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306 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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The Drum Panel: The Freddy Krueger Method
12 november 2025 · 57 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. Lees meer
This week’s panel features Eric Urrea, me, and a new friend of the podcast, Brian Blake from Real Friends. Brian shares his experiences making a living in pop-punk, dealing with impostor syndrome, and finding ways to keep joy alive when your passion becomes your paycheck. Eric and I explore the feeling of "faking it" on stage, the tendency of drummers to overthink their playing, and how small mistakes can ruin your night if you let them.
In this episode, we discuss:
The journey from feeling confident to realizing how much there is still to learn.
Brian's experience with the moment he thought, "Maybe I'm not good enough to be doing this," and how that thought motivated him to move forward.
Eric's nightmare scenario of being asked to "play a drum solo" in the middle of a set.
The ways stage banter can feel scripted and how bands should acknowledge it.
The idea that filming every show can help combat perfectionism, but also damage your ego.
The unglamorous yet essential skill of honest communication within bands after difficult performances.
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🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok
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The Drum Panel: The most musical thing you can do isn’t musical
5 november 2025 · 1 uur 3 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. Lees meer
This week’s The Drum Panel features me, Eric Downs, and Chance Famighetti (aka Free Arlo). Eric’s the music director behind Nicky Youre’s current live show—the same gig Chance once bluffed his way into before I took over. Together, we dig into what it means to actually sound human on stage in a world obsessed with perfection. Eric opens up about imposter syndrome as an MD, Chance explains how he rewired his brain to stop overthinking fills, and I share what it’s like being critiqued for the first time by another drummer.
We also discuss:
• Why drummers should separate identity from the instrument
• Producing vs. drumming—and how one mindset improves the other
• Improving via recording yourself before the haters get involved
• The art of being coached without losing your confidenceWe wrap by talking about playing for the audience versus the band, knowing your “why” on stage, and how to build a live show that feels real, messy, and alive.
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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
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The 2nd mouse started asking questions...
29 oktober 2025 · 55 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. We’re back with my bestest mouse, Chance Famighetti, aka Free Arlo. Last week we covered how he bluffed his way into the drum chair for Nicky Youre only to be replaced by me :) This time, we go deeper. Lees meer
We discuss self-worth tied to art, the stress of carrying your own project versus the ease of being a hired gun, and why chasing fame can warp the very reason we make music in the first place. Chance opens up about struggling with persona-over-songs culture, learning to let go of the algorithm, and building a career that actually feels good.
We also get into:
• How live gigs shape your sound more than the practice room
• Eye contact on stage and the strange intimacy of being watched
• Pocket aces, missed opportunities, and knowing when to shift plans
• Free Arlo’s new music and finding pride in the work again---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok
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I interview the guy I replaced...
22 oktober 2025 · 48 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This week’s episode features my buddy Chance Famighetti, also known as Free Arlo. He was the first drummer for Nicky Youre—the artist we both now tour for—but these days he’s behind the piano while I’m on drums. Lees meer
It’s a wild and funny conversation about how Chance said “yes” to playing drums for Nicky… before he actually knew how. What started as a bluff turned into a crash course in drumming, arenas, and self-belief. We dig into how producing helped him fake his way through those early gigs, what it felt like to play arenas without knowing how to set up a hi-hat clutch, and how saying yes to one opportunity changed his entire life.
We also talk about his artist project Free Arlo, lessons from touring, why personality keeps you the gig more than skill, and how he’s built a creative life that spans piano, drumming, and sound design.
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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
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Anika Nilles (Rush) shares the records that shaped her playing
15 oktober 2025 · 33 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. If you haven’t heard, RUSH just announced a run of new shows with Anika Nilles behind the kit. I’m beyond excited for her—she’s going to absolutely crush those songs. Lees meer
For anyone who isn’t familiar with Anika, I wanted to bring our 2020 conversation back to the top of the feed. It’s one of the first interviews I ever recorded, so I definitely sound like a baby, but I still love this one.
Technically, this was back in the Big Fat Five era—before the current format was established—but you’ll get the idea. I had such a blast, and Anika will also be part of another project I’ve got in the works.
In the meantime, enjoy revisiting my chat with Anika Nilles and learning more about the music that helped shape her into the unstoppable musician she is today.
ANIKA'S CHOICES:
Artist – TotoAlbum – The Seventh OneRelease Year – 1988Key Track – "Mushanga"Drummer – Jeff Porcaro
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Artist – NerveAlbum – The Distance Between Zero And OneRelease Year – 2011Key Track – "Loot"Drummer – Jojo Mayer
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Artist – The John Scofield BandAlbum – ÜberjamRelease Year – 2002Key Track – "Überjam"Drummer – Adam Deitch
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Artist – Foo FightersAlbum – There Is Nothing Left To LoseRelease Year – 1999Drummer – Taylor Hawkins / Dave Grohl
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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
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The Drum Panel: Infiltrating hardcore with collared shirts
8 oktober 2025 · 44 min
Welcome back to The Drum Panel with me, Ben Hilzinger, alongside Eric Urrea and Kris Mazzarisi. We cover a lot of ground today, but most of our conversation centers around image—what it means, how it evolves, and why it matters. It’s a loaded topic that hits everyone differently, but we do our best to share honest takes from our experiences as working musicians. Think of it as equal parts peer therapy and real-world advice for drummers coming up in the scene. Lees meer
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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.
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Terry Silverlight breaks down the music that shaped him
1 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming. This is another installment of Big Fat Five—the series where I sit down with my favorite drummers and ask them to break down the five records that shaped how they approach the kit. Lees meer
Lately I’ve been fortunate to have guests who’ve already appeared in other drummers’ Big Fat Fives, and today’s guest is one of them: Terry Silverlight.
Terry’s career is so deep and wide-ranging that I almost don’t even want to start listing artists. His discography is massive — you can check it out on his website HERE and he’s still extremely active today. He was already recording at 14 on his brother Barry Miles’ record, and he hasn’t slowed down since. Along the way he’s worked with everyone from George Benson to Roberta Flack to Natalie Merchant, just to name a few.
This episode doesn’t veer from the Big Fat Five format, but Terry interleaves the records that shaped him with the way music has been ingrained in his life from day one. I mention this at the top of our chat, but it’s worth saying again here — the through-line of music in Terry’s story is undeniable.
Toward the end, I also ask him about a session that came up in Aaron Steele’s episode a while back, when Aaron brought up Terry’s work with the band Change. If you haven’t heard that one, go back and check it out — Aaron’s a young legend in his own right.
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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.
SONGS PLAYED IN THIS EPISODE:
Artist – Barry MilesAlbum – White HeatRelease Year – 1972Key Track – "White Hea…
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Calvin Rodgers breaks down the five records that influenced his playing
24 september 2025 · 45 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming. This is another installment of Big Fat Five—the series where I sit down with my favorite drummers and ask them to break down the five records that shaped how they approach the kit. Lees meer
This week, I’m joined by the legendary Calvin Rodgers. His playing has helped define modern gospel drumming through his work with Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and John P. Kee. And speaking of John P. Kee—Calvin’s performance on "Rain On Us" has come up again and again in other drummers’ Big Fat Fives. I had to ask him about it, and his story doesn’t disappoint.
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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.
