Send us Fan Mail

You can practise on your own for ten years and just get really good at doing it wrong. This week I'm asking whether learning drums alone is quietly holding you back. This week on The Back Beat: a Bad Bunny record that genuinely surprised me, Keith Carlock's vocabulary with the Wayne Krantz trio, and a drum carved from a single log.

00:00 - What's on this week 

00:21 - Heavy Rotation: Bad Bunny, Debí Tirar Más Fotos 

03:04 - Drummer Spotlight: Keith Carlock with the Wayne Krantz trio 

04:21 - New Gear: Pollner drums (one drum, one log, no cuts) 

05:57 - Think Piece: Do you lose out on learning drums alone? 

08:34 - Outro & fanmail

Referenced in this episode: 

→ Keith Carlock with Wayne Krantz & Tim Lefebvre, "Why" solo from 1:13:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8to1EpkKVEE 

→ Pollner Stave Drums, our interview with Martin: https://youtu.be/qvZAsTIDViU 

→ Pollner Stave Drums, our interview with Martin: https://youtu.be/qvZAsTIDViU 

→ Bad Bunny, Debí Tirar Más Fotos on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5K79FLRUCSysQnVESLcTdb

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. 

Check out Drum Dog: https://join.drum.dog/upgrade

#TheBackBeat #DrumDog #Drumming #Drummers #DrumPodcast #KeithCarlock #WayneKrantz #BadBunny #PollnerDrums #FusionDrumming #SelfTaughtDrummer #DrumCommunity

🔔 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

Steve Jordan stripped his kit back to four pieces and somehow made it the most talked-about groove of the year. This week on The Back Beat: a Japanese jazz album that's been on heavy rotation, Eloy Casagrande's new signature stick with Promark, and the grip debate that won't go away.

00:00 - What's on this week
00:56 - Heavy Rotation: Chihiro Yamanaka, Guilty Pleasure
02:33 - Drummer Spotlight: Steve Jordan's minimalist groove (ride, snare, kick, hi-hat, no crash)
04:45 - New Gear: Eloy Casagrande's Promark signature stick
06:18 - Think Piece: Does grip actually matter?
08:09 - Outro & fanmail

Referenced in this episode:
→ Steve Jordan's Europe Drum Show clip (groove starts ~5:20): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOwtLx5waRY
→ Eloy Casagrande's new Promark signature stick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=End6tqaWejY
→ Chihiro Yamanaka, Guilty Pleasure on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/433TtbOGVFXo5LZjEvNOKc

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 #SteveJordan #EloyCasagrande #Promark #ChihiroYamanaka #JohnDavis #JazzDrumming #DrumGrip #DrumCommunity

🔔 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 Ari for a remote conversation that came about after Bill Bruford name-dropped him in an earlier Drum Dog interview. What followed was a properly philosophical chat about music as a communication tool, how to practice creativity rather than chops, and why learning an instrument and learning music are two completely different things.

Ari opens up about his solo drumming approach, the three sources of inspiration that shape every note he plays, and why he hasn't sat down to practice technical exercises in years. We also get into his composing process, picking up piano during Covid, and how he runs his Patreon as an alternative to traditional drum education.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by how much there is to practice, or wondered how a player like Ari thinks his way around the kit, this one is essential listening.

00:00 – The Bill Bruford Moment
03:01 – Performing, Teaching, and What Drives the Music
05:24 – Music as a Language
10:12 – Solo Drumming and the Three Sources of Inspiration
14:16 – Why Simplicity Wins Over Density
16:08 – Playing on the Edge of a Mistake
17:28 – Jim White, Free Improvisation, and Warming Up Musically
20:49 – What Ari's Practice Actually Looks Like Right Now
23:04 – Drumming Like Swimming
27:10 – Picking Up Piano During Covid
33:53 – Teaching at NYU and the Limits of Academic Music
36:35 – Learning an Instrument vs Learning Music
42:52 – The Books, the Videos, and the Patreon
49:21 – Information Should Be Shared
52:24 – Being a Coach as Much as a Teacher
54:29 – Final Words and Future UK Visits

Check out Ari's Patreon for tutorial videos on drumming, composition, and rhythm: https://www.patreon.com/arihoenig

#arihoenig #punkbop #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 Ra at the Europe Drum Show 2026 to talk about her journey from a musical household in northern Spain to touring with one of the country's biggest pop artists, Vanessa Martín. Entirely self-taught, Ra opens up about learning by ear, why she'll only take gigs she feels a genuine connection to, the role social media has played in every opportunity she's had, and how a chemical engineering degree shaped the way she thinks about music as a career. Whether you're a self-taught drummer wondering if it's enough, or just curious how a working pro approaches the craft, this conversation is full of warmth and honest advice.

