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We chatted with Spike over a video call ahead of his masterclass at the 2026 UK Drum Show, marking 50 years since the birth of punk. Spike talks joining The Damned twenty years after watching Rat Scabies first inspired him to play drums, touring the world with Morrissey (including the very first Coachella), and his picks for the most underrated drummers in punk history. If you've ever wondered what actually drives real musical innovation, this one's for you.

00:00 Welcome & Catching Up
01:08 Two Thousand Trees & The Pistols at 50
03:15 Why 1976 Was the Birth of Punk
05:41 Falling for Punk at Twelve
11:55 Joining The Damned, Twenty Years Later
13:37 First World Tour: Coachella '99 With Morrissey
17:51 What It's Really Like Playing With Morrissey
19:51 Staying Physically Ready for High-Energy Punk Shows
26:28 Three Punk Drummers You Need to Know
32:07 Inside the UK Drum Show Masterclass
40:10 Where Punk's Heading in 2026
51:04 What Real Musical Innovation Looks Like

👉 Check out Drum Dog for more lessons from world-class drummers: https://drum.dog

#spiketsmith #thedamned #drumdog

🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library. 

Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join

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Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706
Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast

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Video essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1ZIAFhEvc

For over fifty years, Peter Erskine has sounded like no one but himself, whether he's driving a big band, anchoring Weather Report, or whispering through a jazz trio. This is the story of how he did it: a career-long devotion to one deceptively simple idea, playing for the music. We trace his journey from a New Jersey kid with a compass made of his father's cymbal, through the fusion gods, to a philosophy built on the producer's ear, the open spaces, and the power of quiet.

0:00 The art of playing for the music
0:45 New Jersey to Indiana: a compass of sorts
1:58 Kenton and Ferguson: trial by fire
2:40 Weather Report, Jaco, and the live tapes
5:15 Playing for the microphones, not the room
7:25 The power in the quiet
9:45 Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, and the ECM trio
11:20 A musician's teacher

👉 Join Drum Dog for lesson packs from world-class drummers, live events and the community: https://drum.dog

#petererskine #weatherreport #drumdog

Support the channel: https://ko-fi.com/offbeat

For any enquiries: [email protected]

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We sat down with Fuyu Murata, calling in from Tokyo, for a conversation that runs from a jazz-soaked New York childhood to one of the most distinctive drum channels on YouTube. He talks about growing up around Jimmy Smith, Ron Carter and Grady Tate, turning down a full Berklee scholarship to stay with his band, and the one-take videos where he plays songs he has never heard with no hints. We also get into his new Jam Joint live album with Tokyo's top young players, drumming gloves, rudiments, and why he treats himself like a half athlete. If you have ever wondered how a session drummer reads a song on the fly, this one is for you.

00:00 - Meet Fuyu, Calling In From Tokyo
01:22 - The New Jam Joint Live Album
04:58 - Growing Up Around Jazz Legends
10:35 - Starting On Drums, And The Berklee Question
12:38 - The One-Take Video Series
16:37 - Sharing A Stage With Spitz's Drummer
21:15 - Japanese Music Going Global
22:53 - Anime And A Football Dream
24:45 - The Truth About Drumming Gloves
27:18 - Drilling The Rudiments
28:35 - Europe Tour And New Bands
31:25 - Staying Healthy As A Half Athlete

Follow Fuyu:
📷 Instagram: @fuyumusic
▶️ YouTube:  @fuyudrumchannel  

👉 Check out Drum Dog for more lessons from world-class drummers: https://drum.dog

#fuyu #sessiondrummer #drumdog

🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library. 

Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join

🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW
Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706
Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast

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TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk

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A Guardian music journalist realised Spotify had quietly smoothed the hard edges off his own taste, so he quit. This week I'm joined by my oldest friend, journalist Jochan Embley, to dig into algorithms, streaming payouts, why he swapped Spotify for Apple Music, and how to actually rediscover the thrill of finding new music.

00:00 - Intro & meet Jochan Embley
01:13 - The Guardian article: how Spotify flattened his taste
03:43 - Leaving Spotify for Apple Music
05:48 - Streaming payouts & the raw deal for artists
10:11 - How to actually discover new music again (radio, record shops, gigs)
14:55 - Taste, holidays & the "sifting for gold" mindset
19:03 - Why music discovery is a hobby (and why hearing what you hate matters)
21:14 - Outro, book rec & fanmail

Referenced in this episode:
→ Jochan's Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/06/spotify-wrapped-streaming-algorithm-music
→ Mood Machine by Liz Pelly: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mood-Machine-Spotify-Perfect-Playlist-ebook/dp/B0CYQ2XCXG

Got a drummer you want spotlighted, gear you reckon I should check out, or an album that's been on your heavy rotation? Drop me a message:

📩 Spotify fanmail (built into the app)
📷 Instagram: @drumdoguk
✉️ [email protected]

New episodes every Tuesday. Hit follow so you don't miss out on any drum chat!

