Drummers on Drumming

By Ben HilzingerMusic Music Commentary Music Interviews

Drummers on Drumming episodes

September 03, 2025 Xavier Ware (Bilmuri) breaks down the five records that influenced his playing
On this episode of Big Fat Five, I’m joined by drummer Xavier Ware. He’s currently out on the road with Bilmuri, and his playing is UNREAL—able to blaze with the kind of intensity that feels like he’s getting paid by the note, then pivot into a dynamic, nuanced jazz approach with left-foot finesse that I honestly can’t wrap my head around. Both of those styles live so far outside my own playing, which made this conversation especially exciting.
We discuss where he learned the jazz language, how he breaks down the incredibly technical songs he’s known for, and his journey toward appreciating the small things. And ultimately, how you shouldn’t strive for perfect timing or playing, but that perfect feeling, for both you and the audience.

XAVIER'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Artist – Nerve
Album – Prohibited Beats
Release Year – 2009
Key Track(s) – “Syncopath,” “Jabon,” “Far,” “7even”
Drummer – Jojo Mayer
Artist – Button Masher
Album – The 16bit.Wav
Release Year – 2020
Key Track(s) – “Siblings,” “Meta Knight's Revenge” (from Kirby Superstar)
Drummer – Midi
Artist – Louis Cole
Album – Quality Over Opinion
Release Year – 2022
Key Track(s) – “Laughing in Her Sleep,” “I’m Tight,” “Failing in a Cool Way”
Drummer – Louis Cole
Artist – Sonny Rollins
Album – East Broadway Rundown
Release Year – 1966
Key Track(s) – “Front to Back”
Drummer – Elvin Jones
Artist – Yellowjackets
Album – Blue Hats
Release Year – 1997
Key Track(s) – “CapeTown,” “Statue of Liberty,” “New Rochelle”
Drummer – Will Kennedy
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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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
59 min
August 27, 2025 Steve Goold (Drummer / Educator) breaks down the five records that influenced his playing
I’ve been deep into working on the second book, which has me going back through a bunch of the older conversations. One that really stood out again was with Steve Goold.
If you don’t know, Steve is actually the Steve of Steve’s Donut. He’s also played with Sara Bareilles, Owl City, Mat Kearney, and Scary Pockets, to name a few. But more than the resume, I was reminded how insightful he is. There’s this part where he talks about there being no neutral notes—like, every note carries weight, it’s never just filler. That idea has been rattling around in my head ever since I revisited the chat.
Steve just put out his first release under his own name, a live recording called Solo Improvisations On Drumset, and you can watch the whole thing on YouTube HERE.

STEVE'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Artist – Pearl Jam
Album – Vs.
Release Year – 1993
Key Track – “Go”
Drummer – Dave Abbruzzese
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Artist – Owsley
Album – Owsley
Release Year – 1999
Key Track – “Oh No the Radio”
Drummer – Chris McHugh
-
Artist – Jeff Buckley
Album – Grace
Release Year – 1994
Key Track – “Mojo Pin”
Drummer – Matt Johnson
-
Artist – Happy Apple
Album – Body Popping – Moon Walking – Top Rocking
Release Year – 2000
Key Track – “Where Does a Stranger Go on Christmas Eve?”
Drummer – Dave King
-
Artist – Dogs of Peace
Album – Speak Release
Year – 1996
Key Track – “The Truth”
Drummer – John Hammond
-
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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
43 min
August 20, 2025The Drum Panel: Every one of my friend's drum sets sounds better than mine.
This Drum Panel episode picks up where we left off with Brendan Buckley (Shakira, Morrissey, Perry Farrell) and Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Mother Feather). If you missed Part 1, you’ll still follow along just fine—but it’s worth a listen.
We dive right in with drummer nightmares before moving into bigger conversations about finding your own sound, overcoming roadblocks, and balancing identity as both artist and “brand.”
Inside this episode:
Drummer nightmares on stage – including Brendan’s Shakira story that started as a trio

Bad advice worth ignoring – why “you need to play everything” isn’t always the path

Finding your own voice – doubling down on what makes you unique instead of being a jack of all trades

Hi-hat obsession – tone, touch, and why small changes shift the whole vibe

Roadblocks and breakthroughs – Gunnar’s kick pedal “yips” and Brendan’s double bass practice insights

Kit setups and identity – how your drum layout shapes your playing more than you think