CALVIN'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist – Walter HawkinsAlbum – Love Alive IIRelease Year – 1978Key Track(s) – “Until I Found The Lord”Drummer – Joel Smith
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Artist – Hezekiah WalkerAlbum – Oh Lord We Praise YouRelease Year – 1991Key Track(s) – “Oh Lord We Praise You,” “He’s Sweet I Know,” “Walk In The Light”Drummer – Gerald Heyward
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Artist – BabyfaceAlbum – UnpluggedRelease Year – 1997Key Track(s) – “Whip Appeal,” “I’ll Make Love To You”Drummer – Ricky Lawson
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Artist – Dave WecklAlbum – SynergyRelease Year – 1999Key Track(s) – “High Life,” “Cultural Concurrence,” “Tower 99”Drummer – Dave Weckl
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Artist – Kirk FranklinAlbum – The Rebirth of Kirk FranklinRelease Year – 2002Key Track(s) – “Hossana,” “Don’t Cry,” “Brighter Day”Drummer – Terry Baker
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Honorable MentionArtist – Mint ConditionAlbum – Definition Of A BandRelease Year – 1996Key Track(s) – “Intro,” “Let Me Be The …
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Zach Danziger breaks down the five records that influenced his playing
17 september 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
We’re back with another installment of Big Fat Five - a segment of the show where I chat with my favorite drummers about the 5 records that shaped their approach to the instrument. This week’s guest is Zach Danziger...a drummer/composer who refuses to let tradition box him in. From early days with Wayne Krantz to collaborations across jazz, fusion, film, and experimental projects, Zach has built a career that’s as deep as it is unpredictable. Lees meer
Sometimes you click with everything a guest says…and this conversation was just that. Talking with Zach not only made me more confident in who I am as a player, but also excited to explore elements I've been neglecting.
That being said, I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Zach Danziger 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:
Artist – Bill ConnorsAlbum – Step ItRelease Year – 1985Key Track – “Step It”Drummer – Dave Weckl
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Artist – Chaka KhanAlbum – NaughtyRelease Year – 1980Key Track – “Clouds”Drummer – Steve Ferrone
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Artist – McCoy TynerAlbum – Inner VoicesRelease Year – 1977Key Track – UptownDrummer(s) – Eric Gravatt & Jack DeJohnette
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Artist – Luther VandrossAlbum – Busy BodyRelease Year – 1983Key Track – For the Sweetness of Your LoveDrummer – Yogi Horton
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Artist – SquarepusherAlbum – Feed Me Weird ThingsRelease Year – 1996Key Track - Squarepusher ThemeDrummer – Programmed by Tom Jenkinson (Squarepusher)
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out …
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The Drum Panel: Your Mind's Ear
10 september 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
Today on The Drum Panel, we’ve got Dave Elitch and Sarab Singh. Lees meer
Dave has worked with The Mars Volta, Weezer, The 1975, Justin Timberlake, and plenty more. Alongside his playing career, he’s become a sought-after instructor on body mechanics and the psychology of performing. He’s put out two online courses—Getting Out of Your Own Way and Staying Out of Your Own Way—that dive deep into how the body moves behind the kit. His brand-new online course, Your Mind’s Ear, shifts the focus to sound and gear. Check out all of his courses HERE!
Joining us is our good friend Sarab Singh. He’s an incredibly talented drummer based in Los Angeles and currently plays with MUNA. Beyond that, he’s one of the best hangs I know, and the perfect bridge between me and Dave.
This isn’t just a promo. We cover a lot of ground as always—but Dave’s new course is the glue that holds today’s conversation together.
Check out all of his courses 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, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
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Xavier Ware (Bilmuri) breaks down the five records that influenced his playing
3 september 2025 · 58 min
On this episode of Big Fat Five, I’m joined by drummer Xavier Ware. He’s currently out on the road with Bilmuri, and his playing is UNREAL—able to blaze with the kind of intensity that feels like he’s getting paid by the note, then pivot into a dynamic, nuanced jazz approach with left-foot finesse that I honestly can’t wrap my head around. Both of those styles live so far outside my own playing, which made this conversation especially exciting. Lees meer
We discuss where he learned the jazz language, how he breaks down the incredibly technical songs he’s known for, and his journey toward appreciating the small things. And ultimately, how you shouldn’t strive for perfect timing or playing, but that perfect feeling, for both you and the audience.
XAVIER'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Artist – NerveAlbum – Prohibited BeatsRelease Year – 2009Key Track(s) – “Syncopath,” “Jabon,” “Far,” “7even”Drummer – Jojo Mayer
Artist – Button MasherAlbum – The 16bit.WavRelease Year – 2020Key Track(s) – “Siblings,” “Meta Knight's Revenge” (from Kirby Superstar)Drummer – Midi
Artist – Louis ColeAlbum – Quality Over OpinionRelease Year – 2022Key Track(s) – “Laughing in Her Sleep,” “I’m Tight,” “Failing in a Cool Way”Drummer – Louis Cole
Artist – Sonny RollinsAlbum – East Broadway RundownRelease Year – 1966Key Track(s) – “Front to Back”Drummer – Elvin Jones
Artist – YellowjacketsAlbum – Blue HatsRelease Year – 1997Key Track(s) – “CapeTown,” “Statue of Liberty,” “New Rochelle”Drummer – Will Kennedy
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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 th…
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Steve Goold (Drummer / Educator) breaks down the five records that influenced his playing
27 augustus 2025 · 43 min
I’ve been deep into working on the second book, which has me going back through a bunch of the older conversations. One that really stood out again was with Steve Goold. Lees meer
If you don’t know, Steve is actually the Steve of Steve’s Donut. He’s also played with Sara Bareilles, Owl City, Mat Kearney, and Scary Pockets, to name a few. But more than the resume, I was reminded how insightful he is. There’s this part where he talks about there being no neutral notes—like, every note carries weight, it’s never just filler. That idea has been rattling around in my head ever since I revisited the chat.
Steve just put out his first release under his own name, a live recording called Solo Improvisations On Drumset, and you can watch the whole thing on YouTube HERE.
STEVE'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Artist – Pearl Jam
Album – Vs.
Release Year – 1993
Key Track – “Go”
Drummer – Dave Abbruzzese
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Artist – Owsley
Album – Owsley
Release Year – 1999
Key Track – “Oh No the Radio”
Drummer – Chris McHugh
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Artist – Jeff Buckley
Album – Grace
Release Year – 1994
Key Track – “Mojo Pin”
Drummer – Matt Johnson
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Artist – Happy Apple
Album – Body Popping – Moon Walking – Top Rocking
Release Year – 2000
Key Track – “Where Does a Stranger Go on Christmas Eve?”
Drummer – Dave King
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Artist – Dogs of Peace
Album – Speak Release
Year – 1996
Key Track – “The Truth”
Drummer – John Hammond
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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…
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The Drum Panel: Every one of my friend's drum sets sounds better than mine.
20 augustus 2025 · 49 min
This Drum Panel episode picks up where we left off with Brendan Buckley (Shakira, Morrissey, Perry Farrell) and Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Mother Feather). If you missed Part 1, you’ll still follow along just fine—but it’s worth a listen. Lees meer
We dive right in with drummer nightmares before moving into bigger conversations about finding your own sound, overcoming roadblocks, and balancing identity as both artist and “brand.”
