Big Fat Five: Ira Elliot (Nada Surf): Top 5 Influences

This week’s guest is Ira Elliot, drummer for the alternative rock band Nada Surf. Formed in the 90’s, Nada Surf has been going strong for multiple decades with no signs of stopping and Ira has been the backbone behind it all. Ira could be on a Mount Rushmore of drummers who know how to instill their own vibe while not taking anything away from a songwriter’s (in this case, Matthew Caws’) impactful words and melodies. While he definitely has fun behind the kit throughout the records, listening to Nada Surf takes you to school on how to just drum…cool. You know what mean? There’s a quiet confidence about his drum writing and you’ll see what I meannnnn in this episode. Please enjoy my conversation with Ira while we dissect a few songs from his career the top 5 shtuffs that made him into the drummer I wish I was. Cheers!

---

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