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.
How Gunner 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 Gunner 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 Gunner 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
Gunner’s candid reflection after a rough wedding gig and how it reignited his desire to practice
Blending live drums with electronic stems: what Gunner 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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