Inside this episode:
Drummer nightmares on stage – including Brendan’s Shakira story that started as a trio
Bad advice worth ignoring – why “you need to play everything” isn’t always the path
Finding your own voice – doubling down on what makes you unique instead of being a jack of all trades
Hi-hat obsession – tone, touch, and why small changes shift the whole vibe
Roadblocks and breakthroughs – Gunnar’s kick pedal “yips” and Brendan’s double bass practice insights
Kit setups and identity – how your drum layout shapes your playing more than you think
Brand vs. authenticity – do drummers really need to market themselves, or is being great enough?
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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.
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The Drum Panel: Your electrician is my favorite drummer
13 augustus 2025 · 54 min
This Drum Panel brings together Brendan Buckley—drummer for Shakira, Perry Farrell, Morrissey, and more—and one of my closest friends, Gunnar Olsen of Puscifer, Mother Feather, Big Data, and ME to chat about... Lees meer
...the difference between what works in the practice room and what works in an arena, charting versus memorizing, and how to respect the composition before making it your own. Brendan breaks down the “Shakira machine” and why clarity and projection beat busy parts when you’re playing to the back row.
We also cover deep-dive listening versus casting a wide net, Bowie’s Berlin era, and the time Brendan’s electrician turned out to be one of my favorite drummers—and his too. It’s equal parts practical advice, music history, and great road stories from working drummers.
Inside this episode
Arena truth: kick, snare, crashes beat ghost-note soup
The DW stainless kit that keeps coming back on tour
Shakira’s camp, subs, and how Brendan plans for “what if”
Learning 30 songs fast: charts, anchors, and staying calm
Deep-dive listening vs playlists, plus Bowie and Prince talk
The Alan Myers story and why “mic-friendly” drums matter
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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.
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The Drum Panel: What do you mean you like what I do?
6 augustus 2025 · 46 min
Welcome back to The Drum Panel! Lees meer
Featuring: Ben Hilzinger (me!), Joe Lana Jr. (@thecowboydrummer), and Eric Urrea (Marina City)
Inside this episode:
Why Creators Struggle to Accept Compliments
The Trap of Overthinking Content Creation
Balancing Comedy, Drumming, and Self-Worth Online
When Do You Feel Like a Drummer vs. an Impostor?
The Subtle Art of Playing Soft and Why Grip Debates Are Overrated
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Cain Daniel (Jesus Molina) breaks down the five records that influenced his playing
30 juli 2025 · 30 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. I’m Ben Hilzinger, and this is another installment of Big Fat Five—where I ask my favorite drummers (and, honestly, just favorite people) to break down the five records that shaped how they approach the instrument. Lees meer
Today’s guest is Cain Daniel. You might’ve caught him on a recent episode of The Drum Panel, but this time he’s here for the Big Fat Five treatment.
I first saw Cain play with Jesus Molina, and his creativity, clarity, and confidence behind the kit instantly stood out in the sea of drum videos I scroll through every day. He’s an LA-based drummer, a Berklee College of Music grad, and in recent years he’s played with Chappell Roan, Derek Hough, Engelbert Humperdinck, and plenty more.
So let’s get into the five records that helped shape Cain Daniel into the drummer he is today. And while this isn’t a Drum Panel episode, we still take a few fun side quests along the way.
CAIN'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Dave Weckl
Album - Master Plan
Release Year - 1990
Drummer - Dave Weckl
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Artist - Dave Matthews Band
Album - Busted Stuff
Release Year - 2002
Key Track - "Grey Street"
Drummer - Carter Beauford
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Artist - Tigran Hamasyan
Album - Mockroot
Release Year - 2015
Drummer - Arthur Hnatek
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Artist Rufus & Chaka Khan
Album - Stompin’ at the Savoy
Release Year - 1983
Drummer John "JR" Robinson
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Artist - Tower of Power
Album - Back to Oakland
Release Year - 1974
Key Track(s) - "Don’t Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)"
Drummer - David Garibaldi
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Artist - Avishai Cohen
Album - Gently Disturbed
Release Year - 2008
Drummer - Mark Guiliana
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Artist - Dirty Loops
Album - Loopified
Release Year - 2014
Drummer - Aron Mellergard
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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 worl…
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The Drum Panel: You’re totally not a mound of dirt
23 juli 2025 · 1 uur 2 min
Ben (me..hi!), Mark Stepro (The Wallflowers) and Eric Urrea (Marina City) talk about the gear that go away... Lees meer
Our favorite BAD recordings
How to stay in love with drumming when it’s also your job
When to say yes to a gig—and when to walk away
Should you charge for prep time? And how much is your time actually worth?
Why some “Instagram drummers” aren’t your competition—and that’s fine
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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.
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Big Fat Five: Marcus Finnie (Drummer/Composer/Educator) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
16 juli 2025 · 48 min
This week’s installment of Big Fat Five features Marcus Finnie…a proud Memphis native now based in Nashville and he’s one of the most respected session drummers and educators around. His credits span genres and include icons such as Donna Summer, Billy Preston, Larry Carlton, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Lady A, and many more. He’s also played on multiple grammy winning and grammy nominated records. Lees meer
I recently went down a rabbit hole watching his clinics and he was too insightful and talented NOT have on the show. So here we go. I hope you enjoy the records that helped shape Marcus Finnie into the impactful musician 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.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
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The Drum Panel: Gunnar Sounds Great!
9 juli 2025 · 40 min
In this PART 2 episode of The Drum Panel, I’m yet again joined by drummers Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Big Data) and Eric Urrea (Marina City) for a deep dive into the internal lives of drummers — the anxiety, the self-doubt, the flow states, and the fears we rarely talk about. Lees meer
Today we discuss:
The adrenaline of live shows
How we learn songs
Reoccurring drummer nightmares
The power of simple praise
Content creation as practice
Drummer swap fantasies
The burden drummers carry
Looking ahead for The Drum Panel
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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.
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The Drum Panel: Debby Boone Pat Pat
2 juli 2025 · 54 min
In this episode, The Drum Panel returns with ME (Ben Hilzinger), alongside my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City), Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Bruce Springsteen, Mother Feather) for a roundtable discussion on all things drum. Lees meer
Today we discuss:
How Gunnar personalizes drum parts for legacy bands like Eve 6 while still respecting the original recordings
The balance between improvisation and replication—what “respecting the instrument” really means
Dream gear: Lars Ulrich’s ...And Justice for All Tama kit and Herb Alexander’s wild setup from “My Name Is Mud”
Behind the scenes of the Primus / Puscifer / A Perfect Circle tour and being at the center of major drum world headlines
Josh Freese’s quiet exit from Foo Fighters mid-tour and what Gunnar learned from watching him handle it with grace and intensity
The surreal story of getting the call to play on a Bruce Springsteen record
How much creative freedom Gunnar gets with Puscifer and how each tour takes on its own sonic identity
Navigating feedback in the studio vs. live gigs—and why the context always matters
Gunnar’s candid reflection after a rough wedding gig and how it reignited his desire to practice
Blending live drums with electronic stems: what Gunnar calls the “hip-hop show” approach
The mysterious phenomenon of “next day clarity” when learning new songs and why the brain needs rest
Overcoming overthinking, performance anxiety, and “the yips”—and the importance of showing yourself grace
Why not playing for a while might be the best practice you didn’t know you needed
'My Name Is Mud' Video - DRUM PICS
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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 …
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The Drum Panel: The Schelp is Real...I'm Happy?
