Drum History

Jason Gianni shares audio examples from artists including Fats Domino, Elvis, Ray Charles, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and many more that showcase the evolution of rock drumming from the 1940's to the 1960's. We discuss the drumming of these great artists plus Jason plays examples on his own kit! Jason is an instructor at the Drummers Collective in NYC and a professor at the New School in NYC and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and most importantly - he played drums on the "SpongeBob Squarepants" theme :) He has great knowledge on how rock and roll slowly but steadily evolved from one recording to the next and how it was a process of building that led to modern rock and roll as we know it today.

You can get in contact with Jason at [email protected]

Here is a link to Jasons classic Book, The Drummers Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Drummers-Bible-Every-Afro-Cuban-Zydeco/dp/1937276198/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1639452783&refinements=p_27%3AJason+Gianni&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Jason+Gianni

Vicky teaches us the history of female drummers through the decades in this very in-depth episode that begins 2000 years ago when all the drummers in society were women! Vicky O'Neon is a great drummer, educator, and YouTuber who has created an amazing 12. part series that she was kind of enough to condense all that information in this fun episode. Female drummers have faced countless hardships through the decades but the thing that really struck me in this episode is how unbelievably persistent, hardworking, and talented they are despite all the struggles. We live in a great time now where things have gotten much better but it has been a long and fascinating journey that Vicky expertly teaches.

Here is a link to her youtube channel where you can watch the entire series: https://www.youtube.com/c/VickyONeon

And here is a link to the Girls Rock Camp Alliance that we discuss in this episode: https://www.girlsrockcampalliance.org

Find Vicky on all social media platforms at @Vickyoneondrums

Thanks for listening!

Corder Drums was born in 1979 when Jim Corder purchased the Fibes manufacturing equipment from C.F. Martin after they decided to no longer be in the drum business. My guest is Don Corder, Jim's son, was an employee since day one and helped his dad and brothers learn on the fly and create a drum brand that is now a part of the history of the instrument. Not only is this a great story because of the Fibes and Darwin drums connection, but it is a wonderful story of a family working together to make Jim Corders dreams a reality.

You can check check out the products that Don Corder still sells to this day at https://corderproducts.com/

Enjoy this episode!

We pick up the Paiste history in the 1970's when 2002's were king and all the famous European rock bands were representing Paiste. The company also lost its distribution deal with Ludwig in the early 70's and had a period of about 4 or 5 years where distribution in America was slim to none - until they made a deal with Rogers that brought the iconic cymbals state-side. This and much much more is discussed in this episode, plus Dan corrects a few things from the first episode that came to light in the short time between us recording these two shows.

Dan Garza is an admin on the Paiste section of the great cymbal.wiki and is a lifetime Paiste fanatic. He has done extensive research on this somewhat mysterious company and compiled great information for this episode.

Follow along here http://www.cymbal.wiki/wiki/Paiste

Thanks to Dan and everyone else who contributed to make this possible!

This is an in-depth look at the fascinating history of one of the biggest names in cymbal making - Paiste! Dan Garza is an expert on the history of the company and teaches us the origin story that dates back to the turn of the century in Estonia with the Paiste family right up to the 1970's in Switzerland and Germany. Part 2 will pick up where this episode leaves off with the 70's rock explosion where Paiste was being played by some of the biggest names in the industry including John Bonham, Joe Morello, Carmine Appice and many more.

Dan Garza is an admin on the Paiste section of the great cymbal.wiki and is a lifetime Paiste fanatic. He has done extensive research on this somewhat mysterious company and compiled great information for this episode.

Follow along here http://www.cymbal.wiki/wiki/Paiste

Stay tuned for Part 2 and enjoy this great episode!

Edith teaches us about the amazing drumming culture in Basel Switzerland and the unique style of drumming that the region has made famous. We talk about the construction of the Basler drums and the history of the clubs and traditions that created this unique environment. Edith is a legend in the Basel drumming community and is a great ambassador to the region.

A link to Ediths website:

www.habraken.ch

The english title of her book is: “In the footsteps of the drummers of Basel” English translation of the original german version by Helen Oxley.

Include DVD & 5 written compositions in two drum “languages”.

For questions and order please email Edith: [email protected]

You can also email her to just have a chat.

Thank you and enjoy the episode!

The story of Kent Drums is a tale of the American dream as a family travels from Poland to America in 1911, then starts a drum company after WW2 that is created to make affordable drums for people who cant afford the big brands. My guest Dennis Brown aka Mouse, is the author of "History of the Kent Drum Company 1946-1977" and is an absolute expert on Kent with first hand information from his interviews with William and Edward Kent. Mouse has a great reason to be connected to the drum brand which you'll hear towards the end of the episode.

Here is the Vintage Kent Drums Appreciation Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1457246141188980

and here is where to buy Mouses book on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/234153626524?epid=15050073918&hash=item3684a4cb9c:g:qyUAAOSwX2hhIs41

Enjoy this episode!

Jim Clark is a 57 year veteran of the drums and an expert at applying traditional rudiments to the drum set for an everyday rock/jazz drummer (like myself). We discuss how drummers like Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones and many more are masters of the rudimental method and how they apply it to commercial music without sounding like a traditional marching band drummer. Jim is a educator, historian, performer and author of books such as "Connecticut's Drum & Fife Tradition" and the brand new "Ten Pieces for Field Drums".

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Keep up with Jim via Connecticut Valley Field Music here: https://www.ctvalleyfieldmusic.com/

Check out Jims Latest "TenPieces for Field Drums" Book here: https://pulsamusica.com/book-store/ten-pieces-for-field-drum-print-version.html

Enjoy!

D-Beat is a very specific beat that is used in punk music starting in the early 80's in the UK that then grew into its own style of the genre. My guest is Spike T. Smith who is a veteran punk drummer who came up in the D-Beat era of punk in the the UK and has played with greats such as Morrissey, The Damned, Killing Joke, New York Dolls, Steve Ignorant/Crass, Sona Fariq and Sacrilege. He created a great documentary about the history of the D-Beat and he shares the full story with us in this episode!

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Watch Spikes great documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyE5ZV4pgpE&t=290s=

and check out his website to keep up with Spike: https://www.spiketsmith.com/

Mitch Mitchell was a successful child star on BBC before he ever became a drummer, then he changed gears to become a drummer full time and had a gold record with Jimi Hendrix by the time he was 20. This is an amazingly in-depth look at the life of one of the most swinging rock drummers that ever sat behind the kit. My guest is Major Kevin John Simon who is the founder of the very successful Mitch Mitchell Fan Club. He is an absolute expert on Mitch, his kits, and every important milestone of his prolific career,

Check out the Mitch Mitchell fan club website here: www.mitchdrummer.com and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/120041094832875/

Track listing of Major Simon's recommended listening:

Here are the Mitch Mitchell Vater drumsticks that Major Simon talked about on the show: https://www.mitchdrummer.com/product-page/mitch-mitchell-drum-sticks

Thanks for listening!