00:00 – Welcome & Europe Drum Show Highlights
02:09 – Growing Up Self-Taught
05:38 – On Reading Music as a Pro Drummer
09:43 – Touring with Vanessa Martín
11:40 – Playing with Joy & Connection
14:13 – Working in English vs Spanish Music
15:18 – Social Media as a Tool, Not a Goal
20:17 – Heading to South America
24:21 – Ra's Own EP & Where to Find Her

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

#rataché #vanessamartin #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 Jason at the Europe Drum Show 2026 to dig into 11 years behind the kit with Bullet for My Valentine, the reality of touring at that scale, and the lessons he's picked up writing and recording across eight albums. From honouring a song versus putting his own stamp on it, to the mindset shift of going full-time, to the underrated skills he thinks every drummer should be working on, Jason breaks down the craft side of being a working metal drummer with refreshing honesty. If you've ever wondered what it takes to step into an established band and make it your own, this one's packed with insight.

00:00 – Intro
01:45 – Joining an Established Band
03:11 – Restriction in the Creative Process
07:59 – Painting & Art on Tour
11:36 – Meeting Your Heroes
15:58 – Why Jason Plays Barefoot
18:21 – Going Full-Time with Bullet
23:42 – Staying Fit for Touring
26:37 – The Dark Side of Touring Life
29:46 – Quickfire Drumming Questions
33:39 – The New Bullet Album & What's Next

#jasonbowld #bulletformyvalentine #drumdog🥁

Jason's website - https://jasonbowld.com/

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 Vicky after her masterclass at UK Drum Show to dive into her incredible hybrid setup, touring life, and how drummers can start incorporating electronic and percussive elements into their kit.

From live looping to trigger-based percussion, Vicky breaks down how she blends acoustic and electronic drumming into a powerful, creative setup - and shares practical advice for drummers who want to get started without feeling overwhelmed.

If you’ve ever thought about building a hybrid kit, this is the perfect place to start.

00:00 – Vicky’s Unique Hybrid Setup
01:10 – How to get into a Hybrid Setups
03:10 – Creative Process
07:59 – The Anastacia Gig
11:36 – Playing in Unconventional Places
16:13 – A New Path in Life
18:04 – Online Content
20:17 – Current Projects
26:10 – Dealing with Pressure
28:00 – How to get into percussion
31:12 – How Vicky Got Started

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

#vickyoneon #ukdrumshow #anastacia 

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

🔔 If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more drumming content, gear reviews, and lessons from some of the world’s best drummers!

👥 Join our Facebook Community to discuss everything related to drums with like-minded people! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404257014183843/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

We sat down with one of the most forward-thinking drummers on the planet - Jojo Mayer. Jojo talks about Me/Machine, his generative music system built from two years of pandemic-era coding, inspired by a session with Brian Eno. He explains how the system responds to his playing in real time, the role of probability in making music feel alive rather than mechanical, and why he believes this moment in human history is one of the most important we've ever faced.

It was an honour and pleasure to speak with Jojo - he speaks with real passion and eloquence about music, art, and creativity. We hope you enjoy!

00:00 - Intro & Setting
 04:05 - Touring & Background
 08:10 - MeMachine Origins
 12:15 - Brian Eno & Generative Systems
 16:20 - AI & Creativity
 20:25 - Human vs Machine Expression
 24:30 - Live Performance & Interaction
 28:35 - Technology & Artistic Identity
 32:40 - Future of Creativity
 36:45 - Closing Thoughts & Reflections

#jojomayer #drums #drummer

🌟 Try Drum Dog for Free! 👉 https://join.drum.dog/upgrade

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

🔔 If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more drumming content, gear reviews, and lessons from some of the world’s best drummers!