Brand vs. authenticity – do drummers really need to market themselves, or is being great enough?
———
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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
49 min
August 13, 2025The Drum Panel: Your electrician is my favorite drummer
This Drum Panel brings together Brendan Buckley—drummer for Shakira, Perry Farrell, Morrissey, and more—and one of my closest friends, Gunnar Olsen of Puscifer, Mother Feather, Big Data, and ME to chat about...
...the difference between what works in the practice room and what works in an arena, charting versus memorizing, and how to respect the composition before making it your own. Brendan breaks down the “Shakira machine” and why clarity and projection beat busy parts when you’re playing to the back row.
We also cover deep-dive listening versus casting a wide net, Bowie’s Berlin era, and the time Brendan’s electrician turned out to be one of my favorite drummers—and his too. It’s equal parts practical advice, music history, and great road stories from working drummers.
Inside this episode
Arena truth: kick, snare, crashes beat ghost-note soup
The DW stainless kit that keeps coming back on tour
Shakira’s camp, subs, and how Brendan plans for “what if”
Learning 30 songs fast: charts, anchors, and staying calm
Deep-dive listening vs playlists, plus Bowie and Prince talk
The Alan Myers story and why “mic-friendly” drums matter
———
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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
54 min
August 06, 2025The Drum Panel: What do you mean you like what I do?
Welcome back to The Drum Panel!
Featuring: Ben Hilzinger (me!), Joe Lana Jr. (@thecowboydrummer), and Eric Urrea (Marina City)
Inside this episode:
Why Creators Struggle to Accept Compliments

The Trap of Overthinking Content Creation

Balancing Comedy, Drumming, and Self-Worth Online

When Do You Feel Like a Drummer vs. an Impostor?

The Subtle Art of Playing Soft and Why Grip Debates Are Overrated
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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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
46 min
July 30, 2025 Cain Daniel (Jesus Molina) breaks down the five records that influenced his playing
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. I’m Ben Hilzinger, and this is another installment of Big Fat Five—where I ask my favorite drummers (and, honestly, just favorite people) to break down the five records that shaped how they approach the instrument.
Today’s guest is Cain Daniel. You might’ve caught him on a recent episode of The Drum Panel, but this time he’s here for the Big Fat Five treatment.
I first saw Cain play with Jesus Molina, and his creativity, clarity, and confidence behind the kit instantly stood out in the sea of drum videos I scroll through every day. He’s an LA-based drummer, a Berklee College of Music grad, and in recent years he’s played with Chappell Roan, Derek Hough, Engelbert Humperdinck, and plenty more.
So let’s get into the five records that helped shape Cain Daniel into the drummer he is today. And while this isn’t a Drum Panel episode, we still take a few fun side quests along the way.

CAIN'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Dave Weckl
Album - Master Plan
Release Year - 1990
Drummer - Dave Weckl
-
Artist - Dave Matthews Band
Album - Busted Stuff
Release Year - 2002
Key Track - "Grey Street"
Drummer - Carter Beauford
-
Artist - Tigran Hamasyan
Album - Mockroot
Release Year - 2015
Drummer - Arthur Hnatek
-
Artist Rufus & Chaka Khan
Album - Stompin’ at the Savoy
Release Year - 1983
Drummer John "JR" Robinson
-
Artist - Tower of Power
Album - Back to Oakland
Release Year - 1974
Key Track(s) - "Don’t Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)"
Drummer - David Garibaldi
-
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Artist - Avishai Cohen
Album - Gently Disturbed
Release Year - 2008
Drummer - Mark Guiliana
-
Artist - Dirty Loops
Album - Loopified
Release Year - 2014
Drummer - Aron Mellergard
---
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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 min
July 23, 2025The Drum Panel: You’re totally not a mound of dirt
Ben (me..hi!), Mark Stepro (The Wallflowers) and Eric Urrea (Marina City) talk about the gear that go away...

Our favorite BAD recordings

How to stay in love with drumming when it’s also your job

When to say yes to a gig—and when to walk away

Should you charge for prep time? And how much is your time actually worth?

Why some “Instagram drummers” aren’t your competition—and that’s fine
---
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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 3 min
July 16, 2025 Big Fat Five: Marcus Finnie (Drummer/Composer/Educator) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
This week’s installment of Big Fat Five features Marcus Finnie…a proud Memphis native now based in Nashville and he’s one of the most respected session drummers and educators around. His credits span genres and include icons such as Donna Summer, Billy Preston, Larry Carlton, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Lady A, and many more. He’s also played on multiple grammy winning and grammy nominated records.
I recently went down a rabbit hole watching his clinics and he was too insightful and talented NOT have on the show. So here we go. I hope you enjoy the records that helped shape Marcus Finnie into the impactful musician he is today.
---
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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
49 min
July 09, 2025The Drum Panel: Gunnar Sounds Great!
In this PART 2 episode of The Drum Panel, I’m yet again joined by drummers Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Big Data) and Eric Urrea (Marina City) for a deep dive into the internal lives of drummers — the anxiety, the self-doubt, the flow states, and the fears we rarely talk about.
Today we discuss:
The adrenaline of live shows

How we learn songs

Reoccurring drummer nightmares

The power of simple praise

Content creation as practice

Drummer swap fantasies

The burden drummers carry

Looking ahead for The Drum Panel
---
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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
July 02, 2025The Drum Panel: Debby Boone Pat Pat
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.
Today we discuss:
How Gunnar 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 Gunnar 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 Gunnar 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

Gunnar’s candid reflection after a rough wedding gig and how it reignited his desire to practice

Blending live drums with electronic stems: what Gunnar 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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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, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
54 min

About Drummers on Drumming

From the publisher's feed

A podcast for drummers who think too much. Ben Hilzinger talks to the greats about creativity, identity, staying sane, and finding purpose behind the kit.