Episoder
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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:
Are 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. -
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. -
Mangler du episoder?
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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.
STERLING'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 - Bryan Devendorf
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Album - Live From The Ryman And More
Artist - Sheryl Crow
Release Year - 2019
Key Track(s) - A Change Would Do You Good, Everything Is Broken, Maybe Angels, If It Makes You Happy
Drummer - Fred Eltringham
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
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.---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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Episode 6 of The Drum Panel
This week's guests are two of my favorite drummers and people, Sarab Singh (MUNA) and Adam Christgau (Tegan and Sara).
In this episode, we dive into:
What’s the greatest compliment a drummer can get, and does it truly matter?
How do others really describe your playing style—are you sure you'd agree?
Should every drummer dive into jazz, or is it a skill only some truly need?
Has the golden era of iconic bands come to an end, or is it just evolving?
Are music schools churning out technical robots at the cost of creative souls?
Is practicing on pillows with heavy sticks a hidden secret or just a myth?
Are quintuplets and sextuplets essential or a complete waste of practice time?
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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. -
We’ve got another installment of Big Fat Five: a segment where I talk to drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound.
Today’s guest is Lucy Ritter, a New York/New Jersey native who picked up the drums at just 9 years old and was already landing professional gigs by 14. After three years at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, she made the bold decision to leave and join her first major tour: the Broadway musical An Officer and a Gentleman. That gig opened doors, eventually leading to her being offered the drum chair for the Grammy Award-winning musical Jagged Little Pill.
These days, Lucy has stepped away from the Broadway scene and taken on an exciting new role as the drummer for one of today’s fastest-rising pop acts, Chappell Roan. We dig into how she landed that gig and explore the five records that have profoundly influenced her drumming style. This episode has been a long time coming, so let’s dive in. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the incredibly talented Lucy Ritter... 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.
LUCY'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - A Love Supreme
Artist - John Coltrane
Release Year - 1965
Key Track(s) - Pt. II - Resolution & Pt. III - Pursuance
Drummer - Elvin Jones
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Album - Earfood
Artist - Roy Hargrove
Release Year - 2008
Key Track(s) - Strasbourg / St. Denis, The Stinger, Mr.Clean
Drummer - Motez Coleman
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Album - Grow
Artist - Chon
Release Year - 2015
Key Track(s) - But / all of them
Drummer - Nathan Camarena, Brian Evans, Matt Garstka
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Album - Live at Velfarre
Artist - Earth, Wind & Fire
Release Year - 1996
Key Track(s) - In The Stone, September, Let Your Feelings Show, Let’s Groove
Drummer - Sonny Emory
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Album - Take Off Your Pants and Jacket
Artist - Blink-182
Release Year - 2001
Key Track(s) - 3
Drummer - Travis Barker
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Episode 5 of The Drum Panel
This week's guests are my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City / Sessions) and good buddy Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum).
SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE
In this episode, we dive into:
If you could reinvent one aspect of your drumming, what would it be, and why?
What's the one piece of advice you wish you'd known as a young drummer starting out?
How important is style to a drummer’s career—can visuals be as impactful as skill?
What ingredients create a drum tone that stands the test of time?
Have we lost the ability to have a hit song without the use of a click?
With AI's influence growing, what do you think drumming will look like in the near future?
Is the quest for 'perfect' recordings draining the soul out of live music?
Why do so many drummers gravitate toward intricate playing—are we losing the groove?
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Today I’m joined by Jesse Boyle, my good buddy and the drummer for the boundary-pushing band Chase Atlantic. Known for blending genres like alternative, R&B, and electronic music, Jesse’s unique approach drives the pulse behind Chase’s immersive live soundscapes. We’ll dive into the top five influences that shaped his drumming and musical journey and we get into a newer career he’s started…all because he gave himself permission. I think it’s important for everyone to stay tuned through the end of the episode.