25 juni 2025 · 55 min
In this episode, The Drum Panel returns with ME (Ben Hilzinger), alongside my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City), Cain Daniel (Jesus Molina, Derek Hough) for a roundtable discussion on all things drum. Lees meer
Today we discuss:
How we get out of a creative rut
Redefining success — how your goals change as you grow
Self-work — therapy, breathwork, and staying sane on the road
Live performance as meditation — the balance between awareness and letting go
Gear stories that hurt
Pushing back on bad adviceIf your younger self saw you now… — the reality vs. the fantasy
Insurance tips every musician should know (seriously)
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Drum Panel: Taste Is Fake, but My Feelings Are Real
18 juni 2025 · 44 min
In this episode, The Drum Panel returns with ME (Ben Hilzinger), alongside my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City), Max Flanders (Lukas Nelson), and Dean Sinclair (Capital Soirée, Worry Club, Ostin) for a roundtable on the ever-fragile topic of taste. Lees meer
Today we discuss:
How to handle unsolicited feedback without spiraling into existential dread
The delicate balance between self-expression and being hireable
Whether “good taste” is something you're born with—or can develop
That awkward moment when a producer tells you to “play something you’re already playing”
Learning to interpret non-drummer feedback without losing your mind
The anxiety of showing people your work… and how to move past it
Whether your teenage influences are a crutch… or your secret weapon
Developing your own voice in a world full of technically perfect drummers—and incoming AI
Overcoming “red light syndrome” in the studio and learning to groove under pressure
This one is for anyone who's ever questioned their taste, their technique, or their place in the industry. It’s funny, raw, and packed with perspective.
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Big Fat Five: Ari Hoenig (Drummer / Educator) Shares His Most Influential Records
11 juni 2025 · 31 min
My guest today is Ari Hoenig — drummer, composer, educator, and all-around wizard behind the kit. Ari is known for his melodic, almost vocal approach to the drums, especially his ability to bend pitch and bring out distinct note choices on the instrument in a way that sounds nearly impossible. He’s collaborated with artists like Chris Potter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joshua Redman, and many others, but it’s his own solo work that really puts a spotlight on his creative spirit. Lees meer
In this episode, Ari walks through five records that helped shape his unique voice — from the expressive swing of Papa Jo Jones to the unconventional phrasing of Thelonious Monk. We also dive into Ari’s early classical roots, why Keith Jarrett changed his musical DNA, and how he began developing his signature melodic drumming approach.
Hope you enjoy the five records that shaped Ari Hoenig into the deeply expressive and fiercely original musician he is today.
Join Ari's Patreon HERE
ARI'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist – Keith JarrettAlbum – BelongingRelease Year – 1974Key Track – "Spiral Dance"Drummer – Jon Christensen
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Artist – Jo JonesAlbum – The Jo Jones Trio: The Everest YearsRelease Year – 1959Key Track – "Philadelphia Bound"Drummer – Jo Jones
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Artist – Kenny GarrettAlbum – TrilogyRelease Year – 1995Key Track – "Wayne's Thing"Drummer – Brian Blade
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Artist – Miles DavisAlbum – NefertitiRelease Year – 1968Key Track – "Nefertiti"Drummer – Tony Williams
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Artist – Thelonious MonkAlbum – Monk's DreamRelease Year – 1963Key Track – "Monk's Dream"Drummer – Frankie Dunlop
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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…
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Big Fat Five: Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin & Wood) Shares His Most Influential Records
4 juni 2025 · 54 min
This week’s guest is Billy Martin ... a world-renowned drummer, educator, visual artist, producer, and author. He has collaborated with some of the best, including (but certainly not limited to) John Scofield, John Zorn, Iggy Pop, Natalie Merchant, Flea and many more. Still, many people know him best for his work with Medeski, Martin & Wood, alongside John Medeski and Chris Wood. If you enjoy this episode, please go check out Billy’s interview with Mike Dawson on the Drum Candy podcast titled “Improvising and Cultivating a Creative Mindset”. Lees meer
I recently re-watched his anti-instructional film, Life on Drums, and I can’t recommend it enough. It's essentially a series of conversations between Martin and his first drum teacher, Allen Herman. These discussions delve into topics such as soloing, time, tone, phrasing, free playing, and so much more. Interspersed throughout are some pretty rad solo and duet performances…all filmed with a cinematic aesthetic. So check that out if that interests you.
Right off the bat, we dive into the topic of soloing — something Billy encourages all drummers to do first thing when they sit behind the kit (even if just for five minutes), before jumping into the records that shaped him into the remarkable musician he is today.
BILLY'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Peter ToshAlbum - Legalize ItRelease Year - 1976Key Track - "Legalize it"Drummer - Carlton "Santa" Davis, Carlton Barrett
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Artist - Stevie WonderAlbum - Talking BookRelease Year - 1972Key Track - "Superstition"Drummer - Stevie Wonder
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Artist - Dr. JohnAlbum - Gris GrisRelease Year - 1968Key Track - "Mama Roux"Drummer - John Boudreaux
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Artist - John ColtraneAlbum - Interstellar SpaceRelease Year - 1974Key Track - "Jupiter Variation"Drummer - Rashied Ali
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Artist - Charles MingusAlbum - Mingus Ah UmRelease Year - 1959Key Track - "Better Git It In Your Soul"Drummer - Dannie Richmond
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Artist - Lil' KimAlbum - Hard CoreRelease Year - 1996Key Track - "Queen Bitch"
Artist - Wu-…
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The Drum Panel: Pocket, Pep Talks & Paris Regrets
28 mei 2025 · 49 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. Lees meer
In this part two episode, I continue my deep-dive chat with co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City) — picking up right where last week’s marathon conversation left off.
Today we discuss:
The most useful failures musicians face (and how to reframe them)
Why “pocket” means something different on every gig
Learning to own your voice — whether as a hired gun or band member
How to stay mentally and physically sane while on the road
Why doing non-music things on tour actually fuels your art
We open up about imposter syndrome, ADHD, burnout, and what it really takes to balance creativity with professionalism.
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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.
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The Drum Panel: Master Rights, Mid-Gig Panic, and the Myth of “Making It”
21 mei 2025 · 44 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. Lees meer
In this episode of The Drum Panel, I’m joined by my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City) for a laid-back but honest conversation about drumming, the music industry, self-worth, and everything in between.
We had originally planned to bring on a guest, but when that fell through, we decided to just catch up and hit record—which, honestly, ended up being exactly what we needed.
Today we discuss:
A belief we both held about drumming early on that we’ve since let go of.
Why learning kick drum patterns is my first step when tackling new material.
The very real anxiety of walking into a new gig and playing in front of a band for the first time.
Our approach to charting vs. memorizing—and why it changes depending on the situation.
Whether drummers deserve songwriting credit and how we navigate that conversation.
The difference between publishing and master rights, and what every drummer should understand about the business.
Our evolving definitions of “making it” as working musicians.
How our instruments can feel like both a source of pride and frustration—and how that ties into self-worth.
The constant push-pull between confidence and impostor syndrome, and how we deal with it.
If you’re navigating your own creative path, juggling multiple projects, or just trying to stay inspired through the ups and downs, I think this episode will hit home.
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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…
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The Drum Panel: Trash Can Lids, Technique Traps, and Amateur Traits
14 mei 2025 · 38 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. In this episode of The Drum Panel, host Ben Hilzinger is joined by Sterling Laws and Fred Eltringham for an insightful roundtable on all things DRUM. Lees meer
Meet the Panelists:
Sterling Laws: Grammy-nominated drummer from the Pacific Northwest, now based in Los Angeles, known for collaborations with Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Gordon, and more.