About Drum Dog:
Drum Dog is the UK membership platform for drummers, combining world-class lesson packs, live events, gear discounts, and an ad-free community. Join at drum.dog.

#TheBackBeat #DrumDog #Drumming #Drummers #DrumPodcast #Spotify #AppleMusic #MusicDiscovery #JochanEmbley #TheGuardian #MoodMachine #DrumCommunity

🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library. 

Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join

🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW
Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706
Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast

🔔 Subscribe for interviews, lessons, gear and performances from world-class drummers.

Follow us:
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Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk

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We sat down with Mark Mondesir for a wide-ranging conversation about a career spent behind some of the most revered names in jazz, fusion and funk.

Mark talks us through meeting John McLaughlin, the session for The Promise that put him in a room with Jeff Beck, and the surreal week that ended with Jan Hammer on a plane to London to play with him.

We also get into his three north stars on the kit: Billy Cobham, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones, plus the one-word piece of advice Elvin handed him at a soundcheck.

If you've ever wondered how the great gigs actually find a player, Mark's answer is not what you'd expect.

00:00 The Vienna Hi-Fi Show
06:39 Meeting John McLaughlin
10:43 The Promise: Recording with Jeff Beck
13:35 Touring with the Fourth Dimension
15:06 What John Is Like as a Band Leader
18:14 The Promise and the Electric Guitarist
20:48 Why He's Never Felt He's "Made It"
25:09 No Plan, Just Play
27:42 The Jeff Beck and Jan Hammer Story
34:35 Manifestation and Advice for Drummers
39:40 Playing with Half of James Brown's Band
41:12 Influences: Cobham, Williams and Jones
49:55 Mentored by Art Blakey
51:21 Wrap Up

👉 Check out Drum Dog for more lessons from world-class drummers: https://drum.dog
#markmondesir #johnmclaughlin #drumdog 

🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library. 

Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join

🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW
Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706
Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast

🔔 Subscribe for interviews, lessons, gear and performances from world-class drummers.

Follow us:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

We sat down with Mark Mondesir for a wide-ranging conversation about a career spent behind some of the most revered names in jazz, fusion and funk.

Mark talks us through meeting John McLaughlin, the session for The Promise that put him in a room with Jeff Beck, and the surreal week that ended with Jan Hammer on a plane to London to play with him.

We also get into his three north stars on the kit: Billy Cobham, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones, plus the one-word piece of advice Elvin handed him at a soundcheck.

If you've ever wondered how the great gigs actually find a player, Mark's answer is not what you'd expect.

00:00 The Vienna Hi-Fi Show
06:39 Meeting John McLaughlin
10:43 The Promise: Recording with Jeff Beck
13:35 Touring with the Fourth Dimension
15:06 What John Is Like as a Band Leader
18:14 The Promise and the Electric Guitarist
20:48 Why He's Never Felt He's "Made It"
25:09 No Plan, Just Play
27:42 The Jeff Beck and Jan Hammer Story
34:35 Manifestation and Advice for Drummers
39:40 Playing with Half of James Brown's Band
41:12 Influences: Cobham, Williams and Jones
49:55 Mentored by Art Blakey
51:21 Wrap Up

👉 Check out Drum Dog for more lessons from world-class drummers: https://drum.dog
#markmondesir #johnmclaughlin #drumdog 

🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library. 

Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join

🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW
Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706
Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast

🔔 Subscribe for interviews, lessons, gear and performances from world-class drummers.

Follow us:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

I put on Chick Corea's My Spanish Heart this week, sat there marvelling at the drummer, and only then realised it was Steve Gadd. This week: Levon Helm's genius behind the kit and the mic, the Eezee Sticks throne holder, and a question about the bands we all underrate.

00:00 - Cold open / what's on this week

00:16 - Heavy Rotation: Chick Corea, My Spanish Heart (feat. Steve Gadd)

01:16 - Drummer Spotlight: Levon Helm, saying more with less

03:39 - New Gear: Eezee Sticks throne-mounted stick holder

04:35 - Think Piece: which underrated bands deserve more credit?

05:57 - Outro & fanmail

Referenced in this episode:

→ Chick Corea, My Spanish Heart (highlight track: Night Streets): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpA2ckaAStY

→ Levon Helm & The Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dDbnwQlCek

→ Eezee Sticks: https://www.eezeesticks.com/

Got a drummer you want spotlighted, gear you reckon I should check out, or an album that's been on your heavy rotation? Drop me a message:

📩 Spotify fanmail (built into the app)

📷 Instagram: @drumdoguk

✉️ [email protected]

New episodes every Tuesday. Hit follow so you don't miss out on any drum chat!

About Drum Dog:

Drum Dog is the UK membership platform for drummers, combining world-class lesson packs, live events, gear discounts, and an ad-free community. Join at drum.dog.