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
JESSE'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Album - Reggatta De Blanc
Artist - The Police
Release Year - 1979
Key Track(s) - Message in a Bottle, Walking On the Moon
Drummer - Stewart Copeland
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Album - By The Way
Artist - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Release Year - 2002
Key Track(s) - By the Way, Don’t Forget Me
Drummer - Chad Smith
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Album - Only by the Night
Artist - Kings of Leon
Release Year - 2008
Key Track(s) - Closer, I Want You
Drummer - Nathan Followill
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Album - The Colour and The Shape
Artist - Foo Fighters
Release Year - 1997
Key Track(s) - My Hero, Everlong
Drummer - Dave Grohl / William Goldsmith
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Album - TOTO IV
Artist - TOTO
Release Year - 1982
Key Track(s) - Rosanna
Drummer - Jeff Porcaro
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Hey friends, Ben Hilzinger here. I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you about a pretty exciting shift I’m making with this podcast. After much thought, I’ve decided to change the name of the podcast. Moving forward, it will be known as Drummers on Drumming.
Let me tell you a little about how I got here.
This whole thing started as The Big Fat Snare Drum Podcast, just a fun way to connect with drummers I admire—talking about stories, gear, grooves, and whatever else came up. It was a blast. But after a while, I wanted to dive deeper into the stories that shaped the way drummers think and play. That’s where the Big Fat Five concept came from: drummers sharing the five records or moments that influenced them the most.
The Big Fat Five format really connected with people, and I loved it. But over time, I realized the name was becoming a little limiting. I’ve got so many ideas for other segments—like The Drum Panel, where multiple drummers join me for roundtable discussions—and I didn’t want to feel stuck in one format. I needed a title that gave me space to try new things and keep the podcast fresh.
And honestly, if I want to keep doing this—and growing the show—I need to make sure it’s easy for new listeners to find. Big Fat Five isn’t exactly the most discoverable name if someone’s searching for “drumming podcasts.” So this rebrand to Drummers on Drumming not only reflects the direction I want to take, but it’ll also make the show more findable for people who haven’t discovered it yet.
Now, here’s how the change will happen. Right now, the podcast is still called Big Fat Five, but I wanted to give everyone a heads-up before the switch. One week from today, both the name and the podcast icon will officially change to Drummers on Drumming. So, if you see the new name and artwork in your podcast feed next week, don’t worry—it’s still the same show you know and love, just with a new name and more room to grow.
Oh! And speaking of exciting new things, I’ve been working on a book—also called Drummers on Drumming—and it’s almost ready! The book dives deep into the Big Fat Five concept, with insights from some truly amazing drummers. I’m currently wrapping up the book cover as I record this, and I plan to have it available by Black Friday. So keep an eye out for that—it’ll make a pretty sweet gift for the drummer in your life...or, you know, yourself.
So there you have it—a new chapter for the podcast. It’s the same vibe, the same passion, just with a new name and more freedom to explore new ideas. I can’t wait to bring you along for this next phase.
Thank you so much for listening, supporting, and being part of this journey. I’ll see you next time on Drummers on Drumming.
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Episode 4 of The Drum Panel
This week's guests are my good buddies Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum), and Mark Stepro (The Wallflowers, Butch Walker).
In this episode, we dive into:
If we could steal one drummers’s feel and add it to our own, who would it be?
What is an example of a perfect drum take on record?
What does “pocket” ACTUALLY mean?
What is the role of drummers in songwriting credits?
Does music theory really make one a better musician?
What’s the first thing we notice about a drummer that makes them come across as “amateur”?
Check out Steward Copeland on Drumeo HERE
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Our guest today is one of Berlin’s rising stars in the drumming world, Julian Wieder. At just 25, he’s already making serious moves across the RnB, Hip-Hop, and Indie scene, both on stage and in the studio. I first discovered Julian thanks to the algorithm gods on Big Fat Snare Drum’s Explorer page—and once I saw his playing, I knew I had to get him on the show. His feel is unreal, blending pocket grooves with a sense of freedom that feels completely natural and effortless. Plus, he’s not just a drummer…he’s an educator, and a bit of a clinic master in the making.