Fred Eltringham: Nashville-based drummer, a mainstay with Sheryl Crow since 2012, with credits including The Wallflowers, The Chicks, and kd lang.
In today's episode, we discuss:
Dream pieces of gear from music history.
Albums they wish they could have witnessed being recorded.
Balancing technique and groove, and the idea that overemphasis on technique might mask a lack of feel.
Essential, budget-friendly gear they rely on.
Personal experiences of re-evaluating their approach to the drum set.
Common drumming advice they find questionable, such as rigid techniques or creative limitations imposed by producers.
Trends in drumming they're eager to see fade.
Identifying traits that distinguish amateur drummers in live settings, like cymbal choices and hi-hat control.
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Big Fat Five: David Garibaldi (Tower of Power) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
7 mei 2025 · 40 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming…a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. Lees meer
I’m back with another installed of Big Fat Five — a segment of the podcast where we dive into the five records that shaped the way great drummers approach their craft.
My name is Ben Hilzinger and today’s guest is someone whose playing and educational work has impacted me personally in a big way. David Garibaldi is not only the legendary drummer of Tower of Power, but his book Future Sounds has been one of my go-to practice tools ever since my good friend Sarab Singh first turned me onto it. In this conversation, David shares the five records that shaped his unmistakable sound and approach to rhythm. I’m so honored to have him on — let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my chat with David Garibaldi. 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.
DAVID'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Count Basie
Album - Breakfast Dance and Barbeque
Release Year - 1959
Drummer - Sonny Payne
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Artist - Sly & The Family Stone
Album - Whole New Thing
Release Year - 1967
Key Track(s) "Underdog," "If This Room Could Talk"
Drummer - Greg Errico
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Artist - Aretha Franklin
Album - Aretha Live @ The Fillmore West
Release Year - 1971
Drummer - Bernard Purdie
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Artist - The Meters
Album - Look-Ka Py Py
Release Year - 1969
Key Track(s) "Looka-Py-Py," "Rigor Mortis"
Drummer - Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste
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Artist - James Brown
Single - "I Got The Feelin'"
Release Year - 1968
Drummer - Clyde Stubblefield
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Artist - Mac…
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Big Fat Five: Jacopo Volpe (Post Malone, Salmo, Damiano David) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
30 april 2025 · 24 min
We’re back with another installment of the Big Fat Five—where I invite on a drummer that inspires me to break down the five records that shaped their voice behind the kit. Lees meer
My name is Ben Hilzinger and today’s guest is Jacopo Volpe. Born and raised in Italy, Jaco has played with Vanilla Sky, Post Malone, Damiano David, The Bloody Beetroots, Salmo, Portugal. The Man, and a bunch more. He’s got power, chops, groove, and the kind of confidence that only comes from playing on the biggest stages in the world.
I’ll let Jaco tell you more about his journey, but for now, let’s dive into the five records that helped shape who he is behind the kit. 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.
JACO'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Elton John
Album - Night and Day Concert - Live at Wembley
Release Year - 1984
Key Track(s) - "Crocodile Rock;" "I’m Still Standing"
Drummer - Nigel Olsson
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Artist - Toto
Album - Toto Live in Paris
Release Year - 1990
Key Track(s) - "Rosanna." "Hold The Line"
Drummer - Jeff Porcaro
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Artist - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Album - Live from Austin, Texas
Release Year - 1995/1997
Key Track(s) - "Texas Flood," "Cold Shot"
Drummer - Chris Layton
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Artist - Blink-182
Album - The Mark Tom and Travis show
Release Year - 2000
Key Track(s) - "Dumpweed," "Don’t Leave Me," "Mutt"
Drummer - Travis Barker
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Artist - Foo Fighters
Album - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Release Year - 2007
Key Track - "The Pretender"
Drummer - Taylor Hawkins
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, …
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The Drum Panel: From Garibaldi to Game Show
23 april 2025 · 52 min
Welcome back to The Drum Panel—a roundtable-style discussion on all things drums. Lees meer
This week, I’m joined—as almost always—by my co-host Eric Urrea, and today’s special guest is Jeremy Taggart: longtime drummer for Our Lady Peace and co-host of the Taggart and Torrens podcast, where he blends his love of music, comedy, and all things Canadian. At the end of the day, we’re just good buddies—and those are the kinds of people I like to have on The Drum Panel.
This episode kicks off in the middle of a little rant I was having about a recent encounter with David Garibaldi… which, if you stick around long enough, you just might hear for yourself. Let’s hop in. Cheers.
In this episode, we discuss:
Jeremy’s dream piece of music memorabilia
The records he wishes he could’ve been a fly on the wall for
Making peace with not keeping every skill sharp—and choosing what to let slide to serve your personal sound
Singing while drumming
A round of Word Association
And of course…Trivia!
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Big Fat Five: Sam Cohen (Glitter Party) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
16 april 2025 · 41 min
What is up!? We’re back with another installment of Big Fat Five, where I invite on drummers who’ve inspired me to break down the five records that helped shape their unique voice behind the kit. Lees meer
This week’s guest is Sam Cohen—a Canadian drummer who, much like Marco Kleebauer a few weeks back, popped up on my Explore Page and instantly caught my ear.
Sam also makes music under the name Glitter Party—a solo pop project he writes, records, and mixes entirely in his home studio up in Toronto. It’s raw, nostalgic, catchy, and perfectly saturated—DIY in the best sense of the word.
He does a great job of setting up his backstory and artistic approach right at the top of our chat, so I’ll shut up—for now.
Hope you enjoy the five records that shaped Sam Cohen into the musician he is today. Cheers!
Check out all of Sam's links HERE
SAM'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Amy Whinehouse
Album - Back to Black
Release Year - 2006
Key Track - "He Can Only Hold Her"
Drummer - Homer Steinweiss
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Artist - James Brown
Album - Star Time
Release Year - 1991
Key Track - "I Got The Feelin'"
Drummer - Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo starks, Melvin Parker
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Artist - Al Green
Album - Lets Stay Together
Release Year - 1972
Key Track - "Lets Stay Together"
Drummer - Al Jackson Jr
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Artist - The Band
Album - Music from Big Pink
Release Year - 1968
Key Track - "The Weight"
Drummer - Levon Helm
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Artist - John Coltrane
Album - Giants Steps (mono)
Release Year - 1960
Key Track - "Countdown"
Drummer - Art Taylor---
Get Your Copy of the my book Drummers on Drumming 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 th…
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The 5 Pillars of Drumming
9 april 2025 · 50 min
What is up?! Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming — a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. My name is Ben Hilzinger, and today’s episode is a little different. Lees meer
A few months ago, I was sent a book by drummer and educator Mark Feldman — founder of Bang! The Drum School. The book is called Drumming Decoded: The Secret Code to Quickly Go From Newbie to Confident Drummer. It’s a relatively quick read at around 180 pages, but it’s surprisingly comprehensive.
Now, I usually try to steer clear of too much “insider baseball” on this podcast because I want everyone to feel part of the conversation. That said, I also realized I haven’t really addressed beginner drummers directly in a lot of my content.