👥 Join our Facebook Community to discuss everything related to drums with like-minded people! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404257014183843/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

We had the chance to speak to legendary drummer Gavin Harrison as discussed his incredible career, musical philosophy, and the realities of life behind the kit. Known for his work with Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, and countless session recordings, Gavin shares stories from decades in the music industry and offers thoughtful insight into groove, feel, and musicality.

Gavin reflects on everything from joining Porcupine Tree and performing with King Crimson’s three-drummer lineup to the importance of developing a personal sense of time and feel. He also opens up about his decision to step away from drum festivals for a period, the impact of technology and phones at live shows, and the drummers who shaped his playing - including legends like Steve Gadd and Jeff Porcaro.

Along the way, Gavin shares practical wisdom on practising, improvisation, writing drum parts, and the subtle art of laying back on the beat. 

00:03 - Intro & early musical influences
 01:40 - Musical mindset & creativity
 04:25 - Improvisation vs composition
 08:10 - Developing ideas & phrasing
 12:35 - Working with bands (King Crimson / Porcupine Tree)
 16:50 - Studio approach & recording philosophy
 21:05 - Time, feel & rhythmic concepts
 25:20 - Gear, sound & setup choices
 28:40 - Career reflections & notable moments
 32:15 - Advice for drummers & closing thoughts

#gavinharrison #ukdrumshow #kingcrimson 

🌟 Become a Drum Dog today! 👉 https://join.drum.dog/upgrade

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

🔔 If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more drumming content, gear reviews, and lessons from some of the world’s best drummers!

👥 Join our Facebook Community to discuss everything related to drums with like-minded people! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404257014183843/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

🌟 Become a Drum Dog today! 👉 https://join.drum.dog/upgrade

In this episode of the Drum Dog Podcast, we sit down with Mike Lowry (Future Islands) for a deep dive into groove, taste, and the long road of musical identity. From formative hip-hop shows in ’90s Baltimore to punk basements, funk clinics, and sharing festival stages with New Order, Devo, Beck, and Sparks, Mike traces how feel, subtraction, and tone became the cornerstones of his playing.

We talk about learning drums later than most, rejecting chops in favour of pocket, the influence of legends like Clyde Stubblefield, David Garibaldi, Steve Gadd, and Dennis Chambers, and why less can often say far more. Mike also breaks down his approach to writing drum parts in Future Islands - balancing electronic foundations, live dynamics, and instinct - plus those surreal “how is this my life?” moments that only come from years of staying true to your sound.

00:04 - Intro & musical background
 01:20 - Joining Future Islands & early influences
 04:05 - Developing groove, space & feel
 07:30 - “Subtraction” concept in drumming
 11:15 - Songwriting & band dynamics
 15:40 - Studio process & recording approach
 19:55 - Live performance energy & consistency
 23:10 - Gear, setup & sound choices
 26:45 - Creative challenges & evolution
 30:20 - Advice for drummers & closing thoughts

#drums #futureislands #mikelowry

Follow us on:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/

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

🔔 If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more drumming content, gear reviews, and lessons from some of the world’s best drummers!

👥 Join our Facebook Community to discuss everything related to drums with like-minded people! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404257014183843/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

We sat down with the iconic Mel Gaynor at the UK Drum Show 2025 to reflect on his storied 38-year tenure with Simple Minds. Mel dives into the unique challenge of drumming and singing simultaneously - a skill he embraced later in his career - and shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from recording with Elton John, the effect 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' had on him and the rest of the band. He also gives us a glimpse into life on the road, including just how many cymbals, sticks, and drumheads he’d blast through during a high-energy tour.

00:05 - Early chat & grandson’s drumming
01:05 - Introduction & joining Simple Minds
03:30 - Early days with the band
06:10 - Breakthrough & “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”
10:20 - Recording process & studio stories
14:45 - Live performances & touring life
19:30 - Working with other artists (incl. Elton John)
23:40 - Gear talk & drum setup
27:50 - Challenges, mistakes & lessons learned
32:10 - Advice for young drummers & closing thoughts

#melgaynor #simpleminds #ukdrumshow 

🌟 Become a Drum Dog today! 👉 https://join.drum.dog/upgrade

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

🔔 If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more drumming content, gear reviews, and lessons from some of the world’s best drummers!

Support the show