In this episode, we’ll dive into the top records that shaped his sound, and he introduced me to a new favorite of mine that I can’t wait for you to hear. So I hope you enjoy the top records that helped shaped Julian Wieder into the drummer he is today.
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
JULIAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Album - The Joy Of Motion
Artist - Animals as Leaders
Release Year - 2014
Key Track(s) - The Woven Web, Tooth and Claw
Drummer - Matt Garstka
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Album - Continuum
Artist - John Mayer
Release Year - 2006
Key Track(s) - Waiting On The World To Change, Gravity
Drummer - Steve Jordan
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Album - Wallflower
Artist - Jordan Rakei
Release Year - 2017
Key Track(s) - Eye To Eye, Sorceress
Drummer - Jim Macrae
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Album - Chris Dave and The Drumhedz
Artist - Chris Dave
Release Year - 2018
Key Track - Whatever
Drummer - Chris Dave
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Album - Past Present and Futures
Artist - Chick Corea
Release Year - 2001
Key Track(s) - Fingerprints, Rhumba Flamenco
Drummer - Jeff Ballard
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Honorable Mentions:
Nas - Illmatic
Ghost Note - Swagism
Yussef Kamaal - Black Focus
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Our guest today is Gabe Smith, the current CEO of Drums for Gracie Abrams Inc. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, now based in New York City, Gabe has also worked with incredible contemporary artists like Wet, Tei Shi, Eden, Frankie Cosmos, Kimbra and many more. Last summer, he opened for Taylor Swift and is about to rejoin that tour after some headline shows with Gracie Abrams. He’s a busy guy! It took some finessing since we’re both on tour, but we made it happen. I loved his picks, and I’m excited for you to hear this one. Please enjoy the top 5 records that shaped Gabe Smith into the sought-after, hardworking musician he is today. Cheers!
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
GABE'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - Abbey Road
Artist - The Beatles
Release Year - 1969
Key Track - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
Drummer - Ringo
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Album - Songs In The Key of Life
Artist - Stevie Wonder
Release Year - 1976
Key Track - Knocks Me Off My Feet
Drummer - Stevie Wonder
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Album - When The Pawn...
Artist - Fiona Apple
Release Year - 1999
Key Track - A Mistake
Drummer - Matt Chamberlain
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Album - Friendly Travelers Live
Artist - Wolfgang Muthspiel, Brian Blade
Release Year - 2007
Key Track - Gnadenwald (Live)
Drummer - Brian Blade
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Album - Donny Hathaway
Artist - Donny Hathaway
Release Year - 1971
Key Track - She Is My Lady
Drummer - Al Jackson Jr.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Episode 3 of The Drum Panel
This week's guests are my good buddies Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Carina Round), Neal Daniels (Matchbox 20, Liz Phair), Mike Robinson (Blame My Youth, Food On Tour Podcast).
In this episode, we dive into:
The value of high-end gear: Is it really worth the investment?
The existence of drum heroes: Do they still inspire us today?
Yes...we talk about Oasis...
Insights from the guys on the current landscape of drum endorsements.
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Our guest today is Daniel Glass. Daniel is a renowned drummer, educator, and historian known for his deep expertise in the roots of American drumming, particularly in jazz, swing, and early rock 'n' roll. A member of the pioneering retro-swing band Royal Crown Revue, Glass has performed with a wide array of top artists, blending historical influence with modern flair. His passion for drumming history is reflected in his books, clinics, and instructional videos. The project that introduced Daniel to me was his three-hour documentary called “The Century Project” which explores the evolution of the drum set and drumming styles from 1865 to 1965. Glass is also celebrated for his dynamic, groove-focused playing and his ability to bridge the gap between past and present drumming traditions. Go check out all his happenings at danielglass.com, but for now, please enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Daniel Glass into the drummer he is today. Cheers!
