Ozzy Osbourne

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Shot in the Dark, Crazy Train, Bark at the Moon

Drummer - Randy Castillo

-

Album - Under the Table and Dreaming

Artist - Dave Mathews Band

Release Year - 1994

Key Track(s) - Ants Marching, Satellite

Drummer - Carter Beauford

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

This week’s guest is Tim Carman. Tim international touring musician, session drummer, educator, and published author with both Alfred Music and Hudson Music. He’s released 5 books and we talk about all of them at the end of our chat. Tim currently records and tours extensively with GA-20, a three-time Billboard #1 blues trio as well as leading two of his own projects: Tim Carman & The Street 45s—a world-groove inspired funk band—and the Tim Carman Trio—a vintage organ jazz trio. He loves to shuffle and I loved this chat. Big shoutout to Zack from the podcast Working Drummer for connecting Tim and me. This was a fun one with excellent choices and one of my favorite honorable mentions in this shows history. So I hope you enjoy the 5 records that shaped Tim Carmen into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

TIM'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - The Colour and the Shape

Artist - Foo Fighters

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - All ("Hey, Johnny Park!")

Drummer - Dave Grohl

-

Album - Cracklin'

Artist - Roy Haynes with Booker Ervin

Release Year - 1963

Key Track(s) - Scoochie

Drummer - Roy Haynes

-

Album - Funkify Your Life: The Meters Anthology

Artist - The Meters

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - Live Wire, Yea You're Right, Pungee, Cissy Strut

Drummer - Zigaboo Modeliste

-

Album - The Capitol Vaults Jazz Series: Big John Patton

Artist - Big John Patton

Release Year - 2011

Key Track(s) - The Silver Meter, Spiffy Diffy, String Bean

Drummer - Ben Dixon (First two tracks), Clifford Jarvis (String Bean)

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Album - Natural Boogie

Artist - Hound Dog Taylor

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - See Me In the Evening

Drummer - Ted Harvey

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

This week’s guest is Johnny Kelly. Johnny is mostly known for his tenure as the drummer for Type O Negative, but his full resume includes Quiet Riot, Danzig, Silvertomb, A Pale Horse Named Death, Kill Devil Kill, and his latest endeavor, Eye Am. Johnny is a hell of a hard-hitting player, but his awareness of dynamics and the development of a theme while crafting parts is the reason he’s in the third decade of a very fruitful career. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that shaped Johnny Kelly into the drummer he is today. Cheers

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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.

JOHNNY'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

-

Album - Physical Graffiti

Artist - Led Zeppelin

Release Year - 1975

Key Track(s) - In My Time of Dying, Kashmir, Ten Years Gone

Drummer - John Bonham

-

Album - Sabotage

Artist - Black Sabbath

Release Year - 1975

Key Track(s) - The Writ, Megalomania

Drummer - Bill Ward

-

Album - BBC Sessions

Artist - Led Zeppelin

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - Since I’ve Been Loving You, Thank You

Drummer - John Bonham

-

Album - Motley Crue

Artist - Motley Crue

Release Year - 1994

Key Track(s) - Power To The Music, Till Death Do Us Part

Drummer - Tommy Lee

-

Album - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Artist - Beatles

Release Year - 1967

Key Track(s) - Lovely Rita, A Day In The Life

Drummer - Ringo Star

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

This week’s guest is Tina Raymond. Tina is an accomplished drummer, composer, bandleader, and educator based in Los Angeles, CA and is the director of Jazz Studies at California State University Northridge. She presented globally and her teaching credits include Los Angeles City College, The Herbie Hancock Institute, University of Michigan, Bard College and Idyllwild Arts. She’s toured all over the world as a both a leader and sideman. Her upcoming releases include “Divinations” featuring 6 of her own compositions  and Rachel Eckroth’s Live at Sam First. She’s incredibly talented and an expert at relaying information in a fun way. I really hope you learn something from this one; she goes over A LOT. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that shaped Tina Raymond into the drummer she is today. Cheers! 

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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.

TINA'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

-

Album - Everybody Digs Bill Evans

Artist - Bill Evans

Release Year - 1959

Key Track(s) - Minority

Drummer - Philly Joe Jones

-

Album - Live at The Pershing

Artist - Ahmad Jamal

Release Year - 1959

Key Track(s) Surrey With The Fringe On Top, Poinciana

Drummer

Vernel Fournier

-

Album - When the Pawn…

Artist - Fiona Apple

Release Year - 1999

Key Track(s) - Limp, Fast As You Can

Drummer - Matt Chamberlain, Butch Norton, Jim Keltner

-

Album - Art Pepper + Eleven

Artist - Art Pepper

Release Year - 1960

Key Track(s) - Move, Groovin’ High

Drummer - Mel Lewis

-

Album - Soul Station

Artist - Hank Mobley

Release Year - 1960

Key Track(s) - This I Dig of You

Drummer - Art Blakey

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

This week’s guest is Bosh Rothman. Bosh is an LA based drummer who’s played with Kills Birds, Living Things, Blondshell, Kim Gordon, Courtney Love, Marissa Nadler, Alison Mosshart and many more. I was first turned on to Bosh when I subbed for the main live drummer of the band, Blondshell this past January / February. And, while Bosh doesn’t normally tour with Blondshell, he recorded the drums on her debut record and it was really fun to learn his parts. The record kicks ass btw. Ever since that tour, I’ve wanted to get Bosh on the show so we finally made it happen…and I’m grateful we did! I hope you enjoy the 5 records that shaped Bosh Rothman into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

BOSH'S BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

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Album - Lōc-ed After Dark

Artist - Tone Loc

Release Year - 1989

Key Track(s) - Wild thing

-

Album - Appetite For Destruction

Artist - Guns N’ Roses

Release Year - 1987

Key Track(s)

Welcome to the jungle

Drummer - Steven Adler

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Album - White Album

Artist - The Beatles

Release Year - 1968