So I brought Mark on not only to promote his book (which I do recommend — link’s in the show notes), but also to have a conversation about building a solid foundation from day one. And while this book and convo are definitely geared toward novice drummers, there are a ton of takeaways that can help any drummer — no matter where you're at in your journey.
So, whether you’re just picking up sticks for the first time or you're revisiting the fundamentals, I hope you dig this episode. Even if you think you’ve heard it all before... you might just grow a little more.
Here’s to the beginners — keep going. You got this!
Check out Bang! The Drum School HERE
Snag your copy of Drumming Decoded HERE
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ALSO...Get Your Copy of the my book Drummers on Drumming 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…
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The Drum Panel: What IS Rock?, Social Anxiety & "Networking" as a Drummer
2 april 2025 · 51 min
Episode 13 of The Drum Panel Lees meer
Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM.
For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special returning guest, Mike Robinson.
Today we discuss:
What the hell does it mean to be "rock"?
Dealing with social anxiety and imposter syndrome while trying to network for your career.
Why the word "networking" is gross
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Big Fat Five: Marco Kleebauer (Drummer/Producer) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
26 maart 2025 · 55 min
This is another installment of Big Fat Five, a segment where I ask some of my favorite drummers to break down five records that had a major impact on their approach to music. Lees meer
This week, I’m joined by Marco Kleebauer—an Austrian drummer and producer who very recently popped up on my Instagram Explore page… and instantly peaked my interest. His drumming is minimalist yet experimental, and his analog-leaning recording approach is exactly the direction I want to explore with my own sound. This is just another reason I love doing this podcast—I get to discover someone new, connect with them, and then bring them to your attention, too!
Go check out his website HERE where you can purchase his original music, grab some drum break packs, and explore playlists featuring artists he’s either collaborated with or who’ve used his drum breaks in their own music. And some exciting news… Marco is releasing a book called Notes on Drum Recording by the end of this year. It’s all about how to record drums in a small, less-than-ideal room—which, let’s be honest, is the reality for most of us (myself included). So be sure to follow him on Instagram—not only for a bunch of reasons you’ll soon discover, but also to stay updated on the book’s release.
Marco dives into his backstory right at the top of our chat, so I’ll get out of the way. But I implore you to listen to the entire episode—he sprinkles some very tasty nuggets throughout.
Alright, here are the five records that helped shape Marco Kleebauer into the highly sought-after producer and drummer he is today. Cheers!
Check out his website HERE
Follow him on Instagram HEREMARCO'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - The Beatles
Album - Revolver
Release Year - 1966
Key Track - "Tomorrow Never Knows"
Drummer - Ringo Starr
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Artist - Led Zeppelin
Album - Led Zeppelin 1
Release Year - 1969
Key Track - "Good Times Bad Times"
Drummer - John Bonham
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Artist - Jimi Hendrix
Album - Are You Experienced
Release Year - 1967
Key Track - "Fire"
Drummer -… -
Big Fat Five: Dee Simone (Doechii, Alison Wonderland, Madame Gandhi) Shares Her top 5 Influential Records
19 maart 2025 · 45 min
This is another installment of Big Fat Five, a segment where I ask some of my favorite drummers to break down five records that had a major impact on their approach to music. Lees meer
Today, I’m joined by Dee Simone, a Bay Area-raised dummer currently based in Los Angeles. She’s funky, powerful, dynamic, and incredibly versatile behind the kit.
I have to give credit where it’s due—this interview wouldn’t have happened without Bill Burr. I was listening to his podcast when he gave a glowing review of Doechii’s recent Tiny Desk Concert for NPR, specifically shouting out Dee’s playing. For those who don’t know, Bill is a fantastic drummer himself, so that endorsement sent me down a rabbit hole of Dee's performances. Obviously, I have zero regrets.
Dee has shared the stage with an impressive list of artists, including Doechii, Alison Wonderland, and Madame Ghandi to name a few. She’s done a lot, yet she remains humble and hungry, and this was a really fun conversation.
Read Dee's Shoutout LA Feature HERE
DEE'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - John P. Kee
Album - The New Life Community Choir feat. John P. Kee Not Guilty - The Experience
Release Year - 2000
Key Track - “Rain On Us,” "Right Here,” “I Do Worship”
Drummer - Calvin Rodgers
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Artist - The Roots
Album - Things Fall Apart
Release Year - 1999
Key Track - “The Next Movement,” “Act Too (The Love Of My Life,” “You Got Me”
Drummer - Questlove
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Artist - Kim Burrell
Album - Live In Concert
Release Year - 2001
Key Track - “I’ll Keep Holding On,” “Holy Ghost,” “Anything”
Drummer - Calvin Rodgers & Robert “Sput” Searight
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Artist - Beyoncé
Album - HOMECOMING: THE LIVE ALBUM
Release Year - 2019
Key Track(s) - “Life Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” “Sorry,” “Bow Down,” “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)”
Drummer - Venzella Joy Williams
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Artist - Thundercat
Album - Apocalypse
Release Year - 2013
Key Track - “Lotus and the Jondy,” “Heartbreaks + Setbacks,” “Without You”
Drummer - Thomas Pridgen
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The Drum Panel: Self-Promotion, Authenticity in Pop Gigs, and the Double Pedal Dilemma
13 maart 2025 · 41 min
Episode 12 of The Drum Panel Lees meer
Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM.
Today, we've got two fantastic guests joining the conversation:
First up is Eric Leiderman. Eric is a producer at Late Night with Seth Meyers, where for years he oversaw the rotating drummer chair—regularly bringing in incredible drummers to fill in with the 8G Band when bandleader Fred Armisen couldn't be there. Eric’s done a ton to elevate the drumming community, and we’re stoked to have him on.
We're also joined by Neal Daniels, an amazing drummer who's worked with artists like Liz Phair, LP, and Matchbox Twenty. Neal always brings thoughtful perspectives to the panel, and we’re excited to have him back.
Today we discuss:
How can drummers authentically promote themselves online without feeling fake?
How do we maintain our artistic voice while making a living playing pop gigs?
Is recording yourself the key to growth?
Should every drummer learn double pedal?
How can drummers practice self-compassion?
Which historic recording session would you have loved to witness?
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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.
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Big Fat Five: Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
5 maart 2025 · 46 min
This week’s guest is Fred Eltringham! If you listened to our recent episode with Sterling Laws, you heard Fred get a lot of love as one of Sterling’s five picks—so it was an honor to finally have him on the show himself.
And I gotta say…his voice is so soothing and calm. Puts mine to shame.
Fred has been playing with Sheryl Crow since 2012, but his résumé also includes The Wallflowers, The Chicks, kd lang, Willie Nelson, Gigolo Aunts, Juliana Hatfield, Ben Kweller, and plenty more. He’s a steady, calm ship at sea behind the kit, and it seems like songwriters line up around the block to work with him.
In addition to his international touring with Sheryl, you can catch him on Instagram whenever he’s doing something cool in Nashville—especially with Jules Belmont, as part of their tasty little instrumental group.
So, please enjoy my chat with Fred Eltringham about the five records that shaped him into the musician he is today.