#TheBackBeat #DrumDog #Drumming #Drummers #DrumPodcast #SteveGadd #LevonHelm #ChickCorea #TheBand #EezeeSticks #Supertramp #Toto #DrumCommunity

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This week, the case for the drummers who made the whole song by doing almost nothing, from Charlie Watts to Ringo. Plus Alex Acuña lighting up Montreux, Kenny Buttrey's touch all over Nashville Skyline, and the app we're actually using behind the scenes at Drum Dog.

00:00 - Cold open / what's on this week
00:29 - Heavy Rotation: Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline (drums by Kenny Buttrey)
02:15 - Drummer Spotlight: Alex Acuña, feel over speed
03:48 - New Gear: Beatnote
05:37 - Think Piece: Which drummer made the whole song by playing less?
07:09 - Outro & fanmail

Referenced in this episode:
→ Alex Acuña with Weather Report, Montreux: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfvfXA2SIRU
→ Alex Acuña with Steve Gadd & Luis Conte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pctsGH9EABY
→ Nashville Skyline, Bob Dylan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PfDSQSWuGI&list=OLAK5uy_k7RFXzJVIrZJuX3lkezse6UNXE4i1wzN8&index=2
→ Beatnote: https://beat-note.app/

Got a drummer you want spotlighted, gear you reckon I should check out, or an album that's been on your heavy rotation? Drop me a message:
📩 Spotify fanmail (built into the app)
📷 Instagram: @drumdoguk
✉️ [email protected]

New episodes every Tuesday. Hit follow so you don't miss out on any drum chat!

About Drum Dog:
Drum Dog is the UK membership platform for drummers, combining world-class lesson packs, live events, gear discounts, and an ad-free community. Join at drum.dog.

#TheBackBeat #DrumDog #Drumming #Drummers #DrumPodcast #CharlieWatts #AlexAcuna #Beatnote #PlayingForTheSong #DrumCommunity

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Geese are the band of the moment, so this week I'm into Max Bassin's snare-heavy groove on Bow Down. Plus the German fusion of Passport's Cross-Collateral and a nod to the late Klaus Doldinger, the Dr Liston's cymbal care range, and your best kit maintenance tips.

00:00 - Intro
00:16 - Passport - Cross-collateral
01:26- Max Bassin of Geese,
02:16 - Dr Liston's cymbal care
03:14 - Think Piece: Your top kit maintenance and care tips
04:06 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:
→ Geese, Bow Down (live): https://youtu.be/qIol9hig2G4?si=tuK8qSP-IlfsMD3V&t=1795
→ Passport, Cross Collateral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9stuc6hY70
→ Dr Liston's cymbal care, Graham Russell Drums: https://www.grahamrusselldrums.com/copy-of-dr-listons-drum-care-gift-set.html

Got a drummer you want spotlighted, gear you reckon I should check out, or an album that's been on your heavy rotation? Drop me a message:
📩 Spotify fanmail (built into the app)
📷 Instagram: @drumdoguk
✉️ [email protected]

New episodes every Tuesday. Hit follow so you don't miss out on any drum chat!

About Drum Dog:
Drum Dog is the UK membership platform for drummers, combining world-class lesson packs, live events, gear discounts, and an ad-free community. Join at drum.dog.

#TheBackBeat #DrumDog #Drumming #Drummers #DrumPodcast #Geese #MaxBassin #Passport #KlausDoldinger #DrumMaintenance #DrumCommunity

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Anika Nilles has stepped into Rush, and the drumming world is buzzing. This week I get into her first show, dig into Djo's synthpop record Decide, put you onto UK rod brand Ramrods, and ask the question that splits every drummer: does the click kill your feel?

00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Heavy Rotation: Djo - Decide
01:40 - Drummer Spotlight: Anika Nilles joins Rush
03:25 - New Gear: Ramrods percussion rods
05:16 - Think Piece: Does the click kill feel?
07:24 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:
→ Djo, Decide (album): https://open.spotify.com/album/4JDXBZdRPId4devseaAOKH?si=Szzgxd3ERgiLINufPSqEFw
→ Anika Nilles with Rush (Anika cam full show): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsAgGYM8_-A&t=
→ Ramrods percussion rods: https://www.ramrods.co.uk/
→ Last week's episode (self-taught vs academia): https://youtu.be/ugD8ed1PJzg

Got a drummer you want spotlighted, gear you reckon I should check out, or an album that's been on your heavy rotation? Drop me a message:

📩 Spotify fanmail (built into the app)
📷 Instagram: @drumdoguk
✉️ [email protected]

New episodes every Tuesday. Hit follow so you don't miss out on any drum chat!

#TheBackBeat #DrumDog #Drumming #Drummers #DrumPodcast #AnikaNilles #Rush #Djo #Ramrods #DrumCommunity

🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library. 

Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join

🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW
Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706
Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast

🔔 Subscribe for interviews, lessons, gear and performances from world-class drummers.

Follow us:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk

Support the show