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
DANIEL'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - Made In Japan
Artist - Deep Purple
Release Year - 1972
Key Track(s) - Highway Star, Space Truckin', The Mule
Drummer - Ian Paice
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Album - Three Quartets
Artist - Chick Corea
Release Year - 1981
Key Track(s) - Quartet No. 1, Quartet No. 2, Part 2
Drummer - Steve Gadd
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Album - Buffalo
Artist - Frank Zappa
Release Year - 2007 (from a 1980 live concert)
Key Track(s) - The Torture Never Stops
Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta
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Album - Lyric
Artist - Billy Childs
Release Year - 2005
Key Track(s) - In Carson's Eyes, Into the Light, Scarborough Fair, American Landscape
Drummer - Brian Blade, Marvin "Smitty" Smith
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Album - From Darkness
Artist - Avishai Cohen
Release Year - 2015
Key Track(s) - Beyond, Abie, C#-, From Darkness
Drummer - Daniel Dor
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Honorable Mentions:
Album - Blue
Artist - Joni Mitchell
Release Year - 1971
Key Track(s) - All I Want, This Flight Tonight
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Album - The Concert at Carnegie Hall
Artist - Benny Goodman
Release Year - 1938
Key Track(s) - Don't Be That Way, Honeysuckle Rose, Sing, Sing, Sing
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Album - Drumsville
Artist - Earl Palmer
Release Year - 1961
Drummer - Earl Palmer
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Album - Live at the Royal Festival Hall
Artist - John McLaughlin
Release Year - 1989
Key Track(s) - Mother Tongues
Drummer - Trilok Gurtu
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Album - Tiny Resistors
Artist - Todd Sickafoose
Release Year - 2008
Key Track(s) - Allision Miller
Drummer - Everyone Is Going
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Episode 2 PART DEUX of The Drum Panel
Welcome to The Drum Panel—a segment where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions on polarizing and controversial drum topics submitted by our listeners.
Today's episode is the second half of a conversation between myself (Ben), my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum & drummer for Winnetka Bowling League).
Today we discuss:
If you're overly critical of gear, are you showcasing your lack of skill?
Should snare drums and floor toms always between flat (Eric is surprisingly passionate about this subject)?
If you don't know what the singer is singing, can your take still suit the song?
We do it...we talk the world of endorsements.
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Our guest today is Taye Dever, a young drummer from North Carolina who recently came onto my radar and quickly grabbed my attention. Taye draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, including R&B, Pop, Folk, Rap, Gospel, and more. While his musical style is eclectic, he seems to be a fresh face in the music scene. I’m honored if this is your first introduction to his work. We dive right in, so here are the records that have shaped Taye Dever into the musician he is today. Cheers!
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
TAYE'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - Not Guilty
Artist - The New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee
Release Year - 2000
Key Track(s) - Rain On Us
Drummer - Calvin Rodgers
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Album - Thirsty
Artist - Marvin Sapp
Release Year - 2007
Key Track(s) - Praise Him In Advance
Drummer - Calvin Rodgers
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Album - Confessions
Artist - Usher
Release Year - 2004
Key Track(s) - "Caught Up" Aaron Spears' drum performance @ 2006 Modern Drummer Festival
Drummer - Aaron Spears
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Album - Pure Energy DVD
Artist - Various drummers
Release Year - 2009
Key Track(s) - Rekindled featuring Tony Royster Jr
Drummer - Tony Royster Jr.
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Album - Paramore
Artist - Paramore
Release Year - 2013
Key Track(s) - Ain’t It Fun?, Still Into You
Drummer - Ilan Rubin
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Episode 2 of The Drum Panel
Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions on polarizing and controversial drum topics submitted by our listeners.
For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum & drummer for Winnetka Bowling League).
Today we discuss:
does practicing to a click make your playing sterile?
those who can't, teach. True or False?
does using less drums/cymbals make you more creative?
you should never put anything in your bass drum! True or False?
do drum shells tune themselves?
do you need to put a button at the end of every live song?
are the most musical drummers...non-drummers?