As promised…CLICK HERE for Fred’s current play-along playlist…
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. Lees meerFRED'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Led Zeppelin
Album - Led Zeppelin I
Release Year - 1969
Key Track(s) - "Good Times, Bad Times," "Dazed and Confused"
Drummer - John Bonham
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Artist - The Beatles
Album - Abbey Road
Release Year - 1970
Key Track(s) - "Come Together," "You Never Give Me Your Money," "Polythene Pam," "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window," "Golden Slumbers," "Carry That Weight," "The End"
Drummer - Ringo Starr
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Artist - Squeeze
Album - Singles
Release Year - 1989
Key… -
Records That Define the 70's Drum Sound
26 februari 2025 · 52 min
This week’s episode is going to be a little different. I’m starting a new, perhaps self-indulgent series where I pose a question on the Big Fat Snare Drum Instagram and make an episode out of your responses. Maybe it’ll stick. Who knows?…but these are the conversations I have with my musician friends anyways, so now I’m just pushing record. The first question posed was “which records helped define the 70’s drum sound?”. We got A LOT of responses and opinions were certainly shared (THANK YOU!) Ihad to shave a 5,000 hour playlist down to a handful of songs. Then, I called up my good buddy and amazing drummer, Jake Reed, to chat with me about his views on 70’s recording techniques and listen to the songs with me. Please 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, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
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Big Fat Five: Chris "Woody" Wood (Bastille) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
19 februari 2025 · 50 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, the podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This is another segment of Big Fat Five, where I invite my favorite drummers to break down the five records that shaped their approach to the instrument.
Today, I’m joined by my friend Chris “Woody” Wood, drummer for the internationally loved band, Bastille. Since exploding onto the scene with Bad Blood in 2013, Bastille has become a staple of modern alt-pop—balancing sweeping, atmospheric moments with massive sing-along choruses. Lees meerWoody’s playing is a perfect example of how space, groove, and feel can elevate a song without ever getting in the way—something especially crucial in an arena-sized band like Bastille. But make no mistake, he still finds his moments, keeping his playing fresh, musical, and relevant for well over a decade.
Beyond the kit, Woody is just a hilarious and thoughtful dude. He even co-hosts his own podcast, Away Days w/ Woody and Piers, a comedic deep dive into the world of away football fandom. We get into all of that and more—while uncovering the five records that shaped him 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.
CHRIS' BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Album - Californication
Release Year - 1999
Key Track - "Scar Tissue"
Drummer - Chad Smith
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Artist - Queens Of The Stone Age
Album - Songs For The Deaf
Release Year - 2002
Key Track(s) - "Hangin' Tree," "Millionaire"
Drummer - Dave Grohl
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Artist - Smashing Pumpkins
Album - Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness… -
The Drum Panel: Mental Health > Paradiddles, Signature Sticks and Dream Lessons
12 februari 2025 · 51 min
Episode 11 of The Drum Panel
Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM.
For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Britt Bowman (Demi Lovato, KiNG Mala, Meg Myers, Royal and the Serpent, Toni Cornell).
Today we discuss: Lees meerWhat’s the one piece of gear you’ve held onto the longest—and why?
Are signature drumsticks a genuine advantage or just a marketing ploy?
If you only had one hour per week to practice, how would you maximize your progress?
Is it more beneficial for your creativity to immerse yourself in one album for a full week or explore a new record every day?
Why every drummer needs a creative outlet outside of their career.
How mental health directly impacts your drumming—and what to do about it.
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Big Fat Five: Ian Matthews (Kasabian) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
5 februari 2025 · 45 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, the podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This is another segment of Big Fat Five, where I invite my favorite drummers to break down the five records that shaped their approach to the instrument. Lees meer
Today, I’m joined by Ian Matthews, drummer for the "future rock" band Kasabian—a group that, like many of the greats, enjoys massive success outside the U.S. while somehow remaining criminally underrated stateside. With eight studio albums and a reputation for explosive, anthemic live shows, Kasabian has been shaping the sound of modern rock for decades. And at the heart of it all? Ian Matthews—the powerhouse engine behind their dynamic and electrifying sound.
We cover a lot in this conversation—stuff that will help any drummer level up their playing and presence on the kit. I also want to mention something special: If you've listened to The Drum Panel recently, you know I’ve talked about a certain project from November 2024 that I was really stoked about. Well, Ian was one of my main inspirations for those sessions.
This one meant a lot. Enjoy the five records that shaped Ian Matthews 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.
IAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Buddy Rich
Album - Live At Ronnie Scott’s
Release Year - 1972
Key Track - "Time Being"
Drummer - Buddy Rich
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Artist - Leo Sayer
Album - Endless Flight
Release Year - 1976
Key Track - "When I Need You"
Drummer - Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, Rick Shlosser, Nigel Olsson, Ed Greene,
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Ar…
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Big Fat Five: Jason Gerken (Shiner, Hum, Molly McGuire) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
29 januari 2025 · 35 min
Today, we’ve got another segment of the podcast called Big Fat Five. This is where I invite my favorite drummers on the show to break down the five records that helped shape their approach to the instrument.
Our guest today is Jason Gerken, a Kansas City-based drummer known for his work with Molly McGuire, Shiner, Open Hand, Project 86, and most recently, Hum. After our episode with Jared Shavelson a few weeks ago, I got a flood of DMs from people thanking me for introducing them to Jason’s drumming on The Egg by Shiner. I knew I had to get him on ASAP. Jason’s drumming carries so much weight—in every sense of the word. I know a lot of my friends were especially looking forward to this one, so here you go. I hope you all enjoy the five records that shaped Jason Gerken 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. Lees meerJASON'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Chicago
Album - IX
Release Year - 1975
Key Track - Beginnings
Drummer - Danny Seraphine
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Artist - Rush
Album - Moving Pictures
Release Year - 1981
Key Track - Red Barchetta
Drummer - Neil Peart
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Artist - Jimi Hendrix Experience
Album - Essentials 1&2
Release Year - 1967
Key Track(s) - "If 6 Was 9" and other B-sides
Drummer - Mitch Mitchell
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Artist - Yes
Album - Fragile
Release Year - 1971
Key Track - Heart of the Sunrise
Drummer - Bill Bruford
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Artist - Government Issue
Album - You/Crash
Release Year - 1987
Key Track - Jaded Eyes
Drummer - Peter Moffett
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Artist - Bitch Magnet
Album - Umber
Release Year - 1989
Key Track - N… -
The Drum Panel: Defining Success, Underrated Drummers, and the Gear We Love (That’s Not a Drum)
22 januari 2025 · 44 min
Episode 10 of The Drum Panel
Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM.
For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Jessica Burdeaux (Covet, City Mouth, Host of Reverb.com's "What's That Sound?" series on YouTube).
Today we discuss: Lees meerHow do we get into the mindset of authentically emulating grooves?
Thinking like a producer: Approaching drumming with overdubbing and auxiliary percussion in mind.
What’s a style of music you feel you should know more about?
How do you decide when to cut yourself off from outside influences?
What’s your favorite piece of music gear that isn’t a drum or cymbal?
If you could play one iconic groove perfectly, what would it be?
Who are some drummers you think are underrated right now?
How do you currently define success as a drummer?
Are koalas marsupials?
As promised...
Josh Freese
Jason Gerken
Casey Deitz
Valerie Franco
Ulf Mickael Wahlgren
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Big Fat Five: Jared Shavelson (Joyce Manor, Seal, Mariachi el Bronx, Ways Away, The Hope Conspiracy, Boysetsfire, Paint It Black, Chuck Ragan)
15 januari 2025 · 38 min
Today, we’ve got another segment of the podcast called Big Fat Five. This is where I invite my favorite drummers on the show to break down the five records that helped shape their approach to the instrument. This format also inspired my book, Drummers on Drumming, which is available now as a paperback or ebook on Amazon.