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
Today's guest is Philo Tsoungui, an independent drummer based in Berlin, Germany. Philo has played with many incredible artists both in Germany and internationally, including a recent stint with The Mars Volta.I can't praise Philo's playing enough; it just works. While it can be categorized as Hip Hop, it's so much more than any single genre, as you'll discover in this episode. Philo shares many incredibly valuable insights, and we actually kicked off our recorded conversation by discussing practice routines (in an ideal world).So, without further ado, please enjoy the top 5 influences that shaped the incredible Philo Tsoungui. Cheers!---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.PHILO'S BIG FAT FIVE:Album - Black OrpheusArtist - Keziah JonesRelease Year - 2003Key Track - AfrosurrealismfortheladiesDrummer - Joshua McKenzie / Jose Joyette-Album - The Bedlam in GoliathArtist - The Mars VoltaRelease Year - 2008Key Track - Wax SimulacraDrummer - Thomas Pridgen-Album - Black RadioArtist - Robert GlasperRelease Year - 2012Key Track - Afro BlueDrummer - Chris "Daddy" Dave-Album - Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group: Live Los Angeles on Sept 14th, 2010 (video)Artist - Omar Rodriguez Lopez GroupRelease Year - 2010Drummer - Deantoni Parks-Album - Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Performance Artist - Lenny "The Ox" Reece & The Lesson GKRelease Year - 2018Key Track - The WeekendDrummer - Lenny "The Ox" ReeceFor more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.
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Today, my good friend and fellow professional drummer, Eric Urrea, and I are excited to launch the pilot episode of a new segment on our podcast, tentatively named “The Drum Panel.”
Drummers are known for having strong opinions, and we aim to delve into many of these in a roundtable format. For this first recording, it’s just the two of us, but our vision is to feature multiple drummers from diverse backgrounds in each episode to foster engaging, relatable, and thought-provoking discussions. We invite you to join us on this journey.
Today we discuss:
are there too many rudiments?
the hate towards Lars & Ringo
are triggers cheating?
virgin bass drums
do drum shells actually matter?
has social media ruined what it means to be a drummer?
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. -
This week’s guest is Adolfo Torres. Adolfo's musical journey started in Cali, Colombia, and from a young age, his passion for music was evident, leading his parents to enroll him in drum lessons. This early start paved the way for his education at the Drummers Collective in NYC and later at Berklee College of Music on an American Tour Scholarship.
After his studies, Adolfo moved to Austin, TX, playing with artists like JT Coldfire and Jennifer B and the Groove Kings, where he learned about the life of a working musician. In 2013, he returned to Colombia, forming the band M.I.J.O, which blends Classic, Modern, and Progressive Rock. All that being said, I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time and go check out a few of his videos before you listen to our chat. It will set the stage for a lot of what we talk about. I hope you enjoy the five records that shaped Adolfo Torres into the musician he is today. Cheers!
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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 Click here to order now!
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
ADOLFO'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - The Inner Mounting Flame
Artist - The Mahavishnu Orchestra
Release Year f- 1971
Key Track(s) - The Noonward Race, Vital Transformation, You Know You Know
Drummer - Billy Cobham
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Album - Paranoid
Artist - Black Sabbath
Release Year - 1970
Key Track(s) - War Pigs, Rat Salad, Fairies Wear Boots
Drummer - Bill Ward
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Album - Red
Artist - King Crimson
Release Year - 1974
Key Track(s) - One More Red Nightmare, Starless
Drummer - Bill Bruford
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Album - Badmotorfinger
Artist - Soundgarden
Release Year - 1991
Key Track(s) - Rusty Cage, Slaves & Bulldozers
Drummer - Matt Cameron
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Album - Amputechture
Artist - The Mars Volta
Release Year - 2006
Key Track(s) - Tetragrammaton, Meccamputechture, Viscera Eyes, Day of the Baphomets
Drummer - Jon Theodore
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Band of Gypsys - Hendrix
Presence - Led Zeppelin
Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower
Tony Williams Lifetime: The Collection
Master of Reality - Black Sabbath
10,000 Days - Tool
Deloused in the Commatorium - The Mars Volta
Down on the Upside - Soundgarden
Gretchen Goes to Nebraska - King’s X
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. - Se mer