Today’s guest is Jared Shavelson. I met Jared through a mutual buddy and Big Fat Five alum, Mike Robinson. Jared is the real deal. He studied jazz in college but left early to kickstart his career—and it’s safe to say that decision paid off. Over the years, he’s played with Seal, The Bronx, Mariachi El Bronx, Joyce Manor, The Hope Conspiracy, Paint It Black, The Aquabats, and so many others.
I just saw him perform with Mariachi El Bronx on New Year’s Eve, opening for Morrissey at The Palladium. He was playing a cocktail kit, and the Afro-Cuban rhythms he was laying down were absolutely insane—I was completely blown away.
Now, we were supposed to record this a few days ago, but life in LA had other plans. Between the fires and travel chaos, it was hard to pin down a time. Jared ended up flying out of Los Angeles Thursday night, only to get stuck in Atlanta during a snowstorm when his flight was canceled. After being stranded at the airport for 18 hours, he decided to help pass the time by hopping on the mic with me. That’s why the audio in this episode might be a little rough—picture Jared huddled in the corner of a busy terminal while we recorded.
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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. Lees meerJARED'…
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The Drum Panel: 2024's Biggest Wins, Unexpected Lessons, and the Stack Debate
8 januari 2025 · 43 min
Episode 9 of The Drum Panel
Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM.
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: Lees meerWhat was the most game-changing moment in your drumming or musical journey this year?
Which performance, session, or project from this year holds a special place in your heart—and what made it so meaningful?
What’s one surprising thing you discovered about yourself as a musician this year?
Did any piece of gear or tool unexpectedly transform your playing this year? Share your story!
Hot take: Is spending more than $100 on a stack just plain unnecessary?
Time to settle the debate—Is Buddy Rich a legend or just overhyped?
Let’s get it out there: What are some of your biggest drumming pet peeve?
Listen to 500 Anõs by La Armada HERE
Check out Kris' cute little digital recorder 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.
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Excerpts from My Book: Drummers on Drumming, Part 1
25 december 2024 · 34 min
Ok, I promise I won’t be promoting my book forever—but give me at least a few weeks to talk about it (I’m proud of it!). And hey, the sooner you grab a copy, the sooner you’ll stop feeling guilty... and, well, left out.
In this episode, I read a few excerpts from my new book, Drummers on Drumming. You’ll hear stories and song choices from incredible drummers like Jason McGerr, Madden Klass, Jojo Mayer, Noa Kahn, Andrew Marshall, Michael Benjamin Lerner, and Brendan Buckley. These highlights give you a taste of the insights and inspiration you’ll find in the book. I hope you enjoy these glimpses into the creative minds of today's top players.
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Lees meer -
The Drum Panel: Our Guilty Pleasures, Drum Trolls, and the IG Cheating Debate
18 december 2024 · 1 uur 4 min
Episode 8 of The Drum Panel
This week, Eric (@ericsurrea) is back!...alongside our newest bestie George Martinez (@skinnygeorge).
In this episode, we dive into: Lees meerAre ghost notes the modern-day equivalent of skinny jeans—cool now but overdone?
How do you strike the right balance between technical precision and feel in your playing?
Are dynamics the single most important factor in making a drummer sound great?
Why is it so challenging to produce a high-quality drum part on the spot?
Are tambourines and shakers actually more essential than toms?
What are the guilty-pleasure drum songs we secretly love to play but would never admit to?
Is a rubber practice pad less effective than a gel pad or pillow for improving your playing?
Are self-taught drummers at a disadvantage in the long run?
What’s the best way to handle trolls in the drumming community?
Is quantizing your Instagram drum videos considered cheating?
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Drum Panel: Audition Advice, Anecdotes, and Staying Hired—Thriving in the Touring Industry with Elias Mallin & Stacy Jones
11 december 2024 · 1 uur 10 min
Episode 7 of The Drum Panel
This week, we're joined by Stacy Jones (Miley Cyrus, Letters to Cleo, American Hi-Fi) and Elias Mallin (Kesha, Noah Cyrus, Filter)—two seasoned veterans of the touring music industry and influential figures in shaping the competitive LA music scene.
This episode steps away from our usual bullet-point list of hot takes and dives into a bigger-picture conversation about what it really takes to build and sustain a career in live music. We cover everything from technique tips and tuning tricks to staying mentally sharp during performances, audition dos and don’ts, and plenty of honest stories about the ups and downs of auditions and live shows.
Special thanks to Patches Sound for hosting us!
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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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Lees meer -
Big Fat Five: Sterling Laws (NIKI, Natasha Bedingfield, Matt Berninger) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
4 december 2024 · 36 min
Welcome back to Big Fat Five—a segment of Drummers on Drumming brought to you by Big Fat Snare Drum, where I chat with my favorite drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound. I’m your host, Ben Hilzinger, and this week’s guest is the incredible Sterling Laws.
Sterling is a fellow Pacific Northwest native now based in Los Angeles, but more importantly, he’s a Grammy-nominated drummer whose resume is as impressive as it gets. He’s worked with artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Gordon, Chappell Roan, NIKI, Matt Berninger, Liz Phair, The War on Drugs, Linda Perry, Aly & AJ, Lo Moon, Dave Stewart, and many more.
Sterling is out there doing the thing and still manages to bring a unique perspective to the kit while working with such a diverse roster of artists—a quality that’s both rare and inspiring. It’s exactly why I was so excited to talk to him.
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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. Lees meerSTERLING'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - Badmotorfinger
Artist - Soundgarden
Release Year - 1991
Key Track(s) - Rusty Cage, Searching With My Good Eye Closed, Jesus Christ Pose
Drummer - Matt Cameron
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Album - In Rainbows
Artist - Radiohead
Release Year - 2007
Key Track(s) - 15 Steps, Bodysnatchers, Weird Fishes, Reckoner
Drummer - Philip Selway
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Album - Future Self
Artist - The Globes
Release Year - 2011
Key Track(s) Pigeon, Stay Awake, A Stitch Couldn't Save The World
Drummer - Marcus Ourada
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Album - Boxer
Artist - The National
Release Year - 2007
Key Track(s) - Mistaken For Strangers, Brainy, Apartment Story
Drummer … -
Ilan Rubin (Nine Inch Nails, Danny Elfman, Angels & Airwaves): Start Somewhere To Go Somewhere
27 november 2024 · 43 min
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming!
Today, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with a true force in modern drumming—Ilan Rubin. You’ve heard his incredible work behind the kit with artists like Nine Inch Nails, Danny Elfman, Angels & Airwaves, Paramore and so many more. But Ilan is not just an outstanding drummer; he’s also a passionate educator, and his latest project proves just that.
He’s recently released his instructional book, Start Somewhere to Go Somewhere, and trust me, it’s not just another drum method book.
In this episode, we certainly discuss the book, but we dive deep into Ilan’s philosophy on practice and technique in a way that I personally haven’t heard him talk about before … and why he felt compelled to share his unique perspective in an already crowded field of drum education. I have the book and ive been able to spend some more time with it since recording this episode and I can say first hand, it’s worth it. So without further ado…here is my chat with the youngest rock n roll hall of fame inductee, Ilan Rubin.
